PROGRAMMABLE HOT WATER THERMOSTAT CONTROL

COMMANDE PROGRAMMABLE DE THERMOSTAT D'EAU CHAUDE

English Abstract

This invention is a Programmable Hot Water Thermostat Control Unit. It is used
for regulating the
temperature of the water in the hot water tank at any given time by a
programmable unit. This allows
residential, commercial or industrial consumers to save energy and/or save
energy costs and/or reduce
the negative impact on the environment by lowering the water temperature at
times when higher
temperatures are not needed or when energy costs are higher. The main
components are a
thermometer (single, dual or other) in or on the hot water tank and a
programmable unit which will
allow the consumer to regulate the temperature in the hot water tank.

Claims

-1-
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is claimed are defined as
follows:
1. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit comprising a single,
dual or plural
thermometer located in or on the hot water tank and a programmable unit which
will allow the
consumer to regulate the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank.
2. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
in which there is a
manual disconnect switch located on the programmable unit.
3. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1 or
2, in which there is
a city-well switch located on the programmable unit.
4. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1, 2
or 3, in which the
programmable unit is mounted on the hot water tank or on a wall or some other
remote location.
5. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3 or 4, in which
the water is heated by electricity, propane, natural gas, oil, solar or by
some other means.
6. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4 or 5, in which
the unit can be adapted for residential, commercial or industrial uses.
7. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, in
which the power is supplied by low voltage with battery back-up or high
voltage with battery back-up.
8. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, in
which the programmable unit would have a plurality of programmes for
DAY/TIME/TEMPERATURE combinations.
9. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or, 8,
in which the programmable unit can regulate the temperature of the water by
either wireless control or
wired control.
10. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or
9, in which the programmable unit is equipped with an LED or light indicator
to indicate that the hot
water heater is in heating mode.
11. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
or 10 in which the programmable unit may be analog with a digital, slide,
rotary or some other means
of control instead of the programmable option.
12. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
or 11, in which the programmable unit may operate with a plurality of
temperature sensing devices
such as thermisters, RTD's, thermocouples, and solid state sensors.
13. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11 or 12, in which the temperature sensing device (thermometer) may be
styled and designed to
retrofit to existing hot water heaters of all makes and fuel types.

-2-
14. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12 or 13, in which the control unit may be capable of being integrated
into a computerized
home energy management system.
15. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, in which the control unit displays the current
temperature of the water in the
tank.
16. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, in which the control unit display may indicate the
programmed temperature.
17. A programmable hot water thermostat control unit as defined in Claim 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, in which the control unit display may be
equipped with LED's or other
types of visual or audio indicators to indicate various functions.

Description

CA 02356516 2001-08-15
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PROGRAMMABLE HOT WATER THERMOST AT CONTROL
The purpose of the Programmable Hot Water Thermostat Control is to programme
the water
temperature at any given time in the hot water tank (like a programmable
thermostat on a furnace)
therefore saving energy on periods of time when high temperatures in the water
tank are not needed.
For example, overnight the water temperature could be lower, then increased in
time for morning use.
It could then be lowered again if the home is empty through the day while the
residents are out to
work. It could be increased again in tithe for the residents to return home.
At this time hot water tanks are constantly maintaining a preset temperature
whether or not these high
temperatures are needed. A cover plate has to be removed and a screwdriver is
usually necessary to
adjust the thermostats on these hot water heaters. The danger in this is that
high voltage is usually
present. These types of controls are not practical for frequent adjustments to
the temperature. This
innovation will solve the problem of lack of safe, convenient control. This
allows the consumer to
more conveniently and accurately regulate the temperature in and the enemy
used by the hot water
system resulting in energy and cost savings and reducing the negative impact
on the environment.
Programmable units would be available in any day/time/temperature combination
of programmes
suitable for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. These units
would work for all types of
fuel: electric, oil, gas, propane etc. Low voltage and a battery back-up will
supply the power for the
programmable unit. The progranunable display unit will also have a manual
disconnect and could be
wall-mounted, tank-mounted or mounted in any other convenient remote location.
A well-city manual
switch can also be included on the progrurunable display. The well option
would be used for
consumers with a need to control bacteria in the water. By selecting this
option, the unit would heat
the water to a sufficient temperature on a regular basis, programmed by the
consumer, to protect
against bacteria build-up. Appropriate safety limitations for maximum
temperatures will be used to
prevent accidental overheating. Due to the chemicals in city water this option
would not be selected.
This well option will protect the water if it has been programmed to maintain
a low temperature over a
long period of time.
This unit can also be easily set to maintain a constant tcmperature as
desired.

CA 02356516 2001-08-15
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The Programmable Hot Water Thermostat Control wdl give the consumer the
ability to reduce fuel
consumption and energy costs by reducing the temperature of the water in the
tank during times when
the higher temperature is not needed or during peak periods when energy costs
are higher.
The Programmable Hot Water Thermostat Control will also come in an analog
format for those would
prefer to merely set the temperature at a constant level or want a convenient
way of adjusting the
temperature occasionally. This analog unit would also have a manual disconnect
and a well-city switch
if necessary.