Abstract: A water heating system having an electric heater and an automatic temperature control system having high dynamic response for supplying water on demand at a substantially constant, controlled temperature is provided. The device includes a heat exchanger, and inlet diverting pipe, an outlet diverting pipe, a mixed flow pipe and a temperature control system. A tuning valve on each of the inlet flow diverting pipe and the outlet flow diverting pipe controls the ratio of heated and unheated flow entering the mixed flow pipe. The temperature control system controls the temperature of the water by establishing an empirical, monotonic relationship between the current applied to the heater and the temperature of the mixed flow.

Abstract: A power vented, gas fired water heater has a main gas burner disposed within a combustion chamber partially bounded by an arrestor plate having a spaced series of flame quenching combustion air inlet openings therein. To provide for a “soft” ignition of extraneous flammable vapors entering the combustion chamber and to limit the build-up of unignited flammable vapors within the combustion chamber during non-demand periods of the water heater, a non-flame type ignition device is disposed within the combustion chamber and operated at least intermittently during such non-demand periods.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber located adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a floor portion with an opening; a conduit extending upwardly from and being substantially sealed to the opening; a burner located inside the combustion chamber; and a flame trap positioned across the conduit, the flame trap permitting ingress of air and/or extraneous gases into the combustion chamber and prevent egress of flames from the structure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having at least one air inlet to admit air and extraneous fumes into the combustion chamber and confine ignition and combustion of the extraneous fumes within the combustion chamber; a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the container; and an air diverter positioned between the air inlet and the burner and adapted to channel at least a portion of combustion air passing through at least a portion of the air inlet to a position for mixture with the fuel prior to entering the burner to slow combustion and thereby reduce combustion temperatures and NOx emissions.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber located adjacent the container, the combustion chamber having a floor portion with an opening; a conduit extending upwardly from and being substantially sealed to the opening; a burner located inside the combustion chamber; and a flame trap positioned across the conduit, the flame trap permitting ingress of air and/or extraneous gases into the combustion chamber and prevent egress of flames from the structure.

Abstract: An instantaneous water heater comprises a sealed enclosed tank having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end, and an inlet, a baffle tube, and a baffle segregating said tank into a baffle chamber and a main heating and storage chamber. The baffle chamber receives unheated water from said baffle tube. The baffle has baffle openings between said baffle chamber and said main heating and storage chamber providing for intermixing of water therebetween. The tank has a plurality of heating elements and a plurality of temperature sensors and activators. The main heating and storage chamber has an outlet and a safety valve attached thereto, said outlet discharging heated water from said tank and being located in said top portion of said first end of said tank and said safety valve preventing over-heating and over-pressurization in said tank.

Abstract: A water and/or space heater is provided in which water is circulated to prevent the localized overheating or vaporization thereof.