Abstract: A multi-functional retrofit cover plate assembly and method for an electric water heater to provide interconnection with an alternative energy system to heat water in a water holding tank of the electric water heater. The cover plate is adapted for replacement connection over a bottom access opening formed in an outer casing of the electric water heater which permits access to a bottom resistive heating element and electrical connections. The retrofit cover plate is shaped to define an internal dedicated compartment. A dual resistive heating element is provided for replacement of the bottom resistive heating element. An electronic switch unit is further provided and it has a power cut-off switch for connection to an alternative supply voltage.

Abstract: A safety system and method to prevent water within a top portion of a tank of an electric water heater to drop below a safe temperature during a load shedding period, other than a full emergency grid failure, by a power provider whereby to prevent the propagation of harmful bacteria in a top portion the tank. A control device monitors the water temperature in the top portion of the tank by the use of a temperature sensor. If the control device detects a temperature of the water in the top portion of the tank inferior to 140 degrees F., it will by-pass the instructions of the power provider and connect power to one or more of the resistive heating elements of the tank until a predetermined temperature above 140 degrees F. is attained before switching off the resistive heating elements.

Abstract: A high efficiency, peak-power reducing, domestic hot water heater is described. It comprises a closed tank having a predetermined water holding capacity. A hot water outlet is provided in a top end wall of the tank. A cold water inlet is provided in a side wall of the tank adjacent a bottom wall thereof. Three spaced apart resistive heating elements project substantially horizontally in the tank. A bottom one of the resistive heating elements extends in the tank and spaced slightly above the bottom wall. A middle one of the resistive heating elements extends in the tank at a level close to an average maximum water consumption volume drawn during a peak power demand time period. A top one of the resistive heating elements extends between the middle element and the top end wall of the tank. The bottom element has a low watt density in the range of from about 15 to 30 W/in2.

Abstract: A nipple for connection to an outer metal casing of a host water heater for coupling a water conduit to an inner casing of the hot water heater is described. The nipple is a hollow tube having opposed threaded end portions. A thermally insulating sleeve is provided about the hollow tube intermediate the opposed threaded end portions. The nipple is adapted for connection in a hole formed in the outer metal casing with the thermally insulating sleeve in contact with a circumferential edge of the hole to insulate the metal casing from the nipple.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for a gas-fired hot water heater comprises a top wall which is defined by a bottom wall of an inner tank. A flue extends through the inner tank bottom wall. A circumferential skirt is disposed about the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is supported elevated from a support surface by a bottom pan assembly of a hot water heater housing. A combustion air inlet means leads to the combustion chamber. A floor shield is supported above the bottom wall and spaced below a gas burner assembly. The circumferential skirt and/or the floor shield are coated on at least one surface thereof with refractory paint to reflect radiant heat inwardly in the combustion chamber whereby to maximize heat transferred to the inner tank and to minimize heat loss through the skirt and floor shield.

Abstract: An explosion-proof hot water heater of the type having a gas-fired combustion chamber at a lower end of the inner tank is described. The combustion chamber is an unsealed chamber and has a sealed bottom wall and a fuel burner in the combustion chamber. Combustion air intake ports are provided about the combustion chamber above the sealed bottom wall. A support base supports the sealed bottom wall elevated from a support surface. Air intake openings are provided about the outer skin casing of the hot water tank and spaced a predetermined distance above the sealed bottom wall. Air passages communicate the air intake openings with the combustion air intake ports of the combustion chamber. A gas vapour sensor is secured in relation to the support base below the sealed bottom wall and is adapted to cause the burner to be shut off upon detection of explosive vapours with sufficient time delay before such vapours reach the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A shield for a combustion chamber of a hot water heater is described. The combustion chamber is a sealed or not combustion chamber and the metal heat shield encircles and is spaced about the burner and pilot which is located in the combustion chamber. The shield is also spaced from the skirt and a bottom wall of the combustion chamber. The shield is further provided with apertures to permit passage of air supplied by an air supply duct. The shield provides for heat concentration on a lower heat transfer wall of the inner casing containing the water to be heated. The shield also reduces heat loss through the skirt and the bottom end wall of the combustion housing.

Abstract: A base for rendering a gas-fired water heater, having a lower combustion chamber, explosion-proof, is described. The base has elevating supports which are provided with securement means in an upper portion thereof for securing same to a bottom end of a gas water heater housing whereby to support the gas water heater elevated from a floor surface. One or more vapour detectors are associated with the base to detect the presence of combustible vapours. The vapour detectors are connected to a switch to shut off a gas burner and pilot in the combustion chamber before the combustible vapours reach the flame of the gas burner and/or pilot through combustion chamber air supply passages in a lower end of the gas water heater housing. The temperature in the chamber is lower than the temperature of ignition of gas vapour.

Abstract: An explosion proof gas-tired water heater is comprised of a housing having a water reservoir provided with a sealed combustion chamber thereunder. A flue pipe is disposed above the combustion chamber and extends through the reservoir. A gas burner and pilot are provided in the combustion chamber. At least one air supply channel is provided to supply fresh air to the combustion chamber. The air supply channel has an intake disposed a predetermined height above the floor to prevent combustible vapors from entering the combustion chamber. Vapor detectors and/or pressure sensors may be provided as added features to detect the presence of combustible vapors as well as the production of harmful carbon monoxide in the combustion chamber and to actuate the gas supply cut-off valve.

Abstract: A termination unit for a through-the-wall horizontal vent of a gas combustion device having a combustion chamber and a burner, is described. The termination unit comprises a wall mounting plate which is secured to a vertical wall outer surface and about an outer sleeve of a coaxial flue pipe. A fresh air chamber is secured to the wall mounting plate. An exhaust end of an exhaust flue pipe extends through the wall mounting plate and the fresh air chamber to exit through an outer wall of the chamber. Air intake ports are provided in an outer peripheral wall of the chamber to supply fresh air to a coaxial passage between the exhaust flue pipe and the outer sleeve to feed the combustion chamber. An air baffle is provided in the chamber about the exhaust end of the flue pipe and extends through the chamber. Wind deflector flanges are disposed in spaced relationship about the air intake ports of the chamber.

Abstract: A combination space and hot water heater is comprised of an inner tank having an outer casing spaced therebout with insulation being interposed between the casing and the inner tank. The inner tank has a glass-lined inner surface and a heater is provided within the inner tank for heating a same volume of water within the inner tank. An anode is provided within the inner tank. A closed water circulating circuit is connected to the inner tank for circulating hot water from the tank through heat exchange means connected in the closed water circulating circuit. Preferably, but not exclusively, the heat exchange devices are radiators.

Abstract: A hot water tank is comprised of a cylindrical disc-shaped support base on which is supported a cylindrical inner tank concentrically therewith. A circumferential ridge projects upwardly adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the support base and spaced from a lower edge portion of a circumferential side wall of the inner tank to form a circumferential containment channel between the ridge and the lower edge portion. The channel has a volume sufficient to receive a lower portion of a plastic film pouch wrapper disposed at least about a lower section of the inner casing as well as a pre-determined quantity of hot expandable liquid urethane placed therein in sufficient quantity to fill a space between the inner casing and an outer shell secured spaced about the inner casing when the urethane is expanded. The channel prevents the liquid urethane from flowing out of the lower portion of the wrapper located therein due to deterioration of the wrapper when exposed to the hot liquid urethane.

Abstract: A foam distribution jacket (10) for containing an insulating expandable liquid foam mixture (44) prior to expansion into a space (17) between a hot water tank (22) and an outer casing (29) secured thereabout. The jacket (10) comprises a pair of sheets (11-12) which are superimposed to define a bottom trough section (13) having a straight bottom edge (15) and opposed end edges (16). A seal (17) is formed along the straight bottom edge and the opposed end edges to form the trough (13) and to interconnect the sheets (11-12). The pair of sheets (11-12) converge to a crest portion (19) at a top end section (14) thereof. An attachment hole (20) is provided in the crest of an inner one of the pair of sheets (11-12) and is adapted to attach the jacket (10) in a depending manner from a nipple (21) in a top wall (48) of a hot water tank (22). The method of insulating a surrounding space (27) formed between the hot water tank (22) and the outer casing (29) using the foam distribution jacket (10) is also described.

Abstract: A support base for a gas water heater cylindrical housing is described. The base comprises a circular bottom dish having a flat bottom wall and a circumferential flange. A circumferential rounded edge is provided between the bottom wall and the flange. Air passages are defined about the circumferential flange. A circular housing support bottom wall, of larger diameter, is secured on the circumferential flange and has a central passage formed therein to admit air to a burner chamber supported on the bottom wall and through the air passages of the base wherein air currents are developed to cool the base when the burner is in use. The base therefore provides heat loss and further permits sliding and rolling displacement of the water heater cylindrical housing on a floor surface without damaging the floor surface due to the circumferential rounded edge of the base.

Abstract: A bushing for a hot water tank to connect a temperature sensing probe of a temperature controller device to the tank wall with the temperature controller device extending into the tank. The bushing is comprised of a cylindrical body having an outer connecting portion and a cylindrical inner bore portion. The temperature sensing probe is retained at a fixed position in axial extension through the inner bore portion. The inner bore portion has three equidistantly spaced-apart circumferential seal receiving channels with an O-ring seal receivable in friction fit in each of the channels. A central one of the O-rings provides a pivot for the probe and a substantially leak-proof seal about a cylindrical body portion of the temperature sensing probe. An outer and inner one of the O-rings resist to opposing load forces created by the load of the temperature controller device secured to an outer end of the temperature sensing probe, and equilibrates this load about the central O-ring.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the fabrication of a metal cylinder from a flat metal sheet is described. The cylinder is preferably, but not exclusively, for use in the construction of an outer casing for a hot water heater. Particularly, the method and apparatus is suitable for the fabrication of cylinders of different diameters with minor adjustments being necessitated to the assembly apparatus. A flat metal sheet is fed through a roll former where a curved sheet defining an unconnected cylinder having opposed overlapping free side edges is formed. Flanges are formed along the elongated edges of the cylinder with the flange of the outer overlapping edge being inturned and the flange of the inner overlapping edge being outturned.

Abstract: A flue baffle for use in a hot water tank flue through which flue gases from a burner chamber are discharged. The baffle is comprised of an elongated flat undulated metal strip having a securable flat upper end. The undulated metal strip is shaped to define a plurality of integrally formed, wave-shaped, deformations on opposed side portions of a central longitudinal axis thereof. A narrower undulated metal band is secured to the metal strip on opposed sides thereof and disposed substantially midway between the wave-shaped deformations on opposed sides of the flat metal strip. The upper end of the strip is adapted to retain the flue baffle axially within the flue to create turbulence and resistance to hot flue gases rising from the burner chamber to enhance heat exchange between the flue and a liquid being heated and in direct contact with an exterior surface of the flue.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly for securing a resistive electric heating element to a hot water heating tank. The adaptor assembly comprises a hollow hub sealingly securable with a hole in a hot water tank outer wall with a connecting portion of the hub extending outwardly of the outer wall. At least two opposed retention members are provided in a connecting portion of the hub to receive and removably retain an adaptor plate. The adaptor plate is connectable to a resistive heating element bracket by fasteners to secure the bracket to the plate with a resistive element of the bracket extending in the tank through the hub. The adaptor plate is secured to the hub by interference the retention members of the hub and a seal is disposed between the bracket and the hub and sealingly engaged by the pressure applied by the fasteners.

Abstract: An insulating support base for a cylindrical electric water heater tank. The base is formed of a rigid molded foam material and defines a flat circular base having a concentrically disposed support dome on a top face thereof and shaped for close fit within a bottom cavity of a hot water tank for support engagement with a dome shaped bottom wall of an inner casing of the tank. The support dome also guides the inner casing to permit it to be automatically centered on the support base. A spacer ledge is defined about the support dome and extends to an outer edge of the flat circular base. The spacer ledge accommodates an insulating jacket positioned about the tank inner casing with the outer edge of the circular base being disposed in close fit within a lower marginal edge portion of an outer cylindrical casing of the tank to position the outer casing equidistantly spaced about the inner casing with the insulating jacket therebetween.