Abstract: A water heater having improved efficiency. The water heater includes a tubular member that is mounted in an opening in the side of the tank and extends generally horizontally across the tank. The tubular member defines a combustion chamber and a fuel burner is located within the combustion chamber. The outer end of the tubular member communicates with the atmosphere and air is drawn into the tubular member and mixed with fuel to provide a mixture which is ignited. The waste gases of combustion are discharged from the inner end of the tubular member into a heat exchanger which is located in the tank beneath the tubular member, and the hot waste gases being discharged from the combustion chamber and passing through the heat exchanger transfer heat to the water in the tank. The heat exchanger is connected to a stack and a blower is mounted in the stack downstream of the heat exchanger and serves to draw the waste gases of combustion from the combustion chamber through the heat exchanger to the stack.

Abstract: A water heater having improved efficiency. The water heater includes a tubular member that is mounted in an opening in the side of the tank and extends generally horizontally across the tank. The tubular member defines a combustion chamber and a fuel burner is located within the combustion chamber. The outer end of the tubular member communicates with the atmosphere and air is drawn into the tubular member and mixed with fuel to provide a mixture which is ignited. The waste gases of combustion are discharged from the inner end of the tubular member into a heat exchanger which is located in the tank beneath the tubular member, and the hot waste gases being discharged from the combustion chamber and passing through the heat exchanger transfer heat to the water in the tank. The heat exchanger is connected to a stack and a blower is mounted in the stack downstream of the heat exchanger and serves to draw the waste gases of combustion from the combustion chamber through the heat exchanger to the stack.

Abstract: An improved combustion element for a radiant energy burner. The element comprises a generally cylindrical metal screen having its outer end closed off by an end closure, while the inner end is connected to a source of gaseous fuel. Strands of ceramic material are braided directly on the outer surface of the screen to form a braided sleeve which is snugly fitted over the entire periphery of the screen.

Abstract: A water heater having improved efficiency. The water heater includes a tubular member that is mounted in an opening in the side of the tank and extends generally horizontally across the tank. The tubular member defines a combustion chamber and a fuel burner is located within the combustion chamber. The outer end of the tubular member communicates with the atmosphere and air is drawn into the tubular member and mixed with fuel to provide a mixture which is ignited. The waste gases of combustion are discharged from the inner end of the tubular member into a heat exchanger which is located in the tank beneath the tubular member, and the hot waste gases being discharged from the combustion chamber and passing through the heat exchanger transfer heat to the water in the tank. The heat exchanger is connected to a stack and a blower is mounted in the stack downstream of the heat exchanger and serves to draw the waste gases of combustion from the combustion chamber through the heat exchanger to the stack.

Abstract: A condensate discharge device for combustion apparatus which automatically drains condensate from the combustion chamber or flue while preventing escape of gaseous products of combustion. The device includes a housing having an inlet in its upper end connected to the combustion conduit containing the waste gases of combustion. An outlet tube is disposed in an opening in the lower end of the housing in alignment with the inlet and the upper end of the outlet tube projects a substantial distance above the lower surface of the housing and provides a seat. A hollow plastic ball rests on the seat to prevent escape of gases from the housing. Condensate generated by cooling of the combustion gases flows into the housing and when the condensate accumulates to a level above the seat, the ball will float to permit the discharge of the condensate while preventing discharge of the gaseous products of combustion.

Abstract: A water heating apparatus includes a tank that contains the liquid to be heated and a casing serving as a combustion chamber disposed within the tank and extending slightly beyond the cylindrical shell of the tank. The casing is disposed in the tank at an angle so as to slope downwardly and through the shell. This slope allows for the run-off of condensate which forms as a by-product of combustion. The combustion chamber casing also includes a baffle assembly disposed within the casing. The baffle assembly defines a series of passageways with ever decreasing cross-sectional areas that force the combustion gases to accelerate as they move from the combustion zone to the flue.

Abstract: A gas pilot burner arrangement in which only air from the blower discharge plenum connected to the main gas burner is initially supplied to the pilot burner to mix with gas being supplied to the pilot burner through the pilot gas conduit and when a flame sensor is activated to prove that the pilot is lit a valve is electrically activated to flow gas to the main burner and simultaneously provide a premix of raw gas and air to the pilot burner in addition to the gas admitted to the pilot through the pilot gas conduit.