Abstract: An on-demand high volume capable water heating system for supplying a total heating power at a high turndown ratio of at least about 33.3:1 and at a total flowrate of from about 0.6 GPM to about 50 GPM. The water heating system includes multiple heat exchangers where each heat exchanger includes a fluid conductor and a controller, an exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the multiple heat exchangers, eliminating the need for an exhaust for each of the multiple heat exchangers, a recirculation circuit fluidly connected to each of the multiple heat exchangers and an enclosure. Each controller is adapted to determine the portion of heating power each heat exchanger is required to contribute to the total heating power and the portion of the total flowrate flowing through the fluid conductor. The heat exchangers and recirculation circuit are located within the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for uniquely self-identifying a controller functionally connected to a communication network of at least two controllers, the system comprising the at least two controllers, each controller having a random code generator configured for generating a resident identification code, a transmitter, a receiver and a volatile memory. The transmitter is configured for broadcasting the resident identification code to the communication network. The receiver is configured for receiving an external identification code broadcasted from another controller and storing the external identification code in the volatile memory. The external identification code is compared to the resident identification code and if a match exists, the resident identification code is replaced by another resident identification code determined in the controller. The resident identification code is broadcasted to the communication network otherwise.

Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a masterless control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a cylindrical body comprising an upper section, a lower section, a side water jacket surrounding the upper and lower sections, a top water jacket disposed atop the upper section and a gas exhaust disposed below the lower section. A water cavity is disposed substantially in the lower section while a gas cavity having a burner is disposed substantially centrally within the gas cavity. A plurality of water tubes disposed in a ring formation, connect the water cavity through the gas cavity to the top water jacket and a plurality of gas tubes also disposed in ring formations, connect the gas cavity through the water cavity to the gas exhaust. At least one of the gas tubes ring has a diameter that is greater than that of the water tubes ring.

Abstract: A water heating control system for automatically reducing delay in delivering a volume of water at a flowrate, the volume of water is heated from a first temperature to a target temperature during a time interval of a day, the water heating system includes a device for aiding in heating the volume of water from the first temperature to the target temperature, a historical flow demand corresponding to the time interval of a day, a current flow demand corresponding to the time interval of a day and a controller configured for calculating a new flow demand from the historical flow demand and the current flow demand. The new flow demand is set as the historical flow demand for the time interval of a day and if the new flow demand exceeds a threshold, the device is configured to be activated during the time interval of a day.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing and a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. At least one rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing and a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. At least one rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user activated hot water heater and control system for processing hot water to hot water output locations, e.g. faucet, shower, or the like, such that temperature fluctuations and delays in hot water delivery are reduced. The present invention provides energy savings resulting from smart activation of internal and/or external recirculation systems. Additionally, trickle flow is detected and responded to based on temperature responses at various points in the main flow line of the present configuration. Simultaneous internal and external recirculations are made possible with advantageous placement of a pump within internal and external recirculation loops and a solenoid valve within the internal recirculation loop. The present system further comprises a means for adjusting the pump action in response to a thermostatic valve, temperature sensors advantageously placed in the main flow line to reduce dead heading.

Abstract: A novel water heat exchanger with a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger utilizes a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water for domestic and commercial use. In one embodiment, at least a rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, solar and electric heating systems are combined with the helix coil heat exchanger and disposed within the buffer tank to provide supplemental heating. In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.

Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user activated hot water heater and control system for processing hot water to hot water output locations, e.g. faucet, shower, or the like, such that temperature fluctuations and delays in hot water delivery are reduced. Additionally, the temperature of the hot water delivered is adjusted to a predetermined value determined by a user signature constructed from a potential user physical attributes such as height, weight, and the like. The user activated feature of the present invention will provide an energy savings resulting from the smart, upon demand, activation of internal and/or external recirculation systems. Additionally, in preferred embodiments incorporating tank-less water heaters, the hot water maximum temperature, T(maximum) is dependent on the preference setting or default value of the detected general category user or unique individual user.

Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a masterless control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.