Water heating systems and methods

Abstract

A water heater controller for a water heating system comprises a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a relay, and logic. The relay an controls an activation state of a heating element. The logic is configured to receive temperature data from the first temperature sensor, and the temperature data is indicative of at least one temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor. The logic is further configured to compensate the temperature data for heat from the relay based on at least one temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor.

1 . A water heater controller, comprising: 
 a first temperature sensor;    a second temperature sensor;    a relay for controlling an activation state of a heating element; and    logic configured to receive temperature data from the first temperature sensor, the temperature data indicative of at least one temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor, wherein the logic is further configured to compensate the temperature data for heat from the relay based on at least one temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The water heater controller of  claim 1 , wherein a printed circuit board (PCB) is positioned between the first and second temperature sensors.  
   
   
       3 . The water heater controller of  claim 2 , wherein the relay is mounted on a side of the PCB that is opposite of the first temperature sensor.  
   
   
       4 . A water heating system, comprising: 
 a tank;    a heating element mounted on the tank; and    a controller mounted on the tank and coupled to the heating element, the controller comprising: 
 a relay coupled to the heating element;  
 a first temperature sensor;  
 a second temperature sensor; and  
 logic configured to control an operational state of the relay based on temperature data from the first temperature sensor, the logic further configured to adjust the temperature data based on at least one temperature reading by the second temperature sensor thereby reducing an effect of heat emitted from components of the controller to the temperature data.  
   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a printed circuit board is positioned between the first and second temperature sensors.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the relay is mounted on a side of the PCB that is opposite of the first temperature sensor.  
   
   
       7 . A method for use in a water heater controller, comprising the steps of: 
 sensing a first temperature via a first temperature sensor embedded in the water heater controller;    sensing a second temperature via a second temperature sensor embedded in the water heater controller;    transmitting temperature data indicative of the first sensed temperature;    compensating the temperature data for heat in the controller based on the second sensed temperature; and    controlling a state of a heating element based on the compensated temperature data.