Abstract: A method of delivering hot water to a water fixture in which a supplemental hot water heater is installed before the cold water inlet of a tankless hot water heater. The supplemental hot water heater is used to recirculate heated water through the tankless hot water heater at a flow rate below the minimum flow rate of the tankless hot water heater (the flow rate at which the tankless heater's heating element is activated) so that water entering the tankless hot water heater is pre-heated by the supplemental hot water heater without activating the heating element of the tankless hot water heater.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of heated water from a boiler to a water outlet comprising: a main housing, an inlet, an outlet, a variable opening, a permanent opening and a temperature sensitive adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the variable opening between a fully closed position and an open position. A heated water delivery system. The opening of a tap at a water outlet allows water to flow though the boiler. A flow control valve is located between the boiler and the outlet, such that the flow of water is limited during an initial period during which the temperature of the water is relatively low. In this way, the total flow of water is increased as the temperature of the water increases. A method of supplying heated water from a boiler through a heated water supply to a water outlet.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a premixing type main burner and an associated pilot burner for igniting it. A specially designed protective system is operative to detect a flame flashback burning condition in the main burner and responsively shut down the water heater. In one embodiment thereof, the protective system uses main burner body heat to melt a portion of a fuel supply line connected to the pilot burner during a flame flashback condition in the main burner. Such melting responsively causes an associated fuel supply valve to close and terminate water heater operation. In a second protective system embodiment a normally closed pressure switch is opened, thereby shutting down the water heater, when the switch detects a pressure indicative of a flame flashback condition in the main burner.

Abstract: A storage type water heater comprising: a stored hot water tank; a heating unit including a heat exchanger, a gas burner, and an air supply fan; a circulation pipe line; a circulating pump; a first temperature sensor for detecting an inlet side temperature T1; a second temperature sensor for detecting an outlet side temperature T2; and a controller including a control arrangement which actuates the circulating pump to circulate the stored hot water inside of the circulation pipe line when the heating unit is in a non-operated state, and determines an abnormality in one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor based on a temperature difference (|T1?T2|).

Abstract: At a time of starting of an operation, a controller determines whether the first operation was made after a power source being switched on in S1, and determines whether 5 minutes have passed after the previous operation in S2. When the first operation was not made or 5 minutes have lapsed after the last operation, the controller determines whether a difference between a detected temperature acquired by a thermistor and a preset temperature is more than 10° C. in S3. When a temperature difference is more than 10° C., a water flow rate servo is set at a position where a flow rate of flowing water is reduced from a determined flow rate by a predetermined amount in S4, and the controller performs a temperature control of discharged hot water in S8.

Abstract: In a non-operation state, a controller determines whether the first operation was made after a power source being switched on in S1, and determines whether 5 minutes has passed after finishing the last operation in S2. When the first operation was not made or 5 minutes have lapsed after the last operation, the controller determines whether a difference between a detected temperature acquired by a thermistor and a preset temperature is more than 10° C. in S3. When a temperature difference is more than 10° C., a water flow rate servo is made to stand by at a position with a flow rate of flowing water reduced to less than a determined flow rate by a predetermined amount in S4. When a hot water faucet is opened in this standing by state, a temperature control of discharged hot water at the time of starting of an operation (S8) is performed with the reduced flow rate of flowing water.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to apparatuses used for the heating of water and relates more specifically to water heaters in which the volume of water heated and stored may be fluctuated in response to the changing demand for heated water. The household demand for hot water depends on a variety of factors, including the number of people living in the household. It is therefore desirable to have a water heater in which the amount of water heated and stored may be varied so as to compensate for the changing hot water demand. The present invention is a variable volume water heater that can be used to accomplish this goal of matching the supply and demand of heated water.

Abstract: A water heater inlet conduit having a top end portion configured to be coupled to an inlet port of a water heater is provided. The bottom end portion of the inlet conduit is configured to extend into an interior of the water heater. A passage within the inlet conduit is provided for water flow from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The top end portion of the inlet conduit defines at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow outwardly from the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit. The top end portion of the inlet conduit further defines at least one inlet opening configured to draw water inwardly into the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A fluid isolation valve having a valve body with a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid drain port with a valve in the fluid drain port. The valve body also defines a fluid flow channel, a drain flow channel and a valve portion, wherein the valve portion is disposed in the valve body to be communicated with the first fluid flow port, the second fluid flow port and the fluid drain port. At least one flow diversion device is also provided and is disposed within the valve portion. The flow diversion device is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the flow diversion device is in the first configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the second fluid flow port. Consequently, when the flow diversion device is in the second configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the fluid drain port. The fluid flow can be decreased or stopped by use of the valve within the fluid drain port.

Abstract: A hot water storage type hot water supply device is capable of heating water inside a hot water storage tank appropriately, thereby preventing energy waste. A circulating pump is operated and a burner is incinerated, when the average of detected temperatures from water temperature detectors falls below a predetermined lower limit temperature. The burner is extinguished when an accumulated heating amount from the beginning of operation of a heat source equipment becomes equal to or more than a target heating amount necessary for elevating the total amount of water in the hot water storage tank to a preset hot water delivery temperature. The circulating pump is continuously operated after extinguishing the burner, until an accumulated circulated water amount of a circulating path becomes equal to or more than a predetermined water amount set to be equal to or more than a capacity of the hot water storage tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device for preventing initial hot water from being discharged from a double pipe heat exchanger and a method of controlling the same, which can temporarily mix cold water with hot water so as to decrease the temperature of the discharged hot water when the high temperature water is initially discharged from the double pipe heat exchanger.

Abstract: A malfunction detection device for a hot water supplier has a tank temperature detection thermistor for detecting a hot water temperature of a hot water storage tank and is configured such that when the detected hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank is a reference temperature or higher, a relay provided at a tank printed circuit board stops power supply from a tank unit to a heat pump unit. A heat pump shutdown command is a standby power saving command for saving a standby power of the heat pump unit.

Abstract: A steam generator, a heating cooker having the same and a control method of the heating cooker prevent the lowering of steam generation performance and generate steam within a short period of time while stably supplying water required for generating steam, a heating cooker having the steam generator and a control method of the heating cooker. The control method of a steam generator having a steam container, a steam heater and a water level sensor includes determining whether the steam container is subject to lack of water using the water level sensor, supplying water for a predetermined first time when it is determined that water in the steam container is less than a predetermined minimum level, and controlling a supply amount of water by additionally supplying water for a predetermined second time when a minimum water level is sensed in the steam container by the water level sensor after supplying water.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system operatively associated with a boiler is provided, including: a temperature sensor sensing hot-water restoration temperature of a space to be heated; a flow controller controlling the amount of restored hot water in the space; a hot-water restoration-flow detector detecting the amount of restored hot water flowing through a hot-water restoration pipe; a key input unit used to set hot-water restoration temperature and a minimum amount of restored hot water; and a controller controlling a flow controller so that when hot-water restoration temperature of a space sensed by a temperature sensor is equal to hot-water restoration setup temperature set by an operator, the amount of water required to maintain the hot-water restoration setup temperature flows into a hot-water restoration pipe.

Abstract: A liquid heating appliance, representatively a water heater, is provided with protective apparatus for preventing rupture of its liquid storage tank portion caused by overheating of pressurized liquid therein. Illustratively, the protective apparatus includes a length of thermoplastic tubing, preferably polybutylene tubing, whose interior is exposed to the tank interior so as to be pressurized by heated liquid therein. In the event of a liquid overheating condition in the tank, the tubing is heat-softened in a manner reducing its burst pressure and causing it to burst, at a pressure substantially below the tank burst pressure, and thereby form a pressure relief outlet passage for the tank. A shield structure with at least one fluid outlet opening therein extends outwardly around the thermoplastic tubing to diffuse pressurized fluid escaping from the burst tubing.

Abstract: A heat trap assembly for providing a thermal dam within piping associated with water heaters is disclosed. The heat trap includes an elongated housing, a fin and a flap member. The housing includes first and second ends, and an interior opening extending therethrough to define an internal passage. The fin has a multi-sided body and is fixedly inserted into the housing. The flap member has a flexible disk-shaped body with first and second faces, an outer peripheral edge and an aperture disposed inward of the outer peripheral edge. A portion of the fin is inserted through the aperture. The outer peripheral edge is essentially contiguous with an interior wall surface of the housing in the absence of water flow within the internal passage, and is bendable in a direction of flow when water is flowing toward the first face or the second face.

Abstract: A cold water inlet for a tank of a water heater is provided. The inlet includes an inlet conduit configured to extend toward a flue extending upwardly through the tank. The inlet conduit includes a proximal, intermediate, and distal conduit portion, the distal portion terminating at a closed end configured to reduce the amount of the water flow directed toward the flue. The cold water inlet further includes flow openings defined in the distal portion to permit the water flow to exit the inlet conduit. Deflectors are positioned along the distal portion proximal respective ones of the flow openings, and are oriented for deflecting the water flow. The closed end and the deflectors of the inlet conduit coact, as the water flows into the tank, to direct the water flow away from the flue and toward the side wall and bottom of the tank, thereby reducing an accumulation of scale.

Abstract: A thermal expansion arrester for positioning within the tank of a water heater comprises a rigid tube maintaining a compressible volume of gas between first and second closure members wherein at least one of the closure members comprises a piston that is slidably and sealingly secured within the tube. In a preferred embodiment both closure members comprise pistons held in the tube by crimping its ends. In an uncompressed state the pressure of the gas within the tube is sixty psig.

Abstract: A portable instant water heater. Water is delivered to a base unit of the instant hot water heater by a pump that draws water from a reservoir through a flow control valve. The water flows into a pre-heater that wraps around a base of the burner and that is heated by the burner. Water is heated in a heat exchanger and then exits the base unit through an outlet spout that swings out from the base unit to dispense water and that may be stored and locked into position in a handle for the base unit. The flow control valve may lower the flow of water through the heat exchanger, so the water has more time to absorb heat and to get hotter. The base unit includes a single control knob that turns on the pump and the burner and operates the flow control valve.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container having an inlet and an outlet; a main burner positioned to heat water in the water container; a pilot burner positioned to supply flame to the main burner; and a control valve to supply fuel to the main and pilot burners.

Abstract: The trouble occurring followed by air supply shortage due to the clogging of the flame arrester is prevented.

Abstract: A combination domestic hot water and space heating system has an instantaneous domestic hot water heat exchanger and a low mass boiler-type heat generator connected in a series by a boiler water flow circuit containing a circulating pump. The boiler-type heat generator has an internal reservoir containing between 10 and 20 U.S. gallons (37.85 to 75 liters) of boiler water, which is sufficient to enable the heat exchanger to supply normal short term demand, yet avoid excessive downtime thermal losses. A three-way diverter valve in the flow circuit diverts boiler water to a second heat exchanger in an air handler unit for space heating. Priority is given to domestic water heating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are storage type water heaters having means for improved mixing of cold water supply with water stored in the water tank of a water heater, means for limiting surges of water into and out of a water tank, and means for disrupting formation and propagation of convection currents and water streamers in a water tank.

Abstract: A fire suppressing water heater system is provided including a fire suppressing water heater system is provided including a water heater, fire detection means, spray means, and water transport means. The water heater will preferably include a cold water intake and a hot water return. The spray means are designed to activate when a fire is present in the proximity of the water heater so as to quickly extinguish the fire. Fire detecting means may be configured to activate the spray means when evidence of a fire, such as heat or smoke, for example, is detected. Furthermore, in the event of a fire, water transport means direct a quantity of water from the cold water intake of the water heater to the spray means.

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.

Abstract: A device for preventing the inadvertent rotation of a temperature selection dial associated with the temperature controller of a water heater. The device includes a spring-loaded prong that extends across the face of a rotatable dial so as to prevent rotation of thereof. The force required to pry the prong off of the dial is selected to be greater than what a small child is typically capable of exerting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are storage type water heaters having means for improved mixing of cold water supply with water stored in the water tank of a water heater, means for limiting surges of water into and out of a water tank, and means for disrupting formation and propagation of convection currents and water streamers in a water tank.

Abstract: A heat trap assembly includes a housing adapted for interconnection between a hot water tank and a water line with the housing including an interior flow chamber. A one-way valve is disposed within the chamber for enabling unrestricted water flow only in one direction through the chamber. The valve includes a valve seat fixed within a chamber along one direction and movable in an opposite direction along with a movable sealing member. A spring is provided for urging the sealing member against the valve seat to prevent flow though the chamber in the opposite direction. Water flow in the one direction compresses the spring and dislodges the sealing member from the valve seat. A pressure relief disk is provided and disposed between the valve seat and the end of the chamber. The pressure relief disk compresses under a selected water pressure exerted in the opposite direction for enabling flow in the opposite direction at pressures greater than a selected water pressure within a hot water tank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating water to one of a plurality of predetermined temperatures and for generating steam. A burner with a water jacket receives water from a pump which obtains water from a water source flowing through one of plurality of different flow circuits. The burner provides heat for heating the water to one of the predetermined temperatures as selected by an operator. The water flow through the burner is regulated by a temperature sensor which senses the temperature of the water within the water jacket. The water flow changes if the temperature sensor senses a temperature which is higher or lower than the predetermined value. Steam may further be generated though a further steam flow circuit to maintain water temperatures with the containers or to heat the water within the containers to desired temperatures.

Abstract: A water heater includes a spud connected to a tank wall and surrounding an opening in the tank wall. A support surface is provided in the spud, preferably by the tank wall, that supports a heat trap within the spud. A pipe is inserted into the spud and a portion of the heat trap is disposed between the end of the pipe and the support surface. The heat trap preferably includes and elongated portion that acts as a dielectric between the tank and the pipes.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a device for heating liquid feed for veal calves, although this device may have wider application. The present invention is a pre-heater system used to raise the temperature of liquid feed that is being pumped from cold storage to a mixing tank prior to being fed to an animal. Additionally, the present invention is arranged to independently supply heated water externally of the system.