US5058804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic hot water supply apparatus
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1989-09-06
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Granted: 1991-10-22
•
Expires: 2009-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic hot water supply apparatus produces and supplies hot water by mixing, with a hot water/cold water mixing valve, hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe and cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe. The automatic hot water supply apparatus includes a flow rate control valve actuatable by an electric actuator, and a flow rate limiting unit responsive to a hot water temperature setting, or a season setting, or a detected hot water temperature, for varying the flow rate of mixed hot water. The electric actuator is controlled by a signal from the flow rate limiting unit to operate the flow rate control valve in order to solve the problems of a low water temperature during the winter, an excessive hot water flow rate, and a low instantaneous water heater unit capability, so that the automatic hot water supply apparatus can supply hot water at a desired temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroaki Yonekubo
- 👤 Risho Miyoshi
- 👤 Katsumi Hirata
- 👤 Munehiko Tokumoto
- 👤 Takashi Iwasa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:30
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D19/00; F24D19/10; F24D19/1006; F24D19/1051; F24D17/00; E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/04; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/01; G05D23/13; G05D23/1393; F24H; F24H15/00; F24H15/10; F24H15/174; F24H15/20; F24H15/212; F24H15/219; F24H15/30; F24H15/305; F24H15/31; F24H15/355; F24H15/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, to form temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector disposed in said temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe, for detecting the temperature of the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; and a controller for comparing signals from said temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector and said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for controlling said cold water/hot water mixing valve, and for detecting a reduction in the temperature of the temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector and controlling said flow rate control valve to reduce the rate of flow to the temperature-regulated hot water when the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit cannot be achieved by said cold water/hot water mixing valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, to form temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector disposed in said temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe, for detecting the temperature of the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; and a controller for comparing signals from said temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector and said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for controlling said cold water/hot water mixing valve, and for detecting a reduction in the temperature of the temperature-regulated hot water temperature detector and controlling said flow rate control valve to reduce the rate of flow to the temperature-regulated hot water when the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit cannot be achieved by said cold water/hot water mixing valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water such that the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water is either increased or reduced depending on the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, and/or the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and/or the actual or estimated temperature of the cold water supplied through the cold water supply pipe; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting mans when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water such that the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water is either increased or reduced depending on the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, and/or the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and/or the actual or estimated temperature of the cold water supplied through the cold water supply pipe; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting mans when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
254 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water; a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied; and a tap location setting unit for indicating one, at a time, of a plurality of tap locations, said flow rate limiting means comprising means for determining the flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on the tap location indicated by said tap location setting and the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
254 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water; a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied; and a tap location setting unit for indicating one, at a time, of a plurality of tap locations, said flow rate limiting means comprising means for determining the flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on the tap location indicated by said tap location setting and the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said flow rate limiting means comprises a memory for storing flow rates determined by said tap location setting unit and temperatures set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
218 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated to water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means or actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water, said flow rate limiting means comprising a season setting unit for setting a season dependent on which the temperature of the cold water is estimated; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
218 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated to water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means or actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water, said flow rate limiting means comprising a season setting unit for setting a season dependent on which the temperature of the cold water is estimated; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
242 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water; a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied; and an indicator panel indicating instantaneous water heater unit capabilities and seasons, said flow rate limiting means comprising manually operable means for setting the flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, according to the instantaneous water heater unit capabilities and seasons indicated by said indicator panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
242 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water; a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied; and an indicator panel indicating instantaneous water heater unit capabilities and seasons, said flow rate limiting means comprising manually operable means for setting the flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, according to the instantaneous water heater unit capabilities and seasons indicated by said indicator panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
266 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water, said flow rate limiting means comprises a flow rate table containing flow rates at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, and means for selecting one of said flow rates contained in said flow rate control table base don a combination of at least two of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by sad temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and the temperature of the cold water; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
266 words
An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a cold water/hot water mixing valve for mixing cold water supplied through a cold water supply pipe and hot water supplied from an instantaneous water heater unit through a hot water supply pipe, into temperature-regulated hot water; a temperature-regulated hot water supply pipe for supplying the temperature-regulated hot water from said cold water/hot water mixing valve to a tap location; a temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit for setting a temperature for the temperature-regulated hot water; a flow rate control valve for controlling the rate of flow of the temperature-regulated hot water; electric actuator means for actuating said flow rate control valve; flow rate limiting means for determining a flow rate at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, based on either one or a combination of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by said temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and an actual or estimated temperature of the cold water, said flow rate limiting means comprises a flow rate table containing flow rates at which the temperature-regulated hot water is to flow, and means for selecting one of said flow rates contained in said flow rate control table base don a combination of at least two of the capability of the instantaneous water heater unit, the temperature set by sad temperature-regulated hot water temperature setting unit, and the temperature of the cold water; and a controller for controlling said electric actuator means according to the rate determined by said flow rate limiting means when the temperature-regulated hot water starts to be supplied.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |