Abstract: A gas-fired water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber, a burner assembly disposed within the combustion chamber, a gas valve for controllably supplying gas to the burner assembly, a temperature sensor coupled to the combustion chamber, wherein the temperature sensor generating a signal related to the temperature of the combustion chamber, and a controller having an electronic processor and memory. The controller is configured to receive the signal at a first predetermined time and at a second predetermined time, calculate a change in temperature based on the signal received at the first predetermined time and the signal received at the second predetermined time, compare the change in temperature to a rate of change threshold to produce a first comparison, and shut the gas valve in response to the change in temperature being less than the rate of change threshold.

Abstract: A fuel fired, atmospheric water heater has a burner positioned inside a combustion chamber. All combustion air entering the combustion chamber must pass through a damper. The damper is operable to adjust the flow resistance to combustion air entering the combustion chamber. The damper is biased to a closed position such that during non-firing periods of the water heater, the damper significantly reduces the flow rate of combustion air being provided to the combustion chamber reducing standby heat loss. An actuator is in fluid communication with a fuel supply line such that when pressurized fuel is provided to the burner, the pressurized fuel causes the actuator to move the damper to an open position to permit operative combustion air delivery to the combustion chamber during firing periods of the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater including a storage tank, a combustion chamber, a burner for producing products of combustion, the burner positioned in the combustion chamber, a flue extending from the combustion chamber through the storage tank, and a baffle positioned within the flue and directing the flow of the products of combustion through the flue. The baffle includes multiple clockwise twist segments and multiple counterclockwise twist segments.

Abstract: A gas-fired heating device having a burner, a pilot to provide a pilot flame, a thermopile thermally coupled to the pilot flame and configured to generate a power in response to the pilot flame, an electrically controlled gas valve to control the flow of gas to at least one of the pilot and the burner, and a controller electrically coupled to the thermopile and the gas valve. The controller receives and is powered by the power from the thermopile. The controller initiates closing of the gas valve after a monitored component of the power, such as a voltage, traverses a threshold.

Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank, a heat source for heating water stored in the storage tank, and a dip tube extending into the tank. The dip tube includes upper and lower ends, a restriction between the upper and lower ends so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the restriction, the restriction positioned in an upper portion of the storage tank, a lower opening below the restriction for providing cold water to a lower portion of the storage tank, and an upper opening above the restriction for providing cold water to the upper portion of the storage tank due to the first restriction.

Abstract: An igniter bracket for a gas control valve comprising a base member sized and shaped to be mounted adjacent at least a portion of a first surface of the gas control valve; an igniter holder extending from the base member in a direction away from the gas control valve and having an opening to receive an igniter; at least one positioning arm extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a second surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from a second surface; and at least one clamp member extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a third surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from the third surface.

Abstract: An igniter bracket for a gas control valve comprising a base member sized and shaped to be mounted adjacent at least a portion of a first surface of the gas control valve; an igniter holder extending from the base member in a direction away from the gas control valve and having an opening to receive an igniter; at least one positioning arm extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a second surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from a second surface; and at least one clamp member extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a third surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from the third surface.