U.S. patent application number 13/284234 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for hot water heater with self-powered automatic pilot light.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark REYMAN. Invention is credited to Mark REYMAN.
Application Number | 20130104814 13/284234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48171083 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130104814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
REYMAN; Mark |
May 2, 2013 |
HOT WATER HEATER WITH SELF-POWERED AUTOMATIC PILOT LIGHT
Abstract
Hot water heater system (such as, for example, a gas-powered hot
water heater system) that includes a self-powered automatic pilot
light and which is not connected to any external source of
electrical power.
Inventors: |
REYMAN; Mark; (Mount Vernon,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
REYMAN; Mark |
Mount Vernon |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48171083 |
Appl. No.: |
13/284234 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
122/14.21 ;
122/14.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23N 2231/08 20200101;
F24H 2240/08 20130101; F23N 5/242 20130101; F23N 2227/22 20200101;
F23N 2225/19 20200101; F23N 2227/02 20200101; F23N 1/082 20130101;
F24H 9/2035 20130101; F24H 1/186 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
122/14.21 ;
122/14.22 |
International
Class: |
F23N 5/02 20060101
F23N005/02; F24H 9/18 20060101 F24H009/18; F24H 1/18 20060101
F24H001/18 |
Claims
1. A water heating system comprising: a water tank; a main burner
configured to heat water in the water tank; a pilot light
configured to ignite fuel to light the main burner; a first
thermo-mechanical valve unit that monitors temperature of the water
and determines whether the temperature of the water is below a
first threshold, and permits fuel to flow to the pilot light, when
the first thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the
temperature of the water is below the first threshold; an ignition
unit configured to ignite the pilot light, when the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit permits fuel to flow to the pilot
light; and a second thermo-mechanical valve unit that monitors
temperature near the pilot light and determines whether the pilot
light is ignited, and permits fuel to flow to the main burner and
be ignited by the pilot light, when the second thermo-mechanical
valve unit determines that the temperature near the pilot light is
above a second threshold.
2. The water heating system of claim 1, wherein the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit prevents fuel from flowing to the
pilot light to thereby extinguish the pilot light, when the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the temperature of the
water is equal to or greater than the first threshold; and the
second thermo-mechanical valve unit prevents fuel from flowing to
the main burner to thereby shut off the main burner, when the
second thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the temperature
near the pilot light is equal to or below the second threshold.
3. The water heating system of claim 1, further comprising: a
switch that closes when the first thermo-mechanical valve unit
permits fuel to flow to the pilot light; and an electronic
controller that controls the ignition unit to ignite the pilot
light, when the electronic controller determines that the switch is
closed.
4. The water heating system of claim 3, further comprising: a
battery that supplies electrical power to the electronic controller
and the ignition unit; and a thermopile that converts heat
generated from the ignited main burners into electrical energy to
recharge the battery.
5. The water heating system of claim 3, further comprising: a
battery that supplies electrical power to the electronic controller
and the ignition unit; and a solar cell that converts light
generated from the ignited main burners into electrical energy to
recharge the battery.
6. The water heating system of claim 3, further comprising a
solenoid piston that opens a safety valve of the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit for a predetermined time period to
permit fuel to flow to the pilot light, wherein the electronic
controller controls the solenoid piston to open the safety valve
for the predetermined time period, when the electronic controller
determines that the switch is closed.
7. The water heating system of claim 6, wherein after the solenoid
piston is deactivated after the predetermined time period, a
thermocouple powered by heat from the pilot light keeps the safety
valve open to continue permitting fuel to flow to the pilot light
after the solenoid piston is deactivated.
8. The water heating system of claim 6, further comprising: a
battery that supplies electronic power to the electronic
controller, the ignition unit, and the solenoid piston; and a
thermopile that converts heat generated from the ignited main
burners into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
9. The water heating system of claim 6, further comprising: a
battery that supplies electronic power to the electronic
controller, the ignition unit, and the solenoid piston; and a solar
cell that converts light generated from the ignited main burners
into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
10. The water heating system of claim 1, wherein the pilot light
remains lit while the temperature of the water is below the first
threshold.
11. The water heating system of claim 1, wherein the system is not
connected to an external source of electrical power.
12. A method for heating water in a water tank, performed by a
water heating system including a main burner configured to heat the
water in the water tank and a pilot light configured to ignite fuel
to light the main burner, said method comprising: determining, by a
first thermo-mechanical valve unit, whether temperature of the
water is below a first threshold, and permitting fuel to flow to
the pilot light, when the first thermo-mechanical valve unit
determines that the temperature of the water is below the first
threshold; igniting, by an ignition unit, the pilot light, when the
first thermo-mechanical valve unit permits fuel to flow to the
pilot light; and determining, by a second thermo-mechanical valve
unit, whether the pilot light is ignited, and permitting fuel to
flow to the main burner and be ignited by the pilot light, when the
second thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the ambient
temperature near the pilot light is above a second threshold.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: preventing, by the
first thermo-mechanical valve unit, fuel from flowing to the pilot
light, and thereby causing the pilot light to be extinguished, when
the first thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the
temperature of the water is equal to or greater than the first
threshold; and preventing, by the second thermo-mechanical valve
unit, fuel from flowing to the main burner, and thereby shutting
off the main burner, when the second thermo-mechanical valve unit
determines that the ambient temperature near the pilot light is
equal to or below the second threshold.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: closing a switch
when the first thermo-mechanical valve unit permits fuel to flow to
the pilot light; and controlling the ignition unit, by an
electronic controller, to ignite the pilot light, when the
electronic controller determines that the switch is closed.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: supplying
electronic power, by a battery of the system, to the electronic
controller and the ignition unit; and converting, by a thermopile
of the system, heat generated from the ignited main burners into
electrical energy to recharge the battery.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: supplying
electronic power, by a battery of the system, to the electronic
controller and the ignition unit; and converting, by a solar cell
of the system, light generated from the ignited main burners into
electrical energy to recharge the battery.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: opening, by a
solenoid piston, a safety valve of the first thermo-mechanical
valve unit for a predetermined time period to permit fuel to flow
to the pilot light, wherein the electronic controller controls the
solenoid piston to open the safety valve for the predetermined time
period, when the electronic controller determines that the switch
is closed.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein after the solenoid piston is
deactivated after the predetermined time period, a thermocouple
powered by heat from the pilot light keeps the safety valve open to
continue permitting fuel to flow to the pilot light after the
solenoid deactivates.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: supplying
electronic power, by a battery of the system, to the electronic
controller, the ignition unit, and the solenoid piston; and
converting, by a thermopile of the system, heat generated from the
ignited main burners into electrical energy to recharge the
battery.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: supplying
electronic power, by a battery of the system, to the electronic
controller, the ignition unit, and the solenoid piston; and
converting, by a solar cell of the system, light generated from the
ignited main burners into electrical energy to recharge the
battery.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a hot water heater system (such
as, for example, a gas-powered hot water heater system) that
includes a self-powered automatic pilot light.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional hot water heaters include a storage type hot
water heater and a tankless type hot water heater.
[0003] Most household and commercial hot water heaters in use today
are the storage-type hot water heaters, which have changed little
in decades. They consist of a water tank that has a standing pilot
light (i.e. a pilot light that is always on) and a single
thermo-mechanical bimetallic gas valve underneath. When the water
in the tank cools to below the set temperature threshold of a
thermostat in the thermo-mechanical gas valve, the cooling causes
the thermo-mechanical valve to open which allows the gas to flow to
the main burner and be lighted by the standing pilot light. When
the water temperature in the tank rises and satisfies the set
temperature threshold of the thermostat in the thermo-mechanical
gas valve, the valve is then closed. Such mechanism is entirely
mechanical, with no electrical power required.
[0004] Conventional storage-type hot water heaters also generally
include a safety mechanism that is similarly mechanical in nature.
The safety mechanism includes a spring loaded, normally closed
valve that prevents the gas (which flows though the opened
thermo-mechanical valve) from flowing to the main burner. The
spring-loaded, normally closed valve may be held open by the heat
of the pilot (e.g. via a thermocouple) after the pilot light is
manually lit. If for any reason the pilot light fails or blows out,
the flow of unlit gas must be stopped, and so the loss of the heat
from the pilot light causes the safety mechanism to be triggered,
allowing the spring to force close the safety valve, stopping the
flow of gas to the entire system.
[0005] While such storage-type hot water heaters are safe,
consistent, long lasting, and relatively inexpensive, there is a
significant drawback in that storage-type hot water heaters require
a standing pilot light to be lit 24 hours a day. Thus, over the
course of time, a significant amount of gas may be consumed in
order to keep the pilot light lit at all times, and when multiplied
by the millions of hot water heaters currently in use, the amount
of gas consumed becomes extremely large. Indeed, it is estimated
that if all of the pilot lights on all of the gas fired storage hot
water heaters in use today were eliminated, it will save consumers
in the United States $1.66 billion dollars each year, and it will
save the United States over 132 billion cu. ft. of natural gas
and/or propane (both of which are non-renewable energy sources)
each year.
[0006] The other type of conventional hot water heater is the
instant, tankless type hot water heater. These are tankless devices
that turn on as soon as water flow is detected. Energy is saved by
not having a tank of water to keep hot 24 hours a day, although it
is estimated that the savings for the typical consumer switching to
the tankless type hot water heaters is only about $70-$80 per
year.
[0007] However, tankless type hot water heaters have several
drawbacks. For example, they have a very large initial cost,
especially in a retrofit configuration. Further, in addition to
purchasing the unit itself, the total expense is significantly
increased by the necessity for re-piping in a large gas line to
keep up with the high gas draw, as well as the possibility of
having to re-pipe the water lines. In addition, an external
electrical service or power source (such as connection to external
electrical main lines or external power outlets) may be required,
which is typically not necessary in the older storage type units
and may lead to the entire hot water heater becoming un-usable and
non-functional if there is a loss of external power (such as during
a power blackout). Another drawback is that some units will give a
`cold water sandwich` (that is, output cool, or even cold, water)
when the hot water tap is turned on, until the hot water heater
unit cycles on and starts to produce hot water. In addition, there
are going to be many instances where it is not feasible to install
tankless type hot water heaters, especially in older buildings.
[0008] There remains a need for a hot water heater that is
fail-safe, long lasting, relatively inexpensive, has similar
connections to traditional storage tank type hot water heaters (so
that little or no piping changes are necessary), but that also
eliminates the standing pilot light (in contrast to the
conventional storage type hot water heaters that require a standing
pilot light), and that also requires no external power (in contrast
to the conventional tankless type hot water heaters that require
external power).
SUMMARY
[0009] In an aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a hot
water heating system that includes a self-powered automatic pilot
light.
[0010] In another aspect, the pilot light only remains lit when
there is a need to heat water in a water tank. For example, the
pilot light only remains lit when the temperature of the water in
the water tank is below a given threshold.
[0011] In another aspect, the hot water heating system including
the automatic pilot light is self-powered and is not connected to
an external source of electrical power.
[0012] In another aspect, a water heating system comprises: a water
tank; a main burner configured to heat water in the water tank; and
a pilot light configured to ignite fuel to light the main burner.
Moreover, a first thermo-mechanical valve unit monitors temperature
of the water and determines whether the temperature of the water is
below a first threshold, and permits fuel to flow to the pilot
light, when the first thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that
the temperature of the water is below the first threshold. An
ignition unit ignites the pilot light, when the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit permits fuel to flow to the pilot
light. A second thermo-mechanical valve unit monitors temperature
near the pilot light and determines whether the pilot light is
ignited, and permits fuel to flow to the main burner and be ignited
by the pilot light, when the second thermo-mechanical valve unit
determines that the temperature near the pilot light is above a
second threshold.
[0013] In another aspect, the first thermo-mechanical valve unit
prevents fuel from flowing to the pilot light, and thereby causing
the pilot light to be extinguished, when the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit determines that the temperature of the
water is equal to or greater than the first threshold.
[0014] In another aspect, the second thermo-mechanical valve unit
prevents fuel from flowing to the main burner, and thereby shutting
off the main burner, when the second thermo-mechanical valve unit
determines that the ambient temperature near the pilot light is
equal to or below the second threshold.
[0015] In another aspect, a switch closes when the first
thermo-mechanical valve unit permits fuel to flow to the pilot
light. Moreover, an electronic controller controls the ignition
unit to ignite the pilot light, when the electronic controller
determines that the switch is closed.
[0016] In another aspect, a solenoid piston opens a safety valve of
the first thermo-mechanical valve unit for a predetermined time
period to permit fuel to flow to the pilot light. The electronic
controller controls the solenoid piston to open the safety valve
for the predetermined time period, when the electronic controller
determines that the switch is closed.
[0017] In another aspect, after the solenoid piston is deactivated
after the predetermined time period, a thermocouple powered by heat
from the pilot light keeps the safety valve open to continue
permitting fuel to flow to the pilot light after the solenoid
piston is deactivated.
[0018] In another aspect, a battery supplies electronic power to
the electronic controller, the ignition unit, and the solenoid
piston.
[0019] In another aspect, a thermopile converts heat generated from
the ignited main burners into electrical energy to recharge the
battery.
[0020] In another aspect, a solar cell converts light generated
from the ignited main burners into electrical energy to recharge
the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The aforementioned and other aspects, features and
advantages can be more readily understood from the following
detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a hot water heater system
including a self-powered automatic pilot light, according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical system of
a hot water heater system, according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a
hot water heater system including a self-powered automatic pilot
light, such as system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a hot water heater system
including a self-powered automatic pilot light, according to
another exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a
hot water heater system including a self-powered automatic pilot
light, such as system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, according to
another exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. In
addition, a detailed description of known functions and
configurations will be omitted when it may obscure the subject
matter of the present invention.
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, there is described a hot water heater system (such
as, for example, a gas-powered hot water heater system) that
includes a self-powered automatic pilot light.
[0029] For example, FIG. 1 shows schematically a hot water heater
system 100 that includes a self-powered automatic pilot light. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the hot water heater system 100 includes a
water tank 10 containing water, a main burner 60 configured to heat
the water in the water tank, and a pilot light 30 configured to
ignite fuel to light the main burner. The system also includes a
first thermo-mechanical valve (TMV) unit A, an ignition unit 40,
and a second thermo-mechanical valve (TMV) unit B. TMV Unit A and
TMV Unit B are strictly thermo-mechanical devices, and are not
electrically powered.
[0030] TMV Unit A 20 includes a probe or sensor 20a connected to
the water tank 10, and which may extend into the interior of the
water tank 10 and/or contact the water inside the water tank 10.
The probe 20a is connected to a thermostat 20b that, together with
the probe 20a, determine the temperature of the water tank 10
and/or the water inside the water tank 10, and determine whether
the measured temperature is lower than a first threshold that is
set or stored in the thermostat 20b. If the measured temperature is
indeed lower than the first threshold, TMV Unit A opens a main
valve 20d that permits a fuel supply received via input pipe 20c to
flow out through output pipe 20e and flow towards the pilot light.
In this way, pilot light 30 has a supply of fuel so that the pilot
light can be lit, by the ignition unit 40 described below. Thus,
TMV Unit A determines whether the temperature of the water in the
water tank 10 is below a first threshold, and permits fuel to flow
to the pilot light 30, when a first temperature measuring unit
(probe 20a and/or thermostat 20b) of TMV Unit A determine that the
temperature of the water is below the first threshold.
[0031] The ignition unit 40 may include a sparker and sparker
controller, and is configured to ignite the pilot light, when the
TMV Unit A opens the main valve 20d and permits fuel to flow to the
pilot light 30. Thus, the pilot light 30 is not a standing pilot
light that is constantly lit. Instead, pilot light 30 is an
automatic pilot light that is only lit by the ignition unit when
the TMV Unit A opens the main valve 20d and permits fuel to flow to
the pilot light 30 (i.e. the pilot light 30 is only lit when the
TMV Unit A determines that the temperature of the water in the
water tank 10 is below a first threshold). The operation of the
ignition unit 40 will be described in further detail below.
[0032] TMV Unit B 50 includes a probe or sensor 50a that is placed
near the pilot light 30 and detects the ambient temperature near
the pilot light 30. The probe 50a is connected to a thermostat 50b
that, together with the probe 50a, determine the ambient
temperature near the pilot light 30, and determine whether the
ambient temperature is above a second threshold that is set or
stored in the thermostat 50b. If the measured ambient temperature
is indeed above the second threshold, TMV Unit B determines that
the pilot light 30 is lit, opens a main valve 50d that permits a
fuel supply received via input pipe 50c to flow out through output
pipe 50e and flow towards the pilot light 30 and towards the main
burner 60. The pilot light 30 will then light the fuel exiting the
output pipe 50e and light the main burner 60 in order to heat the
water in water tank 10. Thus, TMV Unit B determines whether the
pilot light is ignited (by determining whether the ambient
temperature near the pilot light is above a second threshold), and
permits fuel to flow to the main burner 60 and be ignited by the
pilot light 30, when a second temperature measuring unit (probe 50a
and/or thermostat 50b) determines that the ambient temperature near
the pilot light 30 is above the second threshold.
[0033] As a result of the aforementioned steps, the lit main burner
60 will heat the water in the water tank 10. Eventually, the
temperature of the main tank 10 (or water in the main tank 10) will
increase to satisfy the first threshold set in the thermostat 20b
of the TMV Unit A 20. When the first temperature measuring unit
(probe 20a and/or thermostat 20b) determines that the temperature
of the water is equal to or greater than the first threshold, TMV
Unit A will close the main valve 20d to prevent fuel from flowing
out of the output pipe 20e to the pilot light 30. Without this
supply of fuel to the pilot light 30, the pilot light 30 will be
extinguished.
[0034] Thereafter, the ambient temperature around the extinguished
pilot light will decrease to satisfy the second threshold set in
the thermostat 50b of the TMV Unit B 50. When the second
temperature measuring unit (probe 50a and/or thermostat 50b)
determines that the ambient temperature near the pilot light is
equal to or below the second threshold, TMV Unit B will close the
main valve 50d to prevent fuel from flowing out of the output pipe
50e to the main burner 60. Without this supply of fuel to main
burner 60, the main burner 60 will be extinguished.
[0035] It should be noted that the first temperature threshold
corresponding to the thermostat of TMV Unit A is variable, based on
user adjustment of an interface (e.g. thermostat knob) of TMV Unit
A in order to set a desired water temperature. On the other hand,
the second temperature threshold corresponding to the thermostat of
TMV Unit B is generally pre-set by the manufacturer of TMV Unit B,
and is generally not user settable.
[0036] All of the aforementioned operations (apart from ignition by
the ignition unit 40) are strictly thermo-mechanical operations
that do not require any source of electrical power.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 2, there are described further aspects
of the hot water heating system 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, a
safety system and self-powered electrical subsystem of the
aforementioned hot water heating system 100 of FIG. 1 are
described.
[0038] As seen in FIG. 2, a switch 80 is connected to the main
valve 20d of the TMV Unit A 20. The switch 80 may be comprised of a
reed switch, magnetic switch, miniature snap-action switch, micro
switch, and other types of switches known in the art. The switch 80
is configured to close when TMV Unit A opens the main valve 20d
(i.e. permits fuel to flow to the pilot light 30). Note that at
this point in time the pilot light 30 may not yet be lit. An
electronic controller 81 detects the closing of the switch 80 and
takes steps to light the pilot light 30. In particular, the
electronic controller controls the ignition unit (including sparker
controller 40a which in turn controls sparker 40b) to spark to
ignite the pilot light 30, when the electronic controller
determines that the switch 80 is closed. The electronic control 81
also controls a solenoid piston 82 to open a safety valve 90 for a
predetermined time period (such as 60 seconds), to ensure that fuel
flows from the opened valve 20d through the entire output pipe 20e
towards the pilot light 30 to be lit by the ignition unit 40.
[0039] That is, output pipe 20e of TMV Unit A may include a spring
loaded, normally closed safety valve 90 that prevents the gas
(which flows though the opened main valve 20d) from flowing to the
pilot light. The spring-loaded, normally closed valve may be held
open by the heat of the pilot after the pilot light is lit. For
example, the heat of the pilot light flame can be used to generate
electrical energy with a thermocouple (not shown), and the
generated energy may be used to power a solenoid to force open the
spring-loaded, normally closed safety valve 90, thereby allowing
the gas to flow from the opened thermo-mechanical valve to the
pilot light. If for any reason the pilot light fails or blows out,
the flow of unlit gas must be stopped, and so the loss of the heat
from the pilot light causes the safety mechanism to be triggered,
allowing the spring to force close the safety valve 90, stopping
the flow of gas to the pilot light.
[0040] According to the aspects of this embodiment, when the pilot
light needs to be lit, the electronic controller: (1) controls a
solenoid piston 82 to open the safety valve 90 for a predetermined
time period (e.g. 60 seconds) to permit fuel to flow through output
pipe 20e to the pilot light 30 and (2) controls the ignition unit
40 to light the pilot light with use of the fuel flowing through
output pipe 20e. The electronic controller does both (1) and (2)
only when the electronic controller determines that the switch 80
is closed (which occurs when TMV Unit A opens main valve 20d to
allow fuel to enter output pipe 20e). After the solenoid piston 82
is deactivated by the electronic controller 81 after the
predetermined time period has expired, a thermocouple (not shown)
powered by heat from the pilot light 30 keeps the safety valve 90
open to permit fuel to keep flowing to the pilot light 30.
[0041] Thus, the hot water heating system of this disclosure may
use a conventional thermo-mechanical valve unit with the same
safety valve that is used in an existing storage type of hot water
heater, supplementing it with a solenoid so that the piston of the
solenoid is in alignment with a push button of the safety valve.
When there is a call for hot water, the solenoid actuates for 60
seconds which causes its piston to push down the safety valve,
opening the gas. After 60 seconds, the solenoid shuts down with the
spring returning the piston to its at-rest position. The pilot
flame will now keep the safety valve open. If there is a flame
failure, the safety valve shuts off the gas just as it does with a
traditional hot water heater. If there is an electrical failure,
the safety valve remains shut. This creates a failsafe
environment.
[0042] The aforementioned operations of the electronic controller
81, solenoid 82 and ignition unit 40 are the only
electrically-power operations of the hot water heating system 100
of this disclosure. Electronic power for operations of the
electronic controller 81, solenoid 82 and ignition unit 40 is
supplied by the battery 85. In the aspects of this disclosure, a
thermopile 84 converts heat generated from the ignited main burner
60 into electrical energy to recharge the battery 85. Instead, or
in addition, a solar cell 83 converts light generated from the
ignited main burner 60 into electrical energy to recharge the
battery 85. The configuration of the solar cell 83 is preferably
optimized for generating energy from the portion of the visible
light spectrum corresponding to the gas flames emitted from the
main burner 60, in order to maximize the recharging abilities of
the solar cell 83. Thus, the entire hot water heating system of
this disclosure is self powered, since TMV Units A and B are
strictly thermo-mechanical devices, and the electronic controller
81, solenoid 82 and ignition unit 40, battery 85, etc., receive
power from the ignited main burners 60 via a solar cell or
thermopile.
[0043] The battery requirements of the hot water heating system of
this disclosure are quite modest. Electrical power is only briefly
used at the beginning of each cycle to run the sparker which lights
the pilot light and to actuate the safety solenoid/valve
combination for 60 seconds. Otherwise, the system is
thermo-mechanical.
[0044] Thus, according to this exemplary embodiment, there is
provided a hot water heating system with an automatic pilot light
that is only lit when there is a need to heat water in a water tank
(i.e. when the temperature of the water in the water tank is below
a first threshold). Moreover, the entire system is completed
self-powered, and is not connected to an external source of
electrical power.
[0045] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flowchart of a
method performed by a hot water heating system, such as hot water
heating system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0046] First, the thermostats knob of the thermostat 20b is set to
the desired temperature, i.e. the first temperature threshold
(S301). Water in the water tank 10 cools (S302). When the water in
the tank cools to below the set temperature threshold (S303, Yes),
TMV Unit A 20 is triggered which opens the main pilot valve 20d and
feeds fuel such as natural gas or propane to the output pipe 20e
(S304). This action also causes the electronic controller 81 to
activate the solenoid piston 82 for a predetermined time period
(e.g. 60 seconds) which causes its piston to push down and open the
safety valve 90, opening the fuel to flow through the output pipe
20e to the pilot light 30. The closing of switch 80 also causes the
electronic controller 81 to actuate the sparker 40b, which may be
powered by a 12 volt on-board battery 85. (When a flame is evident,
the sparker 40b as is typically designed, automatically stops
sparking). If the pilot light does not light in the predetermined
time period (S305, No), the sparker 40b and solenoid 82 are
deactivated (S306), and the safety system (e.g. thermocouple)
normally powered by the heat of the pilot light will allow the
safety valve 90 to close (S307). If the pilot light is lit (S305,
Yes), the sparker 40b and solenoid 82 are deactivated after the
predetermined time period (S308), and the safety system (e.g.
thermocouple) powered by the heat of the pilot light will keep the
safety valve 90 open.
[0047] Located near the pilot flame is the temperature sensing
means (probe 50a and thermostat 50b) of TMV Unit B 50. When the
pilot flame is lit, the pilot flame heats the temperature sensing
means at TMV Unit B (S309), and once the detected temperature is
higher than the second temperature threshold set at thermostat 50b
(S310, Yes), TMV Unit B will cause the main valve 50d to open to
permit fuel to flow through output pipe 50e towards the main burner
60 to be lit by the pilot light 30 (S311). This in turn heats the
water in the water tank 10 (S312). In addition, while the main
burner 60 is firing, the light and/or heat created by the flame of
the burner recharges the on-board battery 85 to maintain electrical
self-sufficiency in the system. The recharging is done by either
solar cells 83 within the confines of the tank housing or by
converting heat directly to electrical power via a thermopile
84.
[0048] Once the tank water is sufficiently heated to satisfy the
first threshold temperature set at thermostat 20a of TMV Unit A 20
(S313, Yes), TMV A will close the main valve 20d, shutting off the
flow of gas to the pilot light 30 (S314) to thereby extinguish the
pilot light 30. With no pilot flame near the sensor 50a of TMV Unit
B, the sensor cools down and the thermostat 50b determines that the
ambient temperature around the pilot light drops below the second
threshold set at thermostat 50b. As a result, TMV Unit B will close
main valve 50d, preventing the flow of fuel to main burner 60 and
shutting down the main burner 60 (S315).
[0049] What follows are illustrative examples of components that
can be used to form the various parts of the hot water heating
system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of this disclosure. It should
be noted that the following components are merely exemplary, and
many variations can be introduced on these examples without
departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of
the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of
different examples and illustrative embodiments may be combined
with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope
of this disclosure and appended claims.
[0050] Thermo-mechanical valve A (TMV Unit A 20): This may be an
off the shelf hot water heater controller except the pilot/safety
valve is used as a safety valve 90 only. There is a solenoid piston
82 directly above the push button of the safety valve 90 which can
push down engaging the push button, holding it open for 60 seconds.
This will allow the pilot light 30 to be lit long enough for it to
stay open on its own. The main valve is being used as a pilot valve
20d. In addition, the pilot valve 20d includes or is connected to a
small reed or magnetic switch 80 to indicate the valve position to
the controller 81. This is so the controller knows when there is a
call for hot water so it can actuate the solenoid 82 and sparker
40b.
[0051] Thermo-mechanical valve B (TMV Unit B 50): This may also be
an off-the-shelf hot water heater controller with a few minor
modifications. First the pilot/safety valve is not used and is
blocked open. Next, the main valve 50d is modified to function
backwards. In other words when the sensor 50a is heated past the
temperature threshold, the valve 50d opens and when the sensor 50a
cools, the valve 50d closes. Finally, the temperature sensing means
50a has a much smaller mass so the valve will react faster. A
longer, heavier sensing means is not necessary since there is no
immersion in a liquid.
[0052] Main Burner 60 and Pilot 30: May be off-the-shelf except
they are separated by a few inches with a tube between them to
insure the flame can travel from the pilot to the main burner.
[0053] Sparker Controller 40a and Sparker 40b: May be off-the-shelf
D.C. version.
[0054] Battery 85: May be off-the-shelf 12 volt rechargeable lead
acid typical of what is used in emergency lighting and alarm system
backups.
[0055] Solar cells 83 or thermopile 84: May be off-the-shelf.
[0056] Solenoid A 82: Located above the safety valve 90 push
button. It will energize for 60 seconds starting when there is a
call for hot water at TMV A. The solenoid 82 piston engages the
safety valve 90, opening it for the 60 seconds. After 60 seconds
the solenoid 82 is de-energized and the spring returns it to its
at-rest position.
[0057] Controller/circuit board 81: One purpose of the
controller/circuit board is to actuate the solenoid 82 and time its
action for 60 seconds. The trigger is the switch 80 located at TMV
Unit A 80 which closes every time there is a call for hot water and
the valve 20d at TMV Unit A opens. After 60 seconds, the solenoid
82 is de-energized and the mechanical cycle continues on to fire
the main burner 60. If a reset is required, simply turning the
temperature dial of thermostat 20b to cool and then back to hot
will trigger the solenoid and sparker once again. Another function
of the controller/circuit board is to correct the voltage output of
the power producing components to enable recharging of the battery
85 and also to prevent its overcharging.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is described another exemplary
embodiment of this disclosure.
[0059] In particular, FIG. 4 shows schematically a hot water heater
system 400 that includes a self-powered automatic pilot light. The
hot water system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to the system
100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and thus similar part numbers have been
used in FIG. 4 to label specific parts that are identical to those
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0060] One difference between hot water heater system of FIG. 4 and
that of FIG. 1 is that, in the system 400 of FIG. 4, the plumbing
is re-routed so that the two thermo-mechanical valves TMV Unit A 20
and TMV Unit B 50 are fed in series. That is, the output of fuel
from the output pipe 20e-1 of TMV Unit A is fed to both: (1) the
pilot light 30, in a similar manner to that described in FIG. 1;
and (2) the input pipe 50c-1 of TMV Unit B. The result is that when
the water temperature satisfies (i.e. is greater than) the
temperature threshold set at thermostat 20b, TMV Unit A closes the
valve 20d so that both: (1) the pilot light 30 is extinguished; and
(2) no fuel whatsoever is flowing to TMV Unit B, so that the main
burner 60 will also be extinguished.
[0061] The second embodiment of FIG. 4 has an identical safety
system as the first embodiment of FIG. 1, with the addition of one
extra feature which will prevent `fast cycling`. This is an event
which will not occur during normal operation but possibly might
happen if the temperature adjustment knob at thermostat 20b of TMV
Unit A is turned to a much higher setting immediately after the hot
water temperature has been satisfied and the TMV A has closed. Fast
cycling is when TMV Unit A opens to light the pilot but TMV Unit B
has not yet cooled enough to close from a previous cycle. This
confluence of unusual factors could cause the main valve to be open
before the pilot is lit. It is a rare possibility but one that must
be addressed to maintain a completely fail-safe environment.
[0062] This is addressed with some additional components. The pilot
valve 20d automatically and mechanically latches closed when the
hot water temperature at thermostat 20b is satisfied. Once the main
valve 50d closes as determined by a reed or magnetic switch
connected to the main valve 50d (which indicates valve position of
the main valve 50d), a second solenoid, Solenoid B (not shown)
momentarily energizes to unlatch the pilot valve 20d to allow it to
open the next time there is a call for hot water. While the pilot
valve 20d is latched closed, the pilot valve 20d cannot open under
any circumstances, until the main valve 50d cools and closes-which
in turn triggers the Solenoid B to unlatch the pilot valve 20d.
This is a fail-safe method of preventing fast cycling. This safety
system can also be applied to the first embodiment if FIG. 1, if
desired.
[0063] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a flowchart of a
method performed by a hot water heating system, such as hot water
heating system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0064] The method of FIG. 5 is similar to the method of FIG. 3,
except in certain respects. For example, at S501, the thermostats
knob of the thermostat 20b is set to the desired temperature (i.e.
the first temperature threshold), and solenoid B activates to
unlatch the valve 20d of TMV Unit A.
[0065] Another difference is that, once the tank water is
sufficiently heated to satisfy the first threshold temperature set
at thermostat 20a of TMV Unit A 20 (S513, Yes), TMV Unit A will
close the valve 20d (S514) and shut off the flow of gas to both:
(1) the pilot light 30, to thereby extinguish the pilot light 30;
and (2) the input pipe 50c-1 of TMV Unit B, to prevent the flow of
fuel to main burner 60 to thereby extinguish the main burner 60.
Moreover, in S514, the pilot valve 20d is latched closed.
[0066] Further, with no pilot flame near the sensor 50a of TMV Unit
B, the sensor cools down and the thermostat 50b determines that the
ambient temperature around the pilot light drops below the second
threshold set at thermostat 50b. As a result, TMV Unit B will close
main valve 50d (S515). This also results in Solenoid B pulsing to
unlatch the pilot valve 20d of TMV Unit A for the next cycle
(S515).
[0067] What follows are illustrative examples of components that
can be used to form the various parts of the hot water heating
system 400 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. It should be
noted that the following components are merely exemplary. The
system 400 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 may contain all of the
components of the system 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the
following additions.
[0068] TMV Unit A 20: There may be an additional mechanical
latching mechanism when compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1. This
will latch valve 20d of TMV Unit A closed once the tank water
temperature satisfies the temperature threshold set in thermostat
20b. The mechanical latching mechanism cannot be unlatched until
valve 50d of TMV Unit B 50 closes, at which point solenoid B is
momentarily activated to unlatch valve 20d of TMV Unit A.
[0069] TMV Unit B 50: Like TMV Unit A, there may be a switch (e.g.
reed or magnetic switch) which acts as a position sensor to the
controller 81. This is used to let the controller 81 know that
valve 50d of TMV Unit B has closed, so that the controller 81 can
cause solenoid B to pulse unlatching valve 20d of TMV Unit A
(protection against fast cycling).
[0070] Controller 81: In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the controller
81 also causes solenoid B to pulse momentarily, once valve 50d of
TMV Unit B closes at the end of the cycle, to unlatch the valve 20d
of TMV Unit A.
[0071] Solenoid B: Located at TMV Unit A. Once the tank temperature
satisfies the temperature threshold set in thermostat 20b, TMV Unit
A will close valve 20d and then shortly thereafter and TMV Unit B
will close valve 50d. Once this occurs, the solenoid B is
momentarily energized to unlatch the locking mechanism, allowing
TMV Unit A to open valve 20d the next time there is a call for hot
water.
[0072] According to the embodiments of this disclosure, there is
described a hot water heating system that is safe, reliable, and
relatively simple, and inexpensive, but has the advantage of
electronic ignition, no standing pilot, and a self-sufficient
electrical environment with recharging done by either solar cells
or thermopile. If all of the conventional storage-type of hot water
heaters are taken as a group and converted to the systems of this
disclosure, an enormous amount of money and gas may be saved long
after the initial, additional investment is amortized.
[0073] The aforementioned specific embodiments are illustrative,
and many variations can be introduced on these embodiments without
departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of
the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of
different examples and illustrative embodiments may be combined
with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope
of this disclosure and appended claims.
* * * * *