IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,887,671
Granted Patent B2
US 8,887,671 · App. 11/692,179 · Granted Nov 18, 2014

Water heating systems and methods

Inventors: Wade C. Patterson (Huntsville, AL); Terry G. Phillips (Meridianville, AL)
Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
F24H9/2014
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,887,671
App. No.
11/692,179
Granted
Nov 18, 2014
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (26)

1. A water heating system, comprising:

a tank;

a bracket having a hole and a notch;

a heating element mounted on the tank, the heating element passing through the hole; and

a controller having a relay coupled to the heating element and logic configured to control a state of the relay,

wherein the logic resides in a portion of the controller positioned inside the notch,

wherein the relay resides in a portion of the controller positioned outside of the notch,

wherein the controller has a temperature sensor, and wherein the temperature sensor resides in the portion positioned inside the notch,

wherein the controller has an emergency shut-off apparatus residing in the portion positioned outside of the notch, and

wherein the controller has a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein a movable portion of the emergency shut-off apparatus extends through the PCB.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller has a transformer residing in the portion that is outside of the notch.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the bracket has a first arm and a second arm defining the notch, wherein a width of the notch from the first arm to the second arm is less than a width of the portion outside of the notch.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the relay and the transformer are positioned on an opposite side of the PCB relative to the temperature sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket has a first arm and a second arm defining the notch, wherein a width of the notch from the first arm to the second arm is less than a width of the portion outside of the notch.

6. A water heating system, comprising:

a tank;

a heating element mounted on the tank;

a housing mounted on the tank and having a first portion and a second portion;

a controller positioned in the housing, the controller having a relay coupled to the heating element and logic configured to control a state of the relay,

wherein the control logic resides in the first portion,

wherein the relay resides in the second portion,

wherein the controller has a temperature sensor coupled to the logic, and wherein the temperature sensor resides in the first portion,

wherein the controller has an emergency shut-off apparatus residing in the second portion, and

wherein the controller has a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein a movable portion of the emergency shut-off apparatus extends through the PCB.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller has a transformer residing in the second portion.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the relay and the transformer are positioned on an opposite side of the PCB relative to the temperature sensor.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2009
From: SYNAPSE, INC.
To: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022719/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2007
From: PATTERSON, WADE C., MR.; PHILLIPS, TERRY G., MR.
To: SYNAPSE, INC.
Reel/Frame 019532/0642 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 60786326 · Mar 27, 2006
Provisional Application 60908132 · Mar 26, 2007
Related Publication 20070246556A1 · Oct 25, 2007