Abstract: A floating seal arrangement is provided between the drive shaft of an electric motor and the cover plate of an inducer housing, through which the shaft extends. This allows radial movement of the shaft within the housing opening, while at the same time preventing the migration of a liquid from the inducer housing to the motor.

Abstract: The elbow between the discharge end of the draft inducer and a horizontal vent pipe is provided with a well structure on the lower side of its discharge end such that condensate forming in the vent pipe is prevented from passing through the elbow into the draft inducer housing. The well structure, in addition to restraining the flow of the condensate, provides for the draining off thereof, and presents a minimal restriction to the flow of flue gases flowing to the elbow. Provision is also made for maintaining a tight seal between a rectangularly shaped inlet lip of the elbow and a rectangularly shaped discharge end of the inducer housing by making the inlet lip of varying thicknesses, with the lip being thinnest at its corners and thickest at its side midpoints.