Sensor for water heaters

Abstract

A controller for a water heater which has a power source configured to power up the components of the controller, wherein the power source is independent of a battery or mains electricity and uses a thermoelectric effect; and a gas sensor powered from the controller via the power source, wherein the gas sensor is configured to be positioned externally to the controller and connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to trigger an alarm if a concentration of gas in the vicinity of the gas sensor is above a predetermined threshold.

1 . A controller for a water heater comprising:
 a power source configured to power up the components of the controller,
 wherein the power source is independent of a battery or mains electricity and uses a thermoelectric effect; and 
   a gas sensor powered from the controller via the power source,
 wherein the gas sensor is configured to be positioned externally to the controller and connected to the controller, and 
 wherein the controller is configured to trigger an alarm if a concentration of gas in the vicinity of the gas sensor is above a predetermined threshold. 
   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the power source uses a thermopile, comprising a single thermocouple. 
     
     
         3 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the power source uses a thermopile, comprising two or more thermocouples. 
     
     
         4 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the gas sensor is a CO sensor, a methane sensor, or a hydrogen sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising an igniter configured to initiate fuel combustion; 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the gas sensor is connected to the controller via a wire or a cable connected to a port provided in the controller. 
     
     
         7 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a device for changing the settings of the water heater. 
     
     
         8 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a CPU configured to control the operation of the water heater and/or the components of the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless module configured to communicate with an external device. 
     
     
         10 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless module configured to communicate with an external device. 
     
     
         11 . A water heater comprising:
 the controller of  claim 1 ; and   a heat source,
 wherein the heat source utilizes fuel combustion. 
   
     
     
         12 . The water heater of  claim 11 , further comprising a water tank, wherein the controller and the sensor are positioned on the water tank. 
     
     
         13 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is positioned in a location where there is a likelihood of the gas being produced or accumulated. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating the controller for a water heater of  claim 1 , comprising:
 detecting, by the gas sensor, the level of gas in the vicinity of the sensor;   generating, by the gas sensor, a signal indicative of the level of gas;   transmitting, by the gas sensor, the signal to the controller;   determining, by the controller, based on the signal, that the gas level is above threshold; generating, by the controller, an alert message; and   stopping, by the controller, the fuel combustion in the water heater.