Patent ID: 8104434
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: F24H

Abstract:
1. A tankless liquid heater comprising: an inlet manifold; a plurality of liquid heaters each having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid inlets of the plurality of liquid heaters being connected in a parallel flow relationship by the inlet manifold and each of the plurality of liquid heaters having an electrical resistance heating element for heating liquid flowing through the tankless liquid heater; each of the plurality of liquid heaters further comprising: a flow sensor indicating the flow rate of the liquid through the liquid heater; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of liquid exiting the heating element; a controller regulating the amount of electrical current flowing through the heating element responsive to the flow sensor and the temperature sensor, the controller energizing the heating element when the flow rate of the liquid exceeds a predefined value and prevents energizing the heating element when the heated liquid exceeds a predefined temperature; and an outlet conduit connected to a respective liquid outlet of the liquid heater; wherein the plurality of liquid heaters is adapted to deliver liquid at one or more of the respective outlet conduits with less than about a 3° F. increase in output liquid temperature upon about a two-fold or greater decrease in liquid demand, the decrease in liquid demand occurring in less than about 2 seconds.