Masterless control system methods for networked water heaters
First Claim
1. A masterless control method for controlling a plurality of heating devices operably connected in a network to meet a heating demand, wherein each of said plurality of heating devices has a controller which communicates to other heating device controllers within said network via a communication bus and each said controller maintains at least one list of usage planning data, said method comprises steps of:
- (a) configuring each said controller to periodically broadcast, at an interval, a message comprising an identification number (ID) and at least one usage planning data item;
(b) configuring each said controller to listen to and receive messages from external controllers on said communication bus; and
(c) configuring each said controller to set a timer upon receiving a message from one of said external controllers, wherein said timer is associated with said one of said external controllers,wherein if said timer expires, said at least one usage planning data item associated with said one of said external controllers is removed from said at least one list of usage planning data and if the usage planning data associated with said one of said external controllers is received prior to the expiration of said timer, said at least one usage planning data item is retained and said timer is reset and restarted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a masterless control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A masterless control method for controlling a plurality of heating devices operably connected in a network to meet a heating demand, wherein each of said plurality of heating devices has a controller which communicates to other heating device controllers within said network via a communication bus and each said controller maintains at least one list of usage planning data, said method comprises steps of:
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(a) configuring each said controller to periodically broadcast, at an interval, a message comprising an identification number (ID) and at least one usage planning data item; (b) configuring each said controller to listen to and receive messages from external controllers on said communication bus; and (c) configuring each said controller to set a timer upon receiving a message from one of said external controllers, wherein said timer is associated with said one of said external controllers, wherein if said timer expires, said at least one usage planning data item associated with said one of said external controllers is removed from said at least one list of usage planning data and if the usage planning data associated with said one of said external controllers is received prior to the expiration of said timer, said at least one usage planning data item is retained and said timer is reset and restarted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A masterless control method for controlling a plurality of heating devices operably connected in a network to meet a heating demand, wherein each of said plurality of heating devices has a controller which communicates to other heating device controllers within said network via a communication bus and each controller maintains at least one list of usage planning data, comprising steps of:
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supplying power to said each heating device controller; configuring the controller of said each heating device to broadcast a message to said communication bus, wherein said message comprises an identification (ID) and at least one usage planning data item; configuring the controller of said each heating device to listen to and receive messages from other controllers on said communication bus; reconciling said at least one list of usage planning data by removing expired usage planning data and adding new usage planning data and then sorting said at least one list of usage planning data based on a predetermined key to produce a sort result; executing a function based on said sort result; configuring the controller of said each heating device to update usage planning data; and providing at least one failsafe measure which requires a shared component of a failed heating device of said plurality of heating devices to continue to operate, wherein said at least one failsafe measure is selected from the group consisting of; (a) requiring a blower of a failed heating device of said plurality of heating devices to remain in operation for venting flue gas; and (b) requiring a valve of a failed heating device of said plurality of heating devices to be disposed in a position for meeting said heating demand. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A masterless control method for controlling a plurality of water heaters fluidly and operably connected in a network to meet a hot water demand, wherein each of said plurality of water heaters has a controller which communicates to other water heater controllers within said network via a communication bus and each controller maintains at least one list of usage planning data, comprising steps of:
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supplying power to said each water heater controller; configuring the controller of said each water heater to broadcast a message to said communication bus, wherein said message comprises an identification number (ID) and at least one usage planning data item; configuring the controller of said each water heater to listen to and receive messages from other controllers on said communication bus; reconciling said list of usage planning data by removing expired usage planning data and adding new usage planning data and then sorting said at least one list of usage planning data based on a predetermined key to produce a sort result; executing a function based on said sort result; configuring the controller of said each water heater to update usage planning data; and providing at least one failsafe measure which requires a shared component of a failed water heater of said plurality of water heaters to continue to operate, wherein said at least one failsafe measure is selected from the group consisting of; (a) requiring a blower of a failed water heater of said plurality of water heaters to remain in operation for venting flue gas; and (b) requiring a valve of a failed water heater of said plurality of water heaters to be disposed in a position for meeting said hot water demand. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification