Ray O Knoeppel

US Patent:

6532906, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Apr 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122032

Inventors:

Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI
Marc W. Akkala - Cedarburg WI

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F24H 920

US Classification:

122 143, 122 1431, 122 133, 122 191, 137337

Abstract:

A water heater includes a storage tank communicating with a cold water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe for the respective supply of cold water to, and removal of hot water from, the tank. The water heater also includes an insulated heat recovery module communicating between the cold water supply pipe and the tank. The heat recovery module defines a cavity, and the cold water supply pipe communicates with a lower portion of the cavity. The heat recovery module has a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio than the cold water supply pipe. When water in the tank is heated, some water is thermally displaced from the tank and into the cavity. Consequently, water is displaced out of the lower portion of the cavity and into the cold water supply pipe. Therefore, only the coldest water is displaced out of the cavity, and thermal energy loss is reduced.

US Patent:

6821567, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190957

Inventors:

James D. Waters - Florence KY
Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B05D 302

US Classification:

4273762, 4273764, 4273765

Abstract:

A water-resistant porcelain enamel coating and method of making the same is provided. The porcelain enamel coating is prepared using a borosilicate glass frit, and mill additions of silica and a zirconia compound. The mixture is applied to a metal substrate and fired, resulting in a water-resistant coating that resists cracking and crazing. The coating is particularly useful in water heaters. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a fine zirconia compound having a median particle size of less than 10 microns.

US Patent:

7032543, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/034130

Inventors:

Marc W. Akkala - Cedarburg WI, US
Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F22B 5/04

US Classification:

122 1431, 122 142

Abstract:

A water heater includes a sealed combustion chamber and one or more fans for raising pressure in the combustion chamber to increase efficiency of the water heater. The pressure permits a more restrictive baffle to be used in the flue compared to baffles used in atmospheric water heaters. The water heater may include a water temperature sensor that activates the fan without activating the burner if water temperature raises above a desired temperature. The water heater may also include pressure and vapor sensors to ensure the combustion chamber is properly sealed and there are no flammable vapors present prior to igniting the burner. The fans are relatively small and run off the same DC power that runs an electric gas valve. The fans may be, for example, 12 or 24 Volt fans with power inputs of about 10 Watts or less.

US Patent:

7209651, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/296053

Inventors:

Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US
David E. Morris - Racine WI, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F24H 1/20

US Classification:

392451, 219497, 219482

Abstract:

A fluid-heating apparatus for heating a fluid and method of operating the same. The fluid-heating apparatus includes a heating element for heating a fluid surrounding the heating element and a control circuit connected to the heating element and connectable to a power source. The control circuit is configured to determine whether a potential dry-fire condition exists for the heating element. The method includes applying a first electric signal to the heating element, detecting a first value of an electrical characteristic during the application of the first electric signal, applying a second electric signal to the heating element, applying a third electric signal to the heating element, detecting a second value of the electrical characteristic during the application of the third electric signal; and determining whether a potential dry-fire condition exists based on the first and second values.

US Patent:

7256372, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/296745

Inventors:

Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US
Thomas G. Van Sistine - Menomonee Falls WI, US
Jason W. T. Scott - Elkhorn WI, US
David E. Morris - Racine WI, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219497, 219486, 219485, 219507, 307 39, 361 54

Abstract:

A fluid-heating apparatus for heating a fluid and method of operating the same. The fluid-heating apparatus includes a heating element for heating a fluid surrounding the heating element and a control circuit connected to the heating element and connectable to a power source. The control circuit includes a current path from the power source to the heating element back to the power source, a switch connected in the current path, and a current sensor. The method includes initiating a heating state of the fluid-heating apparatus, initiating a non-heating state of the fluid-heating apparatus, applying a voltage to the heating element during the non-heating state, sensing a leakage current of the heating element during the application of the voltage, and determining a degradation of the heating element with the sensed leakage current.

US Patent:

7372005, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Sep 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/950851

Inventors:

Ray Oliver Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US
Thomas Gerard Van Sistine - Menomonee Falls WI, US
Mark Allan Murphy - Nashville TN, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H05B 1/02
F24H 1/20
G01N 27/02

US Classification:

219497, 219494, 392457, 392338, 392441, 20419606, 324439

Abstract:

A water heater having a powered electrode and a method of controlling the water heater. The water heater includes a tank to hold water, a heating element, an electrode, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a variable voltage supply, a voltage sensor, and a current sensor. The control circuit is configured to controllably apply a voltage to the electrode, determine the potential of the electrode relative to the tank with the voltage sensor when the voltage does not power the electrode, determine a current applied to the tank after the voltage powers the electrode, determine a conductivity state of the water in the tank based on the electrode potential and the current, and define the voltage applied to the powered electrode based on the conductivity state. The control circuit of the water heater can also determine whether the water heater is in a dry-fire state.

US Patent:

7410672, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190957

Inventors:

James D Waters - Florence KY, US
Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US
Glenn Pfendt - Florence KY, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B05D 3/02

US Classification:

4273762, 4273764, 4273765, 4273977

Abstract:

A water-resistant porcelain enamel coating and method of making the same is provided. The porcelain enamel coating is prepared using a borosilicate glass frit, and mill additions of silica and a zirconia compound. The mixture is applied to a metal substrate and fired, resulting in a water-resistant coating that resists cracking and crazing. The coating is particularly useful in water heaters. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a fine zirconia compound having a median particle size of less than 10 microns.

US Patent:

7513221, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

Jan 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/329793

Inventors:

Marc W. Akkala - Cedarburg WI, US
Ray O. Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F24H 9/20

US Classification:

122 1422, 122 1431

Abstract:

A water heater includes a sealed combustion chamber and one or more fans for raising pressure in the combustion chamber to increase efficiency of the water heater. The pressure permits a more restrictive baffle to be used in the flue compared to baffles used in atmospheric water heaters. The water heater may include a water temperature sensor that activates the fan without activating the burner if water temperature raises above a desired temperature. The water heater may also include pressure and vapor sensors to ensure the combustion chamber is properly sealed and there are no flammable vapors present prior to igniting the burner. The fans are relatively small and run off the same DC power that runs an electric gas valve. The fans may be, for example, 12 or 24 Volt fans with power inputs of about 10 Watts or less.