Fluid Fuel Burner Patents (Class 122/17.1)
  • Patent number: 11428438
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes carryover burner systems and methods for use with water heating system. The water heating system can include a burner unit having an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve. The water heating system can also include an ignitor. The outer sleeve can include a carryover region having a first plurality of apertures and a combustion region which can be adjacent to the carryover region, the combustion region including a second plurality of apertures. The inner sleeve can comprise a dispersion region having a third plurality of apertures. The inner sleeve can be located substantially within the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sina Jasteh, Troy Trant, Ashwin Rao, Jason Hall
  • Patent number: 11353243
    Abstract: A gas fueled water heater appliance may include a tank for storage of water, a chamber wall, a gas burner, a gas conduit, a support post, and a guide bracket. The chamber wall may define a combustion chamber and a conduit hole. The gas burner may be positioned adjacent to the tank and within the combustion chamber. The gas conduit may extend from the gas burner and through the conduit hole. The support post may be fixed to the gas burner within the combustion chamber. The guide bracket may be mounted within the combustion chamber and define a mounting point. The guide bracket may be in selective engagement with the support post at the mounting point. The guide bracket may include a pair of lateral arms extending outward from the mounting point toward the chamber wall to guide the support post to the mounting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hutchison, Gary Allen Elder
  • Patent number: 11311149
    Abstract: A portable, autonomous hand-washing station for use on a store floor. The portable station includes a cabinet supporting a sink and faucet, and housing one or more liquid storage tanks; and a removable control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Ermanno Mazzotti
  • Patent number: 10508829
    Abstract: A water heater including a burner body (1) and a fan case (2) accommodated in casing (100), wherein the burner body (1) has a main burner body unit having a flat burner (3) on a lower surface side thereof and an introducing unit (11) protruding upward from the upper surface of the main burner body unit (12), wherein a discharging portion (53) of the ignition electrode (50) is disposed within a projection plane (180) when wall sections (13) (14) (15) (16) of the introducing unit (11) is projected downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ojiro
  • Patent number: 9746180
    Abstract: A multijet burner system includes a plurality of fuel nozzles, each configured to support a respective flame, a plurality of charge electrodes, each positioned and configured to apply a charge potential to a fluid flow corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of fuel nozzles, and a charge controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of charge electrodes and configured to control a voltage potential applied to each respective charge electrode. By selecting the magnitude and polarity of a charge potential applied to individual ones of the flames of the plurality of burners, the flames can be made to change positions, move to selected positions, and redistribute themselves within a volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 9506656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stove that operates using liquid fuel of alcohol and water that can be diluted to concentrations as low as 50% alcohol by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Clean Energy Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Marco Gravel
  • Patent number: 9038576
    Abstract: A burner box includes a housing, a fuel tube and a porous heat dissipating surface. The housing is bounded by a sidewall and has a top and an opposite bottom that are each open so that the sidewall defines an open passage that allows unimpeded vertical airflow. The fuel tube extends into the passage and defines a plurality of spaced apart orifices that distribute fuel into the open passage. The fuel tube is at a distance from the top of the housing so that substantially all of the fuel is entrained by the combustion air before the fuel reaches the top. The heat dissipating surface is disposed across the top of the housing and supports a flame. The heat dissipating surface includes enough open area so that the fuel/air mixture passes through the porous heat dissipating surface unimpeded. The heat dissipating surface dissipates heat from the flame and prevents flashback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Plum Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Yedidia Neumeier, David S. Neff, Michael Pratte
  • Patent number: 9004018
    Abstract: The efficiencies of illustrative embodiments of vertical center flue type fuel-fired base water heaters are improved by installing in the water heaters variously configured tubular condensing type secondary heat exchangers of smaller diameters than the associated center flues. The efficiency increases are achieved with components and manufacturing processes similar to those utilized in the base water heaters and secondary heat exchanger materials similar to those in the tank portions of the base water heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Qian Zhang, Yoshiki Semba, Subbu Thenappan
  • Publication number: 20140345541
    Abstract: A burner box includes a housing, a fuel tube and a porous heat dissipating surface. The housing is bounded by a sidewall and has a top and an opposite bottom that are each open so that the sidewall defines an open passage that allows unimpeded vertical airflow. The fuel tube extends into the passage and defines a plurality of spaced apart orifices that distribute fuel into the open passage. The fuel tube is at a distance from the top of the housing so that substantially all of the fuel is entrained by the combustion air before the fuel reaches the top. The heat dissipating surface is disposed across the top of the housing and supports a flame. The heat dissipating surface includes enough open area so that the fuel/air mixture passes through the porous heat dissipating surface unimpeded. The heat dissipating surface dissipates heat from the flame and prevents flashback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: PLUM COMBUSTION, INC.
    Inventors: Yedidia Neumeier, David S. Neff, Michael Pratte
  • Patent number: 8844471
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating water having three vertically aligned water heating process sections. The upper section includes an annular water storage tank disposed around a combustion chamber having a downward firing burner. The intermediate section, disposed vertically below the upper section receives flue gas from the combustion chamber, which flue gas is cooled and dehumidified, producing a hot condensate which collects in a passive condensate flow control device disposed proximate the bottom of the intermediate section. The lower section, disposed vertically below the intermediate and separated therefrom by the passive condensate flow control device receives hot condensate from the flow control device, which is used to preheat and humidify air, such as room air, which is then recycled to the combustion process of the upper section for use as combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Paul Eric Glanville, Mark Jacob Khinkis, Aleksandr Pavlovich Kozlov, David Charles Kalensky
  • Patent number: 8776733
    Abstract: A shank mount assembly for a water heater that includes an annular nipple having an opening, the nipple configured to removably attach to an opening in a water heater tank. The shank mount assembly further includes an annular shank mount having an opening, the shank mount configured to removably attach to the nipple, wherein the shank mount is further configured to attach to a gas valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Bill Haddad, Raymond Joubran
  • Patent number: 8647112
    Abstract: A combustor assembly of a water heater, which is provided between an air blower and a burner set to guide air from the air blower to the burner set, includes a first board, a second board and a third board stacked in sequence. Between the first board and the second board there is a first chamber and a first port, and between the second board and the first board there is a second chamber and a second port. The second board and the third board both have apertures. These boards restrict and divide an air flow of the air blower to flow along several paths to increase heat efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Grano Mate Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Kuan-Chou Lin
  • Patent number: 8635997
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling gas to gas-fired appliances are disclosed. An illustrative system can include a modulating gas valve adapted to supply gas to a burner unit, an inducer fan adapted to produce a combustion air flow at the burner unit, a pressure reducing element in fluid communication with the gas valve and adapted to output at least one pressure signal for sensing the combustion air flow outputted by the inducer fan, and a controller for controlling the speed of the inducer fan. The pressure reducing element can include a venturi tube, flow nozzle, or other suitable device capable of producing pneumatic signals that can be used by the gas valve to modulate the gas supplied to the burner unit. By pneumatically linking the gas valve to the actual combustion air flow, the gas valve can be operated over a wide range of firing rates by adjusting the speed of the inducer fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Schultz, Glenn R. Bergum
  • Publication number: 20140007822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixture supply system which is adapted for mounting in a hot water appliance and which is adapted to supply a combustible mixture to a burner of the hot water appliance, comprising a fuel feed for a fluid fuel, an oxidizer feed for a fluid oxidizer, a mixing chamber for mixing the fuel and the oxidizer in order to form the combustible mixture, a discharge for discharging the combustible mixture from the mixing chamber and a fan for urging the fuel and oxidizer from the respective feed to the mixing chamber, and urging the mixture therefrom to the discharge, wherein the fan is adapted to act directly on both the fuel and the oxidizer. The fan does not so much make use of an airflow with gas drawn in by a venturi, but gas is supplied separately to the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: INTERGAS HEATING ASSETS B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Jan Cool
  • Publication number: 20140000534
    Abstract: High intensity combustion and low intensity combustion are carried out together, to stabilize flames and to hold down the emission of carbon monoxide. An air-fuel mixture outlet member (back plate) that includes a single or a plurality of outlet(s) (air-fuel mixture outlet(s)) out of which an air-fuel mixture (GA) flows is include, and a metal fiber knitting body (metal knit) that covers the air-fuel mixture outlet member is included. Therefor, the air-fuel mixture, which is made to flow out of the outlet(s), passes through the metal fiber knitting body (metal knit) and is combusted, a flame of low intensity (flame) is generated together with a flame of high intensity (flame) by combustion of the air-fuel mixture, and the flame of low intensity holds the flame of high intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Katsumi Naitoh, Yasunori Katoh, Jun Aiso, Kentaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8596226
    Abstract: A burner tube and door assembly for a water heater includes a burner tube and a fuel supply line in telescoping relationship to define a tube junction. The tube junction extends through the door of a water heater. One of the tube and line includes an enlarged portion. A lock ring applies a radially-directed force around a portion of the tube junction. The enlarged portion and lock ring are on opposite sides of the door to secure the door to the burner tube and fuel supply line. The enlarged portion and lock ring apply a compressive load to the door to resist rotation of the door with respect to the tube junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Marcus E. McAnally, Duane A. Lee, Rodney R. Syler, Emadeddin Y. Tanbour, Mark A. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8517720
    Abstract: A dual chamber burner assembly is provided for use with a heater apparatus having dual combustion air premix blowers. The burner assembly includes first and second interior zones communicated with first and second foraminous outer wall portions. First and second fuel and air inlet passages are communicated with the first and second interior zones, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventors: Jim C. Smelcer, Brian J. Iske
  • Publication number: 20130092104
    Abstract: Fan housing for a fan for supplying a fuel/oxidizer mixture to a burner, comprising: a supply opening (22); a fluid supply space (26) debouching at the supply opening; a first supply means (28) for supplying a fluid-like fuel; a second supply means (52) for supplying an oxidizing fluid; wherein the fluid supply space comprises mixing means (50) for mixing the fluid-like fuel with the oxidizing fluid; and wherein the supply opening lies at an angle relative to the supply direction of the fluid in the fluid supply space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Intergas Heating Assets BV
    Inventor: Peter Jan Cool
  • Publication number: 20130074786
    Abstract: A gas water heater having increased thermal efficiency comprises a water tank having a sealed combustion chamber thereunder. An atmospheric burner is located in the combustion chamber. A flue pipe extends from the sealed combustion chamber and through the water tank for heat exchange of hot atmospheric gas therein with water in the water tank. A heat exchanger is in communication with the combustion gases exiting the water tank to extract residual heat from the combustion gas in the flue pipe for mixture with ambient air to produce pre-heated combustion air. An air convection or draft inducing device directs the hot combustion air from the heat exchanger through a sealed conduit to direct the pre-heated combustion air to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Claude LESAGE, Jean-Claude Lesage
  • Publication number: 20120298053
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a block forming a bore. An air inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of air into the bore. The bore provides communication between the air inlet opening and at least one air outlet passage. A fuel inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of fuel into the bore. The bore provides communication between the fuel inlet opening and at least one fuel outlet passage. A pintle is slidably positionable within the bore to control the volume of air directed out of the bore through the air outlet passage and the volume of fuel directed out of the bore through the fuel outlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Fuel Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Torey W. DEGRAZIA, JR., Margaret Rajski
  • Patent number: 8292616
    Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Beckett Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Donnell, Richard Cook
  • Publication number: 20120090561
    Abstract: A gas water heater includes a gas water heater main unit having an exhaust pipe attached thereto for guiding out waste gas during burning of a fuel gas to heat water, an ozone generator installed in the exhaust pipe and electrically connected to an external power source for generating ozone into the exhaust pipe to mix with the waste gas produced during operation of the gas water heater main unit, and a gas filter installed in the exhaust pipe for removing solid matters from the waste gas passing through the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Lo CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110303164
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating water having three vertically aligned water heating process sections. The upper section includes an annular water storage tank disposed around a combustion chamber having a downward firing burner. The intermediate section, disposed vertically below the upper section receives flue gas from the combustion chamber, which flue gas is cooled and dehumidified, producing a hot condensate which collects in a passive condensate flow control device disposed proximate the bottom of the intermediate section. The lower section, disposed vertically below the intermediate and separated therefrom by the passive condensate flow control device receives hot condensate from the flow control device, which is used to preheat and humidify air, such as room air, which is then recycled to the combustion process of the upper section for use as combustion air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Paul Eric Glanville, Mark Jacob Khinkis, Aleksandr Pavlovich Kozlov, David Charles Kalensky
  • Publication number: 20110132279
    Abstract: The equipment of the invention includes a boiler, a hot water storage tank, a duct for supplying domestic cold water, and a duct for tapping domestic hot water, wherein said equipment is characterized in that the duct for supplying cold water comprises a T-shaped connector connected by a duct provided with a storage vessel to a re-circulation duct connecting the tank to the inlet duct, provided with a pump, of the boiler, and in that the outlet duct of the boiler is provided with a three-way valve connected by a by pass duct to said T-shaped connector, wherein said valve can selectively assume a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and the central portion of the tank, or a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and said bypass duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Le Mer
  • Patent number: 7946257
    Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a combustion chamber assembly, representatively a sealed combustion chamber assembly, operative to create from combustion air delivered thereto via a circumferentially limited vertical side portion thereof a flow of primary combustion air to the underside of a centrally disposed fuel burner within the assembly via a first location underlying the burner, a first flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via the first location, and a second flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via a second location outwardly circumscribing the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hicks, Mario Ramos Negrete, Trevor Allen Damron, Hector Jose Donastorg
  • Publication number: 20110083618
    Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Donnell, Richard Cook
  • Patent number: 7857617
    Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Beckett Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Donnell, Richard Cook
  • Patent number: 7850748
    Abstract: A fuel reformer burner for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system includes a first tube through which a fuel for a fuel reformer is supplied and a second tube through which anode-off gas (AOG) is supplied from a fuel cell stack. The second tube is not connected to the first tube, and an inlet line through which an air is supplied is connected to the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo-hwan Lee, Kang-hee Lee, Hyun-chul Lee, Tae-sang Park
  • Publication number: 20100294214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a burner for gas boiler that produces stable combustion without lifting of flame by stably guiding gas and primary and secondary air to the inside of an upper plate and having a first slope having main fire holes to improve efficiency of ignition and combustion in a burner main body, in which a gas mixture channel is formed by a guide plate disposed at the center of the burner main bodyburner bodyor stable mixing of gas and the primary air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Choong Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20100282185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of combustion of a fuel using an oxygen containing gas and at least one mainly inert gas, in which: the said oxygen containing gas comprises at least 80% of oxygen in volume, the said fuel and the said oxygen containing gas are injected in such a way as to create a flame, the said mainly inert gas is injected in such a way that it is contiguous to and surrounds the flame created by the said fuel and the said oxygen containing gas and that it has a divergent swirl with regard to the flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Ivan Sanchez-Molinero, Jacky Laurent, Jacques Mulon, Xavier Paubel, Patrick Jean-Marie Recourt, Remi Pierre Tsiava
  • Publication number: 20100206248
    Abstract: A system for the generation, storage and use of Brown's gas comprising at least one Brown's gas generator, in communication with an electricity supply and water supply; at least one first storage chamber, in fluid communication with the generator, for storing the Brown's gas generated from said generator; and Brown's gas application means in communication with said at least one first storage chamber, wherein said generator and first storage chamber are located proximate the Brown's gas application means. For example, the Brown's gas may be used for the production of hot water, for the production of chilled water and as fuel in an incineration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Siong Cheak Steven Mok
  • Publication number: 20100192874
    Abstract: A water heater. The water heater includes a water circuit adapted to conduct water to be heated, a combustion system operable to produce products of combustion and operable to provide the products of combustion to heat water in the water circuit, and a fuel train assembly configured to provide fuel to the combustion system. The fuel train assembly includes a gas expansion chamber, a first gas shut-off valve positioned upstream of the expansion chamber, and a second gas shut-off valve positioned downstream of the expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis R. Hughes, Zinovy Plavnik
  • Publication number: 20100154723
    Abstract: A low NOx water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the water container, the burner comprising a plenum chamber having a combustion surface and a fuel/air conduit adapted to receive fuel and air, and a fuel nozzle positioned to supply fuel into the fuel/air conduit at an angle that is between about 1.5° and about 2.5° out of horizontal relative to a horizontal plane extending along a central axis of the fuel/air conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Garrabrant, Thomas A. Edds, Gregory A. Ruston, Garry D. Statzer, Roger D. Veen, Mingde Song
  • Publication number: 20100116224
    Abstract: A water heater may be configured to temporarily increase its hot water capacity by heating water to a higher boost temperature. In some instances, the water heater may include a main controller that can accept a boost request from a remote controller, and thus may temporarily provide additional hot water capacity without, for example, requiring a homeowner to go down to the basement, out to the garage, or wherever the water heater happens to be to make manual adjustments to the water heater settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Shanna Lorraine Leeland
  • Publication number: 20100116225
    Abstract: A dual chamber burner assembly is provided for use with a heater apparatus having dual combustion air premix blowers. The burner assembly includes first and second interior zones communicated with first and second foraminous outer wall portions. First and second fuel and air inlet passages are communicated with the first and second interior zones, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: LOCHINVAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jim C. Smelcer
  • Publication number: 20100101510
    Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a base plate sized and shaped to substantially sealingly cover an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and having at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a fuel control valve, and a seal positioned at least partly within the opening and having a through hole that is sized and shaped to receive the fuel supply line, the seal comprising a plurality of complementary deformed seal pieces sealed together, to the opening and to the fuel supply line by a deforming force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Emadeddin Y. Tanbour, Rodney Ray Syler, Mark Allan Murphy, Marcus E. McAnally
  • Patent number: 7665426
    Abstract: A gas burner for a gas fired heating appliance, such as a water heater. The gas burner is located within a combustion chamber and includes an inlet conduit through which combustible gas and primary air are received. An air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber and which extends from the inlet end of the inlet conduit to a primary air port that communicates with a source of primary air located outside the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber also includes at least one port through which secondary combustion air is admitted into the combustion chamber. A flow path transition member is located within the combustion chamber and is in fluid communication with the primary air port. The transition member also forms part of the isolated primary air flow path and sealingly engages the air scoop when the burner is installed into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Beckett Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Donnell, Richard D. Cook
  • Patent number: 7665210
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a combustion chamber for use in a water heater is provided. A skirt is formed, and an edge portion of a plate is spot welded to the skirt. The edge portion of the plate is circumferentially welded to the skirt, thereby forming a seal between the plate and the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett Doss, Michael Gordon, Eric M. Lannes
  • Patent number: 7665211
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a combustion chamber for use in a water heater is provided. A skirt is formed, and an edge portion of a plate is spot welded to the skirt. The edge portion of the plate is circumferentially welded to the skirt, thereby forming a seal between the plate and the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett Doss, Michael Gordon, Eric M. Lannes
  • Patent number: 7661420
    Abstract: A portable heat transfer apparatus comprises a mixture forming/supply device for producing a mixture of fuel gas and air, a heating unit including a heat collection casing, and a burner installed in the casing and formed with a combustion chamber having a flat surface. The burner includes a large number of holes formed on an upstream side thereof to extend up to the flat surface to allow the mixture injected into the chamber therethrough to combust in the chamber, and a porous solid radiant-heat conversion component to partly convert heat energy of exhaust gas from the combustion in the chamber into radiant heat energy. The conversion component defines at least a surface region of the chamber located opposite to a flame front produced close to the flat surface. The apparatus includes a heat-driven pump joined to the casing and receiving heat generated by the combustion, through the heat collection casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji Okayasu
  • Publication number: 20100006041
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Eisenbraun
  • Publication number: 20090255487
    Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a combustion chamber assembly, representatively a sealed combustion chamber assembly, operative to create from combustion air delivered thereto via a circumferentially limited vertical side portion thereof a flow of primary combustion air to the underside of a centrally disposed fuel burner within the assembly via a first location underlying the burner, a first flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via the first location, and a second flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via a second location outwardly circumscribing the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hicks, Mario Ramos Negrete, Trevor Allen Damron, Hector Jose Donastorg
  • Publication number: 20090229540
    Abstract: A water heat includes a case having an airtight chamber therein, a water pipe received in the chamber of the case with a first connection end and a second connection end extended out of the case respectively, a thermal medium, which is liquid in a room temperature, received in the chamber of the case, and a heating device for heating the thermal medium directly or indirectly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Fa-Sheng CHANG, Heng-Ching Chou
  • Publication number: 20090188447
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a condensing side-arm water heater with improved efficiency. The condensing side-arm element recirculates exhaust gases into heating the cooler part of a water heater tank by the thermosiphon (or buoyancy) effect in a counterflow configuration, thus increasing efficiency of the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: James D. Lutz
  • Publication number: 20090173291
    Abstract: The gas and electric heating system has combination gas and electric heat generators to provide energy to a steam-generating boiler. The system utilizes a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel burner disposed externally of the boiler in one embodiment and a flame jet burner in a second embodiment. Electrical heating elements are positioned inside the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler flows to a heating core. The core is positioned in an air duct. Heat is transferred from the core to air flowing through the duct. The heated air flows from the duct into an area to be heated. Controls are provided to correlate the functions of the various components in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Bernard H. Azrikam
  • Publication number: 20090139513
    Abstract: A bivalent water-heating system includes a water-storage tank having at least one wall defining an interior storage cavity configured for storing water to be heated. The storage cavity includes an upper-cavity and lower-cavity portions. A non-solar heating unit is situated at least partially in the upper-cavity portion and includes a combustion chamber defined by at least one wall through which heat produced by the combustion of fuel is transferred to stored water located within the upper-cavity portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: David Davis
  • Publication number: 20080282948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a boiler and to a method for operating a boiler. To effectively prevent damage to the boiler wall, in particular by corrosion, the flow speed characteristic of a furnace floor flow running horizontally to the furnace floor is determined, a source region of the horizontal furnace wall flow on at least one furnace wall is determined and an insulating gas is supplied to the source region of the horizontal furnace wall flow, in such a way that an insulating gas layer, which insulates the respective boiler wall from the flue gas, is created by the horizontal extension of the insulating gas with the aid of the furnace wall flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Quenders, Yugui Tian, Martin Ehmann
  • Publication number: 20080223313
    Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes burning fuel to produce hot gases and heating a first mass of water with a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot gases. Heat remaining after the hot gases pass through the first heat exchanger is used by a second heat exchanger to heat a second mass of water. The first mass of water is partially isolated from the second mass of water and the first mass of water is contained substantially within the second mass of water. The second mass of water is colder than the first mass of water and, thereby, condenses more water vapor out of the hot gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: George R. Arnold, Donald E. Woollen
  • Patent number: 7346274
    Abstract: A water heater including a water inlet line having an inlet opening that introduces cold water to a tank, a water outlet line having an outlet opening that withdraws heated water from the tank, and a heating element. The water heater further includes a control circuit. The heating element can be an electrical resistance heating element, a gas heating element, or a combination thereof. In one construction, the gas heating element includes a first combustive section and a second combustive section separately controlled from the first combustive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 7299768
    Abstract: The water heating apparatus has an upright cylindrical thermally insulated storage tank, an axially extending exhaust gas pipe passing centrally through the storage tank and a combustion chamber under the storage tank. An atmospheric gas burner, which has a complete premixing fuel gas/air supply system, is arranged within the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas pipe has a section extending within the combustion chamber, which preferably extends towards the bottom of the combustion chamber and has an end located a few centimeters from the bottom, so that the combustion gases have a longer dwell time in the combustion chamber and the exhaust gas pipe in order to improve heating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ceramat, S.coop.
    Inventor: Alexander Groehl