Abstract: There is provided an indoor mounting water heater in which combustion exhaust gas is discharged to the outdoors via an exhaust duct, wherein a decrease in draft force caused when the number of burner groups to be burned is reduced by a capacity changeover mechanism to decrease the combustion capacity can be prevented, and the heat efficiency can be improved. An air supply chamber 81 is divided into a plurality of parts 82 and 83 corresponding to a plurality of burner groups 51 and 52. The air sent from an air supply fan 84 is supplied to only a part of the air supply chamber corresponding to a burning burner group.

Abstract: The invention provides a geyser (210) for heating water in domestic or industrial applications. The geyser (210) includes a first end section (212), a second end section (214), and a central section (216) between the first and second end sections. The central section (216) includes a plurality of modular components (218 and 220) defining an inner wall (316) which together with the first and second end sections (212 and 214) forms a primary, sealed chamber (C) for containing fluid within the geyser (210), in use, and an outer wall (318), spaced from the inner wall (316), which together with the inner wall (316) and the first and second end sections (212 and 214) forms a secondary, safety chamber (D) for containing fluid expelled from the primary chamber (C) upon failure of the geyser (210). An outlet (331) is provided on the geyser (210) for allowing fluid to discharge from the secondary, safety chamber (D), typically via a vent pipe, to a desired location.

Abstract: A water heater (10) including a tank (12), a burner (26) and a heated gas outlet duct (40). The tank (12) has a substantially central flue (14) having an outlet (24) substantially adjacent the top (20) of the tank (12). The tank (12) is adapted for mounting with the flue (14) substantially vertically. The burner (26) is located beneath the tank (12). The burner (26) has an air inlet (32) and a pilot flame and is adapted to a burn a fuel to discharge heated gases up through the flue (14). The heated gas outlet duct (40) is of substantially unrestricted cross-section and has an upper, first end (42) in gas communication with the flue outlet (24) and a second, lower end (46) in gas communication with atmosphere. When only the pilot flame is burning, the heated gas outlet duct (40) is adapted to restrict the air drawn into the flue (14) via the air inlet (32) to the minimum amount required to maintain the pilot flame alight.

Abstract: A water heater including a vessel, a heating fixture (e.g., an electric-resistance heating element, a gas burner) having a rated maximum heating output, and a controller. The controller includes an interface and a temperature sensor. The controller can control the heating output of the heating element based on a sensed temperature of the temperature sensors. The heating output is a defined maximum heating output for the heating fixture. Also disclosed are methods of defining the capabilities of a water hater heater and methods of operating a water heater.

Abstract: A water heater and method of assembling the water heater are disclosed. The method includes the step of positioning an insulation member around a water tank. An expandable tube is positioned at an elevation between a top surface and a bottom surface of the insulation member. An outer shell is positioned over the water tank, the insulation member, and the expandable tube to at least partially encapsulate the water tank. The expandable tube is expanded to compress at least a portion of the insulation member against the water tank or the outer shell. Foam insulation is delivered into a space defined adjacent the top surface of the insulation member and between the water tank and the outer shell. The foam insulation is substantially limited from traveling past the expandable tube when the expandable tube is maintained in an expanded state.

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 includes a rotationally molded plastic enclosure, and a tank for holding water to be heated located within the enclosure and having electrical components at a forward end. The enclosure has a cylindrically-shaped side wall, a front wall at a forward end of the side wall, and a rear wall at a rear end of the side wall to form an enclosed interior space for the tank. The front wall has an opening at the electrical components and a removable electrical enclosure is secured to the enclosure covers the opening in the front wall. The tank has a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, a drain, and a relief valve and the enclosure has openings for the cold water inlet, the hot water outlet, the drain, and the relief valve. Preferably, a common molded enclosure blank is used for a plurality of different water heater configurations.

Abstract: A jacket for a water tank comprises a sheet of water-containing material such as plastic. A closure is provided to draw together two opposed edges of the sheet. A fastener, such as a strap clamp extends along a third edge of the sheet. The jacket may be retrofitted to an existing tank, such as a domestic hot water tank, by clamping the fastener around a drain pan under the tank and closing the closure so that the jacket wraps around the tank. Any water leaking from the tank is caught by the jacket and directed into the drain pan from where it can escape safely into a drain.

Abstract: A gas supply coupling and method of assembly for the delivery of combustion gases to a combustion chamber of a heating device includes a crimp ring which provides a metal-to-metal seal between the gas supply tube and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A foam dam is provided for use with a water heater having a tank and a jacket together defining an annular region. The foam dam includes a central region having a surface configured to cover a component coupled to the tank. The foam dam also includes a perimeter region extending from the central region. The perimeter region of the foam dam defines a surface to at least substantially traverse the annular region between the tank and jacket of the water heater. The perimeter region is configured to substantially prevent foam insulation from flowing into an area proximate to the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an insulation wrap for a water heater tank including a strip of nonflammable fibrous material having an opening therein and a fibrous material element outlining at least a portion of that opening. In addition the present invention relates to a hot water heater incorporating the insulation wrap.

Abstract: The water heater (2) or steam generator comprises a chamber (4) in two sections (5, 6) formed in particular by stamping. Inside this chamber a heating element (8) is arranged, which has a spiral-shaped main section (10) and two end sections (11, 12) passing through two circular openings of the chamber. The two end sections are welded to the chamber by a laser beam such that the weld obtained is continuous and ensures a good mechanical fixture of the heating element and an adequate tightness for the water heater or steam generator. For this purpose, a flange (18) is arranged at the periphery of each opening. Moreover, the two sections of the chamber have a widened edge (28) to allow them to be welded effectively.

Abstract: A jacket for a water tank comprises a sheet of water-containing material such as plastic. A closure is provided to draw together two opposed edges of the sheet. A fastener, such as a strap clamp extends along a third edge of the sheet. The jacket may be retrofitted to an existing tank, such as a domestic hot water tank, by clamping the fastener around a drain pan under the tank and closing the closure so that the jacket wraps around the tank. Any water leaking from the tank is caught by the jacket and directed into the drain pan from where it can escape safely into a drain.

Abstract: A foam dam is provided for use with a water heater having a tank and a jacket together defining an annular region. The foam dam includes a central region having a surface configured to cover a component coupled to the tank. The foam dam also includes a perimeter region extending from the central region. The perimeter region of the foam dam defines a surface to at least substantially traverse the annular region between the tank and jacket of the water heater. The perimeter region is configured to substantially prevent foam insulation from flowing into an area proximate to the component.

Abstract: A water tube WT of a heat exchanger B includes a helical tube body 5 which includes a plurality of loops 50 arranged in the axial direction. At least one of the loops 50 includes an inclined tube portion which is inclined with respect to the axial direction and a non-inclined tube portion extending perpendicularly to the axial direction. The inclined tube portion is provided at each of opposite end regions s2a and s2b in a width direction crossing the axial direction, whereas the non-inclined tube portion is provided at an intermediate region S1 in the width direction. With this structure, the pitch p2 of the loops 50 is reduced. Therefore, by increasing the number of loops 50, high heat exchange efficiency is achieved without considerably increasing the size of the helical tube body 5.

Abstract: A specially configured fuel-fired water heater production platform may be used as a natural draft water heater. Alternatively, by modifying an upper end portion of the production platform using associated conversion apparatus, the same platform may be converted to a power vented water heater subassembly, a natural draft direct vent water heater subassembly, or a powered direct vent water heater subassembly to thereby lower the overall production costs for these different types of fuel-fired water heaters.

Abstract: A water heater includes a tank and a jacket surrounding the tank. Between the tank and jacket is defined an annular space in which a seal is positioned. The seal extends between the tank and the jacket and defines a bottom of the annular space. The seal includes a depending flange that retains a fiberglass batt against the water tank so that the batt does not interfere with lowering the jacket around the tank. The seal also includes a plurality of arms that center and round out the jacket as it is lowered over the tank. A liquid-based insulation is pumped into the annular space under pressure, and the seal substantially prevents any of the insulation from leaking through the bottom of the annular seal. The arms may be progressively longer and/or thicker from the top down to permit some of the insulation to bypass the upper arms and fill the spaces between the arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined liquid foam stop and insulator for a tank assembly including a fibrous material strip and a nonflammable insulating skirt connected to the fibrous material strip. In an alternative embodiment the invention is the liquid foam stop in the form of a fibrous material strip and in the absence of the nonflammable insulating skirt. Further, the invention includes a gas water heater incorporating the liquid foam stop or the combined liquid foam stop and insulator of the present invention.

Abstract: A water heater is arranged with the hot water storage chamber R1 at the top and the combustion chamber R2 at the bottom within the body 11 which is a container. The combustion chamber R2 is equipped with the air supply inlet 13a, and the flame arrester 27 is provided at the air supply inlet 13a. Within the combustion chamber R2, the main burner 22 and the pilot burner 25 are provided, the changing state of flame of the pilot burner 25 is detected by the thermocouple 26, and a controller 41 closes an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the main gas passage, stops the combustion of the main burner 22 as well, and rings the alarm 44. In a alternate embodiment, a sensor burner 60 is used as a safety device to detect a state of flame of the sensor burner and to shut off fuel to the main gas burner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas fed water-heater comprising a double wall container (1) inside which a burner (2) and a tank (3) of the water to be heated are arranged. At least in the portion (5?) adjacent to the burner (2) of the interspace (5) between the two walls of said container (1) is placed a thermoinsulating system comprising an inner layer (6) of glass wool or rock wool and an outer layer (7) formed of at least a one vacuum panel, which comprises an envelope which encloses inert material powder with an average size of the particles lower than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A foam dam in the insulation cavity of an electric water heater comprises a plastic bag into which liquid foam insulation is injected, the bag having an essentially closed top edge portion with only a small opening for receiving the injected insulation. A small portion of the insulation injected into the bag is forced outwardly therefrom via small metering holes to form external protrusions on the bag that mechanically interlock with a second batch of insulation subsequently injected into the cavity and prevent the hardened second insulation batch from pulling away from the bag. The substantially closed top edge of the bag permits the insulation injected into the bag to pack therein and increase the top-to-bottom hardened foam density uniformity. Side edges of the bag may be pleated to increase the sealing area of the foam dam.

Abstract: A heating device for a container in which a hydrogen storage canister is disposed. The hydrogen storage canister supplies hydrogen to a fuel cell including a discharge port, and the heating device includes a water jacket and a seal member. The water jacket is disposed on the container, and communicates with the discharge port of the fuel cell. When the hydrogen storage canister is disposed on the container, the hydrogen storage canister is surrounded by the water jacket and is heated by via water from the discharge exit. The seal member is disposed between the water jacket and the container so that the hydrogen storage canister is closely abutted by the water jacket.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an insulation wrap for a water heater tank including a strip of nonflammable fibrous material having an opening therein and a fibrous material element outlining at least a portion of that opening. In addition the present invention relates to a hot water heater incorporating the insulation wrap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined liquid foam stop and insulator for a tank assembly including a fibrous material strip and a nonflammable insulating skirt connected to the fibrous material strip. In an alternative embodiment the invention is the liquid foam stop in the form of a fibrous material strip and in the absence of the nonflammable insulating skirt. Further, the invention includes a gas water heater incorporating the liquid foam stop or the combined liquid foam stop and insulator of the present invention.

Abstract: An explosion-proof hot water heater of the type having a gas-fired combustion chamber at a lower end of the inner tank is described. The combustion chamber is an unsealed chamber and has a sealed bottom wall and a fuel burner in the combustion chamber. Combustion air intake ports are provided about the combustion chamber above the sealed bottom wall. A support base supports the sealed bottom wall elevated from a support surface. Air intake openings are provided about the outer skin casing of the hot water tank and spaced a predetermined distance above the sealed bottom wall. Air passages communicate the air intake openings with the combustion air intake ports of the combustion chamber. A gas vapour sensor is secured in relation to the support base below the sealed bottom wall and is adapted to cause the burner to be shut off upon detection of explosive vapours with sufficient time delay before such vapours reach the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An improved gas-fired water heater is disclosed which comprises a sealed cylindrical shell extending from the base of the water tank to the top, enclosing the burners and controls so as to shield them from flammable vapors in the immediate vicinity. The cylindrical shell forms an annular passage outside the tank (and insulation, if present), which facilitates the intake of combustion air. This annular passage is shielded from above and the side adjacent the top of the tank by a cover fitted to the tank top which extends downward from the top to form a lip which laterally shields the annular passage and directs intake combustion air upward from outside the shell to enter the annular passage. The bottom of the heater can be extended by a cylindrical skirt extension which encloses the burner of the heater in an airtight manner except for air inlets in the bottom of the extension.

Abstract: A base for rendering a gas-fired water heater, having a lower combustion chamber, explosion-proof, is described. The base has elevating supports which are provided with securement means in an upper portion thereof for securing same to a bottom end of a gas water heater housing whereby to support the gas water heater elevated from a floor surface. One or more vapour detectors are associated with the base to detect the presence of combustible vapours. The vapour detectors are connected to a switch to shut off a gas burner and pilot in the combustion chamber before the combustible vapours reach the flame of the gas burner and/or pilot through combustion chamber air supply passages in a lower end of the gas water heater housing. The temperature in the chamber is lower than the temperature of ignition of gas vapour.

Abstract: A hot-water appliance capable of resisting at least the pressure of the public water supply system, comprising at least one hot-water vessel with a supply conduit connectable to the public water supply system and a discharge conduit connectable to a draw-off tap, wherein the hot-water vessel further comprises a substantially cylindrical jacket wall and two end walls, characterized in that a vacuum insulated jacket (2) surrounds at least the cylindrical wall part (1a, 9) of the hot water vessel, with said vacuum insulated jacket consisting of wall(s) composed of a solid non-plastic material composition and a thickness of less than ca. 2 cm, the wall(s) enclosing a hollow vacuum space whereupon at a temperature difference between the hot water vessel and the ambient atmosphere of at least 90° C. the vacuum insulated jacket will retain an internal absolute pressure in the vacuum space of less than 10−2 millibar, corresponding to a vacuum of less than 0.

Abstract: An exhaust heat trap and redirecting system for utilizing exhaust heat includes an electric generator including an internal combustion engine. The electric generator is electrically coupled to an electrical system of a dwelling. An exhaust conduit is fluidly coupled to the engine for venting exhaust away therefrom. A substantially airtight sheath is positioned about a water tank in a water heater. The sheath comprises a cylinder having an inner wall and an outer wall. The sheath has an upper wall attached to the outer wall. A sheath inlet has a first end fluidly coupled to the sheath and a second end fluidly coupled to the exhaust conduit. A sheath outlet has a first end fluidly coupled to the upper wall of the sheath and a second end is directed outward of the dwelling.

Abstract: A water heater is provided with a specially designed molded bottom pad/foam dam member formed from a crushable material, such as polystyrene, which is received in a metal bottom pan and has concentric circular grooves formed in its top side to receive circular bottom end edge portions of the tank and outer jacket portions of the water heater. A circumferentially spaced plurality of rigid support members are imbedded in the bottom pad/foam dam member and underlie its tank groove to prevent the tank from crushing the member one of the support members is formed from an electrically conductive material and defines an electrical grounding path between the tank and the bottom pan, and the other support members are formed from a thermally insulative material to inhibit heat loss from the tank to the bottom pan.

Abstract: A water heater adapted to be positioned outside of a building and to interface with the plumbing system of the building. The water heater includes a water storage tank adapted to store water outside of the building, a means for heating the water in the tank, a base member supporting the tank outside of the building, and a plurality of water pipes communicating with the water tank. The water heater also includes a manifold that is mounted to the base member and includes a plurality of pipe unions adapted to interface between the plumbing system and the plurality of pipes to provide cold water to the tank and to remove heated water from the tank for use in the building.

Abstract: A water heater having a barrier for forming an enclosure around a lower portion of heater. The barrier has an inside wall, an outside wall and a space between the inside and outside walls. There is a skirt disposed within the barrier for slidably receiving the water heater tank. The burner for the water heater is disposed within the skirt. The outside wall of the barrier has at least one aperture for air to pass into the space. The inside wall has a plurality of ventilation holes to allow heat currents to escape through the space and causes a siphoning effect, thus preventing any fumes from reaching the flame. There is an outwardly extending flange surrounding a top edge of the barrier. The flange has an inside wall connected to the inside wall of the barrier, an outside wall connected to the outside wall of the barrier, and a space between the inside and outside walls that communicates with the space in the barrier.

Abstract: Combustible vapors from flammable materials spilled near a gas water heater can enter the water heater's combustion chamber and cause a serious fire or explosion. This problem can be avoided by ensuring that all combustion air is supplied from at least some selected distance (preferably eighteen inches or more) above a floor on which the water heater is placed. One version of the invention provides a flanged tube that can be installed so that an upper, inlet, end of the tube is above the selected height and so that the lower, outlet, end of the tube is sealed over a pilot flame access doorway. Various materials, such as an aerosol sealant foam or a flexible tape, are used to seal all other air inlets to the water heater.

Abstract: A prefabricated housing for an external hot water system located adjacent a house wall or the like is disclosed which has walling members including two side walls and a front wall, a roof, insulating means for insulating the walling members and the roof, and fastening means for releasably fastening the assembled housing to the house wall or the like.

Abstract: A gas supply coupling for a water heater incorporating a shield to close the opening to the combustion chamber. The coupling includes a supply tube, a connector extending through the shield and a gas supply line detachably connected to the connector. The connector is staked to the shield to prevent disassembly requiring that the entire coupling be removed from the combustion chamber prior to disassembly. The gas supply line includes a threaded fastener having a unique exterior configuration requiring a specialized tool for separation from the connector.

Abstract: A sight glass assembly for a water heater flame trap and a method of making same is disclosed. A rectangular-shaped sight glass frame casing being comprised of a thin metal plate further comprising a rounded rectangular cut-out window and two metal tabs on opposite sides of the casing acting as a retainer to hold the planar transparent material of the sight window tight to the rectangular-shaped gasket. The metal frame casing of the sight glass assembly attaches to the exterior of the flame trap compartment of the hot water heater by: (a) either inserting the tabs, further comprising metal clips, into the gasket whereby they expand, locking the metal frame casing in place; or in a second embodiment (b) riveting the tabs, now in the shape of a flange, directly to the hot water heater shell. The metal frame casing is formed by a metal stamping procedure that allows for easier and more economic manufacture of the sight glass retainer.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner s structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An inner combustion chamber access door member for a fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burner structures respectively supported thereon by gas supply tubes sealingly extending through and anchored to the door member, and is further provided with a wire pass-through tube and a sight glass opening. After the door member has been externally secured to a side wall portion of the water heater over an access opening therein, with the main and pilot burner structures disposed in the combustion chamber of the water heater, a lighting wand is extended through the sight glass opening to light and test the burners. Subsequently, a sight glass structure is snapped into the sight glass opening to complete the installation of the door/burner assembly. Thermocouple and igniter wires extend through the pass-through tube, and are sealed therein by a laterally split resilient cylindrical sealing plug member.

Abstract: An inner combustion chamber access door member for a fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burner structures respectively supported thereon by gas supply tubes sealingly extending through and anchored to the door member, and is further provided with a wire pass-through tube and a sight glass opening. After the door member has been externally secured to a side wall portion of the water heater over an access opening therein, with the main and pilot burner structures disposed in the combustion chamber of the water heater, a lighting wand is extended through the sight glass opening to light and test the burners. Subsequently, a sight glass structure is snapped into the sight glass opening to complete the installation of the door/burner assembly. Thermocouple and igniter wires extend through the pass-through tube, and are sealed therein by a laterally split resilient cylindrical sealing plug member.

Abstract: An inner combustion chamber access door member for a fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burner structures respectively supported thereon by gas supply tubes sealingly extending through and anchored to the door member, and is further provided with a wire pass-through tube and a sight glass opening. After the door member has been externally secured to a side wall portion of the water heater over an access opening therein, with the main and pilot burner structures disposed in the combustion chamber of the water heater, a lighting wand is extended through the sight glass opening to light and test the burners. Subsequently, a sight glass structure is snapped into the sight glass opening to complete the installation of the door/burner assembly. Thermocouple and igniter wires extend through the pass-through tube, and are sealed therein by a laterally split resilient cylindrical sealing plug member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generator comprising an evaporation tank and several heating elements (2). The evaporation tank consists of an evaporation vessel (1) and a removable limescale rectacle (4) positioned below same. The evaporation vessel (1) is configured as a double-walled vessel having an inner wall (11) and an outer wall (12) which define an outer chamber (13). The inner wall (11) has four inner water-flow openings (111) which connect the interior of the vessel with the outer chamber (13) and the outer wall (12) has outer water-flow openings (121, 122). Water is delivered to and withdrawn from the vessel via the outer flow openings (121, 122), the outer wall (13) and the inner flow opening (111).

Abstract: A flexible, water impervious liner is fitted in a rigid outer shell. The shell has an open top with a peripheral flange over which a top lip of the liner is fitted. A separate top plate attaches to the flange with standard fasteners for clamping the liner to the shell. Through hull fittings are provided for heating elements at the side and inlet/outlet fittings at the top. The construction allows convenient access to virtually all components of the water heater, including the liner and the heating elements, so that they can be quickly and easily serviced or replaced. A desired amount of insulation can be provided by an appropriate cover or blanket to surround the outer shell.

Abstract: A gas supply coupling for a water heater incorporating a shield to close the opening to the combustion chamber. The coupling includes a supply tube, a connector extending through the shield and a gas supply line detachably connected to the connector. The connector is staked to the shield to prevent disassembly requiring that the entire coupling be removed from the combustion chamber prior to disassembly. The gas supply line includes a threaded fastener having a unique exterior configuration requiring a specialized tool for separation from the connector.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting a gas control valve to a water storage tank of a gas water heater comprising a base member having an elongated opening sized and shaped to receive a mating locator attached to the tank, which permits connection of the valve and tank together and allows relative movement while the connection is maintained.

Abstract: The water heater includes a water tank, a burner below the tank, a casing around the outside surface of the tank and spaced therefrom so as to define a flue path within the casing and along the outside surface of the tank for combustion products. Multiple flow restrictions are located in the flue path and extending inwardly from the casing towards the outside surface of the tank and forming regions of restricted flow area so that the combustion products flowing along the flue path encounter the flow restrictions and are restricted and disturbed in flow pattern. The first flow restriction which is first encountered by the combustion products is located at a position along the height of the tank no lower than one third of the overall height of the tank up from the bottom of the tank whereby the lower portion of the tank over which combustion products are flowing are substantially completely exposed to the hottest and most turbulent combustion gases.

Abstract: A flash suppressor for surrounding a gas-fired appliance, comprising a barrier for forming an enclosure around a lower portion of the appliance. The barrier has an inside wall, an outside wall and a space between the inside and outside walls. The outside wall has at least one aperture for air to pass into the space. There is a filter disposed in the space for filtering fumes from outside the outside wall to prevent the fumes from reaching the appliance and igniting from a spark from the appliance. There is an outwardly extending flange surrounding a top edge of the barrier. The flange has an inside wall connected to the inside wall of the barrier, an outside wall connected to the outside wall of the barrier, and a space between the inside and outside walls that communicates with the space in the barrier. The flange has an open top, so that fumes travel through the filter and out the open top and are thus kept away from the flame in the appliance.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber containing a main burner and a pilot burner positioned to heat water in the water container and having a side wall; a main burner fuel supply line adapted to connect between a fuel control valve and a main burner; a pilot fuel supply line adapted to connect between the fuel control valve and a pilot burner; a heat sensor line connected to a heat sensor and adapted to connect to the fuel control valve and positioned to sense heat from the pilot burner; an igniter line connected to an igniter positioned proximate the pilot burner and connected to an igniter initiator; and a removable plate sealed to the combustion chamber through which the main burner fuel supply line, the pilot fuel supply line, the heat sensor line and the igniter line pass in a sealed condition.

Abstract: A flash suppressor for surrounding a gas-fired appliance, comprising a barrier for forming an enclosure around a lower portion of the appliance. The barrier has an inside wall, an outside wall and a space between the inside and outside walls. The outside wall has at least one aperture for air to pass into the space. The inside wall has a plurality of ventilation holes to allow heat currents to escape through the space and causes a siphoning effect, thus preventing any fumes from reaching the flame. There is a filter disposed in the space for filtering fumes from outside the outside wall to prevent the fumes from reaching the appliance and igniting from a spark from the appliance. There is an outwardly extending flange surrounding a top edge of the barrier. The flange has an inside wall connected to the inside wall of the barrier, an outside wall connected to the outside wall of the barrier, and a space between the inside and outside walls that communicates with the space in the barrier.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber containing a main burner and a pilot burner positioned to heat water in the water container and having a side wall; a main burner fuel supply line adapted to connect between a fuel control valve and a main burner; a pilot fuel supply line adapted to connect between the fuel control valve and a pilot burner; a heat sensor line connected to a heat sensor and adapted to connect to the fuel control valve and positioned to sense heat from the pilot burner; an igniter line connected to an igniter positioned proximate the pilot burner and connected to an igniter initiator; and a removable plate sealed to the combustion chamber through which the main burner fuel supply line, the pilot fuel supply line, the heat sensor line and the igniter line pass in a sealed condition.