Modular control system and method for water heaters
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A water heater having a modular control system, comprising:
- a tank;
a heating element coupled to the tank;
a first controller mounted on the tank, the first controller including a first base, first control logic, and a first communication port for coupling the first controller to another controller, wherein the first communication port and the first control logic are mounted on the first base, the first control logic configured todetermine whether the first communication port is conductively coupled to another controller, andcontrol the heating element using at least one first set point in accordance with a first algorithm if the first communication port is not conductively coupled to another controller; and
a second controller mounted on the tank, the second controller including a second base, a second control logic, and a second communication port that is selectively connectable to the first communication port of the first controller, wherein the second communication port and the second control logic are mounted on the second base, the second control logic configured tocontrol the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm, andautomatically determine at least one second set point for controlling the heating element according to the second algorithm,wherein the first controller is further configured to allow the second controller to control the heating element when the second controller is conductively coupled to the first communication port, wherein the first controller is unable to control the heating element in accordance with the second algorithm in an absence of the second controller, wherein the heating element is connected to the first controller, and wherein the second controller operates the heating element through the first controller.
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Abstract
A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a first algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm.
36 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A water heater having a modular control system, comprising:
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a tank; a heating element coupled to the tank; a first controller mounted on the tank, the first controller including a first base, first control logic, and a first communication port for coupling the first controller to another controller, wherein the first communication port and the first control logic are mounted on the first base, the first control logic configured to determine whether the first communication port is conductively coupled to another controller, and control the heating element using at least one first set point in accordance with a first algorithm if the first communication port is not conductively coupled to another controller; and a second controller mounted on the tank, the second controller including a second base, a second control logic, and a second communication port that is selectively connectable to the first communication port of the first controller, wherein the second communication port and the second control logic are mounted on the second base, the second control logic configured to control the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm, and automatically determine at least one second set point for controlling the heating element according to the second algorithm, wherein the first controller is further configured to allow the second controller to control the heating element when the second controller is conductively coupled to the first communication port, wherein the first controller is unable to control the heating element in accordance with the second algorithm in an absence of the second controller, wherein the heating element is connected to the first controller, and wherein the second controller operates the heating element through the first controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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8. A method for providing modular control of water heaters, comprising the steps of:
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providing a water heater, the water heater having a water tank, a heating element, and a first controller mounted on the tank, wherein the heating element is connected to the first controller; determining whether a communication port of the first controller is conductively coupled to another controller; if, according to the determining step, the first controller is not conductively coupled to another controller, controlling the heating element via the first controller in accordance with a first algorithm; and upgrading control of the water heater via a second controller that provides functions not enabled by the first controller, wherein the upgrading step comprises the steps of; providing the second controller on the water heater; coupling the second controller to the first controller via the communication port; and via the second controller, disabling the first controller from controlling the heating element in accordance with the first algorithm, automatically determining a set point for controlling the heating element according to a second algorithm, and controlling the heating element according to the second algorithm through the first controller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 15)
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Specification