Patent ID: 8126320
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: F24D,F24H

Abstract:
1. A method of preventing a dry fire condition in a liquid heating appliance having a tank in which liquid is heated by at least one electrical heating element, the appliance including at least one sensor required for normal operation thereof, comprising the steps of: without energizing the at least one electrical heating element, reading the at least one sensor and determining whether a dry fire condition would occur if the heating element were energized based on the reading of the at least one sensor; and when the step of determining indicates that a dry fire condition is not likely, allowing energization of the at least one electrical heating element under normal control; and when the step of determining indicates that a dry fire condition is likely, disabling energization of the at least one electrical heating element for at least a period of time; wherein the step of determining comprises the steps of: