Smart energy controlled water heater
US9188363B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A smart energy control module for a water heater includes a switching module that receives a voltage supply and outputs the voltage supply to the water heater. A communication module communicates with at least one of an energy meter and an energy network external to the water heater and the control module. The control module is mounted on the water heater. The voltage supply passes at least one of through and adjacent to the control module. The control module determines at least one operating characteristic of the water heater based on the voltage supply and selectively actuates the switching module to turn on and turn off the voltage supply to the water heater in response to the operating characteristic and information received from the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.