A SMART ENERGY-SAVING COMPARTMENTALIZED STORAGE BOILER, SYSTEM, AND A METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler for heating liquid with low energy consumption comprising a housing, at least one separator disposed within the housing to form a plurality of compartments, each of the at least one separator having flow passage means for liquid communication with adjacent compartment(s), a liquid inlet in a compartment disposed within the housing, a liquid outlet in a compartment disposed within the housing, a heater disposed in one of said compartments and means for moving liquid.

Wherein while hot liquid is flowing out through said liquid outlet at a compartment, fresh liquid is flowing in through said liquid inlet at a compartment to replace said hot liquid.

Wherein the liquid is movable from one compartment to another compartment, thus, changing the size/capacity of each of said compartments.

Thereby, the at least one separator preventing mixing of liquid in one compartment with liquid of adjacent compartments, and thus, saves energy.

Claims

1.-22. (canceled)

23. A smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler for heating liquid with low energy consumption comprising: a housing; at least one separator disposed within the housing to form a plurality of compartments, each of said at least one separator having flow passage means for liquid communication with adjacent compartment(s); a liquid inlet in a compartment disposed within the housing; a liquid outlet in a compartment disposed within the housing; a heater disposed in one of said compartments; means for moving liquid; and wherein while hot liquid is flowing out through said liquid outlet at a compartment, fresh liquid is flowing in through said liquid inlet at a compartment to replace said hot liquid, wherein the liquid is movable from one compartment to another compartment, thus, changing the size/capacity of each of said compartments, thereby, said at least one separator preventing mixing of liquid in one compartment with liquid of adjacent compartments, and thus, saves energy.

24. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, wherein said at least one separator is a thermal separator.

25. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23 further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in at least one of said compartments and a room/outside temperature sensor.

26. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23 further comprising automatic thermostatic control(s) to maintain the liquid temperature.

27. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, wherein said means for moving liquid is at least one pump responding to changes in volume of each of said compartments by transferring liquid from one compartment to another.

28. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 27, wherein said at least one pump is embedded in said at least one separator.

29. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 27, wherein said at least one pump is placed in a dry zone above/under wet compartments.

30. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 27, wherein said at least one pump is connected to pipe(s) passing through said at least one separator to move liquid through the compartments, and said at least one separator is movable in coordination with the operation of the at least one pump.

31. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, wherein said housing and/or said at least one separator are made of materials selected from alloy steel, carbon steel and polymeric materials.

32. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, wherein said boiler is wrapped in at least one layer of insulation to keep the liquid warm.

33. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 32, wherein the at least one layer of insulation is selected from fiberglass fabric, cork sheet, ceramic paper.

34. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, wherein the boiler is a three-compartment boiler or a two-compartment boiler for use in limited spaces.

35. A smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system for heating liquid with low energy consumption comprising: the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of claim 23, a processing program implemented on a processor; and wherein the processing program activating the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler, and controlling liquid movement in/out of each of the multiple compartments, thus, varying the volume of each one of the compartments, thereby, liquid moving from one compartment to an adjacent compartment pushing at least one separator, said at least one separator preventing mixing of liquid in one compartment with liquid of adjacent compartments, and thus, saves energy.

36. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35, wherein the at least one temperature sensor, and/or the controller and/or the heater and/or the at least one pump are associated with said processor via wired communication or wireless communication.

37. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35, wherein the processing program controlling the heater and/or the at least one pump.

38. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35, wherein the processing program communicating with a cloud server via data communication means selected from Wifi, Narrow/wide band IOT (cellular network), Lora, SigFox, BT, BLE, and ethernet (local network).

39. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35, wherein the processing program sending notifications and/or alerts to a user by text messages, electronic mails, mobile application notifications and the like.

40. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 39, wherein the processing program receiving feedback from the user, and/or from the cloud server to optimize the performance of said boiler.

41. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 40, wherein the processing program recording malfunction details and sending said malfunction details to the cloud server, said processing program collecting feedback data from the cloud server and using the data to optimize its algorithms.

42. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35, wherein said processing program controlling at least one of: amount of liquid held in each one of said compartments; amount of liquid required in a desired pre-set temperature; liquid temperature in each of said compartment; amount of liquid to be heated; and time duration expected to heat up the liquid to a desired temperature.

43. A method for using the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system comprising: (a) turning on the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of claim 35; (b) initiating the heating process either automatically at a pre-set date and time or by a user; (c) selecting a desired heating scheme either automatically or by a user; (d) checking whether there is enough liquid in a desired temperature in a top compartment; (e) if the amount of liquid and the temperature of the liquid in the top compartment is correct, terminating the heating process and notifying the user; (f) if the amount of liquid and the temperature of the liquid in the top compartment is incorrect, checking whether the temperature of the liquid in the top compartment is correct; (g) if the temperature of the liquid in the top compartment is correct but the amount of liquid is not sufficient, heating liquid in a lower compartment and moving said liquid to the top compartment; (h) if the temperature of the liquid in the top compartment is incorrect, moving liquid from the top compartment to a lower compartment, heating the liquid, and moving the liquid back to the top compartment; (i) checking the amount of liquid in the lower compartment, if the amount of liquid is not sufficient, moving liquid from an adjacent bottom compartment thereto; if the amount of liquid in said lower compartment is greater than needed, moving excess liquid to the bottom compartment; if the amount of liquid is correct, heating the liquid; (j) if the temperature of the heated liquid is correct, terminating the heating process and notifying the user; if not, returning to (d).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0074] FIG. 1 illustrates the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler for heating liquid such as water, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler of the present invention including magnified views of the separators, first separator and second separator, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 3 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 4 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates the processing program in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 of the operation of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 for heating liquid, such as water, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0082] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 is comprised of a housing 102, at least one thermal separator such as first separator 104 and second separator 106 within the housing 102 to form multiple compartments such as first compartment 108, second compartment 110, and third compartment 112 seen in the figure. Each one of first separator 104 and second separator 106 blocks spontaneous passage of liquid from one compartment to adjacent compartment(s) and has flow passage means for liquid communication with the adjacent compartment(s).

[0083] The energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 further comprising a liquid inlet 113A in the first compartment 108 and a liquid outlet 113B in the last compartment, i.e., in the third compartment 112.

[0084] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while a user consumes bot liquid and wants to use a larger amount of liquid than the pre-set amount of liquid, and the third compartment 112 is empty, liquid may spontaneously flow from the second compartment 110 through the separator 106 to the last compartment, third compartment 112.

[0085] Similarly, if the second compartment 110 is empty, liquid may spontaneously flow from the first compartment 108 through the separator 104 to the second compartment 110. Thus, the thermal separators prevent spontaneous mixing of liquid from one compartment with liquid from adjacent compartment(s), in addition, since the separators are thermal separators, heat transfer from one compartment to another is minimized and thus energy is saved.

[0086] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 is divided by transverse partitions, such as first separator 104 and second separator 106, into multiple compartments such as two compartments, three compartments, four compartments and the like. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 of FIG. 1 comprises 3 compartments: the first compartment 108 contains cold liquid, the second compartment 110 contains liquid under heating, and the third compartment 112 contains liquid in a desired temperature.

[0087] The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor such as first temperature sensor 114, second temperature sensor 116 and third temperature sensor 118, controller 120, a heater 122 and automatic thermostatic control(s) to maintain the liquid temperature, e.g., to prevent overheating.

[0088] The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 may further comprise a room/outside temperature sensor 124 and means for moving liquid such as at least one pump (not shown in this figure). The at least one pump, such as the pumps shown and described in FIGS. 2 and 3, respond to changes in the volume of each compartment by transferring liquid from one compartment to another via pipes.

[0089] The multiple compartments 108, 110 and 112 are dynamic in size and are in restricted communication with each other through the at least one separator, i.e., a first separator 104 separating the first compartment 108 from the second compartment 110, and a second separator 106 separating the second compartment 110 from the third compartment 112.

[0090] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, such at least one separator, first separator 104 and second separator 106, are movable, e.g., first separator 104 and second separator 106 are moving upwards/downwards via the moving liquid in each of the first compartment 108, the second compartment 110 and the third compartment 112, and thus, changing continuously the size/capacity of each one of said compartments.

[0091] The heater 122 may be situated anywhere within the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100. The heater 122 may be situated within the compartment in which liquid is heated or in any other location with access to the compartment in which the liquid is heated. For instance, as seen in FIG. 1, the heater 122 may be situated in the second compartment 110.

[0092] The heater 122 may be attached/connected to the inner surface of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 or to one of the separators, first separator 104 or second separator 106.

[0093] As noted above, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 comprises at least one temperature sensor, i.e., at least one temperature sensor in each one of compartments 108, 110 and 112 for measuring the temperature of the liquid in each of said compartments, for instance, a first temperature sensor 114 for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the first compartment 108, a second temperature sensor 116 for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the second compartment 110, and a third temperature sensor 118 for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the third compartment 112. The temperature sensors may be situated anywhere within the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100. The temperature sensors may be attached/connected to the inner surface of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, to one of the separators, first separator 104 or second separator 106 or elsewhere.

[0094] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while in operation, when a user uses the faucet and consumes hot liquid, liquid flows out of the last compartment, the third compartment 112, via pipe(s) 128 to the faucet, and fresh cold liquid is introduced into the first compartment 108 of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 via pipe(s) 126.

[0095] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while a user consumes hot liquid and wants to use a larger amount of liquid than the pre-set amount of liquid, and the third compartment 112 is empty, liquid may spontaneously flow from the second compartment 110 through the separator 106 to the last compartment, third compartment 112. More specifically, separator 106 may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor. As soon as the at least one sensor senses that the upper compartment, the third compartment 112, is empty, the separator 106 may allow the passage of liquid therethrough, i.e., from the second compartment 110 to the third compartment 112. Similarly, if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110 is not sufficient, liquid moves from the first compartment 108 through the separator 104, which may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor, into the second compartment 110 and from second compartment 110 through the separator 106 into the third compartment 112 and out to the faucet via pipe(s) 128. However, if the amount of liquid in the third compartment 112 is sufficient, no additional liquid will move from the second compartment 110 into the third compartment 112.

[0096] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if there is not enough liquid at a desired temperature in the last compartment, i.e., in the third compartment 112, liquid in the second compartment 110 is heated via heater 122, and as the heated liquid reaches a pre-set temperature, e.g., the desired temperature, it moves upwards and passes through the first separator 106 into the last compartment, i.e., into the third compartment 112.

[0097] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as long as the user does not consume hot liquid, the amount of liquid in the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 does not change. As heated liquid passes into the last compartment, i.e., into the third compartment 112, the separator 106 goes down and the volume of the last compartment increases while the volume of the compartment below the last compartment, i.e., the volume of the second compartment 110 decreases.

[0098] The volume of the bottom compartment, i.e., the first compartment 108, remains unchanged unless additional liquid is needed in the second compartment 110. If additional liquid is needed in the second compartment 110, liquid passes from the bottom compartment, i.e., first compartment 108, through the first separator 104 into the second compartment 100, and thus, the volume of the bottom compartment, first compartment 108, decreases while the volume of the second compartment 110 increases.

[0099] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while the user is consuming hot liquid, new cold liquid is entering into the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, e.g., into the first compartment 108 via pipe(s) 126 to replace the consumed liquid.

[0100] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while the user is consuming hot liquid, the volume of the last compartment, e.g., third compartment 112, decreasing, the volume of the compartment below, the second compartment 110, is not changing (the second compartment 110 is pushed upwards), and the volume of the bottom compartment, e.g., the first compartment 108 is increasing.

[0101] If the liquid is running out in the last compartment, i.e., in the third compartment 112 while the faucet is open, liquid is moving from the second compartment 110 through the second separator 106 to the last compartment, to the third compartment 112, and out. In this case, the volume of the second compartment 110 is decreasing and the volume of the bottom compartment, the first compartment 108, is increasing as fresh liquid is entering via pipe(s) 126 to replace the hot liquid exiting via pipe(s) 128.

[0102] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, only while hot liquid is consumed, new cold liquid is entering into the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100.

[0103] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable to heat the amount of liquid that the user would like to have, and to hold the hot liquid in the last compartment, third compartment 112. Thus, for instance, if the amount of hot liquid held in the last compartment, the third compartment 112, is sufficient, liquid from the compartment below, i.e., from the second compartment 110, will not move into the last compartment, the third compartment 112. Thus, while the user consumes the hot liquid, the volume of the last compartment, the third compartment 112, decreases, the volume of the second compartment remains the same, and the volume of the first compartment increases. If there is no additional user, the last compartment, third compartment 112, can be empty and no additional liquid will be transferred to it. This is a preferred scenario in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0104] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if there is enough hot liquid for a user in the last compartment, i.e., in the third compartment 112, and there is currently no other user, the last compartment may be emptied out, and no additional liquid will be transferred into it.

[0105] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, to maximize energy efficiency in a 3-compartment boiler, we need to ensure that if the third compartment 112 does not hold enough liquid to complete the user's demand, the pre-set amount of liquid, the second compartment 110 will hold the missing amount of liquid required to complete the user's demand.

[0106] Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, liquid may be pumped upwards from a lower compartment to an upper compartment or vice versa, liquid may be pumped downwards, for instance, for the removal of liquid from the heating compartment to the lower compartment if there is too much liquid in the heating compartment.

[0107] Unlike common boilers, in the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, liquid of one compartment does not mix with the liquid of adjacent compartments. For instance, cold liquid and warm liquid do not mix. Instead, the fresh cold liquid entering the first compartment 108 pushes the first separator 104 upwards and thus, does not mix with the hot liquid that is in the second compartment 110, and third compartment 112 and thus, saves energy.

[0108] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the default pre-set temperature may be 40 C. or any other temperature pre-set by the user.

[0109] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, e.g., the housing and the at least one separator, may be made of various materials such as alloy steel, carbon steel, polymeric materials and the like.

[0110] The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 may be wrapped in at least one layer of insulation to keep the liquid warm for a long time, especially in winter when the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 is exposed to cold weather. With at least one layer of insulation, less heat will be lost to the environment, and the hot liquid temperature can be set lower, saving energy and money. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the insulation material may be selected from fiberglass fabric, cork sheet, ceramic paper and the like.

[0111] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 of the present invention including magnified views of the separators, first separator 104 and second separator 106, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Each of the first separator 104 and the second separator 106 may comprise at least one liquid pump such as liquid pump 202 and liquid pump 204.

[0112] As seen in the figure, the pumps, pump 202 and pump 204, may be embedded in first separator 104 and in second separator 106. Alternatively, the pumps may be situated anywhere within the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100 and may be connected to pipes passing through separators 104 and 106 to move liquid through the compartments.

[0113] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the separators, separator 104 and separator 106, may be movable in coordination with the operation of the pumps, for instance, as pump 202 draws liquid from the first compartment 108 and moves it to the second compartment 110, the added liquid in the second compartment 110 may push the separator 104 downwards. Such mechanism changing continuously the size/capacity of each of the first compartment 108, the second compartment 110 and the third compartment 112.

[0114] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the separators, separator 104 and separator 106, may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor. When the user turns on the faucet and consumes hot liquid, the flow rate of the liquid coming out of the faucet depends on the flow rate of the fresh liquid in the pipe(s) 126. Such mechanism changing continuously the size/capacity of each of the first compartment 108, the second compartment 110 and the third compartment 112.

[0115] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the pumps may be situated anywhere within the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100. FIG. 3 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0116] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 is comprised of a housing 302, and at least one separator such as first separator 304 and second separator 306 within the housing 302 to form multiple compartments 308, 310 and 312. Each separator has flow passage means for liquid communication with the adjacent compartment(s).

[0117] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while a user consumes hot liquid and wants to use a larger amount of liquid than the pre-set amount of liquid, and the third compartment 312 is empty, liquid may spontaneously flow from the second compartment 310 through the separator 306 to the last compartment, third compartment 312. More specifically, separator 306 may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor. As soon as the at least one sensor senses that the upper compartment, the third compartment 312, is empty, the separator 306 may allow the passage of liquid therethrough, i.e., from the second compartment 310 to the third compartment 312. Similarly, if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110 is not sufficient, and the user consumes more liquid, liquid moves from the first compartment 108 through the separator 104, which may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor, into the second compartment 110 and from second compartment 110 through the separator 106 into the third compartment 112 and out to the faucet via pipe(s) 128.

[0118] The first compartment 308 contains cold liquid, the second compartment 310 contains liquid under heating, and the third compartment 312 contains liquid in a desired temperature and volume.

[0119] The energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 further comprising a liquid inlet 313A in the first compartment 308 and a liquid outlet 313B in the third compartment 312. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor such as first temperature sensor 114, second temperature sensor 116 and third temperature sensor 118, controller 120, a heater 122, a room/outside temperature sensor 124, and automatic thermostatic control(s) to protect the liquid temperature from overheating.

[0120] The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 may further comprise pumps, for instance, pump 314 and pump 316 which may be placed in a safe, dry, zones above and/or under the wet compartments. More specifically, pump 314 may be placed in first dry compartment 318, and pump 316 may be placed in second dry compartment 320. The pumps change the volume of each compartment, e.g., the volume of the first compartment 308, the second compartment 310 and the third compartment 312, by transferring liquid from one compartment to another via pipes through first separator 304 and through second separator 306. The pumps may be controlled and activated by the processing program 700.

[0121] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the separators, first separator 304 and second separator 306, may be movable in coordination with the operation of the pumps 314 and 316, for instance, as pump 314 draws liquid from the first compartment 308 and moves it to the second compartment 310, the added liquid in the second compartment 310 may push the first separator 304 downwards. The second separator 306 will remain in position as long as liquid is not moving in/out of the third compartment 112.

[0122] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, such mechanism changing continuously the size/capacity of each of the first compartment 308, the second compartment 310 and the third compartment 312.

[0123] It should be noted that according to some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 may comprise two compartments as seen in FIG. 4.

[0124] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 300 may be desirable for various reasons such as to be positioned in a small space, that is, if there is not much physical space for a large, 3-compartments boiler, to reduce production costs and the like.

[0125] FIG. 4 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0126] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 is comprised of a housing 402 and a separator 404 within the housing 402 to form two compartments 406 and 408. The separator 404 has flow passage means for liquid communication with the two compartment(s).

[0127] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while a user consumes hot liquid and wants to use a larger amount of liquid than the pre-set amount of liquid, and the second compartment 408 is empty, liquid may spontaneously flow from the first compartment 406 through the separator 404 to the second compartment 408. More specifically, separator 404 may comprise at least one sensor, such as a touch sensor. As soon as the at least one sensor senses that the second compartment 408 is empty, the separator 404 may allow the passage of liquid therethrough, i.e., from the first compartment 406 to the second compartment 408.

[0128] The first compartment 406 contains liquid under heating and the second compartment 408 contains liquid in a desired temperature and volume.

[0129] In this case, new cold liquid is introduced directly into the first compartment 406 where liquid is being heated.

[0130] The energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 further comprising a liquid inlet 413A in the first compartment 406 and a liquid outlet 413B in the second compartment 408.

[0131] The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor such as first temperature sensor 114 and a second temperature sensor 116, controller 410, a heater 122, a room/outside temperature sensor 124, and automatic thermostatic control(s) to protect the liquid temperature from overheating.

[0132] At least one pump may be connected to pipes passing through separator 404 to transfer liquid from one compartment to another.

[0133] Separator 404 may be movable in coordination with the operation of the at least one pump, for instance, as the pump draws liquid from the first compartment 406 and moves it to the second compartment 408, the added liquid in the second compartment 408 may push the separator 404 downwards. Such mechanism changing continuously the size/capacity of each of the first compartment 406 and the second compartment 408 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0134] Thus, while in operation, when a user uses the faucet and consumes hot liquid, liquid flows out of the second compartment 408 via pipe(s) 428 to the faucet, the volume of the second compartment 408 decreases, and fresh cold liquid is introduced into the first compartment 406 of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 via pipe(s) 426, thus, increasing the volume of first compartment 406 by pushing the separator 404 upwards. If the second compartment 408 becomes empty, liquid passes from the first compartment 406 through the separator 404 into the second compartment 408 and exits through pipe(s) 428 to the faucet.

[0135] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 408 is not enough according to the pre-set amount of liquid, all liquid in the first compartment 406 will be heated, and all the heated liquid will be transferred to the second compartment 408. If the user does not use all the liquid, it will be stored in the second compartment 408 for the next use. It is important that all the liquid is transferred to the second compartment 408 to avoid mixing of the heated liquid with fresh cold liquid entering the first compartment 406, thus, to avoid energy loss.

[0136] If the amount of liquid in the second compartment 408 is not sufficient, newly heated liquid moves from the first compartment 406 through the separator 404 into the second compartment 408. However, if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 408 is sufficient, no additional liquid will move from the first compartment 406 into the second compartment 408.

[0137] Since the fresh cold liquid entering the first compartment 406 cools the liquid therein, it is essential that there be a hermetic separation between the two compartments.

[0138] As noted above, such two compartment-based smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 400 may be used in cases where space is limited and a large boiler can not fit in.

[0139] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while a user is consuming hot liquid, new cold liquid is entering via pipe(s) 426 into the boiler 400. The new cold liquid is entering into the first compartment 406 which is a heating chamber, thus, the new cold liquid is cooling the liquid therein. Therefore, in order to avoid a situation where the user may have to wait until the liquid in the first compartment heats up to the desired temperature, liquid should be heated, in the first compartment 406 and transferred to the second compartment 408. FIG. 5 illustrates a smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 500 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 500 comprising the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 equipped with temperature sensors 114, 116, 118 (temperature sensor 118 in boiler 100 and boiler 300 only) and 124, a heater 122, and a controller, e.g., a computer (a processor and associated memory) 600 equipped with a processing program 700 with a communication module 800. The temperature sensors 114, 116, 118 and 124, the controller 120, and the heater 122 are associated with computer 600 via wired communication or wireless communication.

[0140] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the processing program 700 controls the liquid flow in/out of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 and in/out of each one of the multiple compartments, e.g., compartments 108-112, 308-312, 406 and 408 through separators 104, 106, 304, 306 and 404, and thus, controls the size variations of each of the compartments 108-112, 308-312, 406 and 408 by controlling the amount of liquid entering/exiting to/from each compartment.

[0141] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, air does not enter into the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, thus, the change in size of each of the compartments is synchronized with liquid pumping.

[0142] In addition, the processing program 700 controls the heater 122 heating the liquid depending on the desired amount of liquid and the desired temperature as set by the user. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, processing program 700 may communicate with a cloud server 900 via data communication means, a communication module 800, such as, for instance, Wifi, Narrow/wide band IOT (cellular network), LoRa, Sigfox, BT, BLE, and ethernet (local network).

[0143] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the processing program 700 may send notifications and/or alerts to the user 1000 by text messages, electronic mails, mobile application notifications and the like.

[0144] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server 900 may send notifications and/or alerts to the user 1000 by text messages, electronic mails, mobile application notifications and the like.

[0145] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the user 1000 may communicate with cloud server 900 to configure, control, check status, enable, disable and the like.

[0146] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the processing program 700 can receive feedback from the user 1000, and/or from the cloud server 900, and the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 100, 300 400 uses this feedback to optimize its performance. For instance, when a malfunction occurs, the processing program 700 records the malfunction details and sends them to the cloud server 900. The processing program 700 collects the feedback data from the cloud server 900 and uses it to optimize its algorithms.

[0147] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, communication between the processing program 700 and the user 1000 and/or the cloud server 900 may be secured to prevent malicious activities.

[0148] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 comprises multiple pre-set heating profiles to fit the needs of multiple users.

[0149] The user 1000/the cloud server 900 may communicate with the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 directly or may use a computer program/smartphone application to perform various functions including the following: [0150] selecting and activating a pre-set heating profile; [0151] setting the desired liquid temperature; [0152] setting the desired amount of liquid; [0153] setting a desired time of the day for liquid activating the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 and heating liquid; [0154] sending indications regarding the operation, for instance, when the operation is complete; [0155] receiving an indication when the operation is complete; [0156] receiving status report. The status report may include: [0157] i. the temperature in each compartment; [0158] ii. the amount of liquid in each compartment; [0159] iii. estimated time expected to heat up the pre-set amount of liquid to a desired temperature; and more.

[0160] FIG. 6 illustrates the processing program 700 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0161] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the processing program 700 controls at least one of the following: [0162] the amount of liquid held in each compartment; [0163] the amount of liquid required in a desired pre-set temperature; [0164] the liquid temperature in each compartment; [0165] the amount of liquid to be heated; and [0166] the time expected to heat up the liquid to a desired temperature (702).

[0167] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the processing program 700 comprises multiple heating profiles to fit the needs of multiple users (704).

[0168] Upon receiving indication that a user turned on the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400, the processing program 700 is asking the user to select and activate a heating scheme or uses the default scheme for the specific user. The user can select one of multiple heating schemes setting the amount of liquid needed and the desired liquid temperature (706).

[0169] In addition, the user can set times during the day to activate the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 and/or to trigger one or more schemes automatically.

[0170] The processing program 700 receives signals from the temperature sensors, sensors 114, 116, 118, and 124 and controls the size of the compartments, the first compartment 108, 308, 406, the second compartment 110, 310, 408, and the third compartment 112, 312, based on the scheme selected by the user, e.g., based on 2 parameters: the amount of liquid and the liquid temperature desired by the user. The processing program 700 controls the size variations of each of the compartments by controlling the amount of liquid entering into each compartment (708).

[0171] The processing program 700 synchronizes the size of the compartments with liquid moving/pumping as air does not enter into the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 (710).

[0172] When the user turns on the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 500 or when the boiler system 500 turns on automatically, and a heating scheme is selected, the processing program 700 checks if the liquid in the last compartment, e.g., in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408, needs to be heated and if there is sufficient amount of liquid therein. If the amount of liquid is not sufficient or not hot enough, the program 700 activates liquid heating and/or movement from the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 to the second compartment 110, 310, first compartment 406 and from the first compartment 108, 308, to the second compartment 110, 310, e.g., to and from the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408, and to and from the second compartment 110, 310, first compartment 406, and activating the heater 122 in the second compartment 110, 310, first compartment 406, to heat the liquid (712).

[0173] It should be noted that fresh liquid enters the first compartment 108, 308, 406 of boiler 100, 300, 400 while liquid is coming out of the faucet.

[0174] During heating, liquid is being moved downwards, for instance, when the liquid cooled, from the third compartment 112, 312, second 408 to the second compartment 110, 310, first compartment 406 or upwards from the first compartment 108, 308 into the second compartment 110, 310 where it is being heated, and then pushed upwards into the third compartment 112, 312 second compartment 408. Such scheme continues until a sufficient amount of liquid characterized by the desired temperature is reached within the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408.

[0175] In the case of boiler 400, fresh liquid enters directly into the compartment, first compartment 406, where it is heated, then pushed upwards into the second compartment 408.

[0176] As the desired temperature of the liquid in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 is reached, the heating process stops (714).

[0177] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the default pre-set temperature may be 40 C. or any other temperature pre-set or set via the application. When the user starts consuming hot liquid, liquid movement is activated in the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 (716).

[0178] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as soon as the user starts using the hot liquid, fresh cold liquid enters the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 through pipe(s) 126, 313A, and 426.

[0179] In the case of the 3-compartment-based boilers such as the energy-saving boiler 100, 300, while hot liquid is exiting the last compartment, the third compartment 112, 312 to the faucet, fresh liquid is entering the first compartment 108, 308. Thus, the volume of the third compartment 112, 312 may decrease, the volume of the second compartment 110, 310 may be kept unchanged, and the volume of the first compartment 108, 308 may increase.

[0180] In the case of the 2-compartment-based boilers such as the energy-saving boiler 400, while hot liquid is exiting the last compartment, the second compartment 408, to the faucet, fresh liquid is entering the first compartment 406. Thus, the volume of the second compartment 408 may decrease, and the volume of the first compartment 406 may increase.

[0181] If the amount of liquid needed is greater than the amount of liquid that is in the third compartment 112, 312, liquid may move upwards from the second compartment 110, 310 to the third compartment 112, 312, and thus, the volume of the second compartment 110, 310 may decrease as well.

[0182] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, new upcoming liquid entering the first compartment 108, 308, 406 of the energy-saving boiler 100, 300, 400 pushes the first separator upwards, e.g., the first separator 104, 304, the separator 404 of the energy-saving boiler 100, 300, 400 upwards which in turn, pushes the second separator 106, 306 upwards, creating the required pressure for the hot liquid to stay above the first separator 104, 304, 404, thus, do not mix with the hot liquid.

[0183] Thus, as in common boilers, when the hot liquid is being used, new cold liquid is pushed into the boiler. However, unlike common boilers, in the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400, the new coming cold liquid does not mix with the hot liquid. Instead, the new coming cold liquid pressurizing the separator and thus pushing the separator upwards, and thus, the hot liquid do not mix with the cold liquid. FIG. 7 is a flowchart 1100 of the operation of the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 500 of the present invention.

[0184] The flow of FIG. 7 begins in step 1102 when the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler system 500 is turned on, and in step 1104 the heating process is initiated either automatically at a pre-set date and time or by the user. Next, in step 1106, a desired beating scheme is selected automatically or by the user. Step 1108 is a check of whether there is enough liquid (a preset amount of liquid) in a desired temperature in the upper compartment. i.e., in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408.

[0185] In case the amount of liquid in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 is correct and in the desired temperature, the user is notified in step 1110 and the heating process is terminated in 1112.

[0186] If the amount of liquid in the desired temperature in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 is incorrect, step 1114 is a check of whether the liquid in the last compartment, i.e., in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 is in the correct temperature.

[0187] In case the liquid temperature in the third compartment 112, 312 is correct, however, the amount of liquid is not sufficient, and if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110, 310 is sufficient to make up the missing amount of liquid in the third chamber 112, 312, liquid may move from the second compartment 110, 310 to the third compartment 112, 312 after the heating process. However, if the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110, 310 is insufficient to make up the missing amount of liquid in the third compartment 112, 312, liquid may move from the first compartment 108, 308 into the second compartment 110, 310, heated and then moved into the third compartment 112, 312 to complete the amount of liquid missing in the third compartment 112, 312 in step 1116. If there is more liquid in the second compartment 110, 310 than what needs to be added to the third compartment 112, 312, liquid may be removed from the second compartment 110, 310 and moved to the first compartment 108, 308, and the liquid remained in the second compartment 110, 310 is then heated and transferred to the third compartment 112, 312. In case the liquid temperature in the second compartment 408 is correct, however, the amount of liquid is not sufficient, the entire amount of liquid in the first compartment 406 will be heated and moved to second compartment 408.

[0188] In case the temperature of the liquid in the third compartment 112, 312, second compartment 408 is incorrect, in step 1118 liquid is moved from the third compartment 112, 312, from the second compartment 408 into the second compartment 110, 310, into the first compartment 406 to be heated therein. The heated liquid is then moving back to the third compartment 112, 312, the second compartment 408.

[0189] Step 1120 is a check of whether the liquid volume in the heating area, e.g., in the second compartment 110, 310. If the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110, 310, is greater than the amount of liquid needed for the user, the excess liquid is transferred into the first compartment 108, 308, in step 1122 to avoid wasting energy by heating too much water.

[0190] If the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110, 310, is less than the amount of liquid needed for the user, liquid is transferred from the first compartment 108, 308 into the second compartment 110,) in step 1124.

[0191] If the amount of liquid in the second compartment 110, 310, is the amount needed for the user or in 2 compartments boiler 400, the liquid is heated in step 1126.

[0192] In step 1128 the temperature of the heated liquid is checked. If the temperature of the liquid is correct, terminating the heating process, pumping the hot liquid from the heating compartment, second compartment 110, 310, first compartment 406, to the third compartment 112, 312, the second compartment 408 in step 1130, and notifying the user. However, if the temperature of the liquid is incorrect, the flow returns to step 1108, whereupon steps 1108 to step 1128 are repeated.

[0193] In accordance with some embodiments of the present application, the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 may be connected to a solar collector(s), and liquid may be transferred back and forth from/to each of the compartments of the boiler 100, 300, 400 to/from the collector(s).

[0194] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if the user wants to consume more liquid than the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 can hold, the processing program 700 may set a heating scheme according to which the liquid may be heated to a temperature much higher than the usage temperature, for example, 70 C. instead of 40 C., and may allow mixing of cold liquid till the liquid in the third compartment 112, 312, the second compartment 408 and/or the second compartment 110, 310, the first compartment 406 and/or the first compartment 108, 308 will reach the usage temperature. In this case, the very hot liquid will heat the cold liquid reaching the smart energy-saving compartmentalized storage boiler 100, 300, 400 via pipe(s) 126, 426 and once reaching the usage temperature, the processing program 700 will stop the mixing.

[0195] The system of the present invention may include, according to certain embodiments of the invention, machine readable memory containing or otherwise storing a program of instructions which, when executed by the machine, implements some or all of the apparatus, methods, features and functionalities of the invention shown and described herein. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus of the present invention may include, according to certain embodiments of the invention, a program as above which may be written in any conventional programming language, and optionally a machine for executing the program such as but not limited to a general purpose computer which may optionally be configured or activated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Any of the teachings incorporated herein may wherever suitable operate on signals representative of physical objects or substances.

[0196] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions, utilizing terms such as, processing, computing, estimating, selecting, ranking, grading, calculating, determining, generating, reassessing, classifying, generating, producing, stereo-matching, registering, detecting, associating, superimposing, obtaining or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or processor or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. The term computer should be broadly construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, personal computers, servers, computing system, communication devices, processors (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), microcontrollers, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) and other electronic computing devices.

[0197] The present invention may be described, merely for clarity, in terms of terminology specific to particular programming languages, operating systems, browsers, system versions, individual products, and the like. It will be appreciated that this terminology is intended to convey general principles of operation clearly and briefly, by way of example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to any particular programming language, operating system, browser, system version, or individual product.

[0198] It is appreciated that software components of the present invention including programs and data may, if desired, be implemented in ROM (read only memory) form including CD-ROMs, EPROMs and EEPROMs, or may be stored in any other suitable typically non-transitory computer-readable medium such as but not limited to disks of various kinds, cards of various kinds and RAMs. Components described herein as software may, alternatively, be implemented wholly or partly in hardware, if desired, using conventional techniques. Conversely, components described herein as hardware may, alternatively, be implemented wholly or partly in software, if desired, using conventional techniques. Included in the scope of the present invention, inter alia, are electromagnetic signals carrying computer-readable instructions for performing any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; machine-readable instructions for performing any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; program storage devices readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; a computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code, such as executable code, having embodied therein, and/or including computer readable program code for performing, any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; any technical effects brought about by any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, when performed in any suitable order; any suitable apparatus or device or combination of such, programmed to perform, alone or in combination, any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; electronic devices each including a processor and a cooperating input device and/or output device and operative to perform in software any steps shown and described herein; information storage devices or physical records, such as disks or hard drives, causing a computer or other device to be configured so as to carry out any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order; a program pre-stored e.g. in memory or on an information network such as the Internet, before or after being downloaded, which embodies any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, and the method of uploading or downloading such, and a system including server/s and/or client/s for using such; and hardware which performs any or all of the steps of any of the methods shown and described herein, in any suitable order, either alone or in conjunction with software. Any computer-readable or machine-readable media described herein is intended to include non-transitory computer- or machine-readable media.

[0199] Any computations or other forms of analysis described herein may be performed by a suitable computerized method. Any step described herein may be computer-implemented. The invention shown and described herein may include (a) using a computerized method to identify a solution to any of the problems or for any of the objectives described herein, the solution optionally include at least one of a decision, an action, a product, a service or any other information described herein that impacts, in a positive manner, a problem or objectives described herein; and (b) outputting the solution.

[0200] The scope of the present invention is not limited to structures and functions specifically described herein and is also intended to include devices which have the capacity to yield a structure, or perform a function, described herein, such that even though users of the device may not use the capacity, they are, if they so desire, able to modify the device to obtain the structure or function.

[0201] Features of the present invention which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment.

[0202] For example, a system embodiment is intended to include a corresponding process embodiment. Also, each system embodiment is intended to include a server-centered view or client centered view, or view from any other node of the system, of the entire functionality of the system, computer-readable medium, apparatus, including only those functionalities performed at that server or client or node.