Patents Assigned to A. O. Smith Corporation
  • Patent number: 9441857
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-noise gas instantaneous water heater, belonging to the technical field of gas appliances. The low-noise gas instantaneous water heater comprises a combustion device, a heat exchanger and a blower; wherein the combustion device, the heat exchanger and the blower are arranged such that a combustion flue gas is discharged after passing sequentially through the heat exchanger and the blower; the blower comprises a stepless speed regulating motor with a motor control panel and an impeller driven by the motor, and at least one thermal insulation device is arranged between the motor control panel and the combustion flue gas generated by the combustion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bu Qiu, Dayan Bi, Ya Zhao
  • Patent number: 9416980
    Abstract: An economically operated, dual-energy hot water supply system. The system includes a first heat source of a first type and a second heat source of a second type different than the first type. The system also includes a controller. The controller determines a first energy consumption of the first heat source to generate a unit heat, determines a second energy consumption of the second heat source to generate the unit heat, compares a first power cost of the first heat source with a second power cost of the second heat source, the first power cost being based on the first energy consumption and the first price, the second power cost being based on the second energy consumption and the second price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Song Yan, Gongli Cong
  • Patent number: 9405304
    Abstract: A water heater that includes a tank for holding water, a heat source, a temperature sensor, a communication module operable to communicate with an external controller remote from the water heater, and a controller including a processor and a computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to operate the water heater. The communication module receives commands from the external controller for further operating the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian T. Branecky
  • Patent number: 9269517
    Abstract: A kind of anti-adhesion device for a relay. The device can include a control circuit and adhesion detecting circuit of first and second relays, which are used to respectively control power on and power off of the first and second electric heater. Closing a switch of the control circuit of the first and second relays is used to lead out the line and the output elements of the adhesion detecting circuit, to form a detecting loop. An interlocking circuit is bridged between the control circuit of the first and second relay. Therefore the first and second relay won't be closed at the same time, to avoid the fault caused by parallel connection of electric heaters. The adhesion detecting circuit can output a square wave when a relay has adhesion. The square wave avoids mixing with a low level output of the detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiankun Huang, Yousheng Tang, Degang Liu, Guobin Yang, Fanghua Chen
  • Patent number: 9267209
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling the current of a sacrificial anode based on the conductivity state of the water. An unregulated current of the sacrificial anode relative to the water tank is measured and a conductivity state of the water is identified based on the measured unregulated current. A maximum current limit for the sacrificial anode is determined based on the conductivity state of the water and the current of the sacrificial anode is limited such that the current does not exceed the determined maximum current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ray Oliver Knoeppel, Yao Zhen Hu, Russell Banks, Brian T. Branecky
  • Patent number: 9267705
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water heater includes providing a water heater tank having an interior and an exterior and a tank aperture communicating between the interior and exterior. A spud that defines a spud aperture extending from a first end to a second end is provided. The spud aperture is internally threaded and has a counterbore adjacent the second end. A membrane having a membrane body and a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the membrane body is provided. The membrane is seated within the counterbore such that the tabs deform and engage a surface of the counterbore to hold the membrane in the counterbore. Thereafter, the second end of the spud is welded to the tank, such that the membrane is captured between the spud and the tank and communication between the tank aperture and the internally threaded portion of the spud aperture is obstructed by the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Arthur Eugene Walker
  • Patent number: 9212817
    Abstract: A method of assembling multiple low NOx burners (100), a low NOx burners (100) and a tankless gas-fired water heater (500) are disclosed. The method includes the step of assembling multiple bodies (152), each body (152) includes multiple first burner ports (135) connected to a first burner inlet (125) and multiple second burner ports (150) connected to a second burner inlet (140). The method also includes the step of selecting one of the bodies (152) and inserting a first inlet tube (120, 220, 320, 420) into the second burner inlet (140) to provide a fuel/air mixture to the second burner ports (150) at a first rate. The method also includes the step of selecting one of the bodies (152) and inserting a second inlet tube (120, 220, 320, 420) into the second burner inlet (140) to provide the fuel/air mixture to the second burner ports (150) at a second rate different from the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yonghua Cheng, Liliang Dou, Larry Chanasyk, Dayan Bi, Hongfei Ma
  • Patent number: 9151506
    Abstract: A water heating system and method of operating the same. The system includes a first water heater having a first heating source of a first type. The system further includes a second water heater having a second heating source of a second type. A valve having a first interface that is connected to the cold water source, a second interface that is connected to a first cold water inlet of the first water heater, a third interface that is connected to a second hot water outlet of the second water heater, and a fourth interface connected to the hot water outlet of the first water heater. A motor positions the changeover valve to one of at least three positions. A control circuit includes a temperature sensor near the first hot water outlet of the first water heater, and a controller coupled to the first temperature sensor and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xingpeng Ru, Dongwei Zhu, Xiaorong Shao, Jian Xu, Yinan Yang, Zhi Li
  • Patent number: 9057534
    Abstract: A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8977791
    Abstract: A water heater having a modular control system. The water heater includes a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is supported by the tank and includes a housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that are executed by the processor. The first controller determines whether the first controller is connected to the second controller through the communication port. The first controller controls an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller. The operation of the water heater is controlled based on an algorithm stored on the second controller when the first controller is connected to the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8887671
    Abstract: A water heating system, comprises a tank, a bracket, a heating element, and a controller. The bracket has a hole and a notch. The heating element is mounted on the tank, and the heating element passes through the hole. The controller is inserted into the notch. Further, the controller comprises a relay coupled to the heating element and logic configured to control a state of the relay. The logic resides in a portion of the controller that is inserted into the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Wade C. Patterson, Terry G. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8881688
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly for use with a gas-fired water heater that includes a hood for receiving exhaust gas from the gas-fired water heater, a housing, and a fan positioned in the housing to move exhaust gas from the hood out of the exhaust outlet. The hood includes a first hood mounting location and a second hood mounting location. The housing includes an exhaust outlet and a housing mounting location. In a first configuration, the exhaust outlet faces a first direction and the housing mounting location is aligned with and secured at the first hood mounting location. In a second configuration, the exhaust outlet faces a second direction different than the first direction and the housing mounting location is aligned with and secured at the second hood mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. English, Michael R. Hasbargen, Anthony J. Coloma, Stephanie Marie Belko
  • Publication number: 20140199643
    Abstract: A modulating burner apparatus includes a variable speed blower feeding a multi-chamber burner having first and second burner chambers. A manifold system communicates the blower with the burner, and a flow control valve member is located between the blower and the second chamber of the burner. The flow control valve is configured to provide fuel and air mixture from the blower to only the first burner chamber at lower blower speeds of the blower and to both the first and second burner chambers at higher blower speeds of the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8763564
    Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank for storing water, a combustion chamber, a burner positioned in the combustion chamber, and a heat exchanger positioned in the storage tank. The burner produces products of combustion. The heat exchanger receives the products of combustion from the combustion chamber and transfers heat from the products of combustion to the water stored in the storage tank. The heat exchanger includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is positioned above the combustion chamber and the lower portion is positioned below the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Ayman Abdel-Rehim, Yonghua Cheng, Larry N. Chanasyk
  • Publication number: 20140175183
    Abstract: A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20140137851
    Abstract: A water heater venting system, the water heater venting system comprising a main exhaust vent; and a first water heater in communication with a second water heater. The first water heater including an inlet, a blower assembly including a motor, an exhaust vent coupled to the main exhaust vent, a fluid flowpath created by fluid communication between the inlet, the blower assembly, and the exhaust vent, a sensor positioned along the fluid flowpath, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and the motor of the blower assembly, the controller controlling the speed of the motor based on at least one of an input from the sensor and an input from the second water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian T. Branecky
  • Publication number: 20140137812
    Abstract: A pressure probe assembly for attachment to a venturi of a gas-fired appliance, where the venturi includes a body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a wall defining a mixing chamber extending from the inlet end to the outlet end about an axis. A support member is detachably coupled to the mixing chamber. A first pressure probe is coupled to the support member and has a first pressure tap disposed substantially adjacent the axis. A second pressure probe is coupled to the support member and has a second pressure tap disposed substantially adjacent the mixing chamber wall. Also disclosed is a gas-fired appliance, such as a water heater, including the pressure probe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Janice Arline Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8660701
    Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with any desired algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to perform at least one function in addition to or in lieu of the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20140042075
    Abstract: The present invention provides a combined scale inhibitor and scale inhibiting device. The combined scale inhibitor contains organophosphorus filter materials, ceramic filter materials and polyphosphate filter materials. The organophosphorus filter materials are the granular filter materials of liquid organophosphorus scale and corrosion inhibitor while the said ceramic filter materials are the granular filter materials containing oxide ceramic powder. The said scale inhibiting device is comprised of a tank, a water inlet, a water outlet, an organophosphorus filter material layer, a ceramic filter material layer and a polyphosphate filter material layer in the said tank. The said organophosphorus filter material layer contains organophosphorus filter materials, which are the granular filter materials of liquid organophosphorus scale and corrosion inhibitor. The said ceramic filter material layer contains ceramic filter materials, which are the granular filter materials containing oxide ceramic powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Ding, Bu Qiu, Baolin Liu, Leyun Lin, Yuping Shi, Lin Kuang
  • Publication number: 20140033994
    Abstract: A condensing gas water heating device includes a frame, a main heat exchanger and a condensing heat exchanger. The frame, main heat exchanger, and a condensing heat exchanger all are made of stainless steel. The main heat exchanger and the condensing heat exchanger are integrally welded with the flue of the frame along the flue gas flow path to form a heat exchanger assembly. A condensed water collector is arranged between the main heat exchanger and the condensing heat exchanger. By welding the frame, main heat exchanger and condensing heat exchanger, which are made of stainless steel, into the integrally structured heat exchanger assembly, the present invention simplifies the structure and processing technology of the heat exchanger assembly, saves the installation space and materials of the heat exchanger assembly, and improves the corrosion resistance of the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Wei DING, Bu QIU, Dayan BI