Selective water temperature component for use with water treatment systems

Abstract

A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes an inlet connectable to a supply of untreated water, supply and return lines connectable to a point-of-use water treatment system, and an output for dispensing a supply of treated and optionally heated water. An internal heating element is adapted to heat the treated water to one of a plurality of pre-selected temperature settings. Temperature control can be achieved by cycling the power applied to the heating element and/or controlling the flow rate of treated water through the heating element. The water heating system includes additional improvements in electrical compatibility, energy consumption, and remote failure detection.

1 . A heating system for use with a water treatment system, comprising:
 a fluid flow path including an inlet in fluid communication with the water treatment system, the fluid flow path diverging into first and second channels;   a heating element to heat water circulating through the first channel, the second channel bypassing the heating element; and   a valve assembly to selectively divert the flow of water from the fluid treatment system to either of the first and second channels.   
     
     
         2 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly includes a first valve for controlling the flow of water through the first channel and a second valve for controlling the flow of water through the second channel. 
     
     
         3 . The heating system of  claim 1  further including a temperature sensor to measure the water temperature in the first channel. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system of  claim 3  further including a controller coupled to the output of the temperature sensor, the controller being adapted to control the power applied to the heating element. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system of  claim 3  further including a controller coupled to the output of the temperature sensor, the controller being adapted to control the flow rate of water through the heating element. 
     
     
         6 . A method for providing a flow rate of purified fluid at a desired temperature, the method comprising:
 providing a heating element;   providing a fluid flow path diverging into a first channel and a second channel, the first channel being in fluid communication with the heating element, the second channel bypassing the heating element;   selectively directing the flow of treated water to the first channel to heat the treated water to one of a plurality of preselected temperatures; and   selectively directing the flow of treated water to the second channel to maintain the treated water substantially at ambient temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  further including controlling the power applied to the heating element to heat the purified fluid to one of the plurality of preselected temperatures. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein controlling the power applied to the heating element includes cycling the power applied to the heating element. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6  further including controlling the flow rate of treated water through the first channel to heat the treated water to one of the plurality of preselected temperatures. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein controlling the flow rate of the treated water includes intermittently arresting the flow of treated water to increase the exposure of the treated water to heat from the heating element. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning module for a heating system having a supply line and a return line, the cleaning module comprising:
 a housing defining an inlet, and outlet, and a flow path therebetween, the inlet being matable with the supply line, the outlet being matable with the return line; and   a cleaning agent within the housing and in fluid communication with the housing inlet and the housing outlet, wherein the cleaning agent is circulated into the heating system return line in response to a fluid flow rate in the heating system supply line.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning module of  claim 11  wherein the cleaning agent is an aqueous solution including at least one of citric acid, acetic acid, perchloric acid, peracetic acid, tartaric acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning module of  claim 11  wherein substantially all of the cleaning agent is dispersed into the heating system return line in response to a fluid flow rate from the fluid supply line. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cleaning a heating system including a fluid supply line and a fluid return line, the method comprising:
 providing a cleaning module including an inlet, an outlet, and a cleaning agent in fluid communication with the cleaning module inlet and the cleaning module outlet;   mating the cleaning module inlet to the heating system fluid supply line and mating the cleaning module outlet to the heating system fluid return line; and   circulating fluid from the heating system fluid supply line through the cleaning module and into the heating system fluid return line to disperse the cleaning agent to within the heating system.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  further including discharging the cleaning agent from the heating system when a predetermined period has lapsed. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  further including:
 arresting the flow of fluid through the heating system for a predetermined period; and 
 re-initiating the flow of fluid through the heating system to purge the cleaning agent from the heating system when the predetermined period has lapsed. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14  further including:
 removing the cleaning module from the heating system; 
 mating the heating system fluid supply line and fluid return line to a water purifier; and 
 circulating fluid from the heating system fluid supply line through the water purifier and into the heating system fluid return line to substantially purge the cleaning agent from the heating system. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the cleaning agent is an aqueous solution including at least one of citric acid, acetic acid, perchloric acid, peracetic acid, tartaric acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A heating system removably attached to a water purifier comprising:
 a heating element to heat fluid circulating through the heating system;   an electrical element for supplying power to the heating element;   a conduit for directing the flow of purified water to the heating element; and   a heat sink interposed between the electrical element and the conduit to preheat purified water flowing through the conduit and prior to entering the heating element.   
     
     
         20 . The heating system of  claim 19  wherein the electrical element is a bidirectional triode thyristor. 
     
     
         21 . The heating system of  claim 19  wherein the heat sink is a block formed of a thermally-conductive metallic material. 
     
     
         22 . The heating system of  claim 19  wherein the conduit extends through at least a portion of the heat sink. 
     
     
         23 . The heating system of  claim 22  wherein the heat sink includes a first opening and a second opening to define a through-hole therebetween, the conduit extending through the through-hole. 
     
     
         24 . The heating system of  claim 22  wherein the conduit serpentines through the heat sink. 
     
     
         25 . A heating system for use with a water purifier comprising:
 an inlet connectable to a source of pretreated water and a dispenser adapted to dispense treated water that is heated to above the temperature of the pretreated water;   an internal water reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet for receiving a supply of pretreated water; and   a pump in fluid communication with the internal water reservoir and adapted to maintain a preselected flow rate of untreated water when the water pressure in the inlet falls to below the preselected flow rate.   
     
     
         26 . The heating system of  claim 25  further including an adapter for attachment to the water purifier, the adapter including a supply line and a return line. 
     
     
         27 . The heating system of  claim 26  further including a heating element connected in series between the return line and the dispenser. 
     
     
         28 . A method for providing a regulated flow rate of treated water, the method comprising:
 providing a point of use water treatment assembly;   providing a heating system including a heating element and a backup reservoir;   directing a flow rate of water to the heating system, then to the water treatment assembly, and again to the heating system; and   in response to the flow rate of water falling below a preselected level, pumping water from the backup reservoir to the water treatment assembly.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28  wherein the heating system includes a pump connected in series between the backup reservoir and the point of use water treatment assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 28  wherein the heating element is adapted to heat the flow rate of water circulating through the heating system. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30  wherein the heating system includes a dispenser arm, the method further including providing a bypass channel connected between the water treatment assembly and the dispenser arm. 
     
     
         32 . A universal plug adapter system for use with a water heating system and a portable water treatment system, the universal plug adapter system comprising:
 an electrical plug adapter to couple the water heating system to the water treatment system, wherein the electrical plug adapter is one of a plurality of electrical plug adapters each being compatible with a different electrical connector.   
     
     
         33 . The power adapter system of  claim 32  wherein the water heating system includes a removable power adapter coupled to the electrical plug adapter. 
     
     
         34 . The power adapter system of  claim 32  further including a power cord to couple the water heating system to a mains voltage. 
     
     
         35 . The power adapter system of  claim 33  wherein the power cord includes a male end portion adapted for an electrical outlet in the geographic region in which the water treatment system is being used.