Abstract: A water heater (10) including a tank (12) adapted for mounting with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and a duct (32) adapted for mounting with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical. The duct (32) is positioned within the tank (12) and extends through at least most of the height of the tank (12). The duct (32) defines a first volume (34) within the duct interior and a second volume (36) between the duct exterior and the tank interior. The first volume (34) being smaller than the second volume (36). The duct (32) has at least one upper opening (38) at or near the top of the duct (32) and at least one lower opening (40) at or near the bottom of the duct (32). The heater (10) also has a heating element (44) within, or forming all or part of, the duct (32). The element (44) extends at least substantially through the upper half of the duct (32). The heater (10) also has an inlet (24) at or near the bottom of the tank (12) and an outlet (22) at or near the top of the tank (12).

Abstract: A rapid heating water storage water heater structure, structured mainly from a main body, two sides of which and a rear portion are fitted with hollow and interlinked water storage tanks, and a central position is provided with a holding space, which is fitted with circuitous bent pipe bodies. Fins of appropriate size are respectively fitted in gap positions between the pipe bodies, the upper portion of which is connected to a storage tank connected to the water storage tanks through a plurality of water channels, and a lower portion of the pipe bodies is fitted with a burning device used to heat the pipe bodies to produce hot water. Water within the water storage tanks is simultaneously heated and the heat retained. Accordingly, the next time hot water is required; functionality to rapidly raise the temperature of the water is achieved, and further achieves the objective of conserving energy.

Abstract: A storage hot water supplying apparatus which efficiently operates with largely increased available heat in a water storage tank is provided. The storage hot water supplying apparatus (1) provides heated water to a load circuit (300) through which users uses water, and includes: a water storage tank (210) which stores water and has outlets for water to be heated (231 to 233) at different heights, an outlet selecting unit (430) to select, from among the outlets (231 to 233), an outlet to take out the water, based on a provision temperature which is a temperature of water to be provided from the water storage tank (210) to the load circuit (300) and temperatures of the water to be taken out through the outlets (231 to 233); and a heating unit (100) to heat the water taken out through the selected outlet and to be returned to the water storage tank (210).

Abstract: A water heater has a burner positioned below a vertical centrally located flue with heat exchange capacity enhanced by a multiplicity of rectangular metal fins which are welded on the inside of the vertical central flue. The central flue extends upwardly within a water tank. The central flue transitions to a smaller diameter downwardly draining helically coiled condensing flue. Approximately 80% of the heat from the combustion gases is transferred to the water within the water tank through the wall of the central flue without condensation. An additional 10% or more of the combustion heat is transferred to the water accompanied by condensation of water in the coiled flue. A fan draws the combustion gases through the central flue and the coiled condensing flue and supplies the combustion gases to an exterior vent.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater has a draft inducer fan assembly with a housing having an inlet for receiving hot combustion gases discharged from the water heater, and an outlet for discharging the combustion gases. A normally closed damper member within the housing is openable by fluid pressure force created by operation of a draft inducer fan portion of the assembly. With the damper in its open position the fan exhausts the received combustion gases through a housing outlet. When the damper closes it prevents convective outflow through the housing outlet of flue-heated air. In alternate embodiments of the assembly the fan is operative to also draw in dilution air that cools the fan motor and the discharged combustion gases, with the assembly having an internal configuration preventing convective outflow of flue-heated air through the housing dilution air inlet during standby periods of the water heater.

Abstract: A fuel saving food cooker and water heater arrangement includes an inner tank body and an outer tank body to define a water chamber between the inner and outer tank bodies, a heat chamber within the inner tank body, a bottom heat inlet communicating with the heat chamber for operatively connecting to a steam outlet of a food cooking apparatus, and an upper heat outlet communicating with the heat chamber, wherein an excessive heat from the food cooking apparatus is guided to pass to the heat chamber through the heat inlet to heat up the water within the water chamber.

Abstract: An amount of scale adhering onto inner surfaces of water tubes in any one of various boilers including a steam boiler, a hot water boiler, a waste heat boiler, and an exhaust gas boiler is accurately known by providing a temperature sensor at an appropriate position of the boiler. A plurality of water tubes (5, 6) connecting between an upper header (3) and a lower header (4) constitute an inner water tube row (7) and an outer water tube row (8). Inner longitudinal fins (9) close gaps between the adjacent inner water tubes (5, 5) except at a lower end of the inner water tube row (7). Outer longitudinal fins (11) close gaps between the adjacent outer water tubes (6, 6) except at an upper end of the outer water tube row (8).

Abstract: A shank mount assembly for a water heater that includes an annular nipple having an opening, the nipple configured to removably attach to an opening in a water heater tank. The shank mount assembly further includes an annular shank mount having an opening, the shank mount configured to removably attach to the nipple, wherein the shank mount is further configured to attach to a gas valve assembly.

Abstract: Heat exchanger (1) comprising at least a heat exchange element (10), made of a plate (20) that is folded along at least one predefined folding plane (4), first portions (31,32) of said plate (20) facing one another at a same internal surface of said plate (20) and defining an internal volume (500) of said heat exchange element (10), separated first ducts (12) being provided in said internal volume (500) for the circulation of a primary fluid in said heat exchange element (10).

Abstract: A child care storage having a steam sterilizing apparatus, wherein the steam sterilizing apparatus includes an outer tub defined by walls of a steam sterilizing compartment; a hollow upstanding coupling member installed on the center bottom of the outer tub and having an interlocking hole formed at its top; an inner tub inserted inside the outer tub for accommodating infant accessories therein, the inner tub having a reception hole formed at its bottom center and a latch part formed along the circumference of its bottom center; an evaporation vessel having a flange along its circumference, the flange being coupled to the latch part of the inner tub; a flat-type heater installed under a rear bottom surface of the evaporation vessel; and a supporting plate for placing the flat-type heater thereon.

Abstract: An energy efficient induced air gas water heater includes a water tank; a flue associated with the water tank; a burner that combusts a mixture that creates combustion products that pass through the flue; a blower that receives the combustion products from an outlet of the flue; a damper that movably covers and uncovers the flue outlet or an outlet of the blower, the damper being in an open position when the burner and/or the blower are operating and being in a closed position when the burner or the blower are not operating.

Abstract: A water heater. The water heater includes a water tank adapted to contain water to be heated, a combustion chamber positioned proximate the water tank, a combustor positioned in the combustion chamber and operable to create products of combustion, a passage extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank, the passage having an upper portion comprising an inner tube and an outer tube and a lower portion comprising an inner tube and an outer tube, and a transition element positioned in the passage and configured to direct supply air from the outer tube of the upper portion to the inner tube of the lower portion and deliver hot products of combustion from the outer tube of the lower portion to the inner tube of the upper portion, the transition element maintaining separation of the supply air and the products of combustion.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus includes an inner tank, an outer tank, heat bands disposed on the outside of the outer tank, an interior coil supplying water to the inner tank, and a heating element for heating water in the inner tank. The inner tank and outer tank are concentrically arranged with a labyrinthine passage in between, so that water spends an additional amount of time flowing in the passage while it is being heated by the heat supplied from the band heaters. The water heater apparatus can thereby provide heated water ready for delivery, as well as maintaining a start up heat.

Abstract: A gas water heater includes a power burner, a flue tube, an exhaust plenum, and a draft hood. The flue tube includes a portion that describes at least a 360° loop. Products of combustion are forced through the flue tube under the influence of the power burner, and enter the exhaust plenum. In the exhaust plenum, the pressure of the products of combustion drops such that the products of combustion flow into the draft hood substantially entirely under the influence of natural convection. In one embodiment, the power burner fires down into the flue tube through a side wall of the water heater, the loop of the flue tube is near the bottom of the water heater, and the plenum is in the top of the water heater.

Abstract: A combustion system and method for operating a combustion system, such as a furnace or boiler. The method includes providing a burner system having one or more burner elements configured to combust solid fuel and one or more oxygen providing devices configured to introduce oxygen into the near burner zone of one or more burner flames. A sensor is provided and arranged and disposed to measure a flame parameter in the near burner zone of the burner flame associated with one or more the burner elements. The flame parameter is measured with the sensor and an oxygen flow is determined in response to the measured flame parameter. Oxygen flow is introduced to one or more locations in the combustion system with the one or more oxygen providing devices.

Abstract: A water heater. The water heater includes a water tank having a tank wall defining an interior space and adapted to contain water to be heated, a tank extension having an extension wall detachably mounted to the tank wall, the extension wall defining extension space communicating with the interior space, and defining an extension axis, an air inlet at least partially in the extension space extending through the extension wall at a radial angle to extension axis of tank extension, a combustor at least partially in the extension space and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes configured to receive products of combustion from combustor and extending into interior space of the water tank. The extension space is configured to be flooded with water from the water tank.

Abstract: A flue system is provided for a water heater having improved heat exchange efficiency. The flue system includes an upstream heat exchange portion providing a first pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater. The flue system further includes a downstream heat exchange portion providing a second pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater and a blower positioned between the upstream heat exchange portion and the downstream heat exchange portion. The blower is configured to urge combustion products from the upstream heat exchange portion to the downstream heat exchange portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot water supplying system of a boiler equipped with a double pipe heat exchanger, which can normally perform a heating operation in the boiler having the double pipe heat exchanger, in which an outer pipe used for a hot water pathway and an inner pipe used for a heating water pathway are installed, under a circumstance where water supply is stopped. The hot water supplying system includes: a double pipe heat exchanger including an outer pipe to which combustion heat is directly transferred from a burner of a combustion chamber; a cold water pipe for supplying water to the outer pipe of the heat exchanger; and a hot water supplying pipe through which water is discharged from the outer pipe of the heat exchanger, wherein a backflow cutoff valve and a pressure absorbing device are mounted on the cold water pipe.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber, a blower located to receive combustion products generated by the burner, an intake air conduit connected to the combustion chamber and having a combustion air intake opening, a dilution air conduit connected to the blower and having a dilution air intake opening; and a flammable vapor sensor having at least an operative portion positioned in the blower or the dilution air conduit.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a combustion chamber assembly, representatively a sealed combustion chamber assembly, operative to create from combustion air delivered thereto via a circumferentially limited vertical side portion thereof a flow of primary combustion air to the underside of a centrally disposed fuel burner within the assembly via a first location underlying the burner, a first flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via the first location, and a second flow of secondary combustion air delivered to the burner via a second location outwardly circumscribing the first location.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater to drain condensate from combustion products is provided. The water heater comprises a water tank, a burner for producing combustion products, a flue extending through an interior of the water tank to receive the combustion products, and an exhaust passageway positioned downstream of the flue and extending outside of the water tank to exhaust the combustion products. The exhaust passageway includes a first portion and a second portion positioned at an elevation above the first portion. A bypass conduit is coupled to the exhaust passageway and positioned to direct condensate in the exhaust passageway from the second portion toward the first portion. A drain port is positioned at or an elevation below the first portion of the exhaust passageway to drain condensate from the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A flue system is provided for a water heater having improved heat exchange efficiency. The flue system includes an upstream heat exchange portion having at least one substantially vertical flue tube. The flue system also includes a downstream heat exchange portion having at least one substantially vertical flue tube. The upstream heat exchange portion provides a first pass for heat exchange with water in a water heater. The downstream heat exchange portion provides a second pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater includes a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the, water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the water container, a blower assembly positioned to receive combustion gases generated by the burner, a shield positioned below at least a heating portion of the burner, a diverter that directs combustion air into the combustion chamber below the shield, and a passageway that directs at least a portion of the combustion air from the combustion air inlet, as primary combustion air, to the burner.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is coupled to an electrically powered air conditioning refrigerant circuit in a manner permitting water to be heated with either combustible fuel or electricity. In one embodiment a condenser piping section is externally coiled around the water heater tank, in direct thermally conductive contact therewith, and in another embodiment the condenser piping section is disposed in the interior of the tank and is coiled around the water heater flue in a laterally outwardly spaced relationship therewith. In various depicted arrangements thereof the other refrigerant circuit components are compactly supported on the water heater.

Abstract: A boiler for heating a flow capable medium, especially for heating water, comprising a boiler housing made from plastic and a heater protruding through a mounting hole in the boiler housing into the interior of the boiler housing, being fixated in the mounting hole through a fixation means. Furthermore the interior diameter of the mounting hole in the boiler housing is at least in sections approximately identical to the outer diameter of the heater and the heater has an unheated section in the area of the mounting hole.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a submersible burner compartment with at least one burner subassembly and an associated submersible primary ignition means. The burner subassembly also has an associated infrared primary flame monitoring subassembly. The primary flame monitoring system and primary ignition means are all housed within the burner compartment whereby when the burner compartment is filled with water, the burners are all submerged. The infrared flame monitoring subassembly is electronically coupled to a primary monitoring device and a fuel feed pipe is couple to the burner subassembly. A super heater compartment is coupled to and receives steam exhausted from the burner compartment. The super heater compartment has at least one burner subassembly located therein. An associated submersible secondary ignition means and an associated infrared secondary flame monitoring subassembly are provided for each burner subassembly.

Abstract: Insulation for high temperature applications includes glass fibers having an average diameter of between about 2.7 to about 3.8 microns. In one possible embodiment the insulation includes a polyacrylic acid binder. Such insulation has about 98 weight percent glass fibers and about 2 weight percent binder.

Abstract: A water heating device including at least two water tanks. In the first water tank water is heated by a heating element. The intermediate water tank is located above the first tank, and feeds colder water into it, through a pipe. In some embodiments a condenser of water vapour is connected to the intermediate tank. A water discharge tap for hot water drains the first tank.

Abstract: An active thermal energy storage system is disclosed which uses an energy storage material that is stable at atmospheric pressure and temperature and has a melting point higher than 32 degrees F. This energy storage material is held within a storage tank and used as an energy storage source, from which a heat transfer system (e.g., a heat pump) can draw to provide heating of residential or commercial buildings and associated hot water. The energy storage material may also accept waste heat from a conventional air conditioning loop, and may store such heat until needed. The system may be supplemented by a solar panel system that can be used to collect energy during daylight hours, storing the collected energy in the energy storage material. The stored energy may then be used during the evening hours to heat recirculation air for a building in which the system is installed.

Abstract: A draft inducer is disclosed. The draft inducer includes an impeller having one or more backward curved blades. The impeller is coupled to a motor which is preferably a DC motor. The DC motor resides at the center of the impeller and is housed within the impeller structure. The draft inducer may be mounted on a hot water heater between the hot and cold water pipes such that the impeller spins about a vertical axis.

Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes burning fuel to produce hot gases and heating a first mass of water with a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot gases. Heat remaining after the hot gases pass through the first heat exchanger is used by a second heat exchanger to heat a second mass of water. The first mass of water is partially isolated from the second mass of water and the first mass of water is contained substantially within the second mass of water. The second mass of water is colder than the first mass of water and, thereby, condenses more water vapor out of the hot gases.

Abstract: An original equipment manufacturer water heater including a water tank including an inlet and an outlet, means for heating water in the water tank, a base pan at least partially supporting the water tank such that water leaked from the water tank collects in the base pan, a valve closable to prevent water from entering the water tank through the inlet, and a sensor positioned in the base pan, the sensor configured to close the valve upon detecting water.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is coupled to an electrically powered air conditioning refrigerant circuit in a manner permitting water to be heated with either combustible fuel or electricity. In one embodiment a condenser piping section is externally coiled around the water heater tank, in direct thermally conductive contact therewith, and in another embodiment the condenser piping section is disposed in the interior of the tank and is coiled around the water heater flue in a laterally outwardly spaced relationship therewith. In various depicted arrangements thereof the other refrigerant circuit components are compactly supported on the water heater.

Abstract: A liquid heating appliance, representatively a water heater, is provided with protective apparatus for preventing rupture of its liquid storage tank portion caused by overheating of pressurized liquid therein. Illustratively, the protective apparatus includes a length of thermoplastic tubing, preferably polybutylene tubing, whose interior is exposed to the tank interior so as to be pressurized by heated liquid therein. In the event of a liquid overheating condition in the tank, the tubing is heat-softened in a manner reducing its burst pressure and causing it to burst, at a pressure substantially below the tank burst pressure, and thereby form a pressure relief outlet passage for the tank. A shield structure with at least one fluid outlet opening therein extends outwardly around the thermoplastic tubing to diffuse pressurized fluid escaping from the burst tubing.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. This invention is a means of keeping the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside the water heater by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate tank connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: A water supply system includes a main water tank and a sub-tank of smaller dimensions than the main tank for supplying hot and cold water for household use. The sub-tank is surrounded by a tubular coil of refrigerant in contact with the sub-tank, a layer of insulation and an outer wall for maintaining the insulation in place and protecting the tubular coil and sub-tank from being damaged. A water heater is disposed in or below a lower part of the tank and a three-way switch is provided for selecting heating or refrigeration during different seasons of the year.

Abstract: A housing has a top, a bottom and side walls. A liner has a top, a bottom, and side walls. The liner is fabricated of glass. A space is provided between the liner and housing. Insulation material is provided throughout the space. A heating assembly is provided within the liner. Glass water inlet and outlet lines extend through the housing and liner.

Abstract: An active thermal energy storage system is disclosed which uses an energy storage material that is stable at atmospheric pressure and temperature and has a melting point higher than 32 degrees F. This energy storage material is held within a storage tank and used as an energy storage source, from which a heat transfer system (e.g., a heat pump) can draw to provide heating of residential or commercial buildings and associated hot water. The energy storage material may also accept waste heat from a conventional air conditioning loop, and may store such heat until needed. The system may be supplemented by a solar panel system that can be used to collect energy during daylight hours, storing the collected energy in the energy storage material. The stored energy may then be used during the evening hours to heat recirculation air for a building in which the system is installed.

Abstract: A hot water apparatus is provided in which heat recovery is performed as much as possible allowing condensate to be generated and excellent heat efficiency is achieved without providing a plurality of heat exchangers by effectively evaporating generated condensate. In a water heater 1, the condensate evaporator 11 is disposed inclining so that its side facing the high temperature portion of the heat exchanger 10 is at a lower position. The generated condensate drops on the condensate receiver guiding portion 28, and moves by its own weight to the side facing the high temperature portion. Then the condensate is heated and evaporated. In this evaporation, the same amount of heat as that of recovered latent heat is discharged to the exhaust gas, however, sensible heat can be recovered as much as possible without limiting condensate generation in the heat exchanger 10.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water heater, a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the water container, a flue having an upper portion and a lower portion operatively connected to the combustion chamber and extending through at least a portion of the water container, and a catalytic converter located in the upper portion of the flue. The water heater may also reduce NOx and CO emissions generated by a water heater having a radiant burner including activating the burner in response to the temperature of water in the water heater as needed, and substantially removing accumulated foreign matter on the burner by periodically activating the burner irrespective of the water temperature for a selected amount of time.

Abstract: A dam assembly to protect a component mounted on a water heater tank wall while insulating foam is injected between the tank and a jacket surrounding the tank, the dam assembly comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions, the web having a strength sufficient to withstand force applied to the inner portion to press the dam assembly into an aperture in the jacket such that the outer portion surrounds the component between the tank and the jacket, and the web breaking under the application of a pre-determined force on the inner portion, allowing the inner portion to be at least partially pushed inside the outer portion to enclose the component within the dam assembly.

Abstract: A water heater including a water inlet line having an inlet opening that introduces cold water to a tank, a water outlet line having an outlet opening that withdraws heated water from the tank, and a heating element. The water heater further includes a control circuit. The heating element can be an electrical resistance heating element, a gas heating element, or a combination thereof. In one construction, the gas heating element includes a first combustive section and a second combustive section separately controlled from the first combustive section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a combustion chamber for use in a water heater is provided. A skirt is formed, and an edge portion of a plate is spot welded to the skirt. The edge portion of the plate is circumferentially welded to the skirt, thereby forming a seal between the plate and the skirt.

Abstract: A plurality of first joint tubes 40 connected to a plurality of heat transfer tubes 3 and a plurality of second joint tubes 50 provided at a header 5B are connected to each other at joints J. The joints J include at least one slide joint Ja at which respective ends of the first and the second joint tubes 40 and 50 are fitted to each other slidably in a predetermined direction. The joints J further include at least one butt joint Jb at which an end of either one of the first and the second joint tubes butts against a sealing surface provided at the other one of the first and the second joint tubes. The butt position of the sealing surface and the end is variable in a direction crossing the predetermined direction. With this arrangement, the influence of an error in the arrangement of the first and the second joint tubes 40 and 50 is reduced, so that the header 5B is properly connected to the heat transfer tubes 3 detachably, and the maintenance of the heat exchanger HE is facilitated.

Abstract: A water heater is shown having a closed metal tank with an upwardly mounted combustion chamber and burner/blower assembly. Curved fire tubes convey the products of combustion from the chamber to an exterior mounted flue assembly. The closed tank is enclosed by a rotomolded jacket. A support stand with vertically arranged support legs supports the tank in a normally vertical position but also allows the tank to be pivoted to a horizontal position on the support stand for maintenance or repair operations.

Abstract: The water heating apparatus has an upright cylindrical thermally insulated storage tank, an axially extending exhaust gas pipe passing centrally through the storage tank and a combustion chamber under the storage tank. An atmospheric gas burner, which has a complete premixing fuel gas/air supply system, is arranged within the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas pipe has a section extending within the combustion chamber, which preferably extends towards the bottom of the combustion chamber and has an end located a few centimeters from the bottom, so that the combustion gases have a longer dwell time in the combustion chamber and the exhaust gas pipe in order to improve heating efficiency.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the combustion chamber; a blower assembly located to receive combustion products generated by the burner; an intake conduit sealingly connected to the combustion chamber and having a combustion air intake opening located adjacent an upper portion of the water heater; and a dilution air conduit sealingly connected to the blower assembly and having a dilution air intake opening located adjacent a lower portion of the water heater.

Abstract: A fuel-fired low NOx water heater extending along a vertical axis has a radiant fuel burner disposed in its combustion chamber. The entire burner combustion air quantity is delivered to the burner from outside the combustion chamber via a horizontally serpentined flow path extending through an internal portion of the water heater. This serpentined air inflow path configuration causes a substantial portion of particulate matter in the incoming combustion air to be removed therefrom before entering and potentially clogging the burner.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. This invention is a means of keeping the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside the water heater by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate tank connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: A baffle for slowing the incoming water flow into a booster heating tank so that the turbulence in the water tank is minimized. The baffle consists of an inner cap and outer cap which are positioned over the inlet to a water heating tank. The outer cap is spaced apart from the inner cap such that the incoming water flows through openings in the inner cap and is directed to the underside of the outer cap. The water, having been sufficiently slowed by the contact with the underside of the outer cap, then smoothly flows downward along the outer cap flange and into the main plenum of the tank.