Water heater and method of operating a water heater
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A water heater comprising:
- a tank for holding water;
a first heating element extending into the tank;
a second heating element extending into the tank;
a first temperature sensor thermally coupled to the water;
a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to the water;
a communication module operable to communicate with an external controller remote from the water heater; and
a controller including a processor and a computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller todetermine a first temperature value related to a first temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor,determine a second temperature value related to a second temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor,receive a command and a ratio from the external controller, andwhen the received command is a first command,provide a plurality of slot time periods,provide a random number, which is limited by the number of the plurality of slot time periods,control current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a first strategy for a first group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio, andcontrol current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a second strategy for a second group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water heater that includes a tank for holding water, a heat source, a temperature sensor, a communication module operable to communicate with an external controller remote from the water heater, and a controller including a processor and a computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to operate the water heater. The communication module receives commands from the external controller for further operating the water heater.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A water heater comprising:
-
a tank for holding water; a first heating element extending into the tank; a second heating element extending into the tank; a first temperature sensor thermally coupled to the water; a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to the water; a communication module operable to communicate with an external controller remote from the water heater; and a controller including a processor and a computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to determine a first temperature value related to a first temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor, determine a second temperature value related to a second temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor, receive a command and a ratio from the external controller, and when the received command is a first command, provide a plurality of slot time periods, provide a random number, which is limited by the number of the plurality of slot time periods, control current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a first strategy for a first group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio, and control current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a second strategy for a second group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of operating a water heater to be placed at a consumer location and to be in communication with an external controller, the water heater including a tank for holding water, a first heating element extending into the tank, a second heating element extending into the tank, a first temperature sensor coupled to the tank, and a second temperature sensor coupled to the tank, the method comprising:
-
sensing a first temperature with the first temperature sensor; determining a first temperature value related to the first temperature; sensing a second temperature with the second temperature sensor; determining a second temperature value related to the second temperature; receiving a command and a ratio from the external controller; and when the received command is a first command, providing a plurality of slot time periods, providing a random number, which is limited by the number of the plurality of slot time periods, controlling current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a first strategy for a first group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio, and controlling current to the first heating element and the second heating element under a second strategy for a second group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of operating a water heater to be placed at a consumer location and to be in communication with an external controller, the water heater including a tank for holding water, a heat source, and a temperature sensor coupled to the tank, the method comprising:
-
sensing a temperature with the temperature sensor; determining a temperature value related to the temperature; receiving a command and a ratio from the external controller; and when the received command is a first command, providing a plurality of slot time periods, providing a random number, which is limited by the number of the plurality of slot time periods, controlling the heat source under a first strategy for a first group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio, and controlling the heat source under a second strategy for a second group of slot time periods based on the random number and the ratio. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification