Patent Application
20240361038
Today, about 97% of the U.S. market for residential hot water is by “tank” (or “conventional”) water heaters, with the balance of the market essentially by “tankless” (or “on-demand”) water heaters. Conventional water heaters heat water to a preset temperature by heating a reservoir of water, typically ranging from 25 gallons to 100 gallons for residential applications, so that hot water awaits a demand when a fixture(s) in the residence is open (e.g. a shower). Alternatively, on-demand water heaters do not have a reservoir of water heated to a pre-set temperature, but rather heat water to a preset temperature when a fixture for hot water in the residence is opened and thus “calls” for hot water to be produced at that time and for as long as the fixture(s) remains open.
Another type of on-demand hot water heater is specialized for a dedicated fixture (e.g. dishwasher, hot water spout, shower, etc.). These water heaters have a small volumetric flow capacity to deliver hot water and thus serve hot water for only a single and dedicated fixture, are located near the fixture, and do not service the hot water demands for a group of fixtures located throughout the residence that can require hot water simultaneously. These on-demand hot water heaters typically use an electric heating element or some with induction heating with a high-frequency generator. These fixture-specific types of water heaters are separate and apart from that considered herein, as these do not have application for centrally located hot water heating of some or all fixtures individually or simultaneously in a residence or commercial building, are localized in the proximity of the fixture (and not remotely located from and fixture), and are not enabled with a smart appliance to manage, detect, and alert for its operation or related issues that can affect the residence or water heater.
Of the tank and tankless water heaters, there are essentially two main methods of heating the water, specifically, by burning natural gas and then exchanging the heat of the combusted gas to the water to be heated via a heat exchanger, or by immersing an element heated by electricity into the water flow to be heated. The former method has an overall average heat transfer efficiency of 60% and the latter efficiency of 85%.
The conventional (tank) water heater can serve all the points of hot water fixtures in a house including wash basins, hand washers, dishwashers, clothes washers, tubs, and showers. Because of the predominance of these water heaters, it sets the standard for cost including purchase price, installation, reliability, and maintenance. Conventional water heaters have an approximate purchase and installation cost range from $1,500 to $8,500 based on tank capacity and have an average service life from 8 to 12 years (depending on the condition of the water and how well the water heater is maintained), however, the typical warranty period for this water heater in 6 years.
The predominant tank storage hot water heater uses gas to heat a reservoir of water and suffers from several disadvantages including (a) consuming fossil fuel, (b) explosion, (c) carbon monoxide/dioxide seepage into the residence, (d) continuous heating of the water stored even when there is no demand for hot water, (e) large space for the water heater, (f) venting of combusted gas, (g) scalding if the hot water temperature is set too high, (h) prone to leakage from the tank and attached plumbing, (i) limited supply of hot water (to the capacity of the tank), and (j) relatively long recharge time to the pre-set hot water temperature as the tank reservoir is depleted. Note, that the largest cost of home damage is from water, and damage from hot water heaters is the second largest contributor in this category.
Hot water tank storage water heaters using electric heating avoids the issues of burning gas to heat water but suffer from the other issues of a gas tank storage water heater.
The alternative on-demand tankless water heaters include gas or electric means to heat water that can serve all the points of hot water fixtures in a house including wash basins, hand washers, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, and showers. These water heaters have an average service life from 6 to 10 years (depending on the condition of the water and how well the water heater is maintained), however, the typical warranty period for this water heater is in 6 years. Some new model tankless water heater manufacturers offer a 25 years warranty when their water anti-scale device is included.
On-demand water heaters have a distinct advantage over tank storage water heaters, as on-demand (a) provides a continuous flow of water as needed and does not run out of hot water like the tank when its reservoir is depleted, (b) takes about 80-90% less physical space than a tank water heater), (c) because there is no tank there is no energy consumption (electric or burning fossil fuel) to maintain a reservoir of hot water at a set temperature when there is no demand for hot water, and (d) for on-demand gas or electric water heaters there is no pilot flame needed to run continuously. This avoidance of unnecessary energy consumption by on-demand water heaters can save on average 4.75 therms annually in gas and 4000 kWh in electricity vs gas and electric tank storage hot water heaters, respectively. Further, because the on-demand gas tankless water heaters only burn gas when hot water is needed, these hot water heaters have a reduced Carbon footprint of 3-5 tons of Carbon annually vs gas tank water heaters.
However, on-demand tankless water heaters suffer from several disadvantages including (a) consuming fossil fuel for the predominant gas on-demand heater, (b) latency of about 30 seconds to 1 minute to bring hot water to temperature at full flow, (c) potential to produce scalding hot water, (d) limited hot water flow rate ranging from 0.8 GPM to 2.5 GPM, (e) sensitivity to cold water inlet temperature, as lower temperature increases the time to bring the inlet cold water flow to the hot water temperature setting and reduces the flow rate to keep hot water at the set temperature, (f) hot water unavailable with power outage, (g) annual maintenance required, (h) specific sealed venting for the predominant gas on-demand water heaters so that air to combust the gas is sealed from the intake vent through the heat exchanger and to the exhaust to the exterior, (i) dedicated power venting by mechanical fan for forced air intake and combusting gas to the exhaust, (j) sensitivity to water chemistry and requiring upstream anti-scale filter, (k) more complexity than a tank water heater with both electronic controls (for operation and safety) and electro-mechanical devices that makes for more things than can go wrong, and (1) price of purchase and installation about two-times higher than the tank storage water heater of about $1,400 for tank vs $3,200 for tankless.
Inductive intelligent water heating efficiency with an electric element in the water flow is also sensitive to the ratio of the heating element's external diameter to that of the internal diameter of the pipe containing the water flow to be heated. Both the length of the electric element and the diameters of the element to the water containment pipe place restrictions on the volumetric flow of water that can be heated.
Tank and tankless water heaters that heat water with an electric element in place of combustion of natural/propane gas, suffer all other issues of the corresponding water heating device not associated with the combustion of fossil fuel. Additionally, electric heating if not controlled can lead to boiling water that can increase the pressure in the pipes and lead to leakage or rupture of downstream pipes and valves.
The present invention is directed to systems and devices for instantaneous preparation of hot water and accompanying smart applications to control the said systems and devices.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide systems and devices that allow for instantaneous preparation of hot water and accompanying smart applications to control the said systems and devices, as specified in the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. Embodiments of the present invention can be freely combined if they are not mutually exclusive.
The object of this invention—Inductive Intelligent Water Heater (IIWH)—is for the instantaneous preparation of hot water integrated with a smart appliance that can be readily installed, of low maintenance, and efficient for the continuous production of hot water (without requiring a tank) by electric induction heating to serve hot water, to one or many fixtures, individually or simultaneously, typically found in a dwelling (e.g. residential house, school, college building, office building, apartment, barrack, plant facility, recreational vehicle, etc.). The IIWH is a clean-tech device for the Internet of Things (IoT) comprising two major components (1) an Inductive Energy Transfer Unit (IETU), and (2) a smart appliance (SA) that employs software with Artificial Intelligence (AI). The device has the further advantage to incorporate an anti-scale component to (a) mitigate scale on the heating surface of the IETU to preserve its heat transfer efficiency, (b) mitigate blockage in IETU pipes from scale build-up, and (c) remove calcium/minerals of hard water that results in cleaner hot water delivered to the fixtures. The IIWH has a further advantage that with reduced power input and in a larger physical configuration, has the characteristics of a conventional tank storage water heater in some embodiments where a fixed quantity of water is stored and heated to a preset temperature and maintained at that temperature until hot water is demanded at a fixture(s). Configured as a tank storage hot water heater, this invention retains most of the advantages of the IIWH vs current tank storage hot water heaters.
The invention relates to the instantaneous (on-demand) production of hot water intended for residential and commercial applications for sanitary hot water use (e.g. shower, sink, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) that is fluidly connected to upstream stations (fixtures) that use the applications of hot water, comprising two major interacting systems of (1) the water heating circuit of an induction energy transfer unit (IETU), and (2) smart appliance (SA) to manage, monitor, and control the production of hot water and related applications. The former is a device for heating a flow of water comprising a heating circuit with an inductor connected to an electric high-frequency generator. The latter is sensors, control valves, power supply and conditioner, and computer hardware and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and control software to manage the IETU delivery of hot water at a pre-set temperature for the capacity of hot water demand, monitor the building's piping for leak detection and alert, monitor for blockage of the IETU and prediction of a potential leak in the IETU and building piping and alert, interface with water and electric utilities to enable the temporary reduction or termination of hot water and alert, reporting of hot water usage and related costs, reporting of forecast hot water usage and related costs, switch over to external electric power should building electric power fail and alert, monitor for maintenance needs and alert, and manage communications to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™ (or other forms of wireless connectivity) and wired external devices. The SA has an application (app) for smartphones and desktops/laptops (or other external computing devices) that enables a user to set and enable the configuration for the operation of the invention. In some embodiments, the combination of IETU and smart appliance (SA) yields an inductive intelligent water heater (IIWH) for the continuous delivery of hot water to one or simultaneously many fixtures. In other embodiments, the IIWH has a further advantageous capability in that with reduced power input and in a larger physical configuration, it becomes a conventional (tank) storage water heater where a fixed quantity (reservoir) of water is heated to a preset temperature and maintained at that temperature until hot water is demanded at a fixture(s).
The problems of tank storage and on-demand tankless water heaters are addressed by this IIWH device. First, electricity powers the IETU alleviates all issues associated with the direct burning of natural/propane gas to exchange heat with cold water, as well as eliminate the heat exchanger (as such exchanger is traditionally conceived as the exchange of heat between two fluids through an intermediate device that transfers heat from one fluid to the other).
Further, unlike an electric resistance heating element inserted in a flow of water, the IETU is both in contact with the entire flow of water through the IETU and encapsulates the flow of water when compared to an electric element that only transfers heat to the flow of water in the short linear length of the element. The IETU is heated by a high-frequency generator that induces heat in its ferromagnetic material via magnetic eddy currents.
The IETU is in direct contact with water that makes all surfaces of the IETU the heating element, whereas water heating by burning gas, in a prior tank or tankless water heater, has only the internal surface of the heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water flow; i.e., the combusted fuel heats the air that then heats the exterior surface of a heat exchanger to conductively transfer the heat to the interior surface of the exchanger that then heats the flow of water by conduction. This method of heating water first by heating a gas and then transferring the heat through a heat exchanger limits the efficiency of heating a flow of water. While tank or tankless water heating with an electric element is in direct contact with the water to be heated, it is only over the short linear length of the electric heating element.
Conversely, the IETU has water flowing around and within its ferromagnetic surfaces, which maximizes the heating area in contact with the water and minimizes the width of the layer of water between heating surfaces, which overcomes the disadvantage of an electric heating element inserted in the flow of water between the external diameter of the heating element and the internal diameter of the containment pipe. So too, is the issue of a heat exchanger, of the internal diameter of the heating pipe. Also, the IETU can be a single or multi-pass, or multi-stage device thus providing many passes as the water flows through the unit for each pass, as well as the IETU can be connected in tandem with a single SA to control hot water demand in larger facilities.
The present invention has advantages over prior tank or tankless hot water heaters as (a) it uses electricity and has no risk of Carbon Monoxide/Dioxide seepage into the building, (b) no risk of a gas explosion, (c) no risk of scalding hot water, (d) no convective or powered venting requirements to combust or exhaust combusted gas, (e) no limit to the hot water produced as compared to the limited water in a tank storage reservoir, (f) no recharge time to reheat a depleted hot water reservoir as compared to a tank storage, and (g) no direct addition of Carbon greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere as from tank storage and tankless on-demand gas water heaters.
Further, the IIWH is advantaged as (a) takes less physical space than a standard tank storage water heater, (b) has more efficient heating with induction across all IETU surfaces as compared to prior gas or electric tank or tankless water heater, (c) has more capacity to produce hot water with induction heating across all IETU surfaces than a comparable tankless on-demand gas or electric water heater, (d) has less latency to produce hot water with induction heating across all surfaces of the IETU than a comparable tankless on-demand gas or electric water heater, (e) can use external solar, batter, or emergency generator sources of electricity to produce hot water in the event of a loss of electric power to the building, and (f) has smart appliance features using AI beyond tank or a tankless gas or electric water heaters.
The IETU can be expanded or contracted to meet a wide range of conditions and capacities of hot water applications. For example, for hot water heating of an apartment building with higher capacity, the number of stages can be increased as well as the overall size, or for regions (and seasons) with lower cold water inlet temperature the length and number of passes within the IETU can be increased, or for small homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) and regions where cold water inlet temperature is higher and/or capacity requirements lower, the passes and/or length can be reduced (even to one stage). Further configurations to the IETU to accommodate inlet cold water temperature and demand of hot water capacity include (a) varying the diameter of piping, (b) spacing of piping, (c) a number of stages and/or passes, (d) the number of pipes, (e) circular or hexagonal pipe shape (or other shapes), and (f) using IETUs in a parallel or serial configuration.
The IETU operates through a “smart appliance” (SA) that provides a range of features of the IIWH. The SA monitors and controls the IETU and provides broad capabilities through its Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled analytics including (a) production of hot water flow by the IETU to meet demand at the temperature set by the user, (b) detection and alert to pipe leaks, (c) detection and alert of “unusual” water usage indicative of an open fixture, (d) prediction of a pipe/fixture leak, (e) connection with water and/or electric utilities to temporarily reduce or terminate hot water service, (f) calculations of hot water usage and forecast hot water usage and associated costs, (g) wire or wireless communication between the IIWH and its smartphone/desktop computer application and utilities, and (h) ability to manage external power source should power to the building be interrupted.
The invention has two major components consisting of the IETU and smart appliance (SA). The IETU is characterized by: an inductor external to a water containment unit composed of ferromagnetic material for the passage of water. A separate electric-driven high-frequency generator excites the inductor to induce magnetic eddy currents in the ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic containment unit facilitates the passage of water within, around, and through its ferromagnetic surfaces to transfer and enhance the heat gain from the ferromagnetic material to the water flow (whilst the high-frequency generator is active).
A package of pressure, temperature, and flow rate sensors along with a control valve that is mirrored at the inlet and outlet of the IETU, send signals to the SA that monitors and manages the water passage in, through, and out of the IETU to deliver the hot water at its preset temperature and to meet the demand capacity for the duration of demand for hot water.
The smart appliance (SA) governs the operation of the IIWH through its hardware and software that consists of the SA computer, high-frequency generator (HFG), and intelligent power supply and conditioner. The SA is advantaged through AI-enabled analytics and computational software functions characterized by the following features:
A User Settings Table (UST) enables the user to set IIWH operation and control parameters via the digital panel on the SA computer or the app (via wire or wireless connection) to a smartphone or desktop/laptop computer (or other computing device) including (a) the desired hot water temperature, (b) activate the automatic inlet water shut-off to the IETU if a leak is detected in the IETU, (c) activate the automatic outlet shut-off from the IETU of hot water to fixture(s) if a leak or unusually hot water usage is detected or predicted, (d) activate the automatic shut-off of the IETU hot water inlet valve if a leak is detected or predicted downstream of the IETU, (e) activate enablement of water and/or electric utility to temporarily suspend or reduce water or electricity to the IETU, (f) activate the safety scalding governor (SSG) to prevent the IETU from producing hot water above a pre-set temperature that could cause scalding, and (g) set the number and duration of alerts.
A Flow Control Module (FCM) takes signals from the flow and temperature sensors at the cold water inlet and hot water outlet of the IETU that are processed by the AI-enabled analytics to monitor and control functions including (a) upon the open/close of a hot water fixture to initiate/terminate the HFG and regulate the power needed to deliver hot water at the pre-set temperature for the duration of the demand and for the flow rate to meet the demand, and (b) partially close the IETU inlet cold water valve to reduce flow and/or reduce temperature of the hot water outlet of the IETU should hot water capacity demanded from the IETU be unable to meet the pre-set temperature for hot water due to higher volume of hot water demand and/or lower cold water inlet temperature that exceed its configured specifications.
A Safety Monitor & Control Module (SMCM) takes signals from the water flow, temperature, and pressure sensors at the inlet and outlet of the IETU that are processed by the AI-Enabled analytics to monitor, alert, and control IIWH functions as activated by the user via the UST to (a) alert for leaks in the IETU or water piping downstream of the IETU, (b) if the leak should be within the IETU to signal the inlet valve and outlet valves of the IETU to close, and if downstream of the IETU to signal the inlet valve of the IETU to close, (c) alert for leaks in the water piping upstream of the IETU, (d) alert for blockage in the IETU, (e) if the alert is for blockage that reduces the capacity to produce hot water more than 50% then close the inlet valve to the IETU 50%, (f) alert of predicted pipe/valve failure downstream or upstream of the IETU, and signal the IETU inlet valve to close, (g) alert that hot water demand is “excessively” high and indicative of a fixture forgotten to be closed, (h) if the alert is for excessively high hot water demand to signal the inlet valve of the IETU to close, (i) alert and reduce or terminate power to the HFG if the hot outlet water temperature should exceed a preset temperature to prevent scalding, (j) if the power is terminated to the HFG to prevent scalding then the SSG automatically runs a diagnosis and if pass then restart hot water production or if fail preclude production of hot water and alert, and (k) when an alert results in the closing of an IETU inlet or outlet valve, power is terminated to the HFG until an automated diagnostic of the IIWH returns a positive signal and the valves are reopened.
A Utility Interface Module (UIM) connects via the Internet the electric and/or water utility supplier with the IIWH to enable the utility to (a) temporarily suspend or reduce the operation of the IIWH to accommodate reductions needed by the utility, (b) if a utility activates reduction to the IIWH then send an alert, and (c) to gather water or power consumption data.
A Hot Water Reporting Module (HWRM) takes data from the inlet and outlet sensors and utility rate data that are processed by the AI-enabled analytics to compile the hot water flow rate, and energy consumed by the IIWH to calculate and report (a) cost and trend of hot water consumption, (b) cost and trend of electricity to heat the water, (c) total cost and trend of hot water, (c) predict the future trend of hot water usage, and (d) forecast the future consumption and cost of water and electricity of hot water.
A Communication Module (CM) manages wire and wireless interfaces between the IIWH and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™ (or other forms of communication) devices, and alerts if there are any failures of the CM or connections to wire or wirelessly connected devices.
An Intelligent Power Supply & Conditioner Module (IPSCM) receives electric power from the residence/building to (a) clean, condition, and surge protect the power to the SA computer, and (b) take signals from the SA computer FCM, SMCM, and UIM to regulate the power to the HFG and FCM control valve, (c) via a small battery power backup, detect loss of residence/building power and through its external port accept, manage, and convert (DC to AC) power from external sources of solar, battery, or electric generator should a power outage occur to the residence/building, and (d) if residence/building power is lost and no external power is provided, alert of such.
A Maintenance Monitor Module (MMM) periodically runs diagnostics across the IIWH and (a) alerts for current maintenance or predictive maintenance needs, and (b) runs a diagnostic for any alert issued from the FCM, SMCM, and UIM.
The operation of the IIWH is automatic when a user(s) simply opens/closes a fixture for hot water. Once the flow is detected by a flow sensor of the FCM, the FCM manages the power to the high-frequency generator (HFG) to match the power to meet the demand of water as detected by the flow and temperature sensors at the inlet and outlet of the IETU. The IIWH will continue to deliver hot water to the temperature set by the user to the fixture(s) until demand from the fixture(s) is terminated by the user (closing the valve).
This IIWH does not concern itself with the water temperature response at the fixture; i.e. the time between when a user opens a valve for hot water and the time the water reaches the preset hot water temperature at the fixture, as this is outside of the control of the device and dependent on the length of piping between the device and fixture, and whether a recirculation pump is part of the hot water piping and serves the fixture, as well as the heat loss between the installation and the fixture. The primary focus is to rapidly heat water to the pre-set temperature as measured at the IETU outlet (not at the fixture) and to ensure a continuous flow of hot water at the preset temperature to meet the demand of all fixture(s) concurrently making the demand. This device also has “smart” functions to alert, manage, and maintain the device.
The IIWH is self-contained in a package that has the IETU and smart appliance (SA) and is installed similarly to a conventional tank hot water heater and in the similar or same vicinity, unlike fixture-specific inductive hot water heaters that have to be installed near the fixture the heater is serving.
The IIWH has a further advantage as on-demand instantaneous and continuous heating of water that has no standby energy consumption to heat water as compared to prior tank storage electric or gas hot water heaters that must maintain the reservoir of water at the pre-set hot water temperature when there is no demand for hot water. Further, the efficiency of heating water by induction is 41% improvement over gas and 30% over electrical resistance heating.
A further advantage of the IIWH is by increasing the IETU dimensions to approximately a tank storage hot water heater and using lower power to the IETU, the device becomes a tank storage water heater but with several benefits over conventional gas and electric storage devices including (1) the high effectiveness of the IETU to transfer heat means using less power to both bring cold water to temperature and maintaining the hot water in the reservoir at its set temperature, (2) the tank IIWH configuration would fit in existing hot water cabinets in the residence, (3) the IETU would not have a pilot gas burning and thus avoid the consumption of fossil fuel, and (4) would retain all the smart appliance features of the IIWH.
The IIWH in this extended configuration would lose the continuous hot water production advantage, as well as it would consume power to maintain the reservoir of hot water at the pre-set temperature. The IIWH in this extended configuration would still use less power than an electric or gas tank storage heater because its energy transfer to the water is more efficient, and would be a lower price than a comparable instantaneous IIWH and competitive price with a similar capacity electric tank storage hot water heater.
The IETU is the heating circuit for the water. As cold water enters it immediately meets the ferromagnetic material that's heated by the inductor connected to the high-frequency generator (HFG). Therefore, every surface of the IETU transfers heat to the water as it passes from the inlet of the IETU through the holes, plates, pipes, and even containment until it exits the outlet of the IETU. Since all surfaces conduct heat to the water flow, the configuration of the IETU can adapt from small to large volumetric water flow capacities and lower cold water inlet temperatures, whereas electric and gas on-demand water heaters have less adaptability because (a) a heat exchanger is an indirect method to transfer heat from a hot gas to cold liquid, and (b) an electric element is a direct method to transfer heat directly into a cold water flow but is limited to the relatively short linear length and diameter of the element. These limitations of on-demand instantaneous hot water heater configuration are typically managed by reducing hot water flow when multiple fixtures are open simultaneously and/or with low cold water inlet temperature to the heating circuit.
Another advantageous design of the IETU is that it does not exchange heat in the customary method of a tank or tankless gas or electric water heater, or an induction water heater for a single fixture. In a gas burning tank or tankless water heater, gas is combusted to heat air that then exchanges its heat through a heat exchanger to a flow of water (for tankless heating) or to a reservoir of water (for tank heating). As such, the exchange of heat from the hot air to the water is indirect. In an electric tank or tankless water heater the exchange of heat from the hot heating rod is direct into the water but only for the short linear distance along the heating rod and for the limited surface area of the rod. Alternatively, the IETU transfers heat from the ferromagnetic surfaces of the IETU directly into the water flowing past the ferromagnetic surfaces in a unique design that passes heat while water flows through, around, and within its surfaces. This greatly increases the heating surface area and water in contact with the surface. This is also different from an inductive hot water heater (for a single fixture) that would have water flow either past fins or only within pipes. For example, a configuration with a serpentine of fins can transfer heat on both sides of each fin only if the water flow is turned from one side of the fin to the other, thus a double pass of the same volume of water. Conversely, the IETU has water flowing around and within each pipe, so a pipe with the same surface area as a fin can heat twice the volume of water from water flowing in a single pass on the inside and outside of the IETU pipe.
The IETU has another advantageous design, as compared to other inductive heating concepts that use a containment with a serpentine of fins and the space between the fins filled with a ferromagnetic mesh, in that while the mesh increases the heating surface area it is still a single mode of heat transfer where water only runs over the surface of a fin or mesh, whereas the IETU has water running through, around, and within its ferromagnetic surfaces. Furthermore, the mesh (1) is a resistor to the water flow and can noticeably reduce the water pressure at the fixture, (2) is more susceptible to scale, deterioration, and clogging, (3) if the mesh is too fine it is subject to deterioration from the water pressure, and (4) the combination of inductive heating with the high surface energy of the mesh could boil water to create gas in the water flow thus reducing the heat transfer efficiency of the other contact surfaces.
The smart appliance functions of the IIWH further advantages in safety, simplicity of operation, maintenance, water leak detection, and prevention, reporting of hot water usage and cost, forecasting of hot water usage and cost, and energy consumption and makes the IIWH an Internet of Things (IoT) device (where the installation of many of the devices create a significant Carbon greenhouse avoidance, as well as being able to meet upcoming regulations regarding the reduction or elimination of direct burning of fossil fuel).
The SA is further advantaged by its AI-enabled analytics that continuously takes input from the IETU inlet and outlet flow, temperature, and pressure sensors. Rather than storing a single signal at a point in time to compare to another signal from a past point in time, the SA computer builds a history of data that can span years. This data is used to make statistical comparisons to incoming real-time data from the sensors, then the AI-enabled analytics makes decisions regarding the operations and alerts of the IETU, closure of valves and alerts to pipe leaks or leaks in the IETU, predictions and alerts of potential pipe leaks, calculation of hot water use and cost, forecast of hot water use and costs. To assure the IETU doesn't over-shoot the pre-set hot water temperature as demand fluctuates, the AI-enabled analytics uses the time series of data collected from the sensors to calculate the thermal inertia of the IETU to incorporate in regulating the HFG to power the inductors.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:
In some embodiments, the installation is composed of a device, Inductive Energy Transfer Unit (IETU), for heating passing water, through which the stream of cold water flows as provided by a pipe within the residence or commercial building that is downstream from the residence or commercial building's main water shut-off valve. In some embodiments, the IETU has an inductive heating circuit that heats a configuration of ferromagnetic surfaces that conductively transfers heat directly to the passing water that touches those surfaces. The inductive heating coils are supplied with electrical power from high-frequency generator(s).
In some embodiments, the size and internal configuration of the IETU are dependent on the maximum volumetric flow rate capacity and lowest inlet cold water temperature specified for the installation to supply a continuous on-demand stream of hot water. In some embodiments, the configuration is also dependent on the capacity of the electrical power source for the installation.
In some embodiments, the activation of the installation follows when one or more fixture(s) is open and initiates a flow of water through the installation.
In some embodiments, the IETU at its cold water inlet first has an anti-scale device, then an instrumentation and flow control valve. The instrumentation includes water flow rate, pressure, and temperature sensors. At the hot water outlet of the IETU is another instrumentation and flow control valve that replicates the water flow rate, pressure, temperature sensors, and flow control valve at the inlet.
In some embodiments, the output from these sensors is routed to the smart appliance (SA) that is separated from the IETU by a divider. Sensor output is input to the SA computer 400 that includes the AI-enabled analytics software for the Flow Control Module (FCM), Safety Monitor & Control Module (SMCM), Utility Interface Module (UIM), Hot Water Reporting Module (HWRM), Communication Module (CM), Maintenance Management Module (MMM), and a portion of the Intelligent Power Supply & Conditioning Module (IPSCM).
In some embodiments, when a fixture valve for hot water is open, the FCM receives a demand signal for hot water from the flow control sensor for the capacity demanded of hot water. In some embodiments, the upstream temperature sensor signals the FCM of the cold water inlet temperature to the IETU, from which the FCM calculates the optimal electrical power requirement for the high-frequency generator (HGF) to the IETU to power the inductor and brings the inlet cold water temperature to the pre-set temperature for the outlet hot water at the demand capacity for hot water. In some embodiments, the downstream temperature sensor signals the FCM to adjust the power output accordingly of the high-frequency generators to match the hot water temperature from the IETU to the preset hot water temperature setting.
Further, when hot water is demanded from the IIWH the SMCM performs operational and safety functions including (a) signaling the inlet control valve to partially close to reduce the production of hot water and/or reduce the temperature of the hot water if the SMCM flow sensor measures the demand of hot water capacity higher than or the cold water inlet temperature sensor measures the cold water temperature lower than the installed specifications of the IIWH, and (b) terminate power to the HFG should the SMCM outlet hot water temperature sensor measure the temperature above preset scalding temperature. In some embodiments, when these SMCM activations occur, the SA computer will run diagnostics and maintain safe operation until the restored or safe conditions are signaled by the SCMS sensors. Operation decisions for the IIWH are made by AI-enabled analytics of the SA computer.
In some embodiments, the SMCM performs a variety of additional operational and safety functions including (a) calculation of the pressure drop across the downstream and upstream pressure sensors of the IETU to determine if there is any blockage within the IETU, (b) calculation of statistical mean use of hot water to alert when there is a statistical “abnormal” use of hot water indicative of a malfunction at a hot water fixture, (c) calculation of statistical mean water pressure to alert when there is a statistical “abnormal” pressure drop indicative of a water leak in the residence, and (d) calculation of a prediction of a potential water leak in the residence. Blockage, forecast, and prediction calculations are made by AI-enabled analytics of the SA computer.
In some embodiments, the SA computer performs a variety of communication and control functions associated with the production of hot water as well as when there is no demand for hot water including (a) the UIM to enable water and electric utilities to temporarily reduce or terminate water/power to the IIWH, (b) HWRM that provides a range of reports, predictions, and forecasts on the use and cost of hot water usage, (c) CM that manages wi-fi and Bluetooth communication with the SA computer, (c) MMM that continuously monitors the operations of the IIWH for maintenance and predictive maintenance needs, and (d) that portion of the IPSCM to enable operation of the ODHW with external power sources.
In some embodiments, the SA computer and HFG are connected to the IPSCM that cleans and conditions the electric power and provides an electric port to connect external power sources and to switch to external sources of electric power should the residence/building power fail.
In some embodiments, indicators are visible to the exterior of the IIWH installation by the SA Computer, HFG, and IPSCM of the smart appliance to indicate when there is hot water demand, the set temperature of the hot water, the actual temperature of the hot water when the IETU is in use, alert lights for water leaks, predicted water leaks, water blockage in the IETU, and power and communication status. There is also a touchpad (and ports to connect external keyboard/mouse) for the user to enter commands associated with the app.
In some embodiments, the SA includes the SA computer, high-frequency generator (HFG)s, and the IPSCM in a compartment within the IIWH installation separated by the divider. The IETU of the IIWH includes the IETU, FCM sensors and control valve, and anti-scale device.
In some embodiments, the IETU has an advantageous design in that all surfaces that contact the water flow are ferromagnetic heating surfaces, which maximizes the surface area that can heat the water flow through conductive heat transfer. Water flowing up the bottom plate is being heated by that plate as well as the surfaces that contain the flowing water beneath the plate. As the water flows through the plate, it meets the internal and external surfaces of the pipes that continue to heat the flowing water as well as the surfaces that contain the flowing water between the bottom and top plates. Water flowing up the top plate is being heated by that plate as well as the surfaces that contain the flowing water above the plate.
In some embodiments, the IETU has a further advantageous design when compared to inductive heating configurations that use a serpentine of fins, as water flow passes over one side of a fin, it must then be turned to be in contact with the other side of the same fin. This constitutes a double-pass system. In a single pass IETU the water flow passes over and through a pipe. As such, for a pipe that has the same circumference as the width of a plate, the water in contact with the pipe at one time can be twice the volume of a fin serpentine configuration that has to turn the same volume of water on itself to contact both sides of the fin.
The diagram of a front and top view has two pipe alternatives: round and hexagonal. The diagram of a top-down view of the plates that secure the pipes within the IETU has three alternatives of (a) round holes for the flow of water through the pipes (dark circles) and round holes in the plate (while circles), or (b) the flow of water through the round pipes (dark circles) and the slots in the plate (white rectangles), or (c) the flow of water through hexagonal pipes (dark hexagons) and round holes in the plate (white circles).
In some embodiments, the IIWH has a further advantage in that, in some embodiments, its larger physical configuration has the characteristics of a conventional tank storage water heater where a fixed quantity of water is heated to a preset temperature and maintained at that temperature until hot water is demanded at a fixture.
In some embodiments, the present invention features a system (100) for heating a flow of water comprising a heating circuit (200) fluidly coupled to a water source fluidly coupled to a plurality of water fixtures (600). In some embodiments, the heating circuit (200) may comprise an inlet (202) configured to accept water, an outlet (204), and a water containment unit (220). In some embodiments, the water containment unit may comprise a shell (222), one or more plates (224) disposed within the shell (222), and a plurality of pipes (226) fluidly coupled to the inlet (202), the one or more plates (224), and the outlet (204). The shell (222), the one or more plates (224), and the plurality of pipes (226) may all comprise a ferromagnetic material.
In some embodiments, the water containment unit (220) may be configured to allow the flow of water to travel within and between the plurality of pipes (226). The heating circuit (200) may comprise an inductor (210) operatively coupled to the water containment unit (220). In some embodiments, actuating the inductor (210) may induce magnetic eddy currents in the ferromagnetic material of the shell (222), the one or more plates (224), and the plurality of pipes (226) to heat the flow of water. In some embodiments, the heating circuit (200) may further comprise an electric high-frequency generator (430) operatively coupled to the inductor (210). In some embodiments, the electric high-frequency generator (430) may be configured to actuate the inductor (210).
In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a plurality of sensors (300) comprising, but not limited to, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, flow rate sensors, or a combination thereof. At least one pressure sensor, at least one temperature sensor, and at least one flow rate sensor of the plurality of sensors (300) may be disposed at the inlet (202). At least one pressure sensor, at least one temperature sensor, and at least one flow rate sensor of the plurality of sensors (300) may be disposed at the outlet (204).
In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a Smart Appliance (400) communicatively coupled to the heating circuit (200) and the plurality of sensors (300). In some embodiments, the Smart Appliance (400) may comprise a processor capable of executing computer-readable instructions, and a memory component operatively coupled to the processor. The memory component may comprise artificial intelligence models configured to accept data from the plurality of sensors (300) as input and generate a prediction of potential water system failure as output.
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a User Settings module comprising computer-readable instructions for setting, based on user input, a temperature for the flow of water, activating, based on user input, an automatic inlet shutoff setting for the heating circuit (200) in response to a leak within the water containment unit (220), activating, based on user input, an automatic outlet shutoff setting for the heating circuit (200) in response to a leak within or downstream of the water containment unit (220), an unusual amount of hot water usage, or a combination thereof, activating, based on user input, a temporary reduction of water, power, or a combination thereof to the heating circuit (200), activating, based on user input, a scalding safety governor to prevent the heating circuit (200) from producing water at a temperature above a set threshold, and setting, based on user input, a number, and duration of alerts triggered by the Smart Appliance (400).
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Flow Control Module comprising computer-readable instructions with artificial intelligence for activating the electric high-frequency generator (430) upon activation of one or more water fixtures, reducing, in response to an inability to provide the flow of water at the temperature determined by the user input, the flow of water, and alerting a user in response to reduction of the flow of water in response to the inability to provide the flow of water at the temperature determined by the user input.
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Safety Monitor and Control Module comprising computer-readable instructions with artificial intelligence for detecting leaks, blockages, or a combination thereof within, upstream of, or downstream of the water containment unit (220). This module may detect potential water system failure, detecting excessive water usage, and close the inlet (202), the outlet (204), or both in response to a detected leak, blockage, predicted pipe failure, excessive water usage, or a combination thereof. Further this module can reduce power to the electric high-frequency generator (430) if the heating circuit (200) is producing water at a temperature above the set threshold or if the inlet (202), outlet (204), or both are closed. The safety scalding governor and all other detections may automatically (if selected in the User Settings module) run a diagnostic and alert the user in response to the irregular performance of the heating circuit.
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Utility Interface Module comprising computer-readable instructions with artificial intelligence for connecting the system (100) to a utility supplier, temporarily suspending or reducing the operation of the heating circuit (200) to accommodate reductions requested by the utility supplier, alerting the user in response to temporary suspension or reduction of operation, and gathering consumption data from the plurality of sensors (300).
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Hot Water Reporting module comprising computer-readable instructions with artificial intelligence for reporting a cost and trend of power used by the heating circuit (200), reporting a cost and trend of hot water consumption of the heating circuit (200), predicting a future trend of hot water consumption, and forecasting a future cost of water and power used by the heating circuit (200).
In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Communication module comprising computer-readable instructions for managing wireless interfaces between the system (100) and one or more external devices. The memory component may further comprise an Intelligent Power Supply and Conditioner module comprising computer-readable instructions for receiving electric power from a power source, cleaning, conditioning, and surge-protecting electric power to the Smart Appliance (400), and regulating power to the electric high-frequency generator (430). In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise a Maintenance Monitor module comprising computer-readable instructions for alerting the user for current or predictive maintenance needs, and running diagnostics on the heating circuit (200) and one or more modules of the Smart Appliance (400) at a fixed interval. The system (100) may be communicatively coupled to one or more external devices, the one or more external devices comprising a smartphone, a server, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, other mobile computing devices, or a combination thereof. Note that the presently claimed invention is capable of being implemented in both tankless and tank designs.
The computer system can include a desktop computer, a workstation computer, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a tablet, a handheld computer (including a smartphone), a server, a supercomputer, a wearable computer (including a SmartWatch™), or the like and can include any one of digital electronic circuitry, firmware, hardware, memory, a computer storage medium, a computer program, a processor (including a programmed processor), an imaging apparatus, wired/wireless communication components, or the like. The computing system may include a desktop computer with a screen, a tower, and components to connect the two. The tower can store digital images, numerical data, text data, or any other kind of data in binary form, hexadecimal form, octal form, or any other data format in the memory component. The data/images can also be stored in a server communicatively coupled to the computer system. The images can also be divided into a matrix of pixels, known as a bitmap that indicates a color for each pixel along the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. The pixels can include a digital value of one or more bits, defined by the bit depth. Each pixel may comprise three values, each value corresponding to a major color component (red, green, and blue). The size of each pixel in data can range from 8 bits to 24 bits. The network or a direct connection interconnects the imaging apparatus and the computer system.
The term “processor” encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable microprocessor, a microcontroller comprising a microprocessor and a memory component, an embedded processor, a digital signal processor, a media processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple ones, or combinations, of the foregoing. The apparatus can include special-purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The logic circuitry may comprise multiplexers, registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), computer memory, look-up tables, flip-flops (FF), wires, input blocks, output blocks, read-only memory, randomly accessible memory, electronically-erasable programmable read-only memory, flash memory, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The apparatus also can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The apparatus and execution environment can realize various different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing and grid computing infrastructures. The processor may include one or more processors of any type, such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), special-purpose signal or image processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), tensor processing units (TPUs), and so forth.
A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
Embodiments of the subject matter and the operations described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus.
A computer storage medium can be, or can be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. Moreover, while a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, or can be included in, one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, drives, solid-state drives, or other storage devices). The operations described in this specification can be implemented as operations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, R.F, Bluetooth, storage media, computer buses, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C#, Ruby, or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as Pascal, FORTRAN, BASIC, or similar programming languages, programming languages that have both object-oriented and procedural aspects, such as the “C” programming language, C++, Python, or the like, conventional functional programming languages such as Scheme, Common Lisp, Elixir, or the like, conventional scripting programming languages such as PHP, Perl, Javascript, or the like, or conventional logic programming languages such as PROLOG, ASAP, Datalog, or the like.
The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing actions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.
However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.
Computers typically include known components, such as a processor, an operating system, system memory, memory storage devices, input-output controllers, input-output devices, power supplies, fans, user interface devices, and display devices. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art that there are many possible configurations and components of a computer and may also include cache memory, a data backup unit, and many other devices. To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., an LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light emitting diode) display, or OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, for displaying information to the user.
Examples of input devices include a keyboard, cursor control devices (e.g., a mouse or a trackball), a microphone, a scanner, and so forth, wherein the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be in any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Examples of output devices include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, a network card, and so forth. Display devices may include display devices that provide visual information, this information typically may be logically and/or physically organized as an array of pixels. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.
An interface controller may also be included that may comprise any of a variety of known or future software programs for providing input and output interfaces. For example, interfaces may include what are generally referred to as “Graphical User Interfaces” (often referred to as GUI's) that provide one or more graphical representations to a user. Interfaces are typically enabled to accept user inputs using means of selection or input known to those of ordinary skill in the related art. In some implementations, the interface may be a touch screen that can be used to display information and receive input from a user. In the same or alternative embodiments, applications on a computer may employ an interface that includes what are referred to as “command line interfaces” (often referred to as CLI's). CLI's typically provide a text based interaction between an application and a user. Typically, command line interfaces present output and receive input as lines of text through display devices. For example, some implementations may include what are referred to as a “shell” such as Unix Shells known to those of ordinary skill in the related art, or Microsoft® Windows Powershell that employs object-oriented type programming architectures such as the Microsoft®.NET framework.
Those of ordinary skill in the related art will appreciate that interfaces may include one or more GUI's, CLI's or a combination thereof. A processor may include a commercially available processor such as a Celeron, Core, or Pentium processor made by Intel Corporation®, a SPARC processor made by Sun Microsystems®, an Athlon, Sempron, Phenom, or Opteron processor made by AMD Corporation®, or it may be one of other processors that are or will become available. Some embodiments of a processor may include what is referred to as multi-core processor and/or be enabled to employ parallel processing technology in a single or multi-core configuration. For example, a multi-core architecture typically comprises two or more processor “execution cores”. In the present example, each execution core may perform as an independent processor that enables parallel execution of multiple threads. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the related field will appreciate that a processor may be configured in what is generally referred to as 32 or 64 bit architectures, or other architectural configurations now known or that may be developed in the future.
A processor typically executes an operating system, which may be, for example, a Windows type operating system from the Microsoft® Corporation; the Mac OS X operating system from Apple Computer Corp.®; a Unix® or Linux®-type operating system available from many vendors or what is referred to as an open source; another or a future operating system; or some combination thereof. An operating system interfaces with firmware and hardware in a well-known manner, and facilitates the processor in coordinating and executing the functions of various computer programs that may be written in a variety of programming languages. An operating system, typically in cooperation with a processor, coordinates and executes functions of the other components of a computer. An operating system also provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services, all in accordance with known techniques.
Connecting components may be properly termed as computer-readable media. For example, if code or data is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technology such as infrared, radio, or microwave signals, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technology are included in the definition of media. Combinations of media are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The present invention may comprise or implement a neural network or machine learning model for AI tasks. The neural network or model may be stored, trained, and/or executed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. The neural network or model may be stored in the form of program code, as described above. The neural network, in some embodiments, may be a perceptron neural network, a feed forward neural network, a multilayer perceptron neural network, a convolutional neural network, a radial basis functional neural network, a recurrent neural network, a long short-term memory neural network, a sequence-to-sequence neural network model, a modular neural network, or the like. In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise or implement algorithmic intelligence methods or any other known form of AI technology.
The present application includes disclosures of multiple sets of computer-readable instructions contained on memory components and executed by processors configured to execute computer-readable instructions. Note that the instructions listed in the claims and specification of this application do not necessarily need to be executed in the order they are listed. In fact, the computer-readable instructions recited in this application can be executed in any order any number of times as directed by the user, the computing device, or the needs of the system at the given time.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are not drawn to scale. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” is met.
The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.
