Water heater stacking detection and control
US8322312B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28D20/0034
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems for operating a water heater to limit the effects of stacking in a water heater tank are disclosed. In some cases, the water heater controller may determine a rate of change of the water temperature in the water heater tank. If the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, the controller may adjust the water heater temperature set point downward to help reduce stacking in the water heater. In some cases, the water heater temperature set point may be returned to the original water heater temperature set point when stacking is no longer likely to be of a concern. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller may track the time that the heater of the water heater is in the “on” state, or the time that the heater is in the “off” state, during subsequent heating cycles. The controller may then compare the “on” time or the “off” time to respective recovery threshold times. If the “on” time or the “off” time exceeds its respective recovery threshold time, then the controller may adjust the set point toward the original water heater temperature set point, sometimes in an incremental manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.