Intelligent Ignition System of Water Heater

Abstract

The ignition system includes a mini hydroelectric generator module connecting an inlet pipe for generating electricity by water flow passing through the inlet pipe and it; a power quality monitoring module electrically connecting the mini hydroelectric generator module for monitoring output electricity quality of the mini hydroelectric generator module and switching on/off the electricity; an ignitor electrically connecting the power quality monitoring module for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module to ignite; and an electronic valve electrically connecting the power quality monitoring module for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module to switch on/off a gas pipe.

Claims

1. An ignition system of a water heater, comprising: a mini hydroelectric generator module, connecting an inlet pipe for generating electricity by water flow in the inlet pipe and it; a power quality monitoring module, electrically connecting the mini hydroelectric generator module for monitoring electricity quality of the mini hydroelectric generator module and switching on/off the electricity; an ignitor, electrically connecting the power quality monitoring module for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module to ignite; and an electronic valve, electrically connecting the power quality monitoring module for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module to switch on/off a gas pipe.

2. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the power quality monitoring module further comprises a voltage comparator and a switch, the voltage comparator electrically connects the switch for detecting voltage of the mini hydroelectric generator module and sending a driving signal to make the switch open or close a circuit.

3. The ignition system of claim 2, wherein the power quality monitoring module further comprises an energy storage unit connecting both the mini hydroelectric generator module and the voltage comparator.

4. The ignition system of claim 3, wherein the energy storage unit is a capacitor.

5. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the power quality monitoring module further comprises an electronic controller unit and a switch, the electronic controller unit electrically connects the switch for detecting voltage of the mini hydroelectric generator module and sending a driving signal to make the switch open or close a circuit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the invention; and

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Please refer to FIG. 1. The ignition system of the invention is connected to an inlet pipe of a water heater. The ignition system includes a mini hydroelectric generator module 1, a power quality monitoring module 2, an ignitor 3 and an electronic valve 4. The mini hydroelectric generator module 1 connects an inlet pipe of the water heater for generating electricity by water flow passing through the inlet pipe and it. The power quality monitoring module 2 electrically connects the mini hydroelectric generator module 1 for monitoring an output power generating status of the mini hydroelectric generator module 1 to guarantee the output power is enough to supply the system. The power quality monitoring module 2 will close the circuit depending upon if the output power has reached a threshold. The ignitor 3 and electronic valve 4 electrically separately connect the power quality monitoring module 2 for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module 2 to ignite and for receiving electricity from the power quality monitoring module 2 to switch on/off a gas pipe, respectively.

[0016] Please refer to FIG. 2, which shows the first embodiment of the invention. As above-mentioned, the power quality monitoring module 2 is used for monitoring an output power status of the mini hydroelectric generator module 1 to guarantee the output power is enough to supply the system. As a result, the ignitor 3 and electronic valve 3 can be activated by the mini hydroelectric generator and do not need a battery to power them. In this embodiment, the power quality monitoring module 2 further includes a voltage comparator 21 and a switch 22. The voltage comparator 21 electrically connects the switch 22. The voltage comparator 21 will detect voltage of electricity from the mini hydroelectric generator module 2 and send a driving signal to make the switch open or close the circuit if the voltage lowers or exceeds a threshold. The threshold means a voltage value which is enough to drive the ignitor 3.

[0017] Please refer to FIG. 3, which shows the second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the power quality monitoring module 2 further includes a voltage comparator 21, a switch 22 and energy storage unit 23. The energy storage unit 23 may be a capacitor and is electrically connected to the mini hydroelectric generator module 1, the voltage comparator 21, and the switch 22. The voltage comparator 21 electrically connects the switch 22. The power generated by the mini hydroelectric generator module 1 is stored in the energy storage unit 23. The voltage comparator 21 will detect voltage of the energy storage unit 23 and send a driving signal to make the switch open or close the circuit if the voltage lowers or exceeds a threshold. The electricity will be stored in the energy storage unit 23 when the voltage is lee than the threshold.

[0018] Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows the third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the power quality monitoring module 2 further includes an electronic controller unit 24 and a switch 22. The electronic controller unit 21 electrically connects the switch 22 and the mini hydroelectric generator module 1. The electronic controller 24 will detect voltage of electricity from the mini hydroelectric generator module 2 and send a driving signal to make the switch open or close the circuit if the voltage lowers or exceeds a threshold.

[0019] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.