Hot water dispenser having improved water temperature control system
US4978833A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H15/128
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hot water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing hot water from an outlet zone near the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An inline flow regulator establishes an inlet flow rate less than the faucet flow rate to maximize the volume of hot water available at the faucet. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series-connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in accordance with the temperature of water sensed by a sensor at the faucet to maintain a constant dispensing temperature. The switch device is thermally coupled to the bottom of the reservoir such that the reservoir acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated during switching. An indicator lamp conditioned by the sensor confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is within a predetermined range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.