Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

Abstract: A cover plate for access to the thermostat of an electric water heater associated with a resistive heating element to control the operation thereof is described. The cover plate has mounted on a rear face thereof a remotely controllable switching circuit to control the power being fed to the thermostat and thereby remotely controlling the load. The cover plate with the remotely controllable switching circuit is also provided as a retrofit to convert existing electric water heaters to intelligent remotely controllable water heaters. The remote controller may be a utility, a utility provider or a remote control device. The remote controlled switching circuit is mounted concealed in the access cavity behind the cover plate.

Abstract: A safety system and method to prevent water within a top portion of a tank of an electric water heater to drop below a safe temperature during a load shedding period, other than a full emergency grid failure, by a power provider whereby to prevent the propagation of harmful bacteria in a top portion the tank. A control device monitors the water temperature in the top portion of the tank by the use of a temperature sensor. If the control device detects a temperature of the water in the top portion of the tank inferior to 140 degrees F., it will by-pass the instructions of the power provider and connect power to one or more of the resistive heating elements of the tank until a predetermined temperature above 140 degrees F. is attained before switching off the resistive heating elements.

Abstract: A water stratification drum for use in an electric and condensing water heater is disposed in a lower portion of the water holding tank and across the circumferential side wall of the tank. The water stratification drum has a pair of plates held spaced-apart by support members which extend between the pair of plates to maintain the plates in substantially parallel relationship. A cold water zone is defined between the plates and cool domestic water is introduced in the tank between the plates. The plates are flat disc plates formed on non-corrosive material and water there between is diffused in a controlled manner to other regions of the tank through at least one of the plates being perforated. The diffusion of the water prevents premature actuation of the heat source by not causing an abrupt change in the temperature of the hot water in the tank.

Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

Abstract: A flue restrainer and a method is provided for restraining a secondary flue conduit of a condensing water heater wherein to prevent damage to the connections of the secondary flue conduit during transport and manipulation of the condensing water heater prior to being placed into service. The flue restrainer is an inexpensive, single molded plastics part, which is clamped or friction fitted to the secondary flue during fabrication of the water heater.

Abstract: System for treatment by photodynamic therapy comprising: —an illuminating device (10) including a light emitting surface for illuminating an internal surface to be treated with a light adapted to activate a photosensitizer compound, the light emitting surface emitting light with a distribution of light power comprising fractions of light power decreasing from a maximum at the light emitting surface, the light emitting surface having a determined illumination profile that provides respective illuminated areas for a plurality of the fractions of light power, —a positioning system (40) adapted to position in real-time the light emitting surface within a reference frame, —an electronic unit (45) connected to the positioning system (40) and adapted to monitor in real-time a dose of light energy delivered to the internal surface based on the illumination profile and the position of the light emitting surface.

Abstract: A dielectrically insulated secondary tubular flue for mounting inside a water holding tank of a gas-fired water heater is provided to increase the efficiency of the water heater. The secondary tubular flue has opposed tubular end sections and an helical tubular section integrally formed therewith. The tubular end sections each have connecting end sections adapted to form a part of a dielectric connector for securing the secondary tubular flue inside of the water holding tank by the dielectric connectors.

Abstract: A water stratification drum for use in an electric and condensing water heater is disposed in a lower portion of the water holding tank and across the circumferential side wall of the tank. The water stratification drum has a pair of plates held spaced-apart by support members which extend between the pair of plates to maintain the plates in substantially parallel relationship. A cold water zone is defined between the plates and cool domestic water is introduced in the tank between the plates. The plates are flat disc plates formed on non-corrosive material and water there between is diffused in a controlled manner to other regions of the tank through at least one of the plates being perforated. The diffusion of the water prevents premature actuation of the heat source by not causing an abrupt change in the temperature of the hot water in the tank.

Abstract: A cover plate for access to the thermostat of an electric water heater associated with a resistive heating element to control the operation thereof is described. The cover plate has mounted on a rear face thereof a remotely controllable switching circuit to control the power being fed to the thermostat and thereby remotely controlling the load. The cover plate with the remotely controllable switching circuit is also provided as a retrofit to convert existing electric water heaters to intelligent remotely controllable water heaters. The remote controller may be a utility, a utility provider or a remote control device. The remote controlled switching circuit is mounted concealed in the access cavity behind the cover plate.

Abstract: A monitoring module for connection to a diagnostic device having two or more light emitting sources for indicating operating fault conditions of an apparatus. The monitoring module feeds information signals to a communication link for reception at a remote location. The monitoring module is secured over a series of light emitting diodes of the diagnostic device and reproduces these for local access. The series of LED's indicate fault conditions of the apparatus which in this embodiment is a hot water heater. Accordingly, the operation of the hot water heater at its fault status can be monitored from a remote location and on site.

Abstract: A dual energy gas water heater is described and wherein a square flange, curved resistor style resistive heating element, is secured in a bottom portion of the tank of the water heater spaced above a top wall of the combustion chamber. A gas burner is secured in the combustion chamber and connected to a gas supply line through a gas valve. The curved resistive heating element is a low density, long life, element having a density in the range of about 20 to 80 watts/sq. inches. A switch is secured between the thermostat of the resistive heating element and the voltage supply line. A controller selectively operates the switch and the gas valve to disconnect the voltage supply line from the thermostat and/or shut-off the gas valve secured to the gas supply line depending on the desired source of energy. The controller is adapted to be optionally controlled by a utility/provider through a communication link.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing odor-causing bacteria in sulphur-containing hard water in the tank of a water heater is described. The method comprises utilizing a 420 aluminum alloy sacrificial anode and introducing into the tank of the water heater zing, herein in pellet form, in the tank to prevent the formation of bad odor contained in the sulphur containing hard water by neutralizing the bad odor producing bacteria.

Abstract: A passage is provided in a water heater and mounted against the outer surface of the water tank side wall to removably mount thermistors secured to a support at distinct locations along the tank side wall to provide temperature value signal representative of the water temperature in the tank adjacent the thermistors. The passage may be formed by a metal tube held next to the side wall of the tank or a U-shaped channel held against the outer surface of the tank wall with the through thereof facing the tank side wall outer surface. The thermistors are mounted spaced-apart on a support inserted in the passage. The method is also described.

Abstract: A domestic gas-fired water heater condensing flue system wherein in one embodiment a blower is secured at the outlet end of the flue pipe to direct the hot flue gases through an external heat exchange flue conduit. The external heat exchange flue conduit has a sealed water channel surrounding a narrow flue gas internal passage. Water from the bottom end of the tank is circulated in the external heat exchange flue conduit and release in the top part of the tank. In a further embodiment, an inverted U-shaped flue pipe is supported vertically in the water tank and the domestic water supply for the tank is disposed in a downward section of the flue pipe to pre-heat the water supply to the tank and cool the flue gases before being released to atmosphere. The water in the tank is heated by the upward and downward sections of the U-shaped flue pie.

Abstract: A pressure clamp adapter for mounting a thermistor on an existing thermostat control support bracket secured to a hot water tank spud is described. It comprises a thermistor bracket having a rear wall with opposed transverse projecting connecting arm formations extending from an outer surface of the rear wall. A cavity is formed from the rear surface of the rear wall to form a housing shaped to receive a thermistor therein. A passage communicates with the cavity. Each of the connecting arm formations is adapted for removable attachment to a pair of upwardly projecting legs of the thermostat control support bracket.

Abstract: A fluid conduit dielectric nipple for securement to a tank wall of a fluid holding tank, such as a steel tank of a water heater is described. The fluid conduit dielectric nipple has a tank securement end and a cylindrical conduit connecting end specifically configured for receiving a push-fit quick connector to secure to a water supply line and a hot water return line. The fluid conduit dielectric nipple is fabricated from inexpensive metal, such as plated steel, and has a plastics liner to protect parts thereof intended to be exposed to water to prevent corrosion while providing a leak-proof connection. Accordingly, there is provided an inexpensive dielectric nipple which provides quick connection and disconnection.

Abstract: A high efficiency condensing flue gas-fired water heater is provided with a secondary tubular flue mounted inside the water tank and secured thereto by dielectric connectors to electrically isolate the secondary tubular flue from the tank. The secondary tubular flue has an intermediate helical section and opposed connecting end sections which each form a part of the dielectricconnectors. The connectors do not require any welding for its installation to the tank and a compression nut and dielectric insulators provide for a leak proof and electrically isolated connection. The method of securing the secondary tubular flue is also described.

Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

Abstract: A water heater, particularly but not exclusively for domestic use, is herein described and having removably secured thereto an external modulating gas power burner to heat the water in a separate tank portion. The two are easily separable from one another for service, repair or interchange. The hot water or a mixture thereof from the burner is circulated in a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to the tank water circulated from the water tank through the heat exchanger.