| US 7,613,855 B2 | ||
| Modular control system and method for water heaters | ||
| Terry G. Phillips, Meridianville, Ala. (US); and Wade C. Patterson, Huntsville, Ala. (US) | ||
| Assigned to A. O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 11, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/201,665. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/604689, filed on Aug. 26, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0047870 A1, Mar. 02, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. H05B 1/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 710—72 [710/62; 710/2; 710/300] | 16 Claims |
| 1. A water heater having a modular control system, comprising:
a tank;
a heating element coupled to the tank;
a first controller mounted on the tank, the first controller including a first base, first control logic, and a first communication
port for coupling the first controller to another controller, wherein the first communication port and the first control logic
are mounted on the first base, the first control logic configured to
determine whether the first communication port is conductively coupled to another controller, and
control the heating element using at least one first set point in accordance with a first algorithm if the first communication
port is not conductively coupled to another controller; and
a second controller mounted on the tank, the second controller including a second base, a second control logic, and a second
communication port that is selectively connectable to the first communication port of the first controller, wherein the second
communication port and the second control logic are mounted on the second base, the second control logic configured to
control the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm, and
automatically determine at least one second set point for controlling the heating element according to the second algorithm,
wherein the first controller is further configured to allow the second controller to control the heating element when the
second controller is conductively coupled to the first communication port, wherein the first controller is unable to control
the heating element in accordance with the second algorithm in an absence of the second controller, wherein the heating element
is connected to the first controller, and wherein the second controller operates the heating element through the first controller.
|