Fuel Controlled By Boiler Or Water System Condition Patents (Class 137/94)
  • Patent number: 11448424
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating water using a tank or a tankless water heater with improved electronic control. The improved electronic control may include voice and Wi-Fi control of the water heater to allow for remote control of the water heater including through a remote server or cloud server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Eccotemp Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Bolognue
  • Patent number: 10787059
    Abstract: A coolant heating device for a vehicle includes: a housing storing coolant therein and having a sheath heater therein; an upper space part protruding upwards from a top surface of the housing and having an inner space via which an inner space of the housing communicates with the upper space part; a water-level-sensing part disposed inside the upper space part to sense a level of coolant in the housing; and a controller for controlling operation of the sheath heater based on the level of coolant sensed by the water-level-sensing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Sang Shin Lee, So La Chung, Jae Woong Kim, So Yoon Park, Jae Woo Park, Chul Min Kim
  • Patent number: 9528712
    Abstract: A modulating burner system includes a speed control responsive to inputs received from a thermostat. The speed control modulating a blower which provides combustion air and a vacuum proportional to the speed of the blower. The modulating burner system further includes a gas amplifying valve in communication with the vacuum via a vacuum conduit. The gas amplifying valve providing modulated combustion gas responsive to the vacuum; wherein modulated combustion air and gas communicated to a burner for continuously variable firing rates of 50 to 100% of the maximum firing rate. The modulating burner system further includes control circuit dampers for smoothing out vacuum spikes and fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Pat Caruso
  • Patent number: 9010368
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a first poppet, and a second poppet. The body comprises a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel. The first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are operable to be fluidly isolated from each other. The first poppet is positioned in the first fluid channel, and the first poppet is operable to be moveable within the first fluid channel. The second poppet is positioned within the second fluid channel, and the second poppet is operable to be moveable within the second fluid channel. The first poppet and the second poppet are operable to be mechanically coupled together such that movement of the first poppet within the first channel is operable to cause sympathetic movement of the second poppet within the second fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Precision Temp, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry C. Wolter
  • Patent number: 8983667
    Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Smaidris
  • Patent number: 8594851
    Abstract: Reductions in energy consumption and maintenance requirements for operating a wastewater treatment plant are achieved by controlling the operation of pumps at pump stations along a force main in a systematic fashion. The operation of the pumps is controlled to manage the flow of wastewater along the force main to minimize energy consumption, to eliminate sediment, to manage peak pressures encountered by smaller pumps and to avoid septic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Smaidris
  • Patent number: 6754541
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operating system stores a system parameter such as an ultimate pressure value, for an operating system. The control system allows operation of the operating system only after an initial value of the system parameter has been loaded. In one embodiment, a data generator element intended normally to specify a set point for the operating system, is used to provide the system parameter value as well. The control system provides a grace period after a value of the system parameter has been entered during which the system parameter value can be changed. After the grace period ends, the system parameter value cannot be changed by the operating system manager under normal circumstances. A light source is flashed in various patterns to indicate to personnel which of several different actions available to the control system are occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. O'Leary, James I. Bartels, Richard M. Solosky
  • Patent number: 5875807
    Abstract: Fitting, especially for a continuous flow water heater.The submitted invention takes as its basis the problem of developing a fitting of the named type by which the formation of calcareous deposits on the rod protruding from the water control housing is lessened and the influence of such calcareous deposits on the controller action is completely eliminated.The problem is solved in that within water control housing (2), the control motion of membrane (24) is transmitted to a lever (3) whose center of rotation forms a shaft (4), rigidly connected to this lever (3) and whose pivot is sealed, leading to the exterior of water control housing (2). At the same time, shaft (4) is also the center of rotation for a second lever (5) which is likewise rigidly connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mertik Maxitrol GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Klaus Schulze
  • Patent number: 5297535
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ignition device for water heaters and in particular to one including a body portion, a water container including a diaphragm fixedly mounted on the bottom of the body portion and having a lift rod extending into the body portion, a valve mounted within the body portion and located above the lift rod of the water container, a linking rod attached on the top of the housing of the valve and extending upwardly through a valve gasket to connect with a gas valve, and a solenoid mounted on a top of said body portion and connected with a leak-proof gasket via a rod, whereby the gas valve will be automatically closed when the fire is blown out thereby preventing gas from leaking outside and therefore ensuring safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Chang P. Chi
  • Patent number: 5224445
    Abstract: A liquid level control principally for boiling water boilers sensitive to the presence or absence of liquid at an upper and at a lower control level. The control enables the boiler to be fired when liquid is at or above the upper level. It prevents firing and enables addition of make-up liquid when the liquid level is below the upper control level, except when the system indicates there is liquid at the upper control level, and that there is no liquid at the lower control level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Lyman F. Gilbert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4655239
    Abstract: A water-pressure-operated (i.e., faucet-controlled) gas valve of an instantaneous water heater which opens and closes a gas passage to a main burner in accordance with the pressure of supplied water, resulting from the use of adjusting screws in first and secondary valves cooperating with a constant force spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Kato
  • Patent number: 4465088
    Abstract: A low liquid level sensor in a hot water heating system permitting testing operability thereof in situ without draining down the system. The sensor is located in a cavity that has an opening in the bottom thereof in fluid communication with the liquid in the vessel during normal operation of the system. The end of the opening is at a lower elevation than the sensor and liquid from the vessel is in the cavity during normal operation of the system. When the liquid drops to a predetermined low level the sensor activates the safety cut-off. Valved passed means are provided exteriorly of the vessel so that a gas can be injected into the cavity to pressurize the same and drive the liquid in the cavity through the opening into the vessel simulating a low water level condition. At the simulated low water level condition operability of the sensor can be determined. Means are provided to release the gas from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: George W. Vosper
  • Patent number: 4383544
    Abstract: A low liquid level sensor in a hot water heating system permitting testing operability thereof in situ without draining down the system. The sensor is located in a cavity that has an opening in the bottom thereof in fluid communication with the liquid in the vessel during normal operation of the system. The end of the opening is at a lower elevation than the sensor and liquid from the vessel is in the cavity during normal operation of the system. When the liquid drops to a predetermined low level the sensor activates the safety cut-off. Valved passage means are provided exteriorly of the vessel so that a gas can be injected into the cavity to pressurize the same and drive the liquid in the cavity through the opening into the vessel simulating a low water level condition. At the simulated low water level condition operability of the sensor can be determined. Means are provided to release the gas from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Inventor: George W. Vosper
  • Patent number: 4335848
    Abstract: A system for improving efficiency and effecting fuel conservation in buildings with multiple units heated by forced hot water from a central gas-fired boiler. Each unit or apartment is provided with a circulator pump in the return water pipe and an associated gas valve and meter. When the user in a unit turns on the heat, the circulator pump in that zone is activated to automatically open the associated gas valve which is operated by means of hydraulic pressure differential. The gas from all units flows to a common gas reservoir for discharge to the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Inventor: Edvardas Eidejus
  • Patent number: 4304249
    Abstract: A control unit for a gas-fired water heater comprises a resiliently-loaded main valve for controlling gas flow to a gas burner of the heater, the main gas valve being opened and closed by a flexible diaphragm exposed to pressure of water flowing through the water heater. A subsidiary gas valve located upstream in the gas supply of the main gas valve has a permanently open by-pass and is actuable by a user operated control which also adjusts the resilient loading of the main gas valve in such manner as to adjust the rate of water flow and the rate of gas flow to provide hot water of a required temperature and at a required rate of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: T.I. Domestic Appliances Limited
    Inventor: Joseph W. White
  • Patent number: 3931712
    Abstract: This invention provides a differential pressure-activated control system having non-mechanical, remotely controllable, biasing means. The system comprises a differential pressure sensing means, having opposing first and second pressure sensing portions, a conduit between one portion of the sensing means and a system to be monitored and a second conduit means between a second portion of the pressure sensing means and the system to be monitored; the second conduit comprising in intermediate fluid flow pressure connection, a pressure regulator which limits the maximum pressure, in accordance with a desired predetermined pressure, conducted to the second portion of the pressure sensing means. Such pressure regulator can be remote from the system and from the pressure sensing means and is connected thereto only by non-moving, pressure-connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: The Echlin Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Keller