Patent Issued for Automated Water Heater Flushing And Monitoring System (USPTO 10,823,458)

2020 NOV 16 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Bloomington, Illinois, United States) has been issued patent number 10,823,458, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx editors.

The patent’s inventors are Riblet, Jeffrey A. (Bloomington, IL); Magerkurth, Melinda T. (Bloomington, IL).

This patent was filed on October 15, 2019 and was published online on November 16, 2020.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: “Commercial and residential water heaters receive room temperature (e.g., cold) water that is then heated by the water heaters and distributed as heated (e.g., hot) water through the commercial or residential location. The water fed to the water heaters typically includes sediment. Some of the sediment may remain in the water heater tank after the water is heated and distributed. The sediment that remains may build up on the bottom of the water heater tank. Over time, this buildup of sediment may cause heat transfer within the water heater tank to slow, which in turn may cause overheating near the bottom of the tank. When the bottom of the tank is overheated, the metal bottom of the tank may weaken and the lining of the tank may be damaged. The weakening of the tank bottom and the damage to the tank lining may eventually cause the bottom of the tank to ‘fall out.’ Of course, if such an event occurs, the water stored within the tank and the inlet water entering the tank from the feed line may escape from the tank and may likely result in the flooding of the structure housing the water heater (e.g., a house or building).

“In less extreme cases, the sediment buildup may cause smaller leaks in the water heater. These leaks, although smaller, may still cause flooding to a large portion of the structure housing the water heater. In order to reduce the likelihood of sediment buildup in a water heater, many manufacturers recommend that water heaters be flushed periodically so that sediment is removed from the water heater tank. Unfortunately, most owners do not follow those recommendations; as such, water heaters are not flushed on a regular basis. Accordingly, a system is needed to automatically flush water heaters on a regular basis and to monitor water heaters for leaks.”

Supplementing the background information on this patent, NewsRx reporters also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “The present embodiments may relate to systems and methods for maintaining water heaters and, more specifically, for automatically flushing the water heater to prevent the water heater from failing, which may result in flooding and/or other leakage. The water heater maintenance system described herein maintains a tank of the water heater using automated flushing to prevent and/or remove a buildup of sediment in the bottom of the water heater tank. Such a buildup of sediment may lead to breaks in the tank. These breaks may lead to leaking or, in more extreme cases, failure of the tank, which may result in the flooding of the structure housing the water heater. Routine flushing of the water heater tank may aid in preventing buildup of sediment by removing sediment from the water heater tank. A duration of flushing may be determined by measuring an amount of time from start to finish of the flushing and/or by measuring an amount of water removed from the water heater tank. An interval between flushings may be determined according to manufacturer standards and/or user scheduling requests.

“In addition, the water heater maintenance system described herein may include one or more controller devices (‘water heater controller’) in communication with a monitoring computing device and/or a third-party computing device (e.g., a computing device associated with an insurance provider). The water heater controller may transmit signals to, and/or receive signals from, such as via wired or wireless communication and data transmission, the monitoring computing device and/or the third-party computing device to request permission to initiate flushing, transmit status reports, and/or maintain a flushing history of the water heater.

“In one aspect, an automatic flushing water heater maintenance system for maintaining water heaters may be provided. The system may include a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal being configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing process, a water heater’s life may be extended, and/or home damage resulting water heater failure may be mitigated or prevented (and corresponding insurance claims reduced or eliminated).

“In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for maintaining a water heater may be provided. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The method may be implemented using a water heater controller including a processor in communication with a memory, the water heater controller being configured to communicate with the first control valve. The method may include determining, using the processor, that an automatic flushing process is to occur, and initiating the automatic flushing process. The method may also include transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open as part of the automatic flushing process to allow the flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The method may further include determining that the automatic flushing process is complete, and transmitting a second control signal to the first control valve, the second control signal being configured to cause the first control valve to close. As a result, flushing of the water heater may be facilitated, potentially extending its useful life and alleviating home damage caused by water heater failure.

“In yet another aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon may be provided. When executed by a water heater controller, the computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to determine that an automatic flushing process is to occur, and initiate the automatic flushing process. The computer-executable instructions may also cause the processor to transmit a first control signal to a first control valve in flow communication with a flush outlet of a water heater, the first control signal being configured to cause the first control valve to open as part of the automatic flushing process to allow a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The computer-executable instructions may further cause the processor to determine that the automatic flushing process is complete, and transmit a second control signal to the first control valve, the second control signal being configured to cause the first control valve to close. As a result of the flushing process, a water heater’s useful life may be extended, and home damage resulting from water heater failure may potentially be alleviated.

“Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“We claim:

“1. A computer-implemented method of flushing a water heater having a flush outlet in flow communication with the water heater, the method implemented using at least one processor in communication with an electronically operated valve mounted to the flush outlet, the method comprising: determining, via the at least one processor, that an abnormal condition exists within the water heater, based upon a signal received from at least one sensor; based upon the determination that the abnormal condition exists, transmitting an open signal, via the at least one processor, to the electronically operated valve to allow flushing of the water heater; monitoring, via the at least one processor and the at least one sensor, to detect when the abnormal condition has cleared; and based upon detecting that the abnormal condition has cleared, transmitting a close signal, via the at least one processor, to the electronically operated valve to complete the flushing of the water heater.

“2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the abnormal condition is associated with at least one of pressure buildup, sediment buildup, and abnormal temperature within the water heater, and is detected by the at least one sensor.

“3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting, via the at least one processor, a wireless communication message to a monitoring computer device or a third party computing device indicating the abnormal condition exists; and receiving, via the at least one processor, an instruction from the monitoring computing device or the third party computing device, respectively, to remotely flush the water heater, by remotely opening and then closing the electronically operated valve.

“4. A computer system for flushing a water heater having a flush outlet in flow communication with the water heater, the computer system comprising at least one processor in communication with an electronically operated valve mounted to the flush outlet, configured to: determine that an abnormal condition exists within the water heater, based upon a signal received from at least one sensor; based upon the determination that the abnormal condition exists, transmitting an open signal to the electronically operated valve mounted to the flush outlet and in flow communication with the water heater to allow flushing of the water heater; monitor to detect when the abnormal condition has cleared; and based upon detecting that the abnormal condition has cleared, transmit a close signal to the electronically operated valve to complete the flushing of the water heater.

“5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the abnormal condition is associated with pressure buildup, sediment buildup, or abnormal temperature within the water heater, and is detected by the at least one sensor.

“6. The computer system of claim 4, the system further configured to transmit a wireless communication message to a monitoring computing device or a third party computing device indicating the abnormal condition exists; and receive an instruction from the monitoring computer device or the third party computing device to remotely flush the water heater by remotely opening and closing the electronically operated valve.

“7. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor is in communication with a water heater controller and positioned at a location proximate to the water heater, the at least one sensor configured to monitor at least one variable associated with the water heater and to transmit a signal to the water heater controller, wherein the signal includes an indication of a condition of the water heater.

“8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to receive a sensor signal from the at least one sensor, the sensor signal including a reading of the at least one monitored variable.

“9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to initiate an automatic flushing process when the reading of the at least one monitored variable is outside of a predetermined threshold.

“10. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to automatically initiate an automatic flushing process.

“11. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to: transmit a request signal to a monitoring computing device or a third party computing device in communication with the water heater controller, the request signal including a request for permission to initiate an automatic flushing process; and receive a response signal from the monitoring computing device or the third party computing device, respectively, the response signal configured to cause the water heater controller to initiate the automatic flushing process.

“12. A computer system for flushing a water heater having a flush outlet in flow communication with the water heater, the computer system comprising one or more processors in communication with an electronically operated valve mounted to the flush outlet, the one or more processors configured to: determine that an abnormal condition exists within the water heater, based upon a signal received from at least one sensor; transmit an electronic message recommending to flush the water heater to a monitoring computing device or a third party computing device; receive an electronic instruction from the monitoring computing device or the third party computing device, respectively, to flush the water heater; based upon the received electronic instruction, transmit an open signal to the electronically operated valve to allow flushing of the water heater; monitor to detect when the abnormal condition has cleared; and based upon detecting that the abnormal condition has cleared, transmit a close signal to the electronically operated valve to complete the flushing of the water heater.

“13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the abnormal condition is associated with pressure buildup, sediment buildup, or abnormal temperature within the water heater, and is detected by at least one sensor.

“14. The computer system of claim 12, further comprising at least one detection sensor in communication with a water heater controller and positioned at a location proximate to the water heater, the at least one detection sensor configured to monitor at least one variable associated with the water heater and to transmit a signal to the water heater controller, wherein the signal includes an indication of a condition of the water heater.

“15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to receive a sensor signal from the at least one sensor, the sensor signal including a reading of the at least one monitored variable.

“16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to initiate an automatic flushing process when the reading of the at least one monitored variable is outside of a predetermined threshold.

“17. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to automatically initiate an automatic flushing process.

“18. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the water heater controller is further configured to: transmit a request signal to at least one of a monitoring computing device and a third party computing device in communication with the water heater controller, the request signal including a request for permission to initiate an automatic flushing process; and receive a response signal from the at least one of the monitoring computing device and the third party computing device, the response signal configured to cause the water heater controller to initiate the automatic flushing process.

“19. The computer system of claim 14, further comprising a monitoring computing device associated with a user of the water heater and in communication with the water heater controller, wherein the water heater controller is configured to receive a second control signal from the monitoring computing device, the second control signal configured to cause the water heater controller to initiate an automatic flushing process.

“20. The computer system of claim 14, further comprising a third party computing device associated with an insurance provider and in communication with the water heater controller, wherein the water heater controller is configured to receive a second control signal from the third party computing device, the second control signal configured to cause the water heater controller to initiate an automatic flushing process.”

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Riblet, Jeffrey A.; Magerkurth, Melinda T. Automated Water Heater Flushing And Monitoring System. U.S. Patent Number 10,823,458, filed October 15, 2019, and published online on November 16, 2020. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,823,458.PN.&OS=PN/10,823,458RS=PN/10,823,458

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