Abstract: A water heater comprising a water-tight tank having a combustion chamber located in the bottom portion of the tank. A combustion air blower is operable to draw combustion air into the combustion chamber through a vertical tube in which the air flows from atmosphere downwardly into the combustion chamber. Combustion air entering the combustion chamber supports combustion of gas emanating from burners positioned in the combustion chamber. The products of combustion (flue gases) are drawn upwardly through a plurality of tubes, which extend from the combustion chamber to a flue gas collector box on the top of the water heater. From the flue gas collector box, the flue gases flow into an air/flue product mixing chamber and then out through an exit port.

Abstract: A water heater having a water tight tank (10) with a cold water inlet (14) and a hot water outlet (16). First and second heating elements (24, 26) are mounted in the upper and lower portions of the tank (10). A controller is provided for energizing element (24) to heat water in the upper portion of tank (10) until the temperature of the water in the upper portion of tank (10) reaches a preset temperature, at which time, the element (24) will be de-energized. The controller is adapted to energize element (26) when element (24) is de-energized. The controller is further adapted to de-energize element (26) and at the same time energize element (24) when the temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank reaches a preset temperature.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank, a cylindrical jacket surrounding the tank to provide an insulating space therebetween and a cover member mounted on top of the jacket to close off the top of the insulating space. An insulating wall is provided in the insulating space between the tank and the jacket. The insulating wall is comprised of a plastic envelope member and a wall of insulating material which has been foamed-in-place inside the envelope member. The envelope is constructed in such a way as to evenly distribute the foam material inside the envelope during the foamed-in-place operation.

Abstract: A gas burner adapted to discharge said fuel at its the periphery for combustion, includes upper and lower concave plates secured together to define a chamber and an outer periphery having a plurality of burner ports. The upper plate preferably has a periphery extending radially at least as far as the lower plate. The periphery of the upper plate is downwardly angled, preferably more steeply than the periphery of the lower plate. The peripheral edge of at least one or the other of the top or bottom burner plates extends radially outwardly from the central axis a distance beyond the location of the burner ports and into the path of burning gases issuing from the ports whereby the temperature of said burning gases is reduced. Preferably, the periphery of the upper plate extends downwardly to an elevation below the upper edges of the burner ports, so that gases emerging from the ports are caused to impinge against the periphery, thus cooling the gases and thereby reducing the NO.sub.

Abstract: A gas burner adapted to discharge said fuel at its the periphery for combustion, includes upper and lower concave plates secured together to define a chamber and an outer periphery having a plurality of burner ports. The upper plate preferably has a periphery extending radially at least as far as the lower plate. The periphery of the upper plate is downwardly angled, preferably more steeply than the periphery of the lower plate. The peripheral edge of at least one or the other of the top or bottom burner plates extends radially outwardly from the central axis a distance beyond the location of the burner ports and into the path of burning gases issuing from the ports whereby the temperature of said burning gases is reduced. Preferably, the periphery of the upper plate extends downwardly to an elevation below the upper edges of the burner ports, so that gases emerging from the ports are caused to impinge against the periphery, thus cooling the gases and thereby reducing the NO.sub.

Abstract: A tank connector assembly including a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. An insert member of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion. The insert member is mounted inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. A bonding member of polymer material fits the cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member positioned between the external surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the insert member and the internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member being securely bonded to both the insert member and the spud member. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer material of the bonding member is malcated olefin.

Abstract: A tank connector construction comprised of an outer shell of metal material and an inner shell of polymer material mounted inside the outer shell. A metal connector member having a tubular wall and a welding projection at one end thereof is provided with the welding projection of said metal connector member welded to the outer shell of metal material. An insert member of polymer material is mounted in one end of the metal connector member with the insert member fused to the inner shell of the tank. A connector sleeve member is mounted inside the tubular wall of the metal connector member. A connector sleeve member has an internally threaded tubular wall portion and is made of a polymer material having "low creep" characteristics. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer material of the connector sleeve member is a polyamide material.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a tank connector assembly comprising the steps of first providing a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. Producing a sub-assembly comprised of an insert member having an internal groove therein and made from a polymer material and an expandable band member positioned in the groove. The next step is to assembly the sub-assembly of the insert member and expandable band member with the spud member. The sub-assembly is positioned inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The next step is to apply an expansion force to the expandable band causing the band to deform slightly and thereby force the insert member into tight sealing contact with the depending wall portion of the spud member. The metal spud member is welded in an opening in the wall of a steel tank.

Abstract: A method of making a tank includes the steps of forming a pair of top and bottom half members by deep drawing, welding at least one tank connector assembly in an opening in one of the half members and fastening the top and bottom half members together by welding to form an outer shell having an internal surface. The outer shell is changed with non-corrosive polymer material before or after the welding step. The tank is subjected to a rotational movement in the presence of heat to thus cause the polymer material to be uniformly distributed over the internal surface of the outer shell to thereby form an inner shell of non-corrosive material inside the outer shell wherein the inner shell provides a substantially leak-tight liner for the outer shell to thus prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell, said outer shell serving as a mold for the inner shell wherein the mold becomes a permanent part of the completed tank.

Abstract: A tank connector assembly for mounting in the wall of a steel tank. A metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion is welded to the tank. A sub-assembly comprised of an insert member made from a polymer material and having an internal groove therein and an expandable band member positioned in the groove. The sub-assembly is positioned inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The expandable band is in the groove of the insert member is expanded to force the insert member into tight sealing contact with the spud member. A polymer material is introduced into the interior of the steel tank and the tank is then subjected to a rotational casting movement in the presence of heat to cause the polymer material in the tank to be uniformly distributed over the internal surface of the tank. The heat applied during the rotational casting step serves to cause the inner tank of polymer material to become bonded to the insert member.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a tank connector assembly comprising the steps of first providing a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. Mounting an insert member of polymer material inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member, the insert member having a cylindrical wall portion. Positioning a bonding member between the cylindrical wall of the spud and the cylindrical wall of the insert member. Applying heat to the spud insert member and bonding member to cause the material of the bonding member to become bonded to the spud wall and the insert wall. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer material of the bonding member is maleated olefin. The metal spud member is welded in an opening in the wall of a steel tank.

Abstract: A tank construction including an outer shell of steel material comprised of two half members welded together. The half members are formed by a deep drawing process. An inner shell of non-corrosive material is cast inside the outer shell by a rotational casting procedure with the external surface of the inner shell located adjacent the internal surface of the outer shell. The inner shell of non-corrosive material provides a substantially leak-fight liner for the outer shell to thus prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell. The rotational casting of the inner shell inside the outer shell is accomplished by charging the outer shell with a non-corrosive material and then subjecting the outer shell to a rotational casting movement while heat is applied to the outer shell. The outer shell serves as a mold for the inner shell wherein the mold (outer shell) becomes a permanent part of the completed tank.

Abstract: A tank construction including an outer shell of steel material comprised of two half members welded together. The half members are formed by a deep drawing process. An inner shell of non-corrosive material is cast inside the outer shell by a rotational casting procedure with the external surface of the inner shell located adjacent the internal surface of the outer shell. The inner shell of non-corrosive material provides a substantially leak-tight liner for the outer shell to thus prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell. The rotational casting of the inner shell inside the outer shell is accomplished by charging the outer shell with a non-corrosive material and then subjecting the outer shell to a rotational casting movement while heat is applied to the outer shell. The outer shell serves as a mold for the inner shell wherein the mold (outer shell) becomes a permanent part of the completed tank.

Abstract: A tank connector construction for a tank. The tank is comprised of an outer shell of metal material and an inner shell of non-corrosive and non-metallic material mounted inside the outer shell. A metal connector fitting is provided which has an internal threaded body portion, an internal groove and a weld projection portion on the inner end thereof. The weld projection portion of the fitting is welded to the outer shell of the tank. A sleeve member of non-corrosive and non-metallic material is mounted in the internal groove of the connector fitting. An extension portion of non-corrosive and non-metallic material is formed integrally with the inner shell of the tank and is fused to the material of the sleeve to prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell of the tank. The extension portion of non-corrosive and non-metallic material has a threaded portion which forms a continuation of the internal threaded body portion of the metal connector fitting.

Abstract: A tank construction including an outer shell of steel material comprised of two half members welded together. The half members are formed by a deep drawing process. An inner shell of non-corrosive material is cast inside the outer shell by a rotational casing procedure with the external surface of the inner shell located adjacent the internal surface of the outer shell. The inner shell of non-corrosive material provides a substantially leak-tight liner for the outer shell to thus prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell. The rotational casting of the inner shell inside the outer shell is accomplished by charging the outer shell with a non-corrosive material and then subjecting the outer shell to a rotational casting movement while heat is applied to the outer shell. The outer shell serves as a mold for the inner shell wherein the mold (outer shell) becomes a permanent part of the completed tank.

Abstract: A water heater including a water tight tank having a tank wall and top and bottom head members welded thereto. A combustion chamber and burner are mounted beneath the bottom head. A pair of concentrically arranged jacket members are mounted around the tank wall with the space between the jacket members serving as a flow passageway through which combustion air flows downwardly to the combustion chamber. A pair of concentrically arranged tube assemblies are connected to the top of the heater. The inside tube assemblies carry products of combustion from the heater and the space between the inside tube assemblies and the outside tube assemblies serve as a flow passageway through which combustion air flows to the flow passageway space between the jacket members.

Abstract: A water heater tank assembly having a shell with top and bottom heads welded in opposite ends thereof. The heads have aligned flue tube mounting openings therein in which metal collar members are welded. Flue tubes are mounted in and welded to the collar members. The collar members serve as a heat sink to prevent damage to the glass lining on the shell, head members and flue tubes during the various welding operations.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank having a hot water outlet in the top portion thereof and a cold water inlet in the lower portion thereof. An agitator assembly connected to the cold water inlet and mounted in the bottom portion of the tank. The agitator assembly includes a circular tubular member having a first row of orifice members mounted along the inner side thereof, a second row of orifice members mounted along the outer side thereof and a third row of orifice members mounted along the top side thereof.