Patent ID: 8550369

Claim:
A programmable water heater thermostat controller for controlling a temperature control knob on a water heater comprising: a) a drive means in mechanical communication with the temperature control knob on temperature control unit of a water heater; b) a position sensing means in mechanical communication with the temperature control knob and operative to detect and communicate continuously, present position data of temperature control knob; c) a microcontroller means in electrical communication with said position sensing means to receive said present position data; d) a faceplate to fit over temperature control unit; e) a driver mount means having a first end, a second end, a first attachment point and a first pivot point; said first pivot point located between said first end and said second end; said first attachment point located between said first pivot point and said first end; said drive means fixedly attached to said first end; said driver mount means attached rotatetably to said faceplate at said first pivot point; said second end protruding out beyond said faceplate; f) a sensor mount means having a first end, a second end, a second attachment point and a second pivot point; said second pivot point located between said first end of said sensor mount means and said second end of said sensor mount means; said second attachment point located between said second pivot point and said first end of said sensor mount means; said position sensing means fixedly attached to said first end of said sensor mount means; said sensor mount means attached rotatetably to said faceplate at said second pivot point; said second end of said sensor mount means protruding out beyond said faceplate; g) a first transmitter/receiver means configured to enable exchange of a plurality of user desired time and corresponding user desired temperature control knob setting data between said microcontroller means and a plurality of external transmitter/receiver means; h) a first display means configured to receive display data from said microcontroller means and display it to the user; i) a first user input means configured to be operable by the user to communicate desired times and corresponding temperature control knob setting data to said microcontroller means; j) a tension spring having a first end rotatetably connected to said driver mount means at said first attachment point and a second end rotatetably connected to said sensor mount means at said second attachment point.