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 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 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 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 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 comprising a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the combustion chamber; a flue connected to the combustion chamber; a blower assembly positioned to receive combustion products from the flue and including a blower; at least one inlet having a plurality of ports which permit air and extraneous fumes to enter the combustion chamber and prevent combustion of extraneous fumes outside of the combustion chamber; a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the inlet; and a controller connected to the blower and the temperature sensor, the controller being capable of activating the blower in response to temperature changes detected by the temperature sensor.