Patent Application
20240230161
The present disclosure relates to dual mode water heating systems and methods and more specifically to water heating systems and methods for switching between a normal operation mode and a high demand operation mode by modifying a heating system differential temperature.
Certain water heating systems may generally include a water tank that stores water. The water heating system may heat the water in the tank to a desired temperature when water temperature drops below a threshold value. In some instances, the water temperature may drop when heated water is drawn from the water tank and the water tank is replenished with cold water.
Tank-based water heating systems typically take time to heat cold water. While a user may be comfortable waiting for the cold water to heat in normal circumstances, there may be instances where the user may desire a faster rate of water heating. For example, during morning hours or when the user has guests at home, the demand for heated water may be high. In such instances, the user may desire a faster rate of water heating from the water heating system.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
The present disclosure is directed towards a tank-based water heating system (“system”) configured to heat water in a water tank using dual modes, e.g., a normal operation mode and a high demand operation mode. The system may heat the water at a faster rate and/or provide more heated water in the high demand operation mode as compared to the normal operation mode.
The system may include a heating element, e.g., a gas burner, an electric heater, a heat pump, or a combination thereof, configured to heat water in the water tank. The system may further include temperature sensor(s) configured to measure water temperature in the water tank and a controller that may receive water temperature information from the temperature sensor(s). The controller may activate the heating element when the water temperature in the water tank drops below a threshold value. Specifically, when the system operates in the normal operation mode, the controller may activate the heating element when a difference between a target/desired water temperature and the actual water temperature received from the temperature sensor(s) is greater than a differential temperature threshold value (e.g., a first value). In some aspects, the target water temperature may be provided by a user, via a user device or a system Human Machine Interface (HMI), or may be factory-set in the system.
The controller may be further configured to switch system operation to the high demand operation mode when the controller detects a trigger event. The controller may switch the system operation to the high demand operation mode by changing (e.g., reducing) the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to a second value (that may be lower than the first value).
In some aspects, the controller may detect the trigger event when the controller receives an input from the user via the user device or the system HMI. Further, the controller may detect the trigger event when a water temperature drop rate in the water tank is greater than a first threshold rate. The controller may determine the water temperature drop rate from the water temperature information received from the temperature sensors. In this case, the controller may automatically switch the system operation to the high demand operation mode and may not require the input from the user.
In further aspects, the controller may be configured to “predict” future time duration(s) when the water temperature drop rate may increase above a second threshold rate (which may be same as the first threshold rate) and automatically switch the system operation to the high demand operation mode at a start time of the time duration. The controller may predict the future time duration based on historical water usage trends associated with the system (that may be stored in a system memory). For example, based on the historical water usage trends, the controller may determine that water usage may be generally high every
Wednesday from six to eight PM, and hence the water temperature drop rate too may be high. In this case, the controller may automatically switch the system operation to the high operation mode at 6 PM on Wednesdays.
Furthermore, the controller may switch the system operation back to the normal operation mode, i.e., change (e.g., increase) the differential temperature threshold value from the second value to the first value when the water temperature drop rate reduces below a third threshold rate.
The present disclosure is directed to a water heating system that may be configured to switch operation modes when a faster rate of water heating and/or a greater amount of heated water may be needed. Specifically, the system may reduce the differential temperature threshold when demand for heated water may be high, thus enabling a faster rate of water heating. In this manner, the system may provide more heated water when the user may require a higher volume of heated water in a relatively short time, e.g., during morning hours or when the user has guests at home. In some aspects, the system may automatically switch system operation modes based on historical water usage trends or when the system detects a high water draw rate (or a high water temperature drop rate). Thus, the system may not require user inputs to switch operation modes, which may further enhance user convenience.
Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained in detail herein, it is to be understood that other examples, embodiments, and implementations of the disclosed technology are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components expressly set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology can be implemented in a variety of examples and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter is described in the context of being a system and method for heating water in a tank-based water heating system that uses gas burners, electric heaters, heat pumps, or a combination thereof. The present disclosure, however, is not so limited, and can be applicable in other contexts. The present disclosure, for example and not limitation, can include other water heater systems such as boilers, industrial water heaters, and other water heater systems configured to heat water for various purposes. Furthermore, the present disclosure can include other fluid heating systems configured to heat a fluid other than water such as process fluid heaters used in industrial applications. Such implementations and applications are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is described in the context of being a system and method for heating water in a tank-based water heating system, it will be understood that other implementations can take the place of those referred to.
Although the term “water” is used throughout this specification, it is to be understood that other fluids may take the place of the term “water” as used herein. Therefore, although described as a water heating system, it is to be understood that the system and methods described herein can apply to fluids other than water. Further, it is also to be understood that the term “fluid” can replace the term “water” as used herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The fluid heating systems may include gas furnaces, electric heating elements, and/or heat pump systems or the like for heating the fluid.
Turning now to the drawings,
The system 100 may include a water tank 105 that may be configured to store water. The water tank 105 may be of any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The water tank 105 may receive cold water from a water supply (e.g., from a utility or the like) via an inlet valve 110. The water tank 105 may store the received water. The system 100 may include one or more heating elements 115 (or a heating element 115) that may heat the water stored in the water tank 105. The heating element 115 may include, but is not limited to, a gas burner, an electric heater, a heat pump, or a combination thereof. Any suitable heating element may be used herein. The system 100 may further include an outlet valve 120 that may dispense heated water from the water tank 105.
The system 100 may further include one or more temperature sensors 135a, 135b (collectively referred to as temperature sensors 135) that may be configured to measure water temperature inside the water tank 105 at different locations. The temperature sensors 135 may be thermocouples, resistor temperature detectors, thermistors, infrared sensors, semiconductors, or any other type of sensors that would be appropriate for a given use or application. In an exemplary aspect, the temperature sensor 135a may measure water temperature at a water tank top portion, and the temperature sensor 135b may measure water temperature at a water tank bottom portion.
The system 100 may include additional sensors or components. Examples of such additional sensors or components include, but are not limited to, a water flow rate sensor (that may be disposed in proximity to the inlet valve 110 and/or the outlet valve 120), a pressure sensor, a scale, a voltmeter, an ammeter, a power meter, an ohmmeter, a resistance temperature detector, environment condition sensors including ambient air temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and/or the like.
The system 100 may further include a controller 140 that may communicatively couple with the temperature sensors 135 and the heating element 115. The controller 140 may receive inputs from the temperature sensors 135 (and external devices, e.g., user devices) and may control operations of various system components (including the heating element 115) to efficiently heat the water stored in the water tank 105. For example, the controller 140 may switch system operation of the system 100 from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode (and vice-versa) based on the inputs received from the temperature sensors 135.
The system 100 (or the controller 140) may further include a memory that may be configured to store a target water temperature value and a differential temperature threshold value. The target water temperature may be a desired water temperature in the water tank 105. In some aspects, the controller 140 may be configured to obtain real-time water temperature in the water tank 105 from the temperature sensors 135 and the target water temperature and the differential temperature threshold value from the memory. Responsive to receiving the data described above, the controller 140 may calculate a difference between the target water temperature and the real-time water temperature. When the system 100 operates in the normal operation mode, the controller 140 may send an activation signal to the heating element 115 to heat water in the water tank 105 when the calculated difference is greater than the differential temperature threshold value (e.g., a first value).
Responsive to receiving the activation signal, the heating element 115 may heat the water in the water tank 105. Further, the controller 140 may send a deactivation signal to the heating element 115 when the real-time water temperature is equal to the target water temperature.
The controller 140 may be further configured to switch system operation from the normal operation mode to the high-demand operation mode when the controller 140 detects a trigger event. In some aspects, the controller 140 may switch the system operation to the high demand operation mode by changing the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to a second value. In some instances, the second value may be smaller than the first value.
The controller 140 may detect the trigger event when the controller 140 receives an input (e.g., a first trigger signal) from a user device or a system user interface or when a rate of water temperature drop in the water tank 105 increases above a first threshold rate. Reducing the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value may enable the system 100 to heat water in the water tank 105 at a faster rate and thereby produce more heated water.
The controller 140 may be additionally configured to switch the system operation back to the normal operation mode from the high operation mode when the controller 140 obtains a second trigger signal and/or when a predefined condition is met. The controller 140 may switch the system operation to the normal operation mode by increasing the differential temperature threshold from the second value to the first value. The controller 140 may receive the second trigger signal from the user device or the system user interface, and the predefined condition may be met when the rate of water temperature drop in the water tank 105 decreases below a second rate threshold.
The controller 200 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a communication interface 205, a processor 210, and a memory 215. The controller 200 may be a computing device configured to receive data, determine actions based on the received data, and output a control signal instructing one or more system components to perform one or more actions. As discussed above, the controller 200 may be a part of the system 100, and the controller 200 may be in communication with at least some of the system components.
In some aspects, the controller 200 may be configured to send and receive wireless or wired signals, and the signals may be analog or digital signals. The wireless signals may include Bluetooth™, BLE, WiFi™, ZigBee™, infrared, microwave radio, or any other type of wireless communication signals as may be suitable for a particular system application. The hard-wired signals can include communication signals between any directly wired connections between the controller 200 and other system components. For example, the controller 200 can have a hard-wired 24 Volts Direct Current (VDC) connection to the temperature sensors 135 described above in conjunction with
Alternatively, the controller 200 may communicate with the temperature sensors 135 and other sensors installed in the system 100 via a digital connection. The digital connection can include a connection such as an Ethernet or a serial connection and can utilize any suitable communication protocol for the system 100 application, such as Modbus, fieldbus, PROFIBUS, SafetyBus, Ethernet/IP, and/or the like. Furthermore, the controller 200 can utilize a combination of wireless, hard-wired, and analog or digital communication signals to communicate with and control the various system components. The above configurations are given merely as non-limiting examples and the actual configuration can vary depending on the particular system application.
In additional aspects, the controller 200 may be configured to communicate, via the communication interface 205, with one or more external devices via one or more network(s) 220. For example, the controller 200 may be configured to receive/transmit data from/to a user device 225 via the network(s) 220. In an exemplary aspect, the user device 225 may execute an application (“app”) installed on the user device 225 to communicate with the controller 200 via the network(s) 220.
The network(s) 220 illustrates an example communication infrastructure in which the connected devices discussed in various embodiments of this disclosure may communicate. The network(s) 220 may be and/or include the Internet, a private network, public network or other configuration that operates using any one or more known communication protocols such as, for example, transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), Bluetooth®, BLE®, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11, UWB, and cellular technologies such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPDA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Fifth Generation (5G), to name a few examples.
Additionally, the controller 200 may have or be in communication with a user interface 230 (which may be, e.g., a system HMI) for displaying system information and receiving inputs from a system user. The user interface 230 may be installed locally on the system 100. The user, for example, may view system data on the user interface 230 and input data or commands to the controller 200 via the user interface 230. For example, the user may view system temperature settings (or any other setting) on the user interface 230 and provide inputs to the controller 200 via the user interface 230 to change the settings. For example, the user may provide information associated with the target/desired temperature of heated water and send requests to the controller 200 to switch the system operation mode from the normal operation mode to the high-demand operation mode (and vice-versa) via the user interface 230.
The memory 215 may be configured to store a program and/or instructions associated with the functions and methods described herein. The processor 210 may be configured to execute the program and/or instructions stored in the memory 215. The memory 215 can include one or more suitable types of memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash memory, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), and the like) for storing files including the operating system, application programs (including, for example, a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, and or other applications, as necessary), executable instructions and data. One, some, or all of the processing techniques or methods described herein can be implemented as a combination of executable instructions and data within the memory 215.
In some aspects, the memory 215 may include an Artificial Intelligence (AI) module 235 that may include a trained or unsupervised neural network model that may analyze the information stored in the memory 215 using machine learning and natural language processing, which may facilitate the switching of the system operation modes.
In one or more aspects, the neural network model may include electronic data, which may be implemented, for example, as a software component, and may rely on code databases, libraries, scripts, or other logic or instructions for execution of a neural network algorithm by the processor 210. The neural network model may be implemented as code and routines configured to enable a computing device, such as the controller 200, to perform one or more operations (such as switching the system operation modes). In some aspects, the neural network model may be implemented using hardware including a processor, a microprocessor (e.g., to determine investment recommendations), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In other aspects, the neural network model may be implemented by using a combination of hardware and software.
Examples of the neural network model may include, but are not limited to, a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a CNN-recurrent neural network (CNN-RNN), R-CNN, Fast R-CNN, Faster R-CNN, an artificial neural network (ANN), a Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network based RNN, CNN+ANN, LSTM+ANN, a gated recurrent unit (GRU)-based RNN, a fully connected neural network, a deep Bayesian neural network, a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), and/or a combination of such networks. In some aspects, the neural network model may include numerical computation techniques using data flow graphs. In one or more aspects, the neural network model may be based on a hybrid architecture of multiple Deep Neural Networks (DNNs).
The communication interface 205 may be configured to send or receive communication signals between the various system components. The communication interface 205 can include hardware, firmware, and/or software that allows the processor 210 to communicate with the other components via wired or wireless networks, whether local or wide area, private or public, as known in the art. The communication interface 205 can also provide access to a cellular network, the Internet, a local area network, or another wide-area network as suitable for the particular system application.
In operation, the processor 210 may obtain real-time water temperature information for the water stored in the water tank 105 from the temperature sensors 135, via the communication interface 205. In addition, the processor 210 may obtain a target water temperature and a differential temperature threshold value (e.g., a first value) from the memory 215 when the system 100 operates in the normal operation mode. The target water temperature may be a desired water temperature in the water tank 105. In some aspects, the memory 215 may receive the target water temperature and the differential temperature threshold value from the user, e.g., via the user device 225 or the user interface 230. In other aspects, the target water temperature and the differential temperature threshold value may be pre-stored (e.g., factory-set) in the memory 215.
Responsive to obtaining the temperature data described above, the processor 210 may calculate a difference between the real-time water temperature and the target water temperature. The processor 210 may send an activation signal to the heating element 115 (e.g., gas burner, electric heater, heat pump, etc., as described in conjunction with
Furthermore, the processor 210 may send a deactivation signal to the heating element 115 when the real-time water temperature becomes equal to the target water temperature. For example, the processor 210 may send the deactivation signal to the heating element 115 when the real-time water temperature becomes equal to 120 degree Fahrenheit. Responsive to receiving the deactivation signal, the heating element 115 may stop heating the water in the water tank 105.
The concept of the target water temperature and the differential temperature threshold value may be understood in conjunction with
The X-axis of the graph 300 may denote time, and the Y-axis may denote real-time water temperature in the water tank 105. A temperature level 305 may denote the target water temperature, and a temperature level 310 may denote a cut-off temperature level. A difference between the temperature level 305 and the temperature level 310 may denote the differential temperature threshold value (e.g., the first value).
In an exemplary aspect, the processor 210 may activate the heating element 115 when the real-time water temperature reaches to a temperature point 315. Responsive to the activation, the heating element 115 may heat the water in the water tank 105. When the real-time water temperature reaches to a temperature point 320, the processor 210 may deactivate the heating element 115.
As heated water is drawn from the water tank 105 with time, the hot water in the water tank 105 may be replenished with cold water, which may result in a gradual drop of water temperature in the water tank 105 (which is illustrated by the gradual drop in temperature between the temperature point 320 and a temperature point 325). The processor 210 may again activate the heating element 115 when the real-time water temperature reaches the temperature point 325. The heating element 115 may then again heat water in the water tank 105 so that the water temperature may reach to the temperature level 305. In this manner, the processor 210 may control water temperature when the system 100 operates in the normal operation mode.
The processor 210 may be further configured to switch the system operation mode from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode when the controller 200 detects a trigger event. In some aspects, the controller 200 may detect the trigger event when the controller receives an input (e.g., a first trigger signal) via the communication interface 205, from the user device 225 (e.g., by using an application executing on the user device 225), and/or the user interface 230. In some aspects, the user may send the input/first trigger signal to the controller 200 when the user desires to switch the system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode. The user may desire to switch the system operation to the high demand operation mode when the user requires a faster heating rate from the system 100. For example, during morning hours or when the user has guests at home, the user may expect a higher demand of heated water. In such situations, the user may desire faster heating rate from the system 100 and may hence send the input to the controller 200.
The processor 210 may obtain the input from the communication interface 205 when the user sends the input to the controller 200. Responsive to obtaining the input, the processor 210 may detect the trigger event and switch the system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode. Specifically, responsive to detecting the trigger event, the processor 210 may decrease the differential temperature threshold value (e.g., decrease the distance between points 315 and 320) by a predefined value. In particular, the processor 210 may decrease the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to a second value. For example, if the first value is 8 degree Fahrenheit and the predefined value is 4 degree Fahrenheit, the processor 210 may reduce the first value to the second value of 4 degree Fahrenheit. In some aspects, the predefined value may be pre-stored in the memory 215 or may be received from the user via the user device 225 or the user interface 230. In this case, the processor 210 may first fetch the predefined value from the memory 215 and may then decrease the first value of 8 degree Fahrenheit by the predefined value.
The predefined value is depicted as value “D” in
Responsive to decreasing the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value, the processor 210 may store the second value in the memory 215. Further, the processor 210 may obtain the real-time water temperature from the temperature sensors 135 and may calculate a difference between the real-time water temperature and the target water temperature. In the high demand operation mode, the processor 210 may activate the heating element 115 when the calculated difference is greater than the second value.
By reducing the differential temperature threshold value (i.e., by shifting the temperature level 310 up in the graph 300) from the first value to the second value, the system 100 may heat the water in the water tank 105 at a faster rate. Specifically, since the second value is less than the first value, the processor 210 may activate the heating element 115 at a faster rate, thus heating the water in the water tank 105 quicker than the normal operation mode. In an exemplary aspect, the system 100 may heat the water 10 up to 20% faster when differential temperature threshold value is reduced from 8 degree Fahrenheit (i.e., the first value) to 4 degree Fahrenheit (i.e., the second value).
The processor 210 may additionally switch the system operation back to the normal operation mode from the high-demand operation mode when the processor 210 obtains a second trigger signal from the user via the user device 225 or the user interface 230.
Specifically, the processor 210 may increase the differential temperature threshold value from the second value back to the first value in response to obtaining the second trigger signal. Responsive to increasing the second value, the system 100 may operate in the normal operation mode, i.e., may not heat water at the faster rate.
In some aspects, the user may transmit, via the user device 225 or the user interface 230, the second trigger signal to the communication interface 205 (from where the processor 210 may obtain the second trigger signal) when the user does not desire faster heating rate. For example, during afternoon hours or in the evenings, when the demand for heated water may be low, the user may transmit the second trigger signal to the communication interface 205. In other aspects, the user may transmit a time duration or a “calendar” for operating the system 100 in the high-demand mode when sending the first trigger signal to the communication interface 205. In this case, the processor 210 may automatically switch the system operation back to the normal operation mode when the time duration elapses.
Although the description above describes aspects where the processor 210 switches the system operation modes based on trigger signal(s) obtained from the user, in additional aspects, the processor 210 may be configured to switch the system operation modes automatically, without requiring any user input. Exemplary aspects where the processor 210 automatically switches the system operation modes are described below.
In some aspects, the processor 210 may be configured to determine a water temperature drop rate from the water temperature data received from the temperature sensors 135 and may switch the system operation modes based on the determined water temperature drop rate. Specifically, the processor 210 may receive the water temperature data from the temperature sensors 135 at a predefined frequency (e.g., every 30 or 60 seconds) and determine the water temperature drop rate based on the water temperature data. The processor 210 may detect the trigger event and may automatically reduce the differential temperature threshold value from the first value (e.g., 8 degree Fahrenheit) to the second value (e.g., 4 degree Fahrenheit) when the determined water temperature drop rate increases above a first threshold rate. For example, the processor 210 may automatically switch the system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode when the processor 210 determines that the water temperature has dropped by the first value (e.g., 8 degree Fahrenheit) more than a predefined times (e.g., 3 or 4 times) in last 1 or 2 hours (or a predefined time duration). In some aspects, the first value described above may be in a range of 6-10 degree Fahrenheit or 7-9 degree Fahrenheit. Furthermore, the second value may be in a range of 1-5 degree Fahrenheit or 3-6 degree Fahrenheit.
Stated another way, the processor 210 may automatically switch the system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode when the processor 210 determines that the water temperature has dropped below the temperature level 310 more than 3 or 4 times in past 1 or 2 hours.
The values and rates mentioned above are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure scope. Further, in an exemplary aspect, the water temperature drop rate may increase above the first threshold rate when substantial water is drawn from the water tank 105, resulting in an increased rate of water temperature drop.
In the aspect described above, the processor 210 may not require any user input (e.g., the first trigger signal) to switch the system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode. Further, the processor 210 may not require the user input (e.g., the second trigger signal) to switch back to the normal operation mode. In this case, the processor 210 may switch back to the normal operation mode when the processor 210 determines that the water temperature drop rate has dropped below a second threshold rate. For example, the processor 210 may switch back to the normal operation mode when the processor 210 determines that the water temperature has not dropped in past 2 hours.
In an exemplary aspect, the processor 210 may switch back to the normal operation mode by gradually increasing the differential temperature threshold value from the second value (e.g., 4 degree Fahrenheit) to the first value (e.g., 8 degree Fahrenheit). For example, the processor 210 may increase the second value of 4 degree Fahrenheit by 1 degree Fahrenheit every 30 minutes, thereby increasing the second value to the first value (e.g., 8 degree Fahrenheit) in 2 hours. If, anytime during the 2-hour time duration, the processor 210 determines that the water temperature has dropped again in the water tank 105, the processor 210 may not increase the second value and may continue to operate the system 100 in the high demand mode.
In yet another aspect, the processor 210 may switch the system operation based on historical water usage information associated with the system 100 that may be stored in the memory 215. Specifically, the processor 210 may obtain the historical water usage information from the memory 215 and execute instructions stored in the AI module 235 to “predict” a time duration when the water temperature drop rate may increase above a third threshold rate (which may be same as the first threshold rate). For example, the processor 210 may analyze the historical water usage information and predict that the water usage may be high every Saturday from 6 to 8 PM. Based on the water usage prediction, the processor 210 may predict that the water temperature drop rate may increase above the third threshold rate every Saturday from 6 to 8 PM (i.e., the “time duration”). Responsive to predicting the time duration, the processor 210 may store the time duration in the memory 215. The stored time duration may have a start time (e.g., Saturday, 6 PM) and an end time (e.g., Saturday, 8 PM).
The controller 200 may further include a timer 240 that may obtain the time duration from the memory 215. The timer 240 may be configured to generate and send a trigger signal (i.e., the trigger signal to switch system operation from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode) to the processor 210 at the start time. Responsive to receiving the trigger signal from the timer 240, the processor 210 may detect the trigger event and decrease the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value at the start time.
The timer 240 may be further configured to generate and send another trigger signal (i.e., the trigger signal to switch the system operation back to the normal operation mode) at the end time. Responsive to receiving the other trigger signal, the processor 210 may increase the differential temperature threshold value from the second value to the first value at the end time.
The method 400 starts at step 402. At step 404, the method 400 may include obtaining, by the processor 210, the target water temperature from the memory 215 and the water temperature in the water tank 105 from the temperature sensors 135. At step 406, the method 400 may include determining, by the processor 210, the difference between the target water temperature and the water temperature. At step 408, the method 400 may include activating, by the processor 210, the heating element 115 (e.g., the gas burner, the electric heater, heat pump, etc.) when the difference is greater than the differential temperature threshold value (e.g., the first value).
At step 410, the method 400 may include obtaining, by the processor 210, the first trigger signal/user input. Stated another way, the processor 210 may detect the trigger event at the step 410. As described above, the first trigger signal may be obtained from the user device 225 or the user interface 230 when the user desires to switch the system operation mode from the normal operation mode to the high demand operation mode. At step 412, the method 400 may include decreasing, by the processor 210, the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value responsive to obtaining the trigger signal.
The method 400 may include additional steps of obtaining, by the processor 210, the second trigger signal and increasing the differential temperature threshold value from the second value to the first value responsive to obtaining the second trigger signal.
At step 414, the method 400 may end.
The method 500 starts at step 502. Steps 504, 506 and 508 of the method 500 may be same as the steps 404, 406 and 408 of the method 400 and are hence not described again here for the sake of simplicity and conciseness.
At step 510, the method 500 may include determining, by the processor 210, that a water temperature drop rate is more than a temperature drop rate threshold based on the obtained water temperature. Stated another way, the processor 210 may detect the trigger event at the step 510. At step 512, the method 500 may include decreasing, by the processor 210, the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value when the water temperature drop rate is more than the temperature drop rate threshold, as described above in conjunction with
The method 500 may include an additional step of increasing the differential temperature threshold value from the second value back to the first value when the water temperature drop rate is less than another temperature drop rate threshold.
At step 514, the method 500 may end.
The method 600 starts at step 602. Steps 604, 606 and 608 of the method 600 may be same as the steps 404, 406 and 408 of the method 400 and are hence not described again here for the sake of simplicity and conciseness.
At step 610, the method 600 may include obtaining, by the processor 210, the historical water usage information from the memory 215. At step 612, the method 600 may include predicting, by the processor 210, the time duration when the water temperature drop rate may be more than a first water temperature drop threshold based on the historical water usage information. As described above in conjunction with
At step 614, the method 600 may include decreasing, by the processor 210, the differential temperature threshold value from the first value to the second value at the start time (i.e., when the processor 210 detects the trigger event).
The method 600 may include an additional step of increasing the differential temperature threshold value from the second value back to the first value at the end time.
At step 616, the method 600 may end.
In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.
With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/479,375, filed Jan. 11, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63479375 | Jan 2023 | US |
