Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having at least one air inlet to admit air and extraneous fumes into the combustion chamber and confine ignition and combustion of the extraneous fumes within the combustion chamber; a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the container; and an air diverter positioned between the air inlet and the burner and adapted to channel at least a portion of combustion air passing through at least a portion of the air inlet to a position for mixture with the fuel prior to entering the burner to slow combustion and thereby reduce combustion temperatures and NOx emissions.

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: A water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a side wall and at least one flame arrestor to admit air and extraneous fumes into the combustion chamber and confine ignition and combustion of the extraneous fumes within the combustion chamber, and a burner having a multiplicity of burner ports associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the container, and an air diverter including a baffle plate with an upper surface and an outer edge portion, the diverter positioned in the combustion chamber and having a lower portion of the upper surface positioned at about the same height as at least a portion of the burner ports, the baffle plate sized to form a gap between the outer edge portion and the side wall such that flames generated by combustion of the fuel tend to attach to at least a portion of the lower portion, and a flange attached to and angled upwardly from the outer edge portion and adapted to

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having at least one flame arrestor to admit air and extraneous fumes into the combustion chamber and confine ignition and combustion of the extraneous fumes within the combustion chamber; a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the container; an air diverter positioned between the flame arrestor and the burner and adapted to channel at least a portion of combustion air passing through at least a portion of the flame arrestor to a position for mixture with the fuel prior to entering the burner to ensure uniform combustion; and a flange positioned above the air diverter to which the flames attach and thereby reduce combustion temperatures; the combined effect of which is to optimize combustion performance and minimize NOx and CO emissions.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber located adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a floor portion with an opening; a conduit extending upwardly from and being substantially sealed to the opening; a burner located inside the combustion chamber; and a flame trap positioned across the conduit, the flame trap permitting ingress of air and/or extraneous gases into the combustion chamber and prevent egress of flames from the structure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber containing a main burner and a pilot burner positioned to heat water in the water container and having a side wall; a main burner fuel supply line adapted to connect between a fuel control valve and a main burner; a pilot fuel supply line adapted to connect between the fuel control valve and a pilot burner; a heat sensor line connected to a heat sensor and adapted to connect to the fuel control valve and positioned to sense heat from the pilot burner; an igniter line connected to an igniter positioned proximate the pilot burner and connected to an igniter initiator; and a removable plate sealed to the combustion chamber through which the main burner fuel supply line, the pilot fuel supply line, the heat sensor line and the igniter line pass in a sealed condition.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber located adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a floor portion with an opening; a conduit extending upwardly from and being substantially sealed to the opening; a burner located inside the combustion chamber; a flame trap positioned across the conduit, the flame trap permitting ingress of air and extraneous gases, if present, into the combustion chamber and prevent egress of flames from the structure; and a duct substantially sealingly positioned outwardly of the combustion chamber and over the opening and extending along a side portion of the water heater, the duct having a plurality of openings to receive combustion air.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber containing a main burner and a pilot burner positioned to heat water in the water container and having a side wall; a main burner fuel supply line adapted to connect between a fuel control valve and a main burner; a pilot fuel supply line adapted to connect between the fuel control valve and a pilot burner; a heat sensor line connected to a heat sensor and adapted to connect to the fuel control valve and positioned to sense heat from the pilot burner; an igniter line connected to an igniter positioned proximate the pilot burner and connected to an igniter initiator; and a removable plate sealed to the combustion chamber through which the main burner fuel supply line, the pilot fuel supply line, the heat sensor line and the igniter line pass in a sealed condition.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one heat sensitive entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber located adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a floor portion with an opening; a conduit extending upwardly from and being substantially sealed to the opening; a burner located inside the combustion chamber; and a flame trap positioned across the conduit, the flame trap permitting ingress of air and/or extraneous gases into the combustion chamber and prevent egress of flames from the structure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A water heater that includes a water container, a combustion chamber, adjacent the water container, having at least one inlet to admit air and extraneous fumes into the combustion chamber, at least one inlet comprising a metal plate about 0.4 to 0.6 mm in thickness and through which pass a plurality of ports, the ports comprising a plurality of slots and holes, each slot having a quenching distance of about 0.6 mm, and each hole having a quenching distance in the range of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm and being capable of confining ignition and combustion of said extraneous fumes within the combustion chamber; and a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the container.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one heat sensitive entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.