Abstract: A heat pump water heater system including a water storage tank and a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a heat absorber positioned below the water storage tank and a heat rejecter in fluid communication with the heat absorber and positioned within the water storage tank. The heat absorber is configured to transfer heat to fluid in the heat exchange system, and the heat rejecter is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the heat exchange system to the water in the water storage tank.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater system including a water storage tank and a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a heat absorber positioned below the water storage tank and a heat rejecter in fluid communication with the heat absorber and positioned within the water storage tank. The heat absorber is configured to transfer heat to fluid in the heat exchange system, and the heat rejecter is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the heat exchange system to the water in the water storage tank.

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 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 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 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: A heavy gauge sheet metal burner mounting bracket for supporting a burner mounting arm including a base and a support member extending upwardly from the base and having a plurality of holes extending therethrough which are positioned to receive a portion of the mounting arm, the support member having a plurality of tabs extending therefrom to fix a radiation shield in a desired position above the base.

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: 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.