Systems and methods for controlling water heaters
First Claim
1. A processor for a controller of a water heater, the processor programmed with instructions such that when the instructions are executed, the processor is configured to:
- receive an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater;
initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature;
calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, wherein the reduced activation time is calculated based on a predetermined scaling factor and wherein the reduced activation time is less than a standard activation time required to heat the water from the trigger temperature to the set-point temperature; and
control, based on the reduced activation time, a burner that is configured to heat the water in the water heater.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water heater includes a storage tank, a sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the storage tank, a burner configured to heat the water in the storage tank, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the burner. The controller is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature, calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, and control the burner based on the reduced activation time.
12 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A processor for a controller of a water heater, the processor programmed with instructions such that when the instructions are executed, the processor is configured to:
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receive an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater; initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature; calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, wherein the reduced activation time is calculated based on a predetermined scaling factor and wherein the reduced activation time is less than a standard activation time required to heat the water from the trigger temperature to the set-point temperature; and control, based on the reduced activation time, a burner that is configured to heat the water in the water heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A water heater comprising:
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a storage tank; a sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the storage tank;
a burner configured to heat the water in the storage tank; anda controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the burner, the controller configured to; initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature; calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, wherein the reduced activation time is calculated based on a predetermined scaling factor and wherein the reduced activation time is less than a standard activation time required to heat the water from the trigger temperature to the set-point temperature; and control the burner based on the reduced activation time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a water heater using a controller, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the controller, an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater; initiating, using the controller, a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature; calculating, using the controller, a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, wherein calculating the reduced activation time comprises calculating the reduced activation time as the differential amount multiplied by a predetermined scaling factor; and controlling, using the controller, a burner based on the reduced activation time, the burner configured to heat the water in the water heater. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification