Search Patents
  • Electronic Water Level Sensing Apparatus and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20130174830
    Abstract: A fuel-fired condensing type air heating furnace is provided with an electronic condensate water level sensing system operative to sense improper outflow of condensate from a collector box portion of the furnace and responsively shut down or prevent operation of the furnace. Condensate probe portions of the system are oriented in a manner such that several air flow orientation of the furnace may be utilized without the necessity of relocating the probes or effecting an re-wiring of the water level sensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Rheem Manufacturing Company
  • Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Condensing Unit Chassis with Enhanced Serviceability Access
    Publication number: 20130219942
    Abstract: An air conditioning system condensing unit has a specially designed chassis providing enhanced serviceability access to various air conditioning components operatively disposed therein. A removable vertical peripheral outer side wall section of the chassis underlies a removable peripheral top side wall section thereof. Removal of these two side wall sections creates in the chassis an opening conveniently providing both horizontal and vertical service access to the air conditioning components within the interior of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Rheem Manufacturing Company
  • Method of manufacturing foam insulated tank
    Patent number: 4632792
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed between the tank and shell, (2) attaching the flexible bag between the tank and shell, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands, and (4) continuing to fill the bag so that foam material expands through relief openings in the bag to fill the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Keith R. Clark
  • Method of manufacturing foam insulated tank
    Patent number: 4372028
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed around the bottom edge of the inner tank, (2) attaching the flexible bag around the bottom edge of the tank, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands to form a collar, (4) positioning the outer shell about inner tank prior to expansion of the foam collar, and (5) subsequently filling the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell with an expandable foam material which is retained, at least in part, by the foam expanded, flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Keith R. Clark, Michael Focia, Jr.
  • Compact modular refrigerant coil apparatus and associated manufacturing methods
    Patent number: 5121613
    Abstract: Using a series of identically sized, single row, single circuit refrigerant coil modules, fin/tube refrigerant coils of different nominal air conditioning tonnages are constructed by arranging different numbers of the identically sized modules in accordion-pleated orientations, with each modular coil having the same depth in the direction of intended air flow across the coil. Compared to conventional "A" coils used on the indoor side of air conditioning circuits, these accordion-pleated modular coils are more compact in the air flow direction, provide more coil surface area, permit lower coil face velocities with higher fin density, and significantly reduce the overall coil manufacturing costs since only one size of coil slab needs to be fabricated and inventoried to later assemble refrigerant coils of widely varying nominal air conditioning tonnages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Cox, John B. Greenfield, Kendall L. Ross
  • Systems and methods for heat exchanger manufacturing
    Patent number: 11338353
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure expanding a tube to fit a heat exchanger fin are disclosed. The systems can include one or more pressure relief devices, and each pressure relief device can be configured to release at least some pressurized fluid via a respective auxiliary flow path in response to a pressure of the pressurized fluid being greater than a predetermined pressure relief threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Swapnil Khaire
  • Systems and methods for heat exchanger manufacturing
    Patent number: 11548055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure expanding a tube to fit a heat exchanger fin are disclosed. The systems can include one or more pressure relief devices, and each pressure relief device can be configured to release at least some pressurized fluid via a respective auxiliary flow path in response to a pressure of the pressurized fluid being greater than a predetermined pressure relief threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Swapnil Khaire
  • HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS-FIRED WATER HEATER
    Publication number: 20110214621
    Abstract: The efficiencies of illustrative embodiments of vertical center flue type fuel-fired base water heaters are improved by installing in the water heaters variously configured tubular condensing type secondary heat exchangers of smaller diameters than the associated center flues. The efficiency increases are achieved with components and manufacturing processes similar to those utilized in the base water heaters and secondary heat exchanger materials similar to those in the tank portions of the base water heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Qian Zhang, Yoshiki Semba, Subbu Thenappan
  • High efficiency gas-fired water heater
    Patent number: 9004018
    Abstract: The efficiencies of illustrative embodiments of vertical center flue type fuel-fired base water heaters are improved by installing in the water heaters variously configured tubular condensing type secondary heat exchangers of smaller diameters than the associated center flues. The efficiency increases are achieved with components and manufacturing processes similar to those utilized in the base water heaters and secondary heat exchanger materials similar to those in the tank portions of the base water heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Qian Zhang, Yoshiki Semba, Subbu Thenappan
  • Foam insulated tank
    Patent number: 4687118
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed between the tank and shell, (2) attaching the flexible bag between the tank and shell, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands, and (4) continuing to fill the bag so that foam material expands through relief openings in the bag to fill the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Keith R. Clark
  • Pressure expansion methods for heat exchanger manufacturing
    Patent number: 11338352
    Abstract: Methods for expanding a tube to create a tight fit or an interference fit with one or more fins for the manufacture of a heat exchanger are disclosed. The methods can include providing an internal pressure to the tubes in a successive pulsing manner with each pulse having a short duration. The methods can include creating a temperature differential between the bend sections of the tubes and the straight sections of the tubes such that the bend section has a lower temperature than the straight sections. The methods can include creating an external pressure differential between the bend sections of the tubes and the straight sections of the tubes such that the external pressure acting on the bend sections is greater than the external pressure acting on the straight sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • MOTOR/DAMPER ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL-FIRED WATER HEATER
    Publication number: 20120048214
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jozef BOROS, Hector Donastorg, Ashwin Rao
  • Finned tube heat exchangers and methods for manufacturing same
    Patent number: 11835306
    Abstract: A heat exchanger fin is disclosed. The fin can include a fin portion and a collar portion defining a fin aperture that has a central axis passing therethrough. The collar portion can include a nesting end including a nesting portion and a receiving end that (i) is located apart from the nesting end in an axial direction and (ii) comprises one or more bends to form an overhang portion that defines a gap located radially inward of the overhang portion. The gap can be dimensioned to at least partially receive the nesting portion. The collar portion can also include a contact portion extending between the nesting end and the receiving end, and the contact portion can be configured to abut an outer surface of a tube when the tube is at least partially inserted into the fin aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Yang Zou
  • Motor/damper assembly for fuel-fired water heater
    Patent number: 9581355
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: Rheem Manufacturing Company, Field Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Hector Donastorg, Ashwin Rao, Cory Allan Weiss
  • Motor/damper assembly for fuel-fired water heater
    Patent number: 10436476
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: Rheem Manufacturing Company, Field Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Hector Donastorg, Ashwin Rao, Cory Allan Weiss
  • Refrigerant gauge manifold with built-in charging calculator
    Patent number: 6470695
    Abstract: A gauge manifold is connectable to the suction and liquid lines of an air conditioning refrigerant circuit and has a built-in charge level calculator into which system manufacturing and capacity data is enterable. Charging data corresponding to the input data is stored within the calculator and automatically utilized in conjunction with ambient temperature and refrigerant pressure levels sensed by the calculator to generate a visual display indicating whether the circuit's refrigerant charge level is acceptable, high or low for the particular unit or system being checked. If the displayed charge level is high or low, the gauge manifold is additionally connected to a pressurized refrigerant canister or recycling drum and a valve portion of the manifold is operated to add or remove refrigerant to the circuit, via the gauge manifold, as necessary until the calculator display indicates that the circuit is properly charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ying Gong
  • Multi-position point of use electric water heater
    Patent number: 6282372
    Abstract: A point-of-use electric water heater is provided with a unique configuration permitting it to be selectively used in (1) a wall or ceiling-mounted horizontal orientation, (2) a floor or wall-supported vertical orientation, or (3) a wall-supported inverted vertical orientation without any substantial modification of the water heater, thereby advantageously avoiding the previous necessity of manufacturing differently configured water heaters for mounting in these various operational orientations. Specially designed mounting brackets are provided to support the water heater in any of its wall or ceiling-mounted orientations. In one embodiment of the water heater a dual element electric resistance type immersion heater is provided with an integral temperature control structure illustratively in the form of a separate sensing tube having operatively mounted therein a pair of thermistors each operatively associated with a different one of the two heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Subbu Thenappan
  • Refrigerant coil fabrication methods
    Patent number: 5228197
    Abstract: Using a series of identically sized, single row, single circuit refrigerant coil modules, fin/tube refrigerant coils of different nominal air conditioning tonnages are constructed by arranging different numbers of the identically sized modules in accordion-pleated orientations, with each modular coil having the same depth in the direction of intended air flow across the coil. Compared to conventional "A" coils used on the indoor side of air conditioning circuits, these accordion-pleated modular coils are more compact in the air flow direction, provide more coil surface area, permit lower coil face velocities with higher fin density, and significantly reduce the overall coil manufacturing costs since only one size of coil slab needs to be fabricated and inventoried to later assemble refrigerant coils of widely varying nominal air conditioning tonnages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Cox, John B. Greenfield, Kendall L. Ross
  • Nested Helical Fin Tube Coil and Associated Manufacturing Methods
    Publication number: 20130228321
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, illustratively utilized in a fuel-fired pool heater, circumscribes a burner operative to discharge hot combustion gases outwardly through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a tube portion helically coiled about an axis, with a series of heat transfer fins circumscribing the tube portion and spaced apart along it length. The fins on longitudinally adjacent pairs of coils of the tubing have nested facing edge portions which collectively form a seal area that coils between the tubing portion adjacent coil pairs in axially spaced relationships therewith, the seal area substantially impeding combustion gas flow therethrough in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the heat exchanger. Additionally, the fins have deformed laterally outer portions that define a coiled, circumferentially spaced series of restricted combustion gas outlets in substantial axial alignment with the helically coiled tube portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kevin G. Williams, Juan C. Montanez
  • Foam insulated tank
    Patent number: RE33968
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed between the tank and shell, (2) attaching the flexible bag between the tank and shell, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands, and (4) continuing to fill the bag so that foam material expands through relief openings in the bag to fill the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Keith R. Clark
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