US4508261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot water control and management system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-01-28
•
Granted: 1985-04-02
•
Expires: 2002-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A hot water control system for providing necessary hot water to a structure at optimum energy saving conditions includes a programmable control system for selectively programming preselected quantities of hot water at preselected time periods over a given interval of time and includes a mode selector for selectively overriding the control system to permit adjustment of the system to meet unscheduled changes in demand. The system includes mode selectors for selecting the programmed mode wherein predetermined supplies of hot water are available at predetermined time periods over a seven day period or the like and other modes may be selected such as pilot only operation, normal service wherein the water heater operates in its normal manner, pilot off or complete shutdown of the system for periods of time such as for vacation and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Blank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:18
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N1/00; F23N1/08; F23N1/082; F23N5/00; F23N5/20; F23N5/203; F23N2223/00; F23N2223/08; F23N2225/00; F23N2225/08; F23N2225/18; F23N5/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A hot water control system, said system comprising: a water reservoir for containing a predetermined quantity of water, a heat source for heating the water in said reservoir to a predetermined temperature, and control means including programmable means for selectively programming said heat source for heating, at a preselected rate, water contained in said reservoir to a preselected temperature at at least one preselected time to meet demand for a given quantity of heated water during a predetermined peak period of time subsequent to said preselected times and preselected times occurring over a given time interval, and means for sensing the temperature of water in said reservoir, and means for determining, from said temperatures, and the temperature of an available cold water supply, and the capacity of said reservoir, the currently available supply of hot water and, means for visually indicating the currently available supply of hot water of a selected temperature equal to or less than the temperature of said water in said reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A hot water control system, said system comprising: a water reservoir for containing a predetermined quantity of water, a heat source for heating the water in said reservoir to a predetermined temperature, and control means including programmable means for selectively programming said heat source for heating, at a preselected rate, water contained in said reservoir to a preselected temperature at at least one preselected time to meet demand for a given quantity of heated water during a predetermined peak period of time subsequent to said preselected times and preselected times occurring over a given time interval, and means for sensing the temperature of water in said reservoir, and means for determining, from said temperatures, and the temperature of an available cold water supply, and the capacity of said reservoir, the currently available supply of hot water and, means for visually indicating the currently available supply of hot water of a selected temperature equal to or less than the temperature of said water in said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said time interval is seven days.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 including means for selectively overriding said programmable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 including means for determining and visually indicating the currently available supply of hot water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 including means for computing and displaying the cost of heating the water used over a selected time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
A hot water control system, said system comprising: a water reservoir for containing a predetermined quantity of water, a heat source for heating the water in said reservoir to a predetermined temperature, control means including programmable means for selectively programming said heat source for heating, at a preselected rate, water contained in said reservoir to a preselected temperature at at least one preselected time to meet demand for a given quantity of heated water during a predetermined peak period of time subsequent to said preselected time, said preselected times occurring over a given time interval, means for selectively overriding said programmable means, and means for selecting any one of a series of modes consisting of programmable means, normal service, pilot only, and pilot off.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A hot water control system, said system comprising: a water reservoir for containing a predetermined quantity of water, a heat source for heating the water in said reservoir to a predetermined temperature, control means including programmable means for selectively programming said heat source for heating, at a preselected rate, water contained in said reservoir to a preselected temperature at at least one preselected time to meet demand for a given quantity of heated water during a predetermined peak period of time subsequent to said preselected time, said preselected times occurring over a given time interval, means for selectively overriding said programmable means, and means for selecting any one of a series of modes consisting of programmable means, normal service, pilot only, and pilot off.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said programming means includes a central processing unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 7 means for programming said central processing unit for calculating the cost of water used over a selected interval of time; and display means for displaying the calculated costs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said display means is a printer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said heat source is a gas burner and a pilot light for said burner; and said system further includes remote indicator means for indicating the operative condition of said burner and said pilot light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said programmable means is disposed remote from said water reservoir and said source of heat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 including means for determining and displaying the day of the week, date, and time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 including means for selectively indicating a programmed condition for a selected day and time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 including means for constantly displaying amount and temperature of water available.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 14 including means for relighting the pilot light from said remote location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said programmable means includes means for preprogramming a predetermined supply of water for any selected period of time during any selected day of a week.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said time interval is seven days.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 6 including means for computing and displaying the cost of heating the water used over a selected time interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 6 including means for sensing the temperature of water in said reservoir, and means for determining, from said temperature and the temperature of an available cold water supply, and the capacity of the reservoir, the currently available supply of hot water of a selected temperature, and means for visibly indicating the currently available supply of hot water of said selected temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3203258A
Cited
US3599863A
Cited
US3929284A
Cited
US3989928A
Cited
US4110632A
Cited
US4206872A
Cited
US4174807A
Cited
US4308991A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-01 | 1988-10-01 | 1989-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-01 | 1992-10-01 | 1993-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-01 | 1996-10-01 | 1997-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |