System and method for monitoring temperature control elements that are used for altering temperatures of liquids

Abstract

A system for monitoring temperature control elements that are used for altering temperatures of liquids comprises a tank, a temperature control element, and logic. The temperature control element is configured to alter a temperature of a liquid residing within the tank. The logic is configured to monitor the temperature control element and to provide a warning when the logic detects imminent failure of the temperature control element.

Now, therefore, the following is claimed:  
     
         1 . A system, comprising: 
 a tank;    a temperature control element configured to alter a temperature of a liquid residing within the tank; and    logic configured to monitor the temperature control element and to provide a warning when the logic detects imminent failure of the temperature control element.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is configured to determine a value indicative of a resistance of the temperature control element and to perform a comparison between the value and a threshold value, the logic further configured to detect whether failure of the temperature control element is imminent based on the comparison.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is configured to detect a voltage applied to the temperature control element and to detect when failure of the temperature control element is imminent based on the detected voltage.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is configured to detect a current applied to the temperature control element and to detect when failure of the temperature control element is imminent based on the detected current.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is configured to detect a resistance of the temperature control element and to detect when failure of the temperature control element is imminent based on the detected resistance.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control element comprises a heating element for heating the liquid.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control element comprises a cooling element for cooling the liquid.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is further configured to control the temperature control element.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning to a remote location.  
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising: 
 means for holding a liquid;    means for altering a temperature of the liquid; and    means for providing a warning when failure of the altering means is imminent.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the providing means is configured to determine a value indicative of a resistance of the altering means and to perform a comparison between the value and a threshold value, the providing means further configured to detect whether failure of the altering means is imminent based on the comparison.  
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising the steps of: 
 using a temperature control element to alter a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank;    detecting when failure of the temperature control element is imminent; and    providing a warning in response to a detection that failure of the temperature control element is imminent.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 determining a value indicative of a resistance of the temperature control element; and    performing a comparison between the value and a threshold value, wherein the detecting step is based on the comparison.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of detecting a voltage applied to the temperature control element, wherein the detecting when failure of the temperature control element step is based on the detected voltage.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of detecting a current applied to the temperature control element, wherein the detecting when failure of the temperature control element step is based on the detected current.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of detecting a resistance of the temperature control element, wherein the detecting when failure of the temperature control element step is based on the detected resistance.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the using step further comprises the step of heating the liquid.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the using step further comprises the step of cooling the liquid.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing step further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting the warning to a remote location.