Patent ID: 9188363
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: B23P,F24D,F24H,G05D,H02J,H05B,Y02B,Y04S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A smart energy control module for a water heater, the water heater including an electrical junction box that receives a voltage supply, the control module comprising: a switching module that receives the voltage supply and outputs the voltage supply to the water heater; a communication module that i) communicates with at least one of an energy meter and an energy network, the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network being external to the water heater and the control module, and ii) receives information from the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network, wherein the control module is mounted on the water heater, wherein the voltage supply passes through the control module, and wherein the control module determines at least one operating characteristic of the water heater based on the voltage supply, selectively actuates the switching module to turn on and turn off the voltage supply to the water heater in response to the operating characteristic and the information received from the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network; a control circuitry portion that includes the switching module; an electrical connection portion, wherein service wiring for providing the voltage supply to the water heater is routed through the electrical connection portion, and wherein the service wiring is electrically connected to, within the electrical connection portion, each of the switching module and internal wiring of the water heater; and a partition that separates the control circuitry portion and the electrical connection portion.