U.S. patent application number 14/748868 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-29 for water heater appliance with tank capacity control interface and related control methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Brett Alan Farris, Timothy Scott Shaffer, Shaun Michael Ward.
Application Number | 20160377323 14/748868 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57601035 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20160377323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Shaun Michael ; et
al. |
December 29, 2016 |
WATER HEATER APPLIANCE WITH TANK CAPACITY CONTROL INTERFACE AND
RELATED CONTROL METHODS
Abstract
In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of a water
heater appliance may generally include receiving a user input
associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for the
water heater appliance, determining a tank temperature setpoint for
water contained within a tank of the water heater appliance based
on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint and controlling the
operation of the water heater appliance based on the tank
temperature setpoint.
Inventors: |
Ward; Shaun Michael;
(Louisville, KY) ; Shaffer; Timothy Scott; (La
Grange, KY) ; Farris; Brett Alan; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57601035 |
Appl. No.: |
14/748868 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
122/14.1 ;
122/14.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 9/2007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/20 20060101
F24H009/20 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling the operation of a water heater
appliance, the method comprising: receiving, by a controller, a
user input associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint
for the water heater appliance; determining, by the controller, a
tank temperature setpoint for water contained within a tank of the
water heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint; and controlling, by the controller, the operation of the
water heater appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tank temperature setpoint is
varied with variations of the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user input
associated with the selection of the tank capacity setpoint
comprises receiving the user input via a control panel of the water
heater appliance.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user input
associated with the selection of the tank capacity setpoint
comprises receiving the user input wirelessly from a separate
computing device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the tank temperature
setpoint for the water contained within the tank of the water
heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint
comprises determining the tank temperature setpoint based on a
look-up table stored within memory of the controller that relates
the tank temperature setpoint to the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint.
6. The method of claim 1, controlling the operation of the water
heater appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint comprises
controlling the operation of one or more heating elements of the
water heater appliance in order to maintain a water temperature of
the water contained within the tank at the tank temperature
setpoint.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the water heater appliance
further comprises a mixing valve configured to mix non-heated water
received from a non-heated water conduit and heated water received
from a heated water conduit and supply the mixed non-heated and
heated water to a mixed water conduit, the method further
comprising receiving a second user input associated with a
selection of a mixed water temperature setpoint for the mixed
non-heated and heated water supplied from the mixing valve to the
mixed water conduit.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining a valve
control setpoint for the mixing valve based on the mixed water
temperature setpoint.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising controlling the
operation of the mixing valve based on the valve control setpoint
such that a water temperature of the mixed non-heated and heated
water supplied to the mixed water conduit corresponds to the mixed
water temperature setpoint.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein controlling the operation of the
mixing valve comprises adjusting a valve position of the mixing
valve based on the valve control setpoint in order to regulate an
amount of the non-heated water and an amount of the heated water
supplied to the mixed water conduit.
11. A method for controlling the operation of a water heater
appliance, the water heater appliance comprising a mixing valve
configured to mix non-heated water received from a non-heated water
conduit and heated water received from a heated water conduit and
supply the mixed non-heated and heated water to a mixed water
conduit, the method comprising: receiving, by a controller, a user
input associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for
the water heater appliance; receiving, by the controller, a second
user input associated with a selection of a mixed water temperature
setpoint for the mixed water supplied from the mixing valve to the
mixed water conduit; determining, by the controller, a tank
temperature setpoint for water contained within a tank of the water
heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint;
determining, by the controller, a valve control setpoint for the
mixing valve based on the mixed water temperature setpoint; and
controlling, by the controller, the operation of the water heater
appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint and the valve
control setpoint.
12. A water heater appliance, comprising: a tank; a heating element
associated with the tank; a non-heated water conduit for supplying
non-heated water to the tank; a heated water conduit for receiving
heated water from the tank; a mixing valve in fluid communication
with the non-heated water conduit and the heated water conduit, the
mixing valve being configured to mix the non-heated water flowing
through the non-heated water conduit with the heated water flowing
through the heated water conduit to create a mixed water flow; a
mixed water conduit for receiving the mixed water flow expelled
from the mixing valve; and a controller communicatively coupled to
the mixing valve, the controller being configured to: receive a
user input associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint
for the tank; determine a tank temperature setpoint for the water
contained within the tank based on the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint; and control the operation of the heating element based on
the tank temperature setpoint so as to maintain a water temperature
of the water contained within the tank at the tank temperature
setpoint.
13. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the controller
is configured to vary the tank temperature setpoint with variations
in the user-selected tank capacity setpoint.
14. The water heater appliance of claim 12, further comprising a
control panel having one or more user interface elements, wherein
the controller is configured to receive the user input via the one
or more user interface elements of the control panel.
15. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the controller
is configured to receive the user input wirelessly from a separate
computing device.
16. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the controller
is configured to determine the tank temperature setpoint based on a
look-up table stored within memory of the controller that relates
the tank temperature setpoint to the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint.
17. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the controller
is further configured to receive a second user input associated
with a selection of a mixed water temperature setpoint for the
mixing valve.
18. The water heater appliance of claim 17, wherein the controller
is further configured to determine a valve control setpoint for the
mixing valve based on the mixed water temperature setpoint.
19. The water heater appliance of claim 18, wherein the controller
is configured to control the operation of the mixing valve based on
the valve control setpoint such that a water temperature of the
mixed water flow supplied to the mixed water conduit corresponds to
the mixed water temperature setpoint.
20. The water heater appliance of claim 18, wherein the controller
is configured to control the operation of the mixing valve by
adjusting a valve position of the mixing valve based on the valve
control setpoint in order to regulate an amount of the non-heated
water and an amount of the heated water supplied to the mixed water
conduit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to water heater
appliances and, more particularly, to a water heater appliance with
a tank capacity control interface and related control methods that
allow a user to interface with the water heater in terms of the
desired tank capacity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Certain water heater appliances include a tank therein.
Heating elements, such as gas burners, electric resistance
elements, or induction elements, heat water within the tank during
operation of such water heater appliances. In particular, the
heating elements generally heat water within the tank to a
predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is
generally selected such that heated water within the tank is
suitable for showering, washing hands, etc.
[0003] During operation, relatively cool water flows into the tank,
and the heating elements operate to heat such water to the
predetermined temperature. Thus, the volume of heated water
available at the predetermined temperature is generally limited to
the volume of the tank. According, water heater appliances are sold
in various sizes to provide customers with a desired amount of
heated water. However, large water heater appliances with large
tanks occupy a large amount of space within a residence or
business. In certain buildings, space is limited and/or expensive.
Thus, utilizing large water heater appliances can be impractical
and/or prohibitively expensive despite needing large volumes of
heated water.
[0004] To provide relatively large volumes of heated water from
relatively small tanks, certain water heater appliances utilize a
mixing valve. The mixing valve permits water within the water
heater's tank to be stored at relatively high temperatures. The
mixing valve mixes such high temperature water with relatively cool
water in order to bring the temperature of such water down to
suitable and/or more usable temperatures. Thus, such water heater
appliance can provide relatively large volumes of heated water
without requiring a large tank.
[0005] Typically, a user is allowed to select the temperature to
which the water within the tank will be heated. This user-selected
tank temperature is then used to control the operation of the
heating elements. Unfortunately, users often select tank
temperature setpoints that do not provide that most efficient
settings based on their particular hot water usage (e.g., based on
their specific first hour delivery requirements). This is often
particularly true for water heater appliances that incorporate a
mixing valve given the increased temperatures to which the water
within the tank may be heated.
[0006] Accordingly, a tank capacity control interface and/or a
control method that allows a user to control the operation of
his/her water heater appliance as a function of a desired tank
capacity for the appliance would be welcomed in the technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a
method for controlling the operation of a water heater appliance.
The method may generally include receiving a user input associated
with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for the water heater
appliance, determining a tank temperature setpoint for water
contained within a tank of the water heater appliance based on the
user-selected tank capacity setpoint and controlling the operation
of the water heater appliance based on the tank temperature
setpoint.
[0009] In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to
a method for controlling the operation of a water heater appliance,
wherein the water heater appliance includes a mixing valve
configured to mix non-heated water received from a non-heated water
conduit and heated water received from a heated water conduit and
supply the mixed non-heated and heated water to a mixed water
conduit. The method may generally include receiving a user input
associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for the
water heater appliance, receiving a second user input associated
with a selection of a mixed water temperature setpoint for the
mixed water supplied from the mixing valve to the mixed water
conduit, determining a tank temperature setpoint for water
contained within a tank of the water heater appliance based on the
user-selected tank capacity setpoint, determining a valve control
setpoint for the mixing valve based on the mixed water temperature
setpoint and controlling the operation of the water heater
appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint and the valve
control setpoint.
[0010] In a further aspect, the present subject matter is directed
to a water heater appliance. The water heater appliance may
generally include a tank, a heating element associated with the
tank, a non-heated water conduit for supplying non-heated water to
the tank, a heated water conduit for receiving heated water from
the tank and a mixing valve in fluid communication with the
non-heated water conduit and the heated water conduit. The mixing
valve may be configured to mix the non-heated water flowing through
the non-heated water conduit with the heated water flowing through
the heated water conduit to create a mixed water flow. The water
heater appliance may also include a mixed water conduit for
receiving the mixed water flow expelled from the mixing valve. In
addition, the water heater appliance may include a controller
communicatively coupled to the mixing valve. The controller may be
configured to receive a user input associated with a selection of a
tank capacity setpoint for the tank, determine a tank temperature
setpoint for the water contained within the tank based on the
user-selected tank capacity setpoint and control the operation of
the heating element based on the tank temperature setpoint so as to
maintain a water temperature of the water contained within the tank
at the tank temperature setpoint.
[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
water heater appliance in accordance with aspects of the present
subject matter;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of various components
that may be included within the water heater appliance shown in
FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a
method for controlling the operation of a water heater appliance in
accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0017] In general, the present subject matter is directed to a tank
capacity control interface and related control methods for a water
heater appliance. Specifically, in several embodiments, a user of a
water heater appliance may be provided with a suitable interface
for providing user inputs associated with a desired tank capacity
for the appliance. For instance, the user may provide such inputs
via a control panel having suitable user interface elements
communicatively coupled to a controller of the water heater
appliance. Alternatively, the user inputs may be provided via a
suitable application implemented on a separate computing device of
the user (e.g., his/her smartphone, tablet, desktop, etc.) and
subsequently communicated wirelessly to the appliance controller
across a wireless network. Regardless, once the user input(s)
associated with the desired tank capacity is received, the
controller may be configured to determine a tank temperature
setpoint corresponding to the user-selected tank capacity and
control the operation of the water heater appliance to ensure that
the water contained within the tank is maintained at the determined
tank temperature setpoint. As such, the present subject matter may
allow a user to control the operation of a water heater appliance
based on a parameter that more closely relates to his/her actual
hot water usage/requirements, thereby providing the user with a
simpler means for selecting the most efficient operating
setpoint(s) for his/her appliance.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of one embodiment of a water heater appliance 100
in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In
general, the water heater appliance 100 may include a casing 102
forming the outer housing or compartment of the water heater 100.
As will be described below, a tank 104 (FIG. 2) and one or more
heating elements 106 (FIG. 2) may be positioned within the casing
102 for heating water contained therein. The heating element(s) 106
may generally correspond to a gas burner(s), a heat pump(s), an
electric resistance element(s), a microwave element(s), an
induction element(s) and/or any other suitable heating element(s)
or combination thereof. As will be understood by those skilled in
the art and as used herein, the term "water" includes purified
water and solutions or mixtures containing water and, e.g.,
elements (such as calcium, chlorine, and fluorine), salts,
bacteria, nitrates, organics, and other chemical compounds or
substances.
[0019] Additionally, the water heater appliance 100 may also
include a cold or non-heated water conduit 108 and a hot or heated
water conduit 110 that are both configured to be in fluid
communication with a chamber 112 (FIG. 2) defined by the tank 104.
As an example, cold or non-heated water from a water source, e.g.,
a municipal water supply or a well, may enter the water heater
appliance 100 through the non-heated water conduit 108 (shown
schematically with arrow labeled F.sub.cool in FIG. 2). From the
non-heated water conduit 108, such non-heated water may enter the
chamber 112 of the tank 104, wherein it is heated with the heating
elements 106 to generate heated water. Such heated water may then
exit the water heater appliance 100 via the heated water conduit
110 and, e.g., may be supplied to a bath, shower, sink, or any
other suitable feature.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater appliance 100 generally
extends longitudinally between a top portion 114 and a bottom
portion 116 along a vertical direction V. Thus, the water heater
appliance 100 is generally vertically oriented. The water heater
appliance 100 may also be leveled, e.g., such that the casing 102
is plumb in the vertical direction V, in order to facilitate proper
operation of the water heater. A drain pan 118 may be positioned at
the bottom portion 116 of the water heater appliance 100 such that
the tank 102 sits on the drain pan 110. As is generally understood,
the drain pan 110 may sit beneath the water heater appliance 100
along the vertical direction V, e.g., to collect water that leaks
from the appliance 100 or water that condenses on an evaporator
(not shown) of the appliance 100.
[0021] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the water heater appliance
100 may also include a control panel 120 providing a plurality of
user interface elements 122 (e.g., buttons, knobs, a keypad,
switches, etc.). The user interface elements 122 may generally
allow a user of the water heater appliance 100 to interface with a
controller 124 of the appliance 100. Specifically, in several
embodiments, the user interface elements 122 may provide a means
for the user to provide user inputs to the controller 124
associated with adjusting the operational settings of the appliance
100. For instance, as will be described below, the user interface
elements 122 may allow a user to provide a user input associated
with a desired tank capacity setpoint for the water heater
appliance 100. The controller 124 may then determine the proper
tank temperature setpoint for the water heater appliance 100 based
on the particular tank capacity setpoint selected by the user.
[0022] It should be appreciated that the water heater appliance 100
shown in FIG. 1 is simply provided as one example of a suitable
water heater configuration with which the present subject matter
may be used. In general, it should be appreciated that the present
subject matter may be used with any suitable water heater appliance
have any suitable configuration.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic view of one embodiment
of various components that may be included within the water heater
appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in accordance with
aspects of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 2, the
water heater appliance 100 may include a mixing valve 126 (e.g., an
electronically controlled mixing valve) and a mixed water conduit
128. The mixing valve 126 may be in fluid communication with the
non-heated water conduit 108, the heated water conduit 110, and the
mixed water conduit 128. As discussed in greater detail below, the
mixing valve 126 may be configured for selectively directing water
from the non-heated water conduit 108 and the heated water conduit
110 into the mixed water conduit 128 in order to regulate a
temperature of the water supplied to the mixed water conduit 128.
In several embodiments the mixing valve 126 may be positioned or
disposed within the casing 102 of the water heater appliance 100,
e.g., such that mixing valve 126 is integrated within the appliance
100.
[0024] As an example, the mixing valve 126 may be configured to be
actuated or moved to a plurality of different valve positions for
controlling the ratio of the non-heated and heated water supplied
to the mixed water conduit 128. Specifically, by controlling the
valve position of the mixing valve 126, the particular amounts of
the non-heated and heated water supplied from the non-heated and
heated water conduits 108, 110, respectively, to the mixed water
conduit 128 may be carefully regulated. As such, the water supplied
to the mixed water conduit 128 (shown schematically with arrow
labeled F.sub.mixed in FIG. 2) may generally have any suitable
temperature ranging between the temperature of the non-heated water
supplied through the non-heated water conduit 108 and the
temperature of the heated water supplied through the heated water
conduit 110.
[0025] The water heater appliance 100 may also include a position
sensor 130 configured for determining the valve position of the
mixing valve 126. Specifically, the position sensor 130 may monitor
the valve position of the mixing valve 126 in order to assist in
regulating the temperature of the water supplied to the mixed water
conduit 128. For example, position measurements provided by the
position sensor 130 may be transmitted to the controller 124, which
may use the position measurements to determine the current valve
position of the mixing valve 126 in order to ensure that the valve
126 is properly or suitably positioned to allow the water supplied
to the mixed water conduit 128 to be at the desired or selected
temperature. Thus, the position sensor 130 may provide feedback to
the controller 124 regarding the status or position of the mixing
valve 126.
[0026] It should be appreciated that the position sensor 130 may
generally be any suitable type of sensor. For example, in one
embodiment, the position sensor 130 may be a physical sensor, such
as an optical sensor, Hall-effect sensor, etc. Alternatively, the
water heater appliance 100 need not include a position sensor 130.
In such an embodiment, the controller 124 may be configured to
determine or measure the valve position of the mixing valve 126
based on the previously commanded position of the valve 126. For
instance, controller 124 may determine that the current valve
position of the mixing valve 126 corresponds to the latest position
that the controller 124 commanded for the mixing valve 126 in a
previous iteration.
[0027] Additionally, the water heater appliance 100 may also
include a mixed water conduit temperature sensor or first
temperature sensor 132 and a non-heated water conduit temperature
sensor or second temperature sensor 134. The first temperature
sensor 132 may be positioned on or proximate to the mixed water
conduit 128 and may be configured for measuring the temperature of
the water supplied through the mixed water conduit 126. As such, it
should be appreciated that the first temperature sensor 132 may be
positioned downstream of the mixing valve 126. The second
temperature sensor 134 may be positioned on or proximate to the
non-heated water conduit 108 and may be configured for measuring
the temperature of the water supplied through the non-heated water
conduit 110. As such, it should be appreciated that the second
temperature sensor 134 may be positioned upstream of the mixing
valve 126. In certain embodiments, the first temperature sensor 132
and/or the second temperature sensor 135 may be positioned
proximate or adjacent to the mixing valve 126.
[0028] The water heater appliance 100 may also include a tank
temperature sensor 136 that is configured for measuring the
temperature of the water contained within the tank chamber 112. In
general, the tank temperature sensor 136 may be positioned at any
suitable location within the water heater appliance 100. For
example, the tank temperature sensor 136 may be positioned within
the chamber 112 of the tank 102 or may be mounted to the tank 102
outside of the chamber 112. It should be appreciated that, when
mounted to the tank 102 outside of the chamber 112, the tank
temperature sensor 136 may be configured for indirectly measuring
the temperature of the water contained within the chamber 112. For
example, the tank temperature sensor 136 may measure the
temperature of the tank 102 and correlate such temperature to the
temperature of the water contained within the chamber 112. It
should also be appreciated that the tank temperature sensor 136 may
generally correspond to any suitable temperature sensor. For
example, in one embodiment, the tank temperature sensor 136 may be
a thermocouple or a thermistor.
[0029] As indicated above, the water heater appliance 100 may also
include a controller 124 configured for regulating the operation of
the water heater appliance 100. Thus, in several embodiments, the
controller 124 may be provided in operative communication with the
heating elements 106, the mixing valve 126, the position sensor
130, the first and second temperature sensors 132, 134 and the tank
temperature sensor 136. In such embodiments, the controller 124 may
be configured to selectively activate the heating elements 106 in
order to heat the water contained within the chamber 112 of the
tank 102. Similarly, the controller 124 may be configured to
selectively operate the mixing valve 126 in order to adjust the
position of the valve 126, thereby allowing the controller 124 to
automatically regulate the temperature of the water supplied to the
mixed water conduit 128.
[0030] It should be appreciated that the controller 124 may
generally correspond to any suitable processor-based device and/or
combination of processor-based devices. Thus, in several
embodiments, the controller 124 may include one or more
processor(s) 138 and associated memory device(s) 140 configured to
perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g.,
performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like disclosed
herein). As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to
integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a
computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a
microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an
application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable
circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) 140 may generally
comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer
readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer
readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk,
a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk
(MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory
elements. Such memory device(s) 140 may generally be configured to
store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when
implemented by the processor(s) 138, configure the controller 124
to perform various functions including, but not limited to, the
control method 200 described below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0031] Additionally, the controller 124 may also include a
communications module 142 to facilitate communications between the
controller 124 and the various components of the water heater
appliance 100. For instance, the communications module 142 may
include a sensor interface (e.g., one or more analog-to-digital
converters) to permit the signals transmitted by the various
sensor(s) 130, 132, 134, 136 of the water heater appliance 100 to
be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by
the processors 138.
[0032] Moreover, in several embodiments, the communications module
142 may include suitable components for allowing the controller 124
to communicate wirelessly with one or more separate devices. For
instance, in one embodiment, the communications module 142 may
include or may be coupled to a wireless communications device 144
(e.g., a wireless receiver) for providing wireless communications
between controller 124 and a separate computing device 145 (e.g., a
smartphone, tablet, desktop, etc.) via any suitable wireless
communications protocol, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, near field
communication (NFC) and/or the like. In such an embodiment, the
controller 124 may be configured to receive user inputs wirelessly
from a remote computing device 145 associated with controlling the
operation of the water heater appliance 100 (e.g., user inputs
associated with a desired tank capacity setpoint for the appliance
100).
[0033] It should also be appreciated that the controller 124 may be
positioned at any suitable location. For instance, as shown in FIG.
1, the controller 124 is positioned within the water heater
appliance 100, e.g., as an integral component of the appliance 100.
In alternative embodiments, the controller 124 may be positioned
separate from the water heater appliance 100. In such embodiments,
the controller 124 may be configured to communicate with the water
heater appliance 100 over a wireless connection or any other
suitable connection, such as a wired connection.
[0034] As indicated above, the controller 124 may be configured to
operate the heating elements 106 so as to heat the water contained
within the tank chamber 112. For instance, as will be described
below, the controller 124 may, in one embodiment, be configured to
calculate or determine a tank temperature setpoint for the water
contained within the chamber 112 based on a tank capacity setpoint
selected by the user of the water heater appliance 100. In such an
embodiment, based on the tank temperature setpoint, the controller
124 may be configured to selectively activate the heating elements
106 in order to maintain the temperature of the water within the
chamber 112 at the tank temperature setpoint (or within a given
threshold of such temperature). It should be appreciated that the
tank temperature setpoint may generally correspond to any suitable
temperature. For example, in one embodiment, the tank temperature
setpoint may range from about one hundred and ten degrees
Fahrenheit to about one hundred and eighty-degrees Fahrenheit.
[0035] Additionally, as indicated above, the controller 124 may
also be configured to operate the mixing valve 126 so as to
regulate the temperature of the water supplied to the mixed water
conduit 128. For example, the controller 124 may be configured to
transmit suitable control signals (e.g., current signals) to the
mixing valve 126 so as to adjust its position, thereby allowing the
temperature of the water within the mixed water conduit 128 to be
automatically regulated. As will be described below, a user may, in
one embodiment, select or establish a mixed water temperature
setpoint for the mixing valve 126. In such an embodiment, based on
the mixed water temperature setpoint, the controller 124 may adjust
the position of the mixing valve 126 in order to change or tweak
the ratio of the amount of non-heated water flowing into the mixed
water conduit 126 from the non-heated water conduit 108 to the
amount of heated water flowing into the mixed water conduit 128
from the heated water conduit 108. In such manner, the controller
124 may regulate the temperature of the water supplied to the mixed
water conduit 128.
[0036] It should be appreciated that the mixed water temperature
setpoint for the mixing valve 126 may correspond to any suitable
temperature. For example, in one embodiment, the mixed water
temperature setpoint for the mixing valve 126 may range from about
one hundred degrees Fahrenheit to about one hundred and twenty
degrees Fahrenheit. It should also be appreciated that, in general,
the mixed temperature setpoint may be selected so that the setpoint
is less than the tank temperature setpoint for the water contained
within the tank chamber 112. In such a manner, the mixing valve 126
may utilize water from both the non-heated water conduit 108 and
the heated water conduit 110 to regulate the temperature of the
water supplied to the mixed water conduit 128.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram of one embodiment of
a method 200 for controlling the operation of a water heater
appliance is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present
subject matter. In general, the method 200 will be described herein
with reference to the water heater appliance 100 described above
with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it should be appreciated
by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed method 200
may be implemented with any other suitable water heater appliance.
In addition, although FIG. 3 depicts steps performed in a
particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the
methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or
arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided
herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed
herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in
various ways without deviating from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, at (202), the method 200 includes
receiving a user input associated with a selection of a tank
capacity setpoint for the water heater appliance 100. Specifically,
in several embodiments, a user of the water heater appliance 100
may be allowed to provide a user input associated with the
selection of a tank capacity setpoint to be used in controlling the
operation of the water heater appliance 100. As will be described
below, the controller 124 may then, in one embodiment, be
configured to determine a proper tank temperature setpoint for the
water heater appliance 100 based on the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint.
[0039] It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the
tank capacity setpoint may be selected by the user from a set of
predetermined tank capacity setpoints. For instance, in one
embodiment, the user may be provided the option of selecting from a
"LOW" tank capacity setpoint, a "MED" tank capacity setpoint or a
"HIGH" capacity setpoint. In such an embodiment, the "LOW" tank
capacity setpoint may correspond to a relatively low capacity
setpoint for the water heater appliance 100 (e.g., a first hour
delivery capacity of 20 gallons), the "HIGH" capacity setpoint may
correspond to a relatively high capacity setpoint for the water
heater appliance 100 (e.g., a first hour delivery capacity of 80
gallons) and the "MED" tank capacity setpoint may correspond to a
capacity setpoint defined between the "LOW" and "HIGH" capacity
setpoints (e.g., a first hour delivery capacity of 50 gallons). In
another embodiment, the user may be provided the option of
selecting from any other suitable number of predetermined tank
capacity setpoints, such as by providing the user less than three
predetermined tank capacity setpoints to choose from or more than
three predetermined tank capacity setpoints to choose from.
Alternatively, the user may be allowed to input a specific tank
capacity setpoint, such as by allowing the user to input a tank
capacity setpoint ranging from a capacity of about 20 gallons to a
capacity of about 80 gallons.
[0040] It should also be appreciated that the controller 124 may be
configured to receive the user input associated with the selection
of a tank capacity setpoint for the water heater appliance 100 via
any suitable input means. For instance, as indicated above, the
water heater appliance 100 may include a control panel 120 having
suitable user interface elements 112 that allow the user to provide
inputs to the controller 124. Thus, in several embodiments, a user
may input his/her selected tank capacity setpoint using the user
interface elements 122, such as by selecting a button corresponding
to the desired tank capacity setpoint or turning a knob to the
desired tank capacity setpoint or by inputting the desired tank
capacity setpoint into a keypad provided on the control panel
122.
[0041] Alternatively, the user input associated with the selection
of a tank capacity setpoint may be communicated wirelessly to the
controller 124 from a separate computing device (e.g., the remote
device 145 shown in FIG. 2). For instance, the user may have a
smartphone, tablet or other computing device that is configured to
execute a suitable application that provides the user with a user
interface for inputting a tank capacity setpoint. In such an
embodiment, when the user inputs a desired tank capacity setpoint
via the interface provided on his/her separate computing device,
the tank capacity setpoint may then be transmitted wirelessly to
the controller 124 (e.g., via the controller's wireless
communications device 144) and stored in the controller's memory
140.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, at (204), the method 200 includes
receiving a user input associated with a selection of a mixed water
temperature setpoint for the water heater appliance 100.
Specifically, in several embodiments, a user of the water heater
appliance 100 may be allowed to provide a user input associated
with the selection of a mixed water temperature setpoint to be used
in controlling the operation of the water heater appliance 100. As
will be described below, the controller 124 may then, in one
embodiment, be configured to utilize the user-selected mixed
temperature setpoint for determining a proper valve control
setpoint for controlling the mixing valve 126.
[0043] It should be appreciated that, similar to the user input
described above with reference to method element (202), the
controller 124 may be configured to receive the user input
associated with the selection of the mixed water temperature
setpoint via any suitable input means. For instance, the user may
input or select the mixed water temperature setpoint via the user
interface elements 122 provided on the control panel 120.
Alternatively, the user may input or select the mixed temperature
setpoint via a suitable computer application implemented on his/her
separate computing device, which may then be transmitted wirelessly
to the controller 124.
[0044] Referring still to FIG. 3, at (206), the method 200 may
include determining a tank temperature setpoint for the water
heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint.
Specifically, in several embodiments, upon the receipt of the
desired tank capacity setpoint, the controller 124 may be
configured to calculate or look-up a corresponding tank temperature
setpoint for the water heater appliance 100. As will be described
below, the operation of the water heater appliance 100 may then be
controlled to ensure that the temperature of the water contained
within the tank chamber 112 is maintained at the determined tank
temperature setpoint.
[0045] It should be appreciated that the controller 124 may be
configured to determine a tank temperature setpoint for the water
heater appliance 100 based on the user-selected tank capacity
setpoint using any suitable means. For instance, in one embodiment,
the controller 124 may include a look-up table stored within its
memory 140 that relates each tank capacity setpoint to a
corresponding tank temperature setpoint. In such an embodiment,
upon the receipt of a user input associated with a selected tank
capacity setpoint, the controller 124 may simply reference the
look-up table to determine the corresponding tank temperature
setpoint. Alternatively, the controller 124 may determine the tank
temperature setpoint using any other suitable means. For instance,
in another embodiment, a suitable mathematical equation or function
may be stored within the controller's memory 140 that correlates
the user-selected tank capacity setpoint to a corresponding tank
temperature setpoint. In such an embodiment, upon the receipt of a
user input associated with a selected tank capacity setpoint, the
controller 124 may calculate the corresponding tank temperature
setpoint using the stored mathematical equation/function.
[0046] It should also be appreciated that the tank temperature
setpoint may generally vary based on variations in the desired tank
capacity setpoint. Specifically, in several embodiments, as the
tank capacity setpoint is decreased, the corresponding tank
temperature setpoint may be increased to allow a larger volume of
mixed water to be output from the mixing valve 126 at the desired
mixed water temperature setpoint given the smaller tank capacity
setpoint.
[0047] Additionally, at (208), the method 200 may include
determining a valve control setpoint for controlling the operation
of the mixing valve based on the user-selected mixed water
temperature setpoint. Specifically, in several embodiments, the
controller 124 may be configured to determine a suitable output
signal (e.g., a given current signal) for adjusting the position of
the mixing valve 126 in a manner that allows the temperature of the
water supplied to the mixed water conduit 128 to be at the mixed
temperature setpoint. For instance, the controller 124 may include
a suitable look-up table and/or mathematical equation/function that
relates the mixed water temperature setpoint to the control
signal(s) that must be transmitted to the mixing valve 126 to allow
the valve 126 to be properly positioned for supplying water into
the mixed water conduit 128 at the mixed water temperature
setpoint.
[0048] Moreover, at (210), the method 200 may include controlling
the operation of the water heater appliance based on the tank
temperature setpoint and/or the valve control setpoint. For
instance, as indicated above, the controller 124 may be configured
to automatically control the operation of the heating elements 106
such that the water contained within the tank chamber 112 is
maintained at or around the desired tank temperature setpoint.
Similarly, the controller 124 may be configured to automatically
control the operation of the mixing valve 124 via the determined
valve control setpoint in order to achieve the desired mixed water
temperature for the water supplied to the mixed water conduit
128.
[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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