System for communication, optimization and demand control for an appliance

Inventors: Frederick Hazzard (Plymouth, MN); David Heil (Robbinsdale, MN); Ravindra Khosla (Maple Grove, MN)

Assignee: RESIDEO USA LLC

G05D23/30 F24D19/1063 F24H9/2007 F24H9/25 F24H15/144 F24H15/156 F24H15/16 F24H15/281 F24H15/355 F24H15/395 F24H15/414 F24H15/45 G05D23/1904 F24H15/12 F24H15/174 F24H15/212

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12681513
App. No.: 18/060,328
Granted: Jul 14, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.

Claims (26)

1 . A method for controlling a water heater comprising:

creating a periodic water usage profile based on water usage and water temperature data a of the water heater using a profiling program of the water heater;

wherein the water heater comprises a water tank;

loading the periodic water usage profile to a control of the water heater,

wherein the control of the water heater controls a heating element of the water heater;

selecting a mode of demand, at the control of the water heater, for a certain amount of water within a particular temperature range that is used from the water heater;

creating a learning program having an enablement option that updates water temperature, the periodic water usage profile, and the mode of demand for the water in the water heater;

loading the updated water temperature, the updated periodic water usage profile, and the updated mode of demand for the water in the water heater to the control of the water heater; and

automatically adjusting, by the control of the water heater, water heater temperature based on the updated water temperature, the updated periodic water usage profile, and the updated mode of demand for the water in the water heater,

wherein the automatically adjusting of the water heater temperature comprises controlling the heating element of the water heater to meet the updated water temperature, the updated periodic water usage profile, and the updated mode of demand for the water in the water heater.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

in response to the enablement option of the learning program being engaged, monitoring of the water temperature, the water usage, and a demand for the water in the water heater occurs for X days; and

the updated water temperature, the updated periodic water usage profile, and the updated mode of demand for the water in the water heater, based on the monitoring for the X days, is loaded to the control of the water heater.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in response to the enablement option of the learning program not being engaged, the water heater operates according to a predetermined program for one or more items selected from a group consisting of the water temperature and the water usage.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

collecting data related to the monitored water temperature, the monitored water usage, and the monitored demand for the water; and

calculating statistics for the water usage, the demand for the water, and the automatic adjustment over time;

wherein:

a daily usage profile and a margin of error are determined and updated; and

a weekly usage routine for a day-by-day usage pattern is determined and updated.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a basis for power for the water heater is electricity, wherein the heating element comprises two or more heating elements.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

in response to the enablement option of the learning program being engaged, monitoring of the water temperature, the water usage, and a demand for the water in the water heater occurs for X days;

automatically adjusting, by the control of the water heater, the water heater temperature based on the updated and loaded water temperature, the updated and loaded periodic water usage profile, and the updated and loaded mode of demand for the water in the water heater, based on the monitoring for the X days, as loaded to the control of the water heater.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the automatically adjusting, by the control of the water heater, the water heater temperature based on the water temperature, the periodic water usage profile, and the mode of demand for the water in the water heater includes updating, by the control of the water heater, a set of temperature set points for a set of water demand modes based on the water temperature, the periodic water usage profile, and the mode of demand for the water in the water heater.