Abstract: A water heater is provided for connection to a heated fluid source for transfer of heat from the heated fluid to water in the water heater. The water heater includes a shell having a water storage tank and a heat exchange chamber mounted within the tank. The water heater also has an inlet tube and outlet tube for the introduction and removal of water from the tank. A supply line is connected to the heat exchange chamber to introduce heated fluid into the chamber. A return line, also connected to the heat exchange chamber, removes fluid for reheating. Water stored in the tank is heated by heat exchange from heated fluid recirculated through the heat exchange chamber.

Abstract: A water heater including a steel water tank having a bottom plate and a deep drawn body portion welded together, the tank having a glass lining and openings to receive and discharge water; foam insulation surrounding the body portion; an outer covering surrounding the foam insulation; a bottom pan connected to the outer covering adjacent the bottom plate; and a heater connected to the tank.

Abstract: A system for heating two independent water supplies having a water storage tank adapted to contain a first, potable water supply and a coiled heat exchange tube mounted within the tank to contain and conduct a second, non-potable water supply. The tank has a top, bottom, wall, and flue communicating between the top and bottom. The tube is in communication with the exterior of the tank and with a circulatory space heating system. The tube has a double wall to protect against the mixing of the potable and non-potable water supplies, and the ends of the tube terminate at the surface of the water storage tank at a dielectric fitting which maintains electrical isolation between dissimilar metals otherwise exposed to the water.

Abstract: A system for heating two independent water supplies having a water storage tank adapted to contain a first, potable water supply and a coiled heat exchange tube mounted within the tank to contain and conduct a second, non-potable water supply. The tank has a top, bottom, wall, and flue communicating between the top and bottom. The tube is in communication with the exterior of the tank and with a circulatory space heating system. The tube has a double wall to protect against the mixing of the potable and non-potable water supplies, and the ends of the tube terminate at the surface of the water storage tank at a dielectric fitting which maintains electrical isolation between dissimilar metals otherwise exposed to the water.

Abstract: A water heater cold water inlet deflector means which creates turbulent flow within the inlet conduit and creates turbulent water circulation throughout the water storage tank so that sediment is disturbed and suspended, stacking is prevented and efficiency is improved.

Abstract: An energy conserving device for the prevention of heat loss resulting from convection currents in water heater systems comprising a housing component adapted for mounting on the water heater system inlet and outlet ports, a mounting component rigidly supported inside the housing component, and at least one seal component rigidly attached to the mounting component. The seal component is formed from a flexible material and extends from the mounting component to the inside surface of the housing component to make sealing contact with the housing component to prevent the flow of water caused by convection currents while allowing the flow of water when water is drawn from the water heater system.

Abstract: A high-efficiency insulated water heater including a base pan having a bottom portion with cut-out holes. Feet are positioned in the cut-outs having an upper portion extending above the bottom of the pan. The upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces arranged for contacting and centering the water tank substantially equidistant from the outer edge of the base pan. The water tank has a lower edge engaging the centering surfaces of the feet. A method of producing a high-efficiency insulated water heater including the steps of forming a plurality of cut-outs in the bottom of the base pan having an outer edge, inserting feet into the cut-outs in such a way that the feet have upper portions extending above the bottom of the pan and lower portions extending below the bottom of the pan and wherein the upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces located substantially equidistant from the base pan outer edge.

Abstract: A control system for a gas water heater including a fuel rate control valve, a water flow switch to control the fuel rate valve, an inlet water temperature switch to reduce fuel flow when inlet temperature is high, a temperature switch at the water outlet to shut off fuel at a high temperature and a temperature sensor at the water outlet to regulate the fuel valve.

Abstract: A water heater having an electrically grounded water tank including an electrically conductive portion, a water tank inlet and outlet connected to deliver water to and from the water tank, a heater connected to the tank for heating water in the tank, a control for controlling the application of heat to the water, an electrically grounded outer jacket surrounding the water tank, a bottom member electrically grounded to the outer jacket, and a spring urged electrical bonding clip secured to and electrically connected to the bottom member and directly electrically engaging the water tank electrically conductive portion.

Abstract: A water heater is made by shielding the space between a tank and a jacket, which space is intended to include a control apparatus accessible from outside the jacket, by making and installing an insulating dam provided of flexible, deformable insulating material, removing corner position from the dam, slitting the block lengthwise with a slit which is surrounded by the block, thereby forming connected body portions, moving the body portions apart from each other, thereby forming an open frame, turning the resulting open frame inside out to form a foam dam, inserting the resulting foam dam around the control apparatus, placing the jacket over the dam and introducing liquid foam forming material into the space between the tank and the jacket.

Abstract: A method of insulating a water heater with an expandable foam insulating material is provided. The expandable foam insulating material has an initial viscosity of<300 cps, a flow index.gtoreq.about 0.7, a gel index.gtoreq.about 0.8 and generates a maximum pressure of.ltoreq.about 1.0 psig. The foam is injected into the annular space between the water tank and the outer jacket. Preferably, the foam is injected into a sleeve, which acts to confine the foam during its most liquid state, positioned within this space. The foam is preferably injected into the annular space between the tank and the jacket while the top cover is removed. In this way, the injected foam can be distributed more evenly around the circumference of the tank.

Abstract: A water heater including a water tank having a jacket surrounding the tank and providing an insulation space therebetween. A plurality of serial foam injections are introduced into the space to fill the space between the tank and the jacket.

Abstract: A method of insulating a water heater with an expandable foam insulating material. The expandable foam insulating material has an initial viscosity of <300 cps, a flow index.gtoreq.about 0.7, a gel index.gtoreq.about 0.8 and generates a maximum pressure of.ltoreq.about 1.0 psig. The foam is injected into the annular space between the water tank and the outer jacket. Preferably, the foam is injected into a sleeve, which acts to confine the foam during its most liquid state, positioned within this space. The foam is preferably injected into the annular space between the tank and the jacket while the top cover is removed. In this way, the injected foam can be distributed more evenly around the circumference of the tank.

Abstract: A water heater having an insulated water tank with a cold water inlet line, a hot water outlet line and a baffled flue pipe extending vertically through the tank is provided. The flue pipe extends from a combustion chamber housing a burner located beneath the tank, to a flue gas collection chamber positioned above the tank. The collection chamber is in fluid communicatioon with a blower and a flue gas exhaust line for conveying the flue gases through the exhaust line to a direct through-the-wall vent. Control apparatus is provided for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank and controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the burner in response thereto. The control apparatus turns on the blower when fuel is being supplied to the burner and turns off the blower when no fuel is being supplied to the burner.

Abstract: A water heater comprising a water tank having a component intended to be kept substantially free from contact with an expandable foam insulating material, and a method of making same, is provided. The water heater has a jacket surrounding the tank and providing an insulating space therebetween. Positioned within this space is a pair of flexible sheets forming an apron. The sheets are joined to form a seal protecting the components from contact with the foam. The apron is positioned over a part of the tank surface so that the seal surrounds the component. The sheets of the apron are substantially unsealed along the top and a side. Foam is introduced between the sheets of the apron and flows out of the unsealed side of the apron to fill the space between the tank and the jacket.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of insulating a water heater that utilizes a foaming apron comprised of substantially parallel flexible sheets having an open end and open edges. One sheet is attached to the wall of a water tank and the space between the sheets is open to receive one or more charges of foam forming liquid. Preferably one pouring is performed in conjunction with an open centering template, thereby creating a uniform sealing insulatio layer around the water tank which protects the control mechanisms from the foam. After one charge has solidified sufficiently to maintain the jacket properly centered, the centering template may be removed and one or more further charges of foam forming liquids introduced.

Abstract: A water heater having an insulated water tank with a cold water inlet line, a hot water outlet line and a baffled flue pipe extending vertically through the tank is provided. The flue pipe extends from a combustion chamber housing a burner located beneath the tank, to a flue gas collection chamber positioned above the tank. The collection chamber is in fluid communication with a blower and a flue gas exhaust line for conveying the flue gases through the exhaust line to a direct through-the-wall vent. Control apparatus is provided for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank and controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the burner in response thereto. The control apparatus turns on the blower when fuel is being supplied to the burner and turns off the blower when no fuel is being supplied to the burner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inner door for a water heater that is easily slidably mounted on the inside of a heating chamber, without hinges, and that will not fall off and is difficult to remove and which tightly fits against the side wall of the combustion chamber to prevent flame spillage and rollout while also acting as a radiation shield.

Abstract: A water heater comprising a water tank having a component intended to be kept substantially free from contact with an expandable foam insulating material, and a method of making same, is provided. The water heater has a jacket surrounding the tank and providing an insulating space therebetween. Positioned within this space is a pair of flexible sheets forming an apron. The sheets are joined to form a seal protecting the component from contact with the foam. The apron is positioned over a part of the tank surface so that the seal surrounds the component. The sheets of the apron are substantially unsealed along their top and sides. Foam is introduced between the sheets of the apron and flows out of the unsealed sides of the apron to fill the space between the tank and the jacket.

Abstract: A water heater having an insulated water tank with a cold water inlet line, a hot water outlet line and a baffled flue pipe extending vertically through the tank is provided. The flue pipe extends from a combustion chamber housing a burner located beneath the tank, to a flue gas collection chamber positioned above the tank. The collection chamber is in fluid communication with a blower and a flue gas exhaust line for conveying the flue gases through the exhaust line to a direct through-the-wall vent. Control apparatus is provided for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank and controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the burner in response thereto. The control apparatus turns on the blower when fuel is being supplied to the burner and turns off the blower when no fuel is being supplied to the burner.