Abstract: A water heater has a water supply line, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the water supply line, a heating element positioned proximate to the heat exchanger, such that when activated, the heating element conveys heat to the heat exchanger and thereby heating water supplied by the water supply line, an output line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and configured to receive heated water therefrom, a flow sensor configured to cause the heating element to activate in response to sensing a predetermined water flow rate through the water heater, and a bypass flow line operably connected between the water supply line and the output line.

Abstract: A water heater includes a tank defining an interior volume having an inlet and an outlet, a heating element configured to heat water within the tank, and a bypass in fluid communication between the inlet and outlet and configured to divert at least a portion of the supply water from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The metal tank portion of an electric water heater is protected against corrosion utilizing a corrosion protection system that detects a voltage potential between the sheath portion of a tank water-immersed electric heating element and the tank. In one embodiment of the corrosion protection system the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to enable a user of the water heater to accurately gauge the necessity of replacing a sacrificial anode extending into the tank. In another corrosion protection system, the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to provide impressed current cathodic protection of the tank and also to prevent dry firing of the electric water heater.

Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system that is integrated with the water heater. The leak detection system includes a channel that extends circumferentially around the water heater. In one example, the channel is built into the water heater. In another example, the channel is formed by a sensor bracket that is coupled to the water heater. Further, the leak detection system includes a sensor assembly that is configured to detect water that leaks from the water heater. The sensor assembly includes a leak sensor and/or a wicking tube. The wicking tube is disposed around at least a portion of the leak sensor. Further, the wicking tube is disposed in the continuous channel and extends circumferentially along the water heater to create a circumferential area of leak detection around the water heater.

Abstract: A combustion tube assembly of a water heater includes a combustion tube having an open end, a closed end, and an outflow opening between the open end and the closed end. A cavity of the combustion tube provides a chamber for a combustion of a water heater fuel, where the outflow opening provides an outlet for an exhaust gas resulting from the combustion of the water heater fuel to exit the combustion tube. The combustion tube assembly further includes a spring positioned in the cavity of the combustion tube at the closed end of the combustion tube.

Abstract: A combustion tube assembly of a water heater includes a combustion tube having an open end, a closed end, and an outflow opening located between the open end and the closed end. A cavity of the combustion tube provides a chamber for a combustion of a water heater fuel that produces an exhaust gas that flows down toward the closed end. The combustion tube assembly further includes a diverter structure positioned inside the combustion tube to divert the exhaust gas such that the exhaust gas flows toward the closed end on a first side of the diverter structure and flows from the first side of the diverter structure to the second side of the diverter structure through a flow opening proximal to the closed end. The outflow opening provides an outlet for the exhaust gas that flows to the second side of the diverter structure to exit the combustion tube.

Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.

Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.

Abstract: A water heater includes a tank defining an interior volume having an inlet and an outlet, a heating element configured to heat water within the tank, and a bypass in fluid communication between the inlet and outlet and configured to divert at least a portion of the supply water from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A motor/damper assembly installable on the top end of a fuel-fired water heater includes a support plate structure upon which a flue collar with a pivotally supported flue damper, a drive motor, and a drive shaft interconnecting the motor damper are mounted. The assembly is installed by placing the collar over the upper end of the water heater flue, securing the support plate structure to the top end of the water heater, and positioning a top cover housing on the support plate structure. Using the assembly provides improved support rigidity and alignment for the motor and shaft relative to the damper, improved repeatable precise manufacturing placement of the motor and shaft, improved construction aesthetics, with the cover also protecting the shaft from shipping and handling damages.

Abstract: A high efficiency downfired gas water heater is provided which has a tank for storing water to be heated, a combustion chamber extending downwardly through a top end of the tank, and a gas burner operative to create hot combustion products within the combustion chamber. At the bottom end of the tank is a transfer chamber coupled to an external discharge conduit and to a single pass heat exchanger, in the form of multiple flue tubes. extending vertically through the tank and connected to the combustion chamber. In one embodiment of the water heater the burner is a power burner which forces the combustion products sequentially through the combustion chamber, heat exchanger, transfer chamber and discharge conduit. In another embodiment of the water heater a draft inducer fan is used to draw the combustion products through this path from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In an electric water heater having adjustable set point and differential temperatures, upper and lower heating elements, and associated temperature sensors respectively operative to sense upper and lower tank water temperatures, a specially designed control system is provided for controlling the heating elements. The control system is operative to prevent dry firing of the heating elements by measuring temperatures over time with the temperature sensors.

Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system that is integrated with the water heater. The leak detection system includes a channel that extends circumferentially around the water heater. In one example, the channel is built into the water heater. In another example, the channel is formed by a sensor bracket that is coupled to the water heater. Further, the leak detection system includes a sensor assembly that is configured to detect water that leaks from the water heater. The sensor assembly includes a leak sensor and/or a wicking tube. The wicking tube is disposed around at least a portion of the leak sensor. Further, the wicking tube is disposed in the continuous channel and extends circumferentially along the water heater to create a circumferential area of leak detection around the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.

Abstract: In an electric water heater having adjustable set point and differential temperatures, upper and lower heating elements, and associated temperature sensors respectively operative to sense upper and lower tank water temperatures, a specially designed control system is provided for controlling the heating elements. The control system is operative to automatically set a selected setpoint temperature to a second setpoint temperature less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude, and to reduced the second setpoint temperature and/or the differential temperature, as a predetermined function of the magnitudes of detected time intervals between successive heat demands of the water heater, to reduce the energy cost associated with the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater has a water supply line, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the water supply line, a heating element positioned proximate to the heat exchanger, such that when activated, the heating element conveys heat to the heat exchanger and thereby heating water supplied by the water supply line, an output line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and configured to receive heated water therefrom, a flow sensor configured to cause the heating element to activate in response to sensing a predetermined water flow rate through the water heater, and a bypass flow line operably connected between the water supply line and the output line.

Abstract: A water heater is provided having an insulated tank having a water inlet and a water outlet, and further defining an interior volume to contain a quantity of water. A primary heating arrangement applies heat energy to the water so as to heat the water. In addition, the primary heating arrangement is configured to maintain the water during standby periods between upper and lower set point temperatures. A supplemental heating arrangement is operative to supply additional heat energy to the water in order to lessen energy usage by the primary heating arrangement during the standby periods. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the supplemental heating arrangement includes at least one photovoltaic panel and a supplemental heating element. Control electronics are operatively interposed between the at least one photovoltaic panel and the supplemental heating element.

Abstract: In a fuel-fired water heater with a standing pilot burner and a motorized flue damper, a specially designed controller is utilized to prevent overheating of water stored in the tank portion of the water heater caused by the hot combustion gases continuously generated by the pilot burner during standby periods of the water heater in which its main fuel burner is not being fired. The controller has a selectively variable water temperature control set point temperature and is operable to sense both ambient temperature and the tank water temperature and to open the flue damper and/or keep it open, after the main burner is off, in response to the presence for a predetermined continuous time period of a predetermined relationship of at least the selected temperature control set point temperature and the sensed ambient temperature.

Abstract: The metal tank portion of an electric water heater is protected against corrosion utilizing a corrosion protection system that detects a voltage potential between the sheath portion of a tank water-immersed electric heating element and the tank. In one embodiment of the corrosion protection system the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to enable a user of the water heater to accurately gauge the necessity of replacing a sacrificial anode extending into the tank. In another corrosion protection system, the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to provide impressed current cathodic protection of the tank and also to prevent dry firing of the electric water heater.

Abstract: A water heater has one or more heating elements and an internal wall that causes an increased rate of heating within a sub-volume within the water heater tank. Water from the sub-volume is directed to the tank outlet.