Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for automatic regulation of water temperature. The apparatus comprises a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor and reduces the temperature of the refrigerant by exchanging the refrigerant&#39;s heat with air surrounding the condenser, an expanding valve that receives refrigerant from the condenser and transforms the refrigerant in a high pressure state to a low pressure state, and an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the expanding valve and facilitates heat exchange between the low temperature refrigerant and a high temperature water. The evaporator comprises of two adjacent chambers that share a common wall. The first chamber is configured to receive the refrigerant and the second chamber is configured to receive the water, and the refrigerant and water exchange heat through the common wall. The heat exchange results in the reduction of water temperature and an increase in the refrigerant&#39;s temperature.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The general inventive concepts relate to water conditioning and, more particularly, to systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic regulation of water temperature. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In many developing and developed countries around the world, water supply to a dwelling is typically stored in an outdoor elevated storage tank, from which location water flows to the dwelling&#39;s taps, faucets and outlets for consumption, typically via the operation of gravity. At such outdoor locations, the storage tank is susceptible to weather conditions such as extreme heat or extreme cold. For instance, in arid and semi-arid climatic conditions, water in such storage tanks may be heated up to 140° F. in the summer and may be cooled to near freezing temperatures in the winter. 
         [0003]    Currently, users of such storage tanks are left with limited options to obtain temperature-regulated water. One such option is for users to consume water during parts of the day where temperatures are moderate, early mornings and late evenings for instance. Another option is for users to heat or cool the water using traditional heating and cooling appliances such as stoves and refrigerators respectively. As can be understood, such options are highly impractical for regular every-day use of water. 
         [0004]    In view of the above, there is an unmet need for systems, methods and apparatuses for automatic regulation of water temperature which runs in conjunction with a dwelling&#39;s native water storage system and which allows the user to regulate water temperature in multiple ways. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The general inventive concepts contemplate systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic regulation of water temperature. By way of example, to illustrate various aspects of the general inventive concepts, several exemplary embodiments of systems, methods and/or apparatuses are disclosed herein. 
         [0006]    Systems, methods, and apparatuses, according to one exemplary embodiment, provide for an apparatus for continuous and automatic regulation of water temperature. In one embodiment, the apparatus for continuous and automatic regulation of water temperature comprises a water supply, a cooling gas, a compressor, a condenser, a liquid tank, a filter, a valve, and an evaporator. Additionally, an electronic control module is provided. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the specification. It is to be understood that both the foregoing brief summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiments disclosed herein or as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments disclosed herein, and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary apparatus for automatic regulation of water temperature. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows technical parameters for the apparatus described in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of various components of the apparatus described in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a description of the components of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a structural or schematic drawing of the apparatus described in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows work flow drawing of the apparatus described in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an electronic control module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The embodiments disclosed herein will now be described by reference to some more detailed embodiments, with occasional reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. 
         [0017]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong. The terminology used in the description herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0018]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing temperature, flow rates, wattage, voltage, resistance and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the specification, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches. 
         [0019]    Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the embodiments are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. 
         [0020]    It should be noted that for the purposes of this application, the terms attach (attached), connect (connected), and link (linked) are not limited to direct attachment, connection, or linking but also include indirect attachment, connection, or linking with intermediate parts, components, or assemblies being located between the two parts being attached, connected, or linked to one another. In addition, the terms attach (attached), connect (connected), and link (linked) may include two parts integrally formed or unitarily constructed. 
         [0021]    Now, with particular reference to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below.  FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary apparatus  100  for automatic regulation of water temperature. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  is configured to operate as an automatic water temperature control system for continuously flowing water supply. Apparatus  100  is configured to work even in tropical and sub-tropical climates, including arid and semi-arid conditions. Apparatus  100  functions by either increasing or decreasing the temperature of water to a pre-set level chosen by the user. Apparatus  100  is further designed to have enough capacity to supply water continuously, and without storing the water prior to cooling or heating, to the users in a dwelling, making it a centralized and an on-demand system. 
         [0022]    Apparatus  100  has a programmable electronic control module  700  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) through which the user may interact with the apparatus  100  and regulate various features and functioning of apparatus  100 , such as the output water temperature. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, apparatus  100  has a cooling capacity of 6 kilowatts, a water flow rate of 1000 liters per hour (LPH), and supports power supply inputs of 110 Volts, 220 Volts and 347 Volts. Water flow rates in apparatus  100  are adjustable. Moreover, apparatus  100  is also equipped with an outlet water pressure compensation function, which is designed to set the water flow pressure at different levels depending on the needs of the user, typically between 30 psi and 80 psi. For example, flow rates or water pressures required for high-capacity dwellings, such as apartments, offices, hotels, factories, hospitals, shopping malls, and restaurants are different from the flow rates or water pressures required at residential dwellings. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any other type of technical parameters may be utilized in the present invention, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, an alternate power supply input of 277 Volts or any other voltage input may be used in the invention. Other technical parameters for an exemplary embodiment of apparatus  100  are described in further detail in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0024]    An exploded view of the various components in apparatus  100  are shown in  FIG. 3 . Although the several components are shown as being attached or linked or connected in a certain embodiment, one or ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any combination of the several components may be incorporated without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  FIG. 4  provides the description of the components described and presented in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]    A structural or schematic drawing of the apparatus  100  is described in  FIG. 5 . The drawing of apparatus  100  in  FIG. 5  provides the components which make up the structural details of apparatus  100 . For instance, apparatus  100  comprises of a condenser assembly ( 1 ), compressor ( 2 ), a liquid tank ( 3 ), an air collecting pipe ( 4 ), a gas-liquid separating pipe ( 5 ), a water pipe assembly ( 6 ), a water pump ( 7 ), an expanding valve ( 8 ), a copper filter ( 9 ), a heat exchanger ( 10 ), and a bottom panel ( 11 ). 
         [0026]    Apparatus  100  is further described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The main components involved in the working of apparatus  100  are presented in  FIG. 6 . With further reference to  FIG. 6 , component A refers to the Compressor (referenced by reference character  1  in  FIG. 3  and reference character  2  in  FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, the compressor A may be of the “tropicalized” compressor variety, like a Tropical Rotary Compressor which is commercially available. A tropicalized compressor is a special type of compressor which enables the use of the compressor in high temperature conditions, typically over 86 F. Component B refers to the Condenser (referenced by reference character  28  in  FIG. 3  and partially by reference character  1  in  FIG. 5 ), component C refers to the Liquid Tank (referenced by reference character  36  in  FIG. 3  and reference character  3  in  FIG. 5 ), component D refers to the Copper Filter (referenced by reference character  37  in  FIG. 3  and reference character  9  in  FIG. 5 ), component E refers to the Expanding Valve (referenced by reference character  31  in  FIG. 3  and reference character  8  in  FIG. 5 ), component F refers to the Evaporator, or alternately a water-side/plate heat exchanger (referenced by reference character  5  in  FIG. 3  and partly by reference character  10  in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0027]    Apparatus  100  and the components of apparatus  100  are preferably installed on a frame, with an enclosure wrapping the frame. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  and the components of apparatus  100  utilize corrosion resistant stainless steel construction. For instance, filters used in the construction of apparatus  100 , the frame of apparatus  100  and enclosure wrapping the frame of apparatus  100  may all be made from a variety of corrosion resistant stainless steel material. Employing corrosion resistant stainless steel material is especially helpful in tropical, sub-tropical, arid and semi-arid climatic conditions where apparatus  100  may be exposed to severe weather conditions, and which, in the absence of employing corrosion resistant stainless steel material, may lead to degeneration of apparatus  100  through corrosion and/or rust. In other exemplary embodiment, natural or man-made materials such as metals, metal derivatives, hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives, plastics, and fiberglass may be employed in lieu of or in combination with the corrosion resistant stainless steel material. In one embodiment, other improvements to apparatus  100 , such as utilizing dust proof enclosures, may also be employed to protect apparatus  100  from severe weather conditions. 
         [0028]    With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the work flow of apparatus  100  is described in detail. In one exemplary embodiment, at step  1 , a refrigerant R22 is compressed to air with high temperature and pressure by the compressor A. Although refrigerant R22, such as the commercially available chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerant Gas, is used to describe the features of the current invention, one or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any other type of cooling gas may be employed by the invention, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Refrigerant R22 or any other type of cooling gas may be made available to apparatus  100  in refillable form. At step  2 , refrigerant R22 flows to the condenser B, where refrigerant R22 temperature is reduced by exchanging heat with air inside the condenser B. At step  3 , refrigerant R22 flows to the liquid tank C, where the liquid tank C stores the liquid part of the refrigerant R22, allowing the gaseous part of the refrigerant R22 to flow to the expanding valve E, at step  4 , through the copper filter D. Prior to passing through the expanding valve E, refrigerant R22 is in a high pressure and low temperature state. After passing through the expanding valve E, refrigerant R22 assumes a low pressure and low temperature state. At step  5 , said low pressure and low temperature refrigerant R22 then flows to the evaporator F. In one embodiment, evaporator F is protected with a washable air filter designed to keep any dust and/or sand away from evaporator F. Water from a storage tank (not shown) is transported to the site of the evaporator F via a water pipe assembly (reference character  6  from  FIG. 5  and reference character  12  from  FIG. 3 ) and a water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5  and reference character  2  from  FIG. 3 ). In an alternate embodiment, water is transported to the site of the evaporator F via a water pipe assembly (reference character  6  from  FIG. 5  and reference character  12  from  FIG. 3 ) and a water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5  and reference character  2  from  FIG. 3 ) without first being stored in a storage tank at the site of the apparatus. This may be referred to as a “tank-less” system, wherein the system is dimensioned to be able to simultaneously cool the water (or heat the water) and supply to a dwelling on an as-need basis. This ensures that the water supply is continuous to the evaporator F. At this step, the low pressure and low temperature refrigerant R22 exchanges heat with water at the evaporator F, thereby reducing the water temperature and increasing the refrigerant R22 temperature. From this point, the high temperature refrigerant R22 flows back to the compressor A, resuming the work flow at step  1  described above. 
         [0029]    The aforementioned water pressure compensation system may be regulated by the functioning of the water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5  and reference character  2  from  FIG. 3 ). For instance, a pressure sensor or transducer (such as a strain gauge, not shown) measures the pressure in the output line of the water pump. If the measured water pressure is lower than a pre-set water pressure level, the water pump increases the pressure of the water being delivered through water pumping action. Similarly, if the measured water pressure is higher than a pre-set water pressure level, the water pump decreases the pressure of the water being delivered through water pumping action. In an embodiment, an “on-demand” water supply system begins to work when the pressure sensor detects a drop in pressure in the output line occasioned by the user turning on a tap or a faucet to use water. This sends a signal to an on/off switch (for example, via an Electronic Control Module  700  described below) assembly to enable the apparatus to start working to supply water. A close of the faucet by the user, allows pressure build up in the output line which is detected by the pressure sensor to switch off the system. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , an Electronic Control Module  700  (“ECM”) is described. The ECM  700  serves a “front-end” function in conjunction with apparatus  100 . Specifically, the ECM  700  behaves as a front-end tool for the user to control and operate apparatus  100 , thereby providing the user with an easy-to-use interface with which to control and operate apparatus  100 . The ECM  700  has a microprocessor  710  (not shown), and various input and/or display mechanisms configured to control the apparatus  100 . For instance, ECM  700  comprises a power on/off mechanism  1 , a cooling mode mechanism  2 , a heating mode mechanism  3 , an error code mechanism  4 , a recoverable fault mechanism  5 , a serious fault mechanism  6 , a timer setting mechanism  7 , a water pump mechanism  8 , an electrical heater mechanism  9 , a 4-way valve mechanism  10 , a defrost mechanism  11 , a fan mechanism  12 , a compressor mechanism  13 , a unit number mechanism  14 , a time mechanism  15 , an on/off key mechanism  16 , a defrost key mechanism  17 , a mode key mechanism  18 , a reset key mechanism  19 , an option mechanism  20 , a temperature adjusting key mechanism  21 , a time adjusting key mechanism  22 , a clock key mechanism  23  and a timer key mechanism  24 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all mechanisms described above are mandatory to the functioning of the ECM  700 , and therefore not all mechanisms need to be included in a single functional ECM  700  unit. For instance, the heating mode mechanism  3  and electrical heater mechanism  9  may only be available in an apparatus  100  configured to heat water. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the described mechanisms may be display mechanisms and some or all of the described mechanisms may be input mechanisms. For instance, the power on/off mechanism  1  may be an input mechanism, meaning the mechanism may be utilized to accept user or system inputs. As a further example, the error code mechanism  4  may be a display mechanism, meaning the mechanism may be utilized to simply display a user selection and/or an underlying system state. Any combination of input and/or display mechanisms may be configured in the ECM  700  without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]    With further reference to ECM  700 , various input and/or display mechanisms are discussed. In one exemplary embodiment, power on/off mechanism  1  is configured to display a green or red indicator light, depending on whether ECM  700  is on or off respectively. When ECM  700  is on, activating the power on/off mechanism  1  would turn ECM  700  off, and would also turn the indicator light from a green color to a red color. When ECM  700  is off, activating the power on/off mechanism  1  would turn ECM  700  on, and would also turn the indicator light from a red color to a green color. In one exemplary embodiment, activating the reset key mechanism  19  for five (5) seconds locks the ECM  700  unit, in order to disable users from accidently activating any input and/or display mechanism. After ECM  700  is locked, activating the reset key mechanism  19  for an additional five (5) seconds will un-lock ECM  700  in order to enable users to activate any input and/or display mechanism of their choice. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the five second activation is not a limitation of the system, and any amount of time may be pre-set to achieve the locking and unlocking features described above. Additionally, ECM  700  may be configured such that the power on/off mechanism  1  is available to the user regardless of the locked/un-locked status described above. 
         [0032]    With further reference to ECM  700  and the power on/off mechanism  1 , in one embodiment, when power to the apparatus  100  is switched off, ECM  700  stops the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ) five seconds later, stops the outdoor fan (not shown) next, and one minute after stopping the outdoor fan, shuts down the water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5 ). Additionally, when power to the apparatus  100  is turned on, ECM  700  sends a signal to apparatus  100  to start the water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5 ). ECM  700  then checks to see if the flow switch (not shown) is working. The checking time for the flow switch may adjustable between 1 second and 60 seconds. If the flow switch doesn&#39;t work, ECM  700  displays an error code to show a malfunctioning flow switch (error code EO: 01 as shown in Table 1 below), then proceeds to stops the water pump (reference character  7  from  FIG. 5 ) and turns off the power to the apparatus  100 . If the Flow switch works, ECM  700  starts the Outdoor fan (not shown) and then, with an adjustable delay, between 1 second and 60 seconds for example, turns on the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ). All time limitations for the aforementioned mechanism may be adjusted as part of the system setup. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, ECM  700  starts the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ) only if the temperature of the water meets the pre-set conditions. The compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ) will work if the pre-set water temperature is lower than the measured water temperature. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  may comprise a thermo elements  104  and  105  (not shown), to continually measure the inlet and outlet water temperature respectively. The thermo elements  104  and  105  for sensing the inlet and outlet water temperature can take a wide variety of different forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, thermo couples, digital thermometers, or other temperature sensing devices that are positioned at the water return pipe and the water output pipe respectively, are both connected to the ECM  700 , and both provide a separate signal for the ECM  700  that can be processed by the ECM  700  to determine the inlet and outlet water temperature respectively. As an example, if the measured water temperature (inlet or outlet) becomes lower than the pre-set temperature, the ECM  700  will turn off the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ). In one embodiment, the turning off of the compressor will occur only if and when the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ) has been working longer than the minimum working time, which is set to preserve the longevity of the apparatus  100 . After the compressor (reference A in  FIG. 6 ) stops, ECM  700  turns off the outdoor fan (not shown) in a pre-set delay time that ranges between 1 second and 60 seconds. Then, apparatus  100  is put on standby. 
         [0034]    Users may utilize the mode key mechanism  18  to choose the operating mode of the system. For instance, users may activate the mode key mechanism  18  to activate a single mode, or switch between two or more modes, including a cooling mode and/or a heating mode. In one embodiment, users may be able to change the ECM  700  mode even when ECM  700  is turned off. In one embodiment, users may utilize the options mechanism  20  and temperature adjusting key mechanism  21  in conjunction with each other. For instance, users may select the options mechanism  20  to review existing values of various system parameters such as output water temperature, coil temperature etc. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  may comprise a thermo element  106  (not shown), to continually measure an outdoor coil temperature. The thermo element  106  for sensing the outdoor coil temperature can take a wide variety of different forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, thermo couples, digital thermometers, or other temperature sensing devices that are positioned on the outdoor coil and are connected to the ECM  700  and provide a signal for the ECM  700  that can be processed by the ECM  700  to determine the outdoor coil temperature. Once the user arrives at a parameter of choice (e.g. output water temperature), the user may then utilize the temperature adjusting key mechanism  21  to increase or decrease the temperature setting of said parameter. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, users may utilize the time adjusting key mechanism  22  and reset key mechanism  19  in conjunction with each other. For instance, users may select the desired time, in hours, minutes, and/or seconds, by utilizing the time adjusting key mechanism  22 , and then activate the reset key mechanism  19  in order to confirm the selected time. Additionally, ECM  700  may be configured such that the time adjusting key mechanism  22  is available to the user regardless of whether ECM  700  is turned on or off. The time mechanism  15  displays a default time, or the most recent time selected via the time adjusting key mechanism  22 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, users may utilize the timer setting mechanism  7  and reset key mechanism  19  in conjunction with each other. The timer setting mechanism  7  may be utilized to enable the user to pre-set a time at which ECM  100  turns on or off For instance, the user may pre-set the timer setting mechanism  7  to turn ECM  100  on every morning at a certain time, and to turn ECM  100  off every evening at a certain time. The timer setting mechanism  7  may be set to any time during the day, and is designed to aid the user to conserve energy, as well as to allow the user to customize the operation of apparatus  100  based on their unique needs. In one embodiment, if the timer setting mechanism  7  is configured to turn ECM  700  off at a time when ECM  700  is already off, ECM  700  will first be powered on, and then be powered off at said time. Similarly, if the timer setting mechanism  7  is configured to turn ECM  700  on at a time when ECM  700  is already on, ECM  700  will first be powered off, and then be powered on at said time. In another embodiment, if the timer setting mechanism  7  is configured to turn ECM  700  off at a time when ECM  700  is already off, no further action will take place. Similarly, in an embodiment, if the timer setting mechanism  7  is configured to turn ECM  700  on at a time when ECM  700  is already on, no further action will take place. In order to set a time utilizing the timer setting mechanism  7 , users may select the desired time, in hours, minutes, and/or seconds, by utilizing the timer setting mechanism  7 , and then activate the reset key mechanism  19  in order to confirm the selected time. 
         [0037]    ECM  700  may also be configured to check for and detect certain faults or errors in the ECM  700  and/or the apparatus  100 . Such checks and detections may be configured to take place automatically, without any user input. When ECM  700  checks for and detects a certain fault condition, a corresponding pre-set solution may be executed. In one embodiment, fault condition(s) may be represented as error code(s) in the error code mechanism  4 . An exemplary list of error codes, reasons for the fault condition and the pre-set solutions are described below in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sequence 
                 Error code 
                 Reason of Fault 
                 Solutions 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Pr: 02 
                 T OC  (outdoor 
                 Change the sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 coil)Sensor is broken 
               
               
                 2 
                 Pr: 04 
                 Overload protection in 
                 T OC  ≦ 50° C., unit recovers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cooling mode. 
                 running 
               
               
                 3 
                 Po: 02 
                 T OA (ambient 
                 Change the sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature) sensor is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 broken 
               
               
                 4 
                 Po: 03 
                 Anti-freeze protection 
                 Return water temperature 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in cooling mode. 
                 T RW  ≧ 8° C., unit recovers 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 running. 
               
               
                 5 
                 Po: 07 
                 Winter anti-freeze 
                 Return water temperature 
               
               
                   
                   
                 protection 
                 T RW  ≧ 9° C., unit recovers 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 running. 
               
               
                 6 
                 Er: 02 
                 Outdoor fan overload 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                 protection 
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 7 
                 Er: 04 
                 High pressure in 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                 compressor 
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 8 
                 Er: 05 
                 Low pressure in 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                 compressor 
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 9 
                 Eo: 00 
                 Communication Error 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 10 
                 Eo: 01 
                 Flow switch is cut off 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 11 
                 Eo: 04 
                 Outdoor coil 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature is too 
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                 high/low 
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 12 
                 Eo: 07 
                 Over thermal 
                 Activate reset key 
               
               
                   
                   
                 protection in heating 
                 mechanism 19 to reset 
               
               
                   
                   
                 mode. 
                 after the fault is removed. 
               
               
                 13 
                 Er: 11 
                 Return water 
                 Change the sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature sensor is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 broken 
               
               
                 14 
                 Er: 12 
                 Outlet water 
                 Change the sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature sensor is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 broken. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    In one embodiment, when any of the above listed fault conditions in Table 1 have been encountered and fixed, users may activate the reset key mechanism  19  to recover the normal operation of ECM  700 . 
         [0039]    With further reference to Table 1, an error code for winter anti-freeze protection (PO: 07) is described in more detail. Winter anti-freeze protection is configured to protect the components of apparatus  100  from freezing in low ambient temperatures. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  may comprise a thermo element  102  (not shown), to continually measure the ambient air temperature. The thermo element  102  for sensing the ambient air temperature can take a wide variety of different forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, thermo couples, digital thermometers, or other temperature sensing devices that are positioned in the ambient air and are connected to the ECM  700  and provide a signal for the ECM  700  that can be processed by the ECM  700  to determine the ambient temperature. When ambient air temperature reaches a preset temperature, 42° F. for example, the thermo element  102  sends signal to ECM  700 . Consequently, ECM  700  closes all components of apparatus  100  and turns apparatus  100  off. ECM  700  may be configured such that when ambient temperature increases to a preset temperature, 48° F. for example, ECM  700  turns on again automatically to resume normal operations. In one embodiment, ECM  700  may be configured to check the return temperature of the water to initiate winter anti-freeze protection and the subsequent solution thereof. 
         [0040]    ECM  700  may be configured to initiate anti-freeze protection for the heat exchanger (character  10  in  FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, when apparatus  100  is a cooling mode or it is turned off for an extended period of time, ECM  700  may be configured to initiate said protection automatically. Said protection may comprise starting the water pump (character  7  from  FIG. 5 ) and stopping the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ). ECM  700  may be configured such that when ambient temperature or the output temperature increases to a preset temperature, 48° F. for example, ECM  700  turns on again automatically to resume normal operations. 
         [0041]    One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that additional protections may be configured in ECM  700 , in addition to those described above. For example, a compressor running protection may be configured. In one embodiment, ECM  700  may be configured to initiate protection for the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ) and check for a minimum/maximum running time and/or a minimum stopping time, or any other protection mechanism to impede the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ) from starting or stopping too frequently. For instance, if the compressor&#39;s measured running time exceeds a maximum pre-set compressor running time, the ECM  700  may be programmed to initiate action. An exemplary action would be to turn off the compressor when the compressor&#39;s measured running time exceeds a maximum pre-set compressor running time. Additionally, other protections such as Er: 04 code for a high pressure in the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ), and Er: 05 for a low pressure in the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ) may be provided. In either case of errors (Er: 04 or Er: 05), the compressor (character  2  in  FIG. 5 ) may be switched off automatically or manually using user intervention to prevent the apparatus  100  from any further damage. In one embodiment, apparatus  100  may comprise a compressor pressure sensing element  103  (not shown), to continually measure the compressor&#39;s output pressure. The compressor pressure sensing element  103  for sensing the compressor&#39;s pressure can take a wide variety of different forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, known pressure transmitters, pressure transducers, strain gauges, or other pressure sensing devices that are provided on an outlet of the compressor and are connected to the ECM  700  and provide a signal for the ECM  700  that can be processed by the ECM  700  to determine the compressor&#39;s output pressure. 
         [0042]    The above description of specific embodiments has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the general inventive concepts and attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. For example, the general inventive concepts are not typically limited to an apparatus configured to cooling water only. Thus, for example, use of alternative options, such as a cold winter option where a heating element and a heating tank are provided, are within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts. As a further example, the general inventive concepts are not typically limited to using apparatus  100  as part of a dwelling&#39;s water supply system. Apparatus  100  may also be configured as a stand-alone system. The difference between apparatus  100  as described above and a stand-alone system would be of capacity, especially in the size and availability of components. In a standalone system, a water supply unit is attached to the apparatus  100 . Non-standard units, such as stand-alone units, are sized based on flow requirements as well as output water temperature requirements. The specifications of the components, such as the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator (plate heat exchanger) are based on the requirements of water flow and desired output temperature. The higher the flow rate desired, the bigger the components and vice versa. If the apparatus  100  reaches the limits of an assembly, apparatus  100  may be cascaded into multiple units, which may or may not be contained in one assembly. As another example, although the embodiments disclosed herein have been primarily directed to using apparatus  100  as a general water supply device, the general inventive concepts could be readily extended to configure apparatus  100  to be used with other any apparatus which may perform other functions such as water purification. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts, as described and claimed herein, and equivalents thereof.