Patent ID: 7373080
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: F24D,F24H,H05B

Abstract:
1. A storage-type water heater comprising: a water tank for storing water; a cold-water inlet and a hot-water outlet, both of which enter the tank; an electrically-operated valve coupled to at least one of the inlet and the outlet to control the flow of water through the tank; a jacket surrounding at least a portion of the tank; a first moisture sensor disposed at a first location between the tank and the jacket, the first moisture sensor operable to detect liquid on an exterior surface of the tank and generate a first signal if the first moisture sensor generates a moisture value greater than a threshold; a second moisture sensor disposed at a second location between the tank and the jacket and operable to detect liquid on an exterior surface of the tank and generate a second signal if the second moisture sensor generates a moisture value greater than the threshold, the second moisture sensor independent from the first moisture sensor; and a control system in communication with the first moisture sensor, the second moisture sensor, and the valve, the control system, operable to detect the first signal and the second signal to control the valve based at least in part on whether the control system receives one of the first signal and the second signal.