WO2018098520A1

WO2018098520A1 - An improved water heater communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2018098520A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/051154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Ng; Yue-Xin PENG; Samuel ZHANG; Martin AGBAYANI; Yao ZHOU; Wilson Ng
Original assignee: Rheem Australia Pty Limited
Priority date: 2016-11-29
Filing date: 2017-10-23
Publication date: 2018-06-07
Also published as: AU2017368445A1

Abstract

A water heating system includes a water heater located indoors or outdoors of a building or dwelling which includes a wired network, said water heater having a control unit, said water heater being adapted to be connected to a first outlet of said wired network, said control unit being in communication with a first communication module which is adapted to send and/or receive data over said wired network, to receive a control signal therefrom; a second communication module which is adapted to be connected to a second outlet said wired network, which communicates with a wireless communication network provided or detectable in said building or dwelling, via which a user command data is wirelessly communicated to said second communication module, to be communicated over said wired network to said first communication module.

Description

An Improved Water Heater Communication System

Field of the invention

[001] The current technology relates to an improvement of providing control communication to a water heating system.

Background of the invention

[002] A typical control and installation topology for a water heating system involves installing a water heater inside the parameters of a household. The water heater is often installed outside of the house. It is desirable to provide control communication to the water heater from the inside of the house where the user is often located.

[003] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention

[004] The present invention provides a water heating system including:

a water heater located indoors or outdoors of a building or dwelling which includes a wired network, the water heater having a control unit, the water heater being adapted to be connected to a first outlet of the wired network, the control unit being in communication with a first communication module which is adapted to send and/or receive data over the wired network, to receive a control signal therefrom;

a second communication module which is adapted to be connected to a second outlet the wired network, and which communicates with a wireless communication network

provided or detectable in the building or dwelling, via which a user command data is wirelessly communicated to the second communication module, to be communicated over the wired network to the first communication module as the control signal.

[005] The wired network can be an electrical power distribution network within the building or dwelling.

[006] The second communication module can have a data interface to

communicate with the wireless network.

[007] The data interface can communicate with a router for the wireless network. [008] The communication can be wireless between the data interface and a router of the wireless network.

[009] The communication between the second module and the wireless network can be via the wired network or a cable connecting said second communication module and said router.

[010] The wired network can be a multi-phase electrical power distribution network.

[011] There can be a phase coupler located between outlets for electrical signals carried over different phases, to couple the electrical signals.

[012] There can be a wireless bridge connected to the second outlet.

[013] A data router for the wireless network can be connected to an outlet wired to a first phase circuit of the multi-phase electrical power distribution network, whereas the second outlet is wired to a second phase circuit of the multi-phase electrical power distribution network.

[014] The second outlet can be a general power outlet of the electrical power distribution network, and the second communication module is adapted to be plugged into the general purpose outlet.

[015] The water heater and the first communication module can be located outdoors of the building or dwelling.

[016] The second communication module can be located outdoors of the building or dwelling.

[017] The water heater and the first communication module can be located in or adjacent a different part of the building or dwelling than the second communication module.

[018] The second power line communication module can be located near a data router for the wireless communication network.

[019] The wireless communications network can be adapted to enable data transmission over one or more of the following: ultra high frequency (UHF) radio signals, very high frequency (VHF) radio signals, frequency modulated (FM) radio signals, amplitude modulated (AM) radio signals, Bluetooth classic, Bluetooth lower energy (BLE), WIFI A/B/C/G/N, Infrared (IR).

[020] The water heating system can include or be in cooperation with a remote device adapted to connect to the wireless communication network and to accept an user input to generate the user command data.

[021] The remote device can be a wireless electronic control device, a smart phone, a tablet, or a computer.

[022] The water heater can be one of the following or a combination thereof: solar powered, electrically powered, gas fuelled.

[023] The water heater can be one of the following: a storage water heater, an instantaneous water heater, a heat exchanger water heater.

[024] The invention also provides a water heating system including a water heater having a control unit and adapted to receive a control input from a first node connected to a wired network within a premise serviced by the water heating system, the control input being provided to the first node over the wired network from a second node connected to the wired network, the control input being provided to the second node wirelessly from a user input device.

[025] The invention further provides a communications system provided in a water heating system mentioned above.

[026] The invention also provides a method of enabling control communication in a water heating system as mentioned above, including transmitting a user control input wirelessly to a communication module, and from the communication module to another communication module over a wired network, the other communication module being in communication or included in a control unit of the water heater.

[027] The invention further provides a water heater communication system for a water heater adapted to provided heated water to a premise, there being a power distribution network within the premise, including a first communication node connected to a first outlet of the power distribution network, the first communication node being in connection with a control unit of the water heater, a second communication node connected to a second outlet of the power distribution network,

a data interface connected to or included in the second communication node, adapted to receive a user input over a wireless network; the user input being provided via the power distribution network from the second node to the first node and then provided to the water heater.

Brief description of the drawings

[028] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[029] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a water heating system embodying the invention, depicting a water heater and a control communications network for sending control signal to the water heater;

[030] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the water heating system wherein control signals are provided over a multi-phase power distribution network;

[031] Figure 3 is a schematic view of another water heating system wherein control signals are provided over a multi-phase power distribution network.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[032] Figure 1 schematically depicts a water heating system 100. The water heater 105 and the communications network for providing the control communication to the water heater 105 are shown. In the depicted system 100, the water heater 105 provides heated water to a building or dwelling, a wall 10 of which is shown. The water heater 105 is usually located outdoors of the building, e.g. on the outside of the wall 10 as shown.

However it may instead be in an indoor part of the premises, e.g. in the utility room, basement, or in the garage. The water heater 105 can be of any type such as instantaneous, storage, electric, gas, heat pump, or solar.

[033] The water heater 105 has a control unit 110, where control communication or data is received and which executes a water heater control in accordance with the received control data, to enable the water heater to provide an output in response to a user control. The building typically includes a wired network 20, such as an electrical power distribution network, which is built into the walls 10 of the building or dwelling. The water heating system 100 utilises this wired network 20, which is a power distribution network, to transmit the control communication or control data to the control unit 110. This eliminates the need for a separate conduit or hole to be drilled into the wall 10 for fitting through a cable to communicate the control data to the control unit 110.

[034] The water heater 105 is adapted to be connected to a first outlet of the wired network 20 in order to access the network 20. In cases where the wired network used is the electrical power distribution network, this connection is made when the water heater 105 is plugged into a preferably existing electrical outlet (e.g. socket) 25 of the power distribution network 20. The control data is encoded in the typically alternating current (AC) power provided to the water heater 105. The control unit 110 is in communication with a first communication module 115, such as a power line communication module, which is adapted to send and/or receive data over the power distribution network 20, to receive a control signal therefrom. The part of the overall water heater communication system network between the control unit 110 and the electrical power distribution network 20 is considered a first, wired segment of the control communication network.

[035] The water heating system 100 also includes a second (power line) communication module 120. The role of the second communication module 120 is to wirelessly receive a user control data and to transmit that data over the power distribution network 20. Therefore the second communication module 120 is adapted to be connected to a second outlet of the electrical power distribution network 20. Typically, there will be multiple outlets 30, 35 available in the area of the premises where the second

communication module 120 is located. In premises or households where WIFI is provided, it is preferable to connect the second communication module 120 at the outlet 35 which is closer or closest to the data router 40 for the WIFI network, or at least in the same room or area as the data router 40, to best enable the second communication module 120 to receive the user command data, as discussed below.

[036] In one embodiment, the second communication module 120 receives user command data from the router 40 by a wired connection 126. The wired connection 126 can be provided by a cable or by virtue of the second communication module 120 and the router 40 both being plugged into or connected to the power distribution network 20. Alternatively, the second communication module 120 receives the command data from a receiver such as a wireless bridge 150 which is in wireless communication 127 with the router. The wireless bridge or receiver 120 can optionally be built into the second communication module 120. In some embodiments, the second communication module 120 can be provided with capability to communicate with the router 40 both via wired communication 126 and via wireless communication 127. The user can choose to connect the second communication module 120 to the router to enable the wired communication 126. If this is not possible or not desired, the receiver or wireless bridge 150 can be used to enable wireless communication with the router 40.

[037] The data interface 125 communicates with the router 40, via which a user command data is communicated to the second communication module 120. The user command data is then communicated over the power distribution network 20 to the first communication module 115. The data interface 125 is or includes firmware that allows it to identify the local wireless network in the area or room in which the second

communication module 120 is located. The firmware will identify the network address, the address of the media access controller of the device used to input the user command, and obtain the internet protocol (IP) address from the router 40, to enable the on board electronics of the water heater 105 to participate in the local wireless network and communicate with other devices connected to the network.

[038] The data interface 125 can further accept data over other types of data transmission, such as one or more of the following: ultra high frequency (UHF) radio signals, very high frequency (VHF) radio signals, frequency modulated (FM) radio signals, amplitude modulated (AM) radio signals, Bluetooth classic, Bluetooth lower energy (BLE), WIFI A/B/C/G/N, Infrared (IR). For security and to avoid the possibility of hacking, short range communication which is limited to the immediate or localised area around the second communication module 120 is preferred. The data interface 125 will accept the data transmission over any one of the available protocols, and preferably over several protocols to suit the user. For example, the data interface 125 will accept data over a WIFI network. It can accept data over a cellular network or a Bluetooth network, whether chosen by the user, or in the case of a power failure, WIFI network failure, or cellular network failure.

[039] The water heater system 100 includes or is in cooperation with a remote device adapted to connect to the router 40, and to accept a user input to generate the user command data. The user command or control data will be inputted by the user using a dedicated remote control 130, or by another device 135 in communication with the router 40. The other device 135 can be a smart device such as a smart phone or a tablet, or a computer or laptop which is connected or connectable to the router 40. A dedicated application program will be downloadable to the smart phone, tablet, or computer 135. This application program, when executed by the processor 140 of the smart phone, tablet or computer, will launch a user interface that is displayed on the screen of the device 135 and that allows the user to input the command or control data. The communications unit of the device 135 will then provide this user input or an appropriate signal corresponding to this user input over the wireless network to the second communication module 120. The part of the communication network, between the remote control 130 or user device 135 and the electrical power distribution network 20 is considered a second, wireless segment of the water heater control communication system or network.

[040] Within a household or office environment, obstructions such as other appliances or equipment 50, 55, 60 are typically present. A wall, which can be a masonry wall or concrete wall with built in metal objects such as steel beams, if in the path of a wireless transmission can reduce the strength of the wireless transmission. The reduced transmission strength may not be able to cope with physical or signal interference from the obstructions 50, 55, 60. As a result the interference from the obstructions can create a significant noise compared with the reduced data strength. The depicted system allows the user data to be transmitted over the second segment of the control communications network, without needing to pass through a wall 10. The rate of an error occurring in the user command data being received by the second communication module 120, to be transmitted as the control signal to the water heater 105, is therefore reduced by this topology.

[041] The electrical power distribution network can be single -phased but often is multi-phased. Figure 2 shows the same water heating system 100 installed at a premise with a multi-phase power distribution network 20. A phase coupler 145 is provided between the outlets 25, 30, 35, 65, which may each be dedicated for electrical signals carried over one of the different phases. That is, it is possible that the power outlet 35 to which the second communication module 120 is connected will correspond to a different phase than the power outlet 25 to which the water heater 105 is connected. For example, the power outlet 35 for the second power line communication module 120 is part of the circuit 22 for a first phase. However the outlet 25 for the water heater 105 and hence the first power line communication module 115 is part of the circuit 24 for a second phase. The phase coupler 145 is provided between the two circuits 22, 24, and couples the electrical signals over the different phases so that the user input command encoded into one phase signal can be coupled into the mains power line signal, and be available to all other outlets within the power distribution network 20. In Figure 2, the communication between the second module 120 and the router 40 is made through a wired connection 126. However as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the communication can instead be made through a wireless connection 127 (not shown in Figure 2).

[042] Figure 3 shows another example of the water heating system 100 installed in a multi-phase power distribution network having at least a first phase and a second phase. The router 40 is towered to and powered by a first phase circuit 22 which conducts power in the first phase. The second power line communication module 120 is plugged into an outlet 30 which is wired to a second phase circuit 24 which conducts power in the second phase. The water heater 105 is plugged into an outlet 25 which is also wired to the second phase circuit 24. Instead of using a phase coupler to couple the electrical signal, a wireless bridge 150 is instead used to wirelessly transmit the signal from the router 40 to the second communication module 120. The second communication module 120 is physically wired to the second phase circuit 24 which also supplies to the first

communication module 115 (i.e. the water heater 105). Doing so sidesteps the fact that the router 40 and the water heater 105 are powered by differently phased circuits within the power supply network.

[043] Therefore, as discussed, the water heating system 100 employs a "hybrid" communication system, which combines a "wired" segment and a "wireless" segment of communication. The "wired" segment extends from the water heater 105 to a first node in the power distribution network 20 and then via the power distribution network 20 to a second node. The first and second nodes are respectively the first and second

communication modules 115, 120. The "wireless" segment extends between the second node in the power distribution network 20 and a remote control or user device which is in wireless communication with the second node.

[044] The specific locations of the first and second nodes therefore depend on where the water heater is located, and where the data interface with the wireless network is chosen. The water heater in some embodiments will be located in an outside area whereas the second communications module 120 containing the data interface 125 will be located in an indoor area. They may both be located inside, depending on the plumbing connection and the layout of the premise. For instance in many homes the water heater will be located in a dedicated utility room or in a garage area. Conversely both nodes may be provided outdoors. The requirement here is that both nodes are in physical connection with the wired network built into the building or dwelling. The physical or wired connection allows the first and second nodes, and hence the water heater and the data interface which will receive and transmit the user control input, to be located in different parts of the premise, without the signal propagation between the two nodes to suffer significant degradation.

As a result, the wireless data transmitted to or from the second communication node, even if it passes an area 70 with signal or physical interference, will still be clear enough to have minimal error rate.

[045] The present technology is not restricted by the specific type of water heater included in the water heating system. For example, the water heater can be solar powered, electrically powered, gas fuelled, or can utilise two or more of these energy sources.

Furthermore, the water heater can be a storage water heater, an instantaneous or

continuous flow electric or gas water heater, or a heat exchanger water heater.

[046] The communication within the wired and wireless segments of the control data path of the water heating system can be unidirectional, going from the user remote control or user device to the water heater, or it can be bidirectional to enable a reverse communication path.

[047] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[048] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[049] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A water heating system including:

a water heater located indoors or outdoors of a building or dwelling which includes a wired network, said water heater having a control unit, said water heater being adapted to be connected to a first outlet of said wired network, said control unit being in

communication with a first communication module which is adapted to send and/or receive data over said wired network, to receive a control signal therefrom;

a second communication module which is adapted to be connected to a second outlet said wired network, and which communicates with a wireless communication network provided or detectable in said building or dwelling, via which a user command data is wirelessly communicated to said second communication module, to be communicated over said wired network to said first communication module as said control signal.

2. A water heating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wired network is an electrical power distribution network within said building or dwelling.

3. A water heating system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein second communication module has a data interface to communicate with said wireless network.

4. A water heating system as claimed in claim 3, where said data interface communicates with a router for said wireless network.

5. A water heater system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said communication is wireless between said data interface and said router.

6. A water heater system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said communication is via said wired network or a cable connecting said second communication module and said router.

7. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wired network is a multi-phase electrical power distribution network.

8. A water heating system as claimed in claim 7, including a phase coupler located between outlets for electrical signals carried over different phases, to couple said electrical signals.

9. A water heating system as claimed claim 6 or claim 7, including a wireless bridge

connected to the second outlet.

10. A water heating system as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 3, wherein asid data router is connected to an outlet wired to a first phase circuit of said multi-phase electrical power distribution network, whereas the second outlet is wired to a second phase circuit of said multi-phase electrical power distribution network.

11. A water heating system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein said second

outlet is a general power outlet of said electrical power distribution network, and said second communication module is adapted to be plugged into said general purpose outlet.

12. A water heating system a claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water heater and said first communication module are located outdoors of said building or dwelling.

13. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said

second communication module is located outdoors of said building or dwelling.

14. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water heater and the first communication module are located in or adjacent a different part of said building or dwelling than said second communication module.

15. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said

second power line communication module is located near a data router for said wireless communication network.

16. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said

wireless communications network is further adapted to enable data transmission over one or more of the following: ultra high frequency (UHF) radio signals, very high frequency (VHF) radio signals, frequency modulated (FM) radio signals, amplitude modulated (AM) radio signals, Bluetooth classic, Bluetooth lower energy (BLE), WIFI A/B/C/G/N, Infrared (IR).

17. A water heater system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including or in

cooperation with a remote device adapted to connect to said wireless communication network and to accept an user input to generate said user command data.

18. A water heating system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said remote device is a wireless electronic control device, a smart phone, a tablet, or a computer.

19. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water heater is one of the following or a combination thereof: solar powered, electrically powered, gas fuelled.

20. A water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water heater is one of the following: a storage water heater, an instantaneous water heater, a heat exchanger water heater.

21. A water heating system including a water heater having a control unit and adapted to

receive a control input from a first node connected to a wired network within a premise serviced by said water heating system, said control input being provided to said first node over said wired network from a second node connected to said wired network, said control input being provided to said second node wirelessly from a user input device.

22. A communications system provided in a water heating system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

23. A method of enabling control communication in a water heating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, including transmitting a user control input wirelessly to a communication module, and from the communication module to another communication module over a wired network, the other communication module being in communication or included in a control unit of said water heater.

24. A water heater communication system for a water heater adapted to provided heated water to a premise, there being a power distribution network within said premise, including a first communication node connected to a first outlet of said power distribution network, said first communication node being in connection with a control unit of said water heater, a second communication node connected to a second outlet of said power distribution network,

a data interface connected to or included in said second communication node, adapted to receive a user input over a wireless network; said user input being provided via said power distribution network from said second node to said first node and then provided to said water heater.