Systems and methods for monitoring relief valve drain in hot water Heater

• US 7,970,494 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Drain Inc.
• Original Assignee: LiquidBreaker, LLC
• Inventors: Fima, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/622,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20100133258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 700/282, 137/62, 137/66, 236/21.B
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/082 for water heating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/223 in the water storage tank
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/238 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/269 Time, e.g. hour or date
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/355 Control of heat-generating means in heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/45 remotely accessible
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/486 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/16 Arrangements for water drainage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2021 Storage heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1353 Low temperature responsive drains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1516 Thermo-electric

Abstract

A system is disclosed that advantageously monitors a status of a relief valve coupled to a water heater or other pressure vessel. By monitoring the relief valve, the system can limit the energy and water wasted resulting from the relief valve'"'"'s failure. The system can have first and second sensors that monitor a temperature and pressure within the relief valve, and a water flow from the relief valve, respectively. If the temperature or pressure within the relief valve exceeds predetermined thresholds, or a water flow from the relief valve continues for greater than a predetermined interval, the system can restrict a flow of gas, electric current, or water to the water heater.

Claims

1. A system that monitors a flow of water in a drain pipe that is coupled to a relief valve of a water heater, comprising:

a first sensor that monitors a temperature or pressure of the water heater to produce a first signal;

a second sensor that monitors the flow of water to the drain pipe to produce a second signal; and

a controller that (1) receives the first and second signals, and (2) restricts (a) a flow of gas or (b) an electric current to the water heater as a first function of at least one of the first and second signals.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first valve that regulates a flow of water to the water heater;

a first valve actuator that operates the first valve; and

wherein the controller controllably communicates with the first valve actuator as a second function of the first or second signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller directs the first valve to be closed when the flow of water to the drain pipe exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor monitors the temperature of the water heater, and further comprising a third sensor that monitors the pressure of the water heater to produce a third signal, wherein the controller restricts (a) the flow of gas or (b) the electric current to the water heater as a second function of the third signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller restricts (a) the flow of gas or (b) the electric current to the water heater when the flow of water to the drain pipe exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises electronics that transmit a status signal to a remote monitor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller has electronics configured to receive power via a line voltage.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electronics are further configured to transmit a status signal over a power line.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the relief valve is at least partially disposed within a housing of the controller.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to activate the alarm as a function of the first or second signal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the alarm comprises a status light.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the alarm comprises an audio emitter.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a reset switch coupled to the controller, such that actuating the reset switch deactivates the alarm.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor that monitors a presence of fluid externally to the water heater, and wherein the controller is further configured to restricts (a) the flow of gas or (b) the electric current to the water heater as a second function of at least one of the first and second signals.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the third sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors are coupled to the relief valve, and wherein the first sensor monitors a pressure in the relief valve and the second sensor monitors a flow of water from the relief valve to the drain pipe.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the water heater is tankless, and wherein the controller is integrated into a circuitry of the water heater.

18. A system that monitors a water heater having a relief valve, comprising:

a first sensor that monitors a temperature or pressure of the water heater to produce a first signal, wherein the first sensor is coupled to the relief valve;

a second sensor that monitors the flow of water in the relief valve to produce a second signal; and

a controller that (1) receives the first and second signals, and (2) activates at least one of (a) a visual alarm and (b) an audible alarm as a function of at least one of the first and second signals.