Modular control system and method for a water heater
First Claim
1. A water heater comprising:
- a tank;
a heating element coupled to the tank;
a first controller supported by the tank, the first controller including a first housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first controller to;
determine whether the first controller is connected to a second controller through the first communication port, andcontrol an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller; and
the second controller including a second communication port and a second memory storing executable instructions for controlling the operation of the water heater based on a second algorithm,wherein the operation of the water heater is controlled based on the second algorithm when the first controller is connected to the second controller through the first communication port and the second communication port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water heater having a modular control system. The water heater includes a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is supported by the tank and includes a housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that are executed by the processor. The first controller determines whether the first controller is connected to the second controller through the communication port. The first controller controls an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller. The operation of the water heater is controlled based on an algorithm stored on the second controller when the first controller is connected to the second controller.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A water heater comprising:
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a tank; a heating element coupled to the tank; a first controller supported by the tank, the first controller including a first housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first controller to; determine whether the first controller is connected to a second controller through the first communication port, and control an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller; and the second controller including a second communication port and a second memory storing executable instructions for controlling the operation of the water heater based on a second algorithm, wherein the operation of the water heater is controlled based on the second algorithm when the first controller is connected to the second controller through the first communication port and the second communication port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 26)
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12. A modular control system for a water heater that includes a tank, a heating element, and one or more temperature sensors, the modular control system comprising:
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a first controller including a communication port and control logic that controls one or more operations of the water heater according to a first algorithm, the first controller providing control signals to the heating element and receiving temperature data from the one or more temperature sensors; and a second controller that is selectively connectable to the communication port of the first controller and, when connected, provides additional functionality not enabled by the first controller. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 27)
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18. A water heater comprising:
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a tank; a heating element coupled to the tank; a first controller supported by the tank, the first controller including a first housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the water heater to; determine whether the first controller is connected to a second controller through the first communication port, control an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller, and control the operation of the water heater according to a second algorithm based on signals received from the second controller through the first communication port when the first controller is connected to the second controller. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28)
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Specification