TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure related to the field of apparatus for controlling
temperature of water for domestic use. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for heating and cooling water.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Since specific heat capacity of water is high, therefore water tends to attain its
temperature for a longer duration of a time period, i.e. the heated water remains hot for a more extended period of time, and colder water remains cold for a longer duration of time. Since our day to day activities require us to remain in contact with water, therefore the temperature of water does play an important role.Water being an essential part of our life. Right from waking up till sleeping there are endless activities that require water. Therefore, we store water in overhead tanks etc.
[0004] A little variation in an outside/ambient temperature does not affect the
temperature of water in overhead tanks. However, during extremes of temperature, for
example, hot summer days or cold winter days the temperature of the water in overhead tank
touches extreme and due to its high specific heat capacity remains colder or warmer for a
more extended period of time. Therefore, it becomes challenging in performing various
activities that involve coming in contact with water. Since the overhead water tanks are
enormous and can not be kept in shades or indoors such as inside the house or buildings etc.
[0005] The current techniques require keeping the water in a shelter or inside home or
buildings. However, we could only store a limited amount of water indoors also due to the high specific heat capacity of the water it takes longer duration to vary the temperature to optimum temperature. Further, other techniques require a heating unit to be used for heating limited amount of water for usage which requires larger time periods, as well as much of the energy, is wasted in the environment.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide an apparatus that can be used
for heating as well as cooling purpose using the same container. In particular, what is needed

is an apparatus for controlling temperature of the water that seeks to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned problems and other limitations of the existing solutions and utilise techniques, which are robust, accurate, fast, efficient, cost-effective and simple.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating and
cooling water.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that is compact.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that is efficient.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that can help fight extremes of temperature by controlling the temperature
of the water to remain in optimum limits.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that can change the extreme temperature of the stored water in a lesser
time-period.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that can be easily incorporated in the existing system.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for heating
and cooling water that is cost effective and easy to implement.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for
heating and cooling water that helps reduce wastage of resources for heating and cooling.
SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure related to the field of apparatus for controlling
temperature of water for domestic use. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for heating and cooling water.
[0017] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling
temperature of water. The apparatus includes a water storage tank for storage of water, the storage tank having an inlet opening for receiving input water to be heated or cooled, and

located at a first predefined location from an upper surface of the water storage tank; a set of
sensors disposed in the water storage tank to sense one or more attributes associated with
temperature of the stored water; a heat exchange unit configured with the water storage tank,
the heat exchange unit comprising a cooling unit and a heating unit, the cooling unit
configured to cool the stored water during a cooling cycle, and the heating unit configured to
heat the stored water during a heating cycle; and a control unit operatively coupled with the
set of sensors and the heat exchange unit to determine temperature of the stored water based
on the sensed one or more attributes, and compare the determined temperature of the stored
water with a predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature, wherein based on the
comparison the control unit configured to: actuate the heating unit if the determined
temperature is less than the predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the
heating cycle; and actuate the cooling unit if the determined temperature is more than the
predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the cooling cycle.
[0018] In an embodiment, the storage tank having at least two outlet openings such
that a first outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at an upper half of the storage tank at a second predefined distance from the upper surface of the water storage tank, and a second outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at a lower half of the storage tank at a third predefined location from bottom surface of the storage tank.
[0019] In an embodiment, the first outlet is configured with a first valve to control
dispensing of the water from an upper portion of the storage tank, and the second outlet is configured with a second valve to control dispensing of the water from lower portion of the storage tank.
[0020] In an embodiment, the first valve is configured with a first rotary device and
the second valve is configured with a second rotary device, and wherein the first rotary
device and the second rotary device are operatively coupled with the control unit to enable
opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve respectively.
[0021] In an embodiment, the heating unit comprises heating coils for heating the
stored water.
[0022] In an embodiment, the cooling unit includes: a thermally conducting tubes
disposed in the storage tank for carrying coolant to facilitate absorbing of heat from the stored water to cool the stored water; a compressor unit to compress the coolant received from the thermally conducting tubes, wherein temperature of the compressed coolant is increased based on the compression; a set of condenser coils to cool the compressed coolant by radiating heat of the compressed coolant to the ambience; and an expansion valve to

expand the cooled coolant by the set of condenser coils to reduce pressure on the cooled
coolant, wherein temperature of the coolant decreases based on reduction of the pressure.
[0023] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a manual switch to toggle between
the heating cycle and the cooling cycle.
[0024] In an embodiment, the first predefined location is at middle point of a side
portion of the storage tank.
[0025] In an embodiment, the first outlet is configured with a flow sensor operatively
coupled with the control unit to detect flow of the water.
[0026] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pre-heating element operatively
coupled with the control unit, the pre-heating element configured at the inlet, and wherein the
pre-heating element is actuated till flow of the water is being detected at the first outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In the Figures, similar components and/or features may have the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an apparatus for controlling
temperature of water in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure
depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be
described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0032] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0033] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or
"might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0034] The present disclosure related to the field of apparatus for controlling
temperature of water for domestic use. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for heating and cooling water.
[0035] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling
temperature ofwater. The apparatus includes a water storage tank for storage of water, the storage tank having an inlet opening for receiving input water to be heated or cooled, and located at a first predefined location from an upper surface of the water storage tank; a set of sensors disposed in the water storage tank to sense one or more attributes associated with temperature of the stored water; a heat exchange unit configured with the water storage tank, the heat exchange unit comprising a cooling unit and a heating unit, the cooling unit configured to cool the stored water during a cooling cycle, and the heating unit configured to heat the stored water during a heating cycle; and a control unit operatively coupled with the set of sensors and the heat exchange unit to determine temperature of the stored water based on the sensed one or more attributes, and compare the determined temperature of the stored water with a predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature, wherein based on the comparison the control unit configured to: actuate the heating unit if the determined temperature is less than the predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the

heating cycle; and actuate the cooling unit if the determined temperature is more than the
predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the cooling cycle.
[0036] In an embodiment, the storage tank having at least two outlet openings such
that a first outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at an upper half of the storage
tank at a second predefined distance from the upper surface of the water storage tank, and a
second outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at a lower half of the storage tank at
a third predefined location from bottom surface of the storage tank.
[0037] In an embodiment, the first outlet is configured with a first valve to control
dispensing of the water from an upper portion of the storage tank, and the second outlet is
configured with a second valve to control dispensing of the water from lower portion of the
storage tank.
[0038] In an embodiment, the first valve is configured with a first rotary device and
the second valve is configured with a second rotary device, and wherein the first rotary
device and the second rotary device are operatively coupled with the control unit to enable
opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve respectively.
[0039] In an embodiment, the heating unit comprises heating coils for heating the
stored water.
[0040] In an embodiment, the cooling unit includes: a thermally conducting tubes
disposed in the storage tank for carrying coolant to facilitate absorbing of heat from the
stored water to cool the stored water; a compressor unit to compress the coolant received
from the thermally conducting tubes, wherein temperature of the compressed coolant is
increased based on the compression; a set of condenser coils to cool the compressed coolant
by radiating heat of the compressed coolant to the ambience; and an expansion valve to
expand the cooled coolant by the set of condenser coils to reduce pressure on the cooled
coolant, wherein temperature of the coolant decreases based on reduction of the pressure.
[0041] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a manual switch to toggle between
the heating cycle and the cooling cycle.
[0042] In an embodiment, the first predefined location is at middle point of a side
portion of the storage tank.
[0043] In an embodiment, the first outlet is configured with a flow sensor operatively
coupled with the control unit to detect flow of the water.
[0044] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pre-heating element operatively
coupled with the control unit, the pre-heating element configured at the inlet, and wherein the
pre-heating element is actuated till flow of the water is being detected at the first outlet.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an apparatus for controlling
temperature of water in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] According to an aspect, an apparatus for controlling temperature of water 100
can be configured in existing water storage, and delivery system wherein water from an overhead storage tank can form an input of the apparatus 100 for cooling or heating. Further, the cooled or heated water can be transmitted to a faucet or water tap for various household uses.
[0047] In an embodiment, the apparatus can include a water tank 102. The water tank
can be configured with an inlet 112 for receiving water for storage in the water tank 102. The storage tank 102 can be configured with heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit can be used for heating and cooling the stored water. The heat exchanger unit can include a heating unit 118 to heat the stored water during heating cycle, and a cooling unit to cool the stored water during cooling cycle. The heating unit 118 can include but not limited to a set of heating coils for heating the stored water during the heating cycle. The inlet 112 can be configured with the storage tank 102 at a predefined distance from top surface of the storage tank 102. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet is configured at a middle point of the side portion of the storage tank 102
[0048] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that since the inlet is
configured at a middle point of the side portion of the storage tank, therefore the water entering through the inlet 112 does not disturb an equilibrium of warmer water at top portion and colder water at bottom portion of the storage tank 102.
[0049] The cooling unit can include a thermally conducting tubes 104 disposed in the
storage tank 102. The storage tank can include a liquid coolant for absorbing the heat from the stored water thus the coolant gets heated. The heated coolant is passed to a compressor unit 106 of the cooling unit. The compressor unit compresses the coolant thereby increasing the temperature of the coolant. Now, the compressed coolant is further transmitted to a set of condenser coils 108. The set of condenser coils 108 can be used for radiating the heat of the compressed coolant to the ambience. The apparatus 100 can further include a fan configured with the set of condenser coils 108 to facilitate radiation of heat from the set of condenser coils 108. After passing through the set of condenser coils 108, the temperature of the coolant is reduced, or the coolant is cooled.
[0050] Further, the cooled coolant is transmitted to an expansion valve 110. The
expansion valve 110 expands the coolant by decompressing the coolant, i.e. the pressure on the coolant is reduced, this reduction of pressure on the coolant reduces the temperature of

the coolant. Now, the same coolant is again passed to the thermally conducting tubes 102. The thermally conducting tubes can be made of thermally conducting material including but not limited to a copper, an aluminium etc.
[0051] Further, the apparatus 100 can include a set of sensors (not shown) disposed in
the storage tank 102. The set of sensors can sense one or more attributes associated with the temperature. Further, the apparatus can include a control unit (not shown). The control unit can be operatively coupled with the set of sensors, the heating unit 118 and the cooling unit. The control unit configured to determine the temperature of the stored water based on the sensed one or more attributes and compare the determined temperature with a predefined threshold of temperature. Now, based on the comparison if the determined temperature is less than the predefined threshold temperature during the heating cycle, the control unit actuates the heating unit 118. Further, if the determined temperature is more than the predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the cooling cycle, the control unit actuates the cooling unit, further, the apparatus can include a manual switch (not shown) to switch between the heating cycle and the cooling cycle.
[0052] In an embodiment, the storage tank 102 can include at least two outlet
openings comprising a first outlet 114 and a second outlet 116. The first outlet 114 can
include a first valve (not shown) for controlling flow of water through the first outlet 114.
The second outlet 116 can include a second valve. The second valve (not shown) can be used
for controlling the flow of water through the second outlet 116. The first valve can be
coupled with a first rotary device (not shown) and the second valve can be coupled with a
second rotary device (not shown). The first rotary device and the second rotary device can be
operatively coupled with the control unit to control opening and closing of the first valve and
the second valve, respectively. In an embodiment, when hot water is required the first vale is
opened to let warmer water flow through the first outlet 114, and when cold water is required
the second valve is opened to let colder water flow through the second outlet 116.
[0053] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that since the first outlet
114 is configured near to the top portion of the storage tank 102 therefore the water being discharged from the first outlet 114 is warmer, and the second outlet 116 is configured near the bottom of the storage tank 102, therefore, the water being discharged from the second outlet is colder.
[0054] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a pre heating element 120
configured with the inlet 112. The pre-heating element 120 can be operatively coupled with the control unit. Further, the apparatus can include a flow sensor (not shown) configured with

the first outlet 114. The flow sensor can be operatively coupled with the control unit to detect
flow of the water through the first outlet 114. The control unit configured to actuate the pre¬
heating element 120 till the flow of water is detected at the first outlet 114.
[0055] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that since the heating
unit 118 and the cooling unit are incorporated in a single apparatus; therefore, the size of the apparatus 100 is compact.
[0056] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0057] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled
to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean "communicatively coupled with" over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0058] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications
besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements,

components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refersto at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0059] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0060] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water.
[0061] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that is compact.
[0062] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that is efficient.
[0063] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that can help fight extremes of temperature by controlling the temperature of the water to
remain in optimum limits.
[0064] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that can change the extreme temperature of the stored water in lesser time period.
[0065] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that can be easily incorporated in the existing system.
[0066] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that is cost effective and easy to implement.
[0067] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for heating and cooling water
that helps reduce wastage of resources for heating and cooling.

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling temperature of water, said apparatus comprising:
a water storage tank for storage of water, the storage tank having an inlet opening for receiving input water to be heated or cooled, and located at a first predefined location from an upper surface of the water storage tank;
a set of sensors disposed in the water storage tank to sense one or more attributes associated with temperature of the stored water;
a heat exchange unit configured with the water storage tank, the heat exchange unit comprising a cooling unit and a heating unit, the cooling unit configured to cool the stored water during a cooling cycle, and the heating unit configured to heat the stored water during a heating cycle; and
a control unit operatively coupled with the set of sensors and the heat exchange unit to determine temperature of the stored water based on the sensed one or more attributes, and compare the determined temperature of the stored water with a predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature, wherein based on the comparison the control unit configured to:
actuate the heating unit if the determined temperature is less than the predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the heating cycle; and
actuate the cooling unit if the determined temperature is more than the predefined or preconfigured threshold temperature during the cooling cycle. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank having at least two outlet openings such that a first outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at an upper half of the storage tank at a second predefined distance from the upper surface of the water storage tank, and a second outlet of the at least two outlet opening is located at a lower half of the storage tank at a third predefined location from bottom surface of the storage tank.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first outlet is configured with a first valve to control dispensing of the water from upper portion of the storage tank, and the second outlet is configured with a second valve to control dispensing of the water from lower portion of the storage tank.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first valve is configured with a first rotary device and the second valve is configured with a second rotary device, and

wherein the first rotary device and the second rotary device are operatively coupled with the control unit to enable opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve respectively.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit comprises heating coils for heating the stored water.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling unit comprises:
a thermally conducting tubes disposed in the storage tank for carrying coolant to facilitate absorbing of heat from the stored water to cool the stored water;
a compressor unit to compress the coolant received from the thermally conducting tubes, wherein temperature of the compressed coolant is increased based on the compression;
a set of condenser coils to cool the compressed coolant by radiating heat of the compressed coolant to the ambience; and
an expansion valve to expand the cooled coolant by the set of condenser coils to reduce pressure on the cooled coolant, wherein temperature of the coolant decreases based on reduction of the pressure.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a manual switch to toggle between the heating cycle and the cooling cycle.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first predefined location is at middle point of a side portion of the storage tank.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first outlet is configured with a flow sensor operatively coupled with the control unit to detect flow of the water.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a pre-heating element operatively coupled with the control unit, the pre-heating element configured at the inlet, and wherein the pre-heating element is actuated till flow of the water is being detected at the first outlet.