Methodology of Instantaneous Hot Water Production in Suboptimal Operations

Abstract

Systems and methods are directed to water heater systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating back up operations, e.g., for continuous flow and hot water delivery, in response to errors or interruptions to normal operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include, a plurality of heat exchangers, including a domestic hot water outlet, temperature sensors sensing water temperature at one or more locations within the water heater system, a control system. The control system can be configured to at least: monitor the water temperature measured by the first temperature sensor, identify an abnormality in monitoring the water temperature, initiate am alternative operation to sense water temperature via an alternate pathway and heat water to a set point value during the abnormality, and deliver water heated to the set point value during the abnormality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water heater system, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to heat water;   a second heat exchanger configured to receive water from the first heat exchanger via a water inlet, and deliver water to at least one of a domestic hot water outlet and the first heat exchanger;   a plurality of temperature sensors sensing water temperature at one or more locations within the water heater system, wherein a first temperature sensor senses a temperature of water heated at the second heat exchanger; and   a control system configured to at least:
 monitor the water temperature measured by the first temperature sensor; 
 identify an abnormality in monitoring the water temperature; 
 initiate an alternative operation mode operation to sense water temperature via an alternate pathway and heat water to a set point value during the abnormality, wherein the set point value is no higher than the target temperature; and 
 deliver water heated to the set point value during the abnormality. 
   
     
     
         2 . The water heater system of  claim 1  wherein the abnormality is at least one of an error, an inaccuracy, and an interruption in monitoring the water temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The water heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the abnormality is a determination that the domestic hot water outlet temperature is less than or greater than a threshold amount from a delivery temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein water temperature is monitored by temperature sensors in at least one location comprising at least one of: an inlet at the first heat exchanger, an outlet at the first heat exchanger and the domestic hot water outlet of the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative mode operation senses water temperature at the outlet of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the set point value is based on a temperature of water, and wherein the set point value is equal to a target delivery temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the set point value is a maximum temperature value for domestic hot water. 
     
     
         8 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the set point value is (i) set manually or (ii) set automatically by the control system. 
     
     
         9 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative mode operation determines a set point value based on a presence of a mixing device, wherein:
 when a mixing device is present, the set point value is set to a maximum domestic hot water temperature, and   when a mixing device is not detected the set point value is set to a standard set point value.   
     
     
         10 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative mode operation causes the first heat exchanger to heat water to the set point value. 
     
     
         11 . The heater system of  claim 1  wherein sensing water temperature via the alternate pathway comprises measuring water temperature heated by the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         12 . The heater system of claim wherein the alternative mode operation enables continuous delivery of hot water during the abnormality, and during a transition between the alternative mode operation and a normal operation. 
     
     
         13 . The heater system of  claim 1  wherein the control system is further configured to generate a notification upon initiation of the alternative mode operation. 
     
     
         14 . The heater system of  claim 1 , where the alternative mode operation determines a set point value, based on a temperature of water within the first heat exchanger; and heats the water to the set point value. 
     
     
         15 . A method for heating water in a water heater system comprising a first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger, comprising:
 receiving water at the second heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger via a water inlet;   delivering water to at least one of a domestic hot water outlet and the first heat exchanger;   sensing water temperature at one or more locations in the water heater system, wherein a first temperature sensor senses a temperature of water heated at the second heat exchanger;   monitoring the water temperature measured by the first temperature sensor;   identifying an abnormality in monitoring the water temperature;   initiating an alternative operation mode operation to sense water temperature via an alternate pathway and heat water to a set point value during the abnormality, wherein the set point value is no higher than the target temperature; and   delivering water heated to the set point value during the abnormality.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the abnormality is at least one of an error, an inaccuracy, and an interruption in monitoring the water temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the set point value is a maximum temperature value for domestic hot water. 
     
     
         18 . The heater system of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative mode operation determines a set point value based on a presence of a mixing device, wherein:
 when a mixing device is present, the set point value is set to a maximum domestic hot water temperature, and   when a mixing device is not detected the set point value is set to a standard set point value.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: continuously delivering hot water during the abnormality, and during a transition between the alternative mode operation and a normal operation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: generating a notification upon initiation of the alternative mode operation.