Vent attachment for tankless water heater

Abstract

A vent attachment for a tankless water heater is provided. The vent attachment includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust passage and a first intake passage. The first intake passage includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism. The second conduit includes a second exhaust passage and a second intake passage. The second intake passage slidably engages the first intake passage. The second intake passage includes a protruding portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length and a second adjustment mechanism. The first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism slidably couple the second conduit to the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 316,589, filed March 4, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a vent attachment, and more particularly to an adjustable vent attachment for a tankless water heater. [Background technology]

[0003] Typically, in a tankless water heater, water flows through a heat exchanger coil to provide instant hot water according to the demand set by the user. Such tankless water heaters are provided with a relatively more energy-efficient device for heating water. Traditionally, in a tankless water heater, water is heated electrically or by using a gas burner. A tankless water heater uses a water heating unit located at a remote end, and hot water circulates through a piping system without storing water in a tank. The water heating unit is provided with an intake and vent pipe to allow combustion air or fresh air to flow inside the water heating unit, as well as to exhaust exhaust gases. Usually, the intake and vent pipes extend horizontally from the water heating unit outward through the exterior wall of the building, or vertically outward through the roof of the building.

[0004] Existing horizontal or vertical vent terminations used for tankless water heaters have fixed dimensions that may be too short to pass through the wall but not reach the water heating unit, or may be too long to protrude too far from the wall, which is aesthetically unpleasing. To overcome such limitations, some vent terminations have various lengths, e.g., 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches, but the fixed length of the vent termination may not be an ideal fit when the exterior of the wall has different surface finishes, such as stucco or stone, which creates variations in overall length in addition to various wall thicknesses. In practice, the installer must cut to length to achieve the ideal length, which also adds extra labor and also carries the risk of cutting the part to the wrong length. Another problem associated with such types of heaters is the lack of reliability and frequent breakdowns, which require regular maintenance and repairs. Thus, there remains a need to develop a vent attachment for tankless water heaters that is adjustable in length and eliminates the problems associated with existing vent terminations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vent attachment for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment includes a first conduit configured to couple with the tankless water heater and a second conduit configured to couple with the first conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust passage configured to exhaust exhaust gas from the tankless water heater and a first intake passage coaxially disposed about the first exhaust passage and configured to allow combustion air to flow into the tankless water heater. The first intake passage includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined in the adjustable portion. In one embodiment, the first exhaust passage has a first diameter and the adjustable portion of the first intake passage has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage. The second conduit includes a second exhaust passage configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust passage and a second intake passage coaxially disposed about the second exhaust passage. In one embodiment, the second exhaust passage has a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage. The second intake passage is configured to slidably engage with the first intake passage. The second intake passage includes a protruding portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the protruding portion. In one embodiment, the protruding portion of the second intake passage has a fourth diameter. The fourth diameter of the protruding portion is greater than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first intake passage. In one embodiment, the fourth diameter of the protruding portion is less than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first intake passage.

[0006] The first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment. In one embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism each include a thread configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the protruding portion of the second conduit. In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of protrusions defined on the adjustable portion of the first conduit. The second adjustment mechanism includes one or more grooves defined on the protruding portion of the second conduit. The vent attachment further includes a fastening member configured to couple the first conduit and the second conduit when one of the plurality of protrusions and the one or more grooves are aligned with one another based on a desired length of the vent attachment.

[0007] In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage, the one or more gaskets configured to prevent exhaust gases from intermingling with combustion air flowing through the first intake passage.

[0008] In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes a restrictor member defined on an outer surface of the first intake passage at a first adjustable length defined from the attachment edge of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis of the first conduit.

[0009] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a vent attachment for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment includes a first conduit having a first end configured to couple with the tankless water heater and a second conduit having a first end configured to couple with the first conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust passage having a first diameter configured to exhaust exhaust gas from the tankless water heater and a first intake passage having a second diameter larger than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage. The first intake passage is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust passage and configured to allow combustion air to flow into the tankless water heater. The first intake passage includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length defined along a longitudinal axis of the first conduit from an edge of the second end of the first conduit and a first adjustment mechanism defined in the adjustable portion. The second conduit includes a second exhaust passage having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage, and a second intake passage coaxially disposed about the second exhaust passage and configured to slidably engage with the first intake passage. The second exhaust passage is configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust passage. The second intake passage includes a protruding portion having a fourth diameter greater than the second diameter of the first intake passage and a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit. The second intake passage further includes a second adjustment mechanism defined in the protruding portion. The first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment based on a wall thickness through which the second end of the second conduit protrudes outwardly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage and configured to prevent exhaust gases from mixing with combustion air flowing through the first intake passage.

[0011] In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes a restrictor member defined in an outer surface of the first intake passage at a first adjustable length from an edge of the second end of the first conduit.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism each include threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the protruding portion of the second conduit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first adjustment feature includes a plurality of protrusions defined in the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the second adjustment feature includes one or more grooves defined in the protruding portion of the second conduit. The vent attachment further includes a fastening member configured to couple the first and second conduits together when one of the plurality of protrusions and the one or more grooves are aligned with one another based on a desired length of the vent attachment.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vent attachment kit for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment kit includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and an adjustable vent attachment configured to be fluid-tightly coupled to the first conduit and the second conduit. The first conduit has a first intake passage and a first exhaust passage disposed coaxially around the first exhaust passage. The first conduit is configured to couple with the tankless water heater. The second conduit includes a second exhaust passage and a second intake passage disposed coaxially around the second exhaust passage. The second conduit is configured to exhaust exhaust gases to the atmosphere and to receive combustion air from the atmosphere. The adjustable vent attachment is configured to be fluid-tightly coupled to the first conduit and the second conduit. The adjustable vent attachment includes an inner conduit, a first outer conduit, and a second outer conduit. The inner conduit is configured to fluid-tightly engage a first exhaust passage of the first conduit and a second exhaust passage of the second conduit. The first outer conduit is coaxially disposed about the inner conduit and configured to fluid-tightly couple with a first intake passage of the first conduit. The first outer conduit includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion. The second outer conduit is coaxially and slidably disposed about the first outer conduit and configured to couple with a second intake passage of the second conduit. The second outer conduit includes a protruding portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the protruding portion. The first adjustment mechanism of the first outer conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second outer conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit and the first conduit for a desired length of the adjustable vent attachment.

[0015] These and other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] A better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure (including alternatives and / or variations thereof) may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a tankless water heater installation using an adjustable vent attachment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG IB is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vent attachment of FIG 1A illustrating a telescopic adjustment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment illustrating a threaded adjustment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment illustrating stepped adjustment using protrusions and grooves according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vent attachment kit for a tankless water heater according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Furthermore, when there may be more than one element of the same type, references to various elements described herein will be made collectively or individually. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It should be noted that any reference to an element in the singular may also be deemed to relate to the plural, and vice versa, without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements, unless expressly specified in the appended claims.

[0019] It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to a composition containing "a" element includes other elements in addition to the elements listed.

[0020] Moreover, in describing the disclosed technology, terminology will be used for the sake of clarity, and each term is intended to accord the broadest meaning of that term as understood by those of skill in the art and to include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0021] As used herein, ranges may be expressed as from "about" or "approximately" or "substantially" one particular value and / or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, the disclosed technology can include from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Moreover, a range described as being between a first value and a second value includes both the endpoints of the first value and the second value. Similarly, a range described as being from a first value and to a second value also includes both the endpoints of the first value and the second value.

[0022] As used herein, the use of terms such as "having," "has," "including," or "includes" is open-ended and intended to have the same meaning as terms such as "comprising" or "comprises," and does not exclude the presence of other structures, materials, or acts. Similarly, the use of terms such as "can" or "may" is open-ended and intended to reflect that a structure, material, or act is not required, but the absence of such a term is not intended to reflect that a structure, material, or act is essential. To the extent that structures, materials, or acts are currently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.

[0023] The components described below as forming various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Many suitable components performing the same or similar functions as the components described herein are intended to fall within the scope of the disclosed technology. Such other components not described herein may include, but are not limited to, similar components developed after the development of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1A, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 100 for a tankless water heater 102 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The tankless water heater 102 may use natural gas, for example, to heat water, but the use of natural gas results in harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, as a by-product. Therefore, to allow the tankless water heater 102 to function efficiently, the vent attachment 100 is provided to receive ambient air for burning gas within the tankless water heater 102 and exhaust exhaust gases to the atmosphere. Furthermore, by using ventilation, the circulation of fresh air and exhaust gases is also enhanced, which results in improved efficiency of the tankless water heater 102. Conventionally, ventilation of the tankless water heater 102 may be provided bidirectionally, i.e., vertical ventilation and horizontal ventilation. In vertical ventilation, the vent attachment 100 may exhaust gases to the outside through the roof of the building. In horizontal venting, the vent attachment 100 may penetrate the wall 104 of a building to vent gases to the outside.

[0025] Furthermore, there are two types of tankless water heaters: non-condensing water heaters, otherwise known as medium efficiency water heaters, and condensing water heaters, otherwise known as high efficiency water heaters. In condensing water heaters, most of the heat energy from the gas is transferred to the water, and thus, condensing water heaters achieve high thermal efficiency. Thus, in condensing water heaters, the exhaust gas temperature is about 150° F., whereas in non-condensing water heaters, also known as medium efficiency water heaters, the exhaust gas temperature is about 300° F. Although the vent attachment 100 of the present disclosure is specifically implemented for non-condensing water heaters, the vent attachment 100 can be implemented for other types of water heaters without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 1B, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vent attachment 100 is illustrated. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure and without limiting the scope of the present invention, a schematic diagram of the vent attachment 100 is shown and described in detail herein below. With reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the vent attachment 100 includes a first conduit 110 and a second conduit 130. The first conduit 110 includes a first end 112 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102. The first conduit 110 further includes a first exhaust passage 116 and a first intake passage 118. The first exhaust passage 116 is configured to exhaust exhaust gas from the tankless water heater 102. In particular, the first exhaust passage 116 may be in communication with a combustion chamber of the tankless water heater 102 to receive the exhaust gas. In one embodiment, the first exhaust passage 116 has a first diameter "D1". The first intake passage 118 is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust passage 116. The first intake passage 118 may be connected to the first exhaust passage 116 using a stiffening member (not shown). The first intake passage 118 is configured to allow combustion air to flow into the tankless water heater 102. In particular, the first intake passage 118 may be in communication with a combustion chamber to supply air thereto. When the tankless water heater 102 is in use, the first intake passage 118 receives combustion air for the tankless water heater 102 from the atmosphere, and the first exhaust passage 116 exhausts exhaust gases from the tankless water heater 102 to the atmosphere. The first intake passage 118 may include an adjustable portion 120 having a first adjustable length "L1". The first intake passage 118 may include a substantially smooth surface (e.g., an outer surface, an inner surface). Alternatively, the first intake passage 118 may include a first adjustment mechanism 122. A first adjustable length "L1" is defined from an edge of the second end 114 of the first conduit 110. In one embodiment, the adjustable portion 120 of the first intake passage 118 has a second diameter "D2" that is larger than the first diameter "D1" of the first exhaust passage 116. The second diameter "D2" of the adjustable portion 120 may alternatively be referred to as a second diameter "D2" of the first intake passage 118. In particular, the first adjustment mechanism 122 is defined in the adjustable portion 120.

[0027] The second conduit 130 includes a first end 132 configured to couple with the first conduit 110. The second conduit 130 is configured to provide an extension to the first conduit 110 for exhaust gases to be exhausted to the atmosphere and for combustion air to enter the tankless water heater 102 from outside the building. In one embodiment, the second conduit 130 is fluidly coupled with the first conduit 110 to provide horizontal venting to the tankless water heater 102. The second conduit 130 includes a second end 134 that passes through an opening defined in the wall 104 of the building. Additionally, an end cap 106 may be coupled to the second end 134 of the second conduit 130 outside the wall 104 for exhausting exhaust gases and receiving ambient air. In particular, the end cap 106 may be attached to an exterior surface of the wall 104 using an adhesive. The second conduit 130 further includes a second exhaust passage 136 and a second intake passage 138. The second exhaust passage 136 is configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust passage 116 of the first conduit 110. In one embodiment, the second exhaust passage 136 has a third diameter "D3" that is smaller than the first diameter "D1" of the first exhaust passage 116, thereby providing a tight coupling between the first exhaust passage 116 and the second exhaust passage 136 to avoid any gas leakage. In some embodiments, the vent attachment 100 further includes one or more gaskets 144 disposed between the first exhaust passage 116 and the second exhaust passage 136. The one or more gaskets 144 are configured to prevent exhaust gases from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first intake passage 118 and the second intake passage 138. In one embodiment, the one or more gaskets 144 can be a sheet gasket, a spiral wound gasket, a fixed seat stress gasket, a double jacketed gasket, a flange gasket, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the gasket 144 is made of at least one of rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), and a plastic polymer.

[0028] The second intake passage 138 is coaxially disposed around the second exhaust passage 136. In particular, the second intake passage 138 may be connected to the second exhaust passage 136 using a reinforcing member (not shown). The second intake passage 138 is configured to slidably engage with the first intake passage 118 such that the first intake passage 118 engages in fluid-tight communication with the second intake passage 138. The second intake passage 138 includes a protruding portion 140. The second intake passage 138 may include a substantially smooth surface (e.g., an inner or outer surface) configured to slide against a corresponding surface (e.g., an outer or inner surface) of the first intake passage 118. Alternatively, the second intake passage 138 may include a second adjustment mechanism 142. The protruding portion 140 has a second adjustable length "L2" that is greater than or equal to the first adjustable length "L1" of the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110. The protruding portion 140 of the second intake passageway 138 has a fourth diameter "D4". In one embodiment, the fourth diameter "D4" of the protruding portion 140 is greater than the second diameter "D2" of the adjustable portion 120 of the first intake passageway 118. Specifically, the second adjustment mechanism 142 is defined in the protruding portion 140 of the second intake passageway 138.

[0029] 1B, the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130 are configured to slidably move toward one another and couple the second conduit 130 with the first conduit 110 for a desired length of the vent attachment 100. The desired length of the vent attachment 100 may be defined as a maximum expandable length, a maximum retractable length, or an adjustable length achieved between the maximum expandable length and the maximum retractable length. The desired length of the vent attachment 100 may be further defined based on a thickness of the wall 104 through which the second end 134 of the second conduit 130 projects outwardly.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first conduit 110 is slidably coupled to the second conduit 130 in a nested arrangement such that the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 can be coupled to the vent attachment 100 of a desired length. In the nested arrangement, the second intake passage 138 is slidably and freely received over the first intake passage 118 and the second exhaust passage 136 is slidably and freely received inside the first exhaust passage 116. As shown in FIG. 1B, a gasket 144 is disposed between the first exhaust passage 116 and the second exhaust passage 136 to prevent exhaust gases from leaking into the combustion air flowing through the first intake passage 118 and the second intake passage 138. In some embodiments, more than one gasket 144 may be disposed between the first exhaust passage 116 and the second exhaust passage 136 based on the maximum expandable and retractable lengths of the vent attachment 100. The vent attachment 100 further includes a restricting member 146 defined in the first intake passage 118 to limit the adjustable length of the vent attachment 100. In particular, the restricting member 146 is provided to limit the movement of the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 to achieve the maximum retractable length. Without the restricting member 146, undesired movement of the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 may occur, resulting in damage to the vent attachment 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first intake passage 118 includes a restricting member 146 defined on its outer surface 148 at a first adjustable length "L1" defined along a longitudinal axis from an attachment edge of the first conduit 110, otherwise known as the edge of the second end 114. The restricting member 146 is configured to restrict the second conduit 130 from moving past the first conduit 110 when the second intake passage 138 is slidably received over the first intake passage 118. In one embodiment, the restricting member 146 may be a separate component, such as a pin, locating post, or screw, that is separately attached to the first intake passage 118. In some embodiments, the restricting member 146 may be molded together with the profile of the first intake passage 118, as shown in FIG. 1B.In some embodiments, the limiting member 146 may be defined according to the design of the first adjustment mechanism 122 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 .

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 200 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment 200 includes threads defined on the first intake passage 118 and the second intake passage 138 for slidably engaging the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130, as compared to the nested arrangement described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In particular, the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 includes threads 202 defined on the outer surface 148 of the adjustable portion 120 of the first intake passage 118 to a first adjustable length "L1". Correspondingly, the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes threads 204 on the inner surface of the protruding portion 140 of the second intake passage 138 to a second adjustable length "L2". In one embodiment, the second adjustable length "L2" is equal to or greater than the first adjustable length "L1" of the first conduit 110. The threads 202, 204 provided on the first intake passage 118 and the second intake passage 138 are configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110 and the protruding portion 140 of the second conduit 130, respectively. In some embodiments, the vent attachment 200 may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 after they are threaded together and the desired length is adjusted.

[0032] 3, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 300 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment 300 includes a plurality of protrusions 302 and one or more grooves 304 defined in the first and second intake passages 118, 138, respectively, for slidably engaging the first and second conduits 110, 130, respectively, as compared to the nested arrangement and threaded engagement described in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2. The first adjustment mechanism 122 includes a plurality of protrusions 302 defined in the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110, and the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes one or more grooves 304 defined in the protruding portion 142 of the second conduit 130. In one example, and as shown in FIG. 3, the first adjustment mechanism 122 includes four protrusions 302 defined at equal intervals along the first adjustable length "L1" of the adjustable portion 120, and the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes one groove 304 proximate the first end 132 of the second conduit 130. The cross-section of the groove 304 is identical to the cross-section of the protrusion 302 such that the protrusion 302 and groove 304 remain engaged to achieve the desired length. In this example, the vent attachment 300 can be fixed at four desired lengths. In some embodiments, the first adjustment mechanism 122 can include more or less than four protrusions 302 defined at equal or unequal intervals to achieve various desired lengths. The vent attachment 300 further includes a fastening member 306 configured to couple the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 when one of the plurality of protrusions 302 and the one or more grooves 304 are aligned with one another. The alignment of the plurality of protrusions 302 with the one or more grooves 304 is defined based on a desired length of the vent attachment 300 required during installation of the tankless water heater 102. In one embodiment, the fastening member 306 can be a circlip, a hose clip, or any other fastening mechanism known in the art.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 400 is illustrated according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustable portion 120 of the first intake passage 116 has a second diameter "D2" and the first exhaust passage 116 has a first diameter "D1". Further, the second exhaust passage 136 has a third diameter "D3" that is smaller than the first diameter "D1" of the first exhaust passage 116. The protruding portion 140 of the second intake passage 138 has a fourth diameter "D4" that is smaller than the second diameter "D2" of the adjustable portion 120 of the first intake passage 118. Because the fourth diameter "D4" is smaller than the second diameter "D2", the first intake passage 118 is slidably received over the second intake passage 138. Additionally, a restricting member (not shown) may be defined in the first intake passage 118 or the second intake passage 138 to restrict further movement of the second intake passage 138 beyond its maximum collapsible length.

[0034] 5, a schematic diagram of a vent attachment kit 500 for a tankless water heater 102 is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment kit 500 includes a first conduit 510, a second conduit 530, and an adjustable vent attachment 501 configured to fluid-tightly couple with the first conduit 510 and the second conduit 530. The first conduit 510 includes a first exhaust passage 516 and a first intake passage 518. The first intake passage 518 is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust passage 516. The first conduit 510 further includes a first end 512 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102 and a second end 514 configured to couple with the adjustable vent attachment 501. The second conduit 530 includes a first end 532 configured to couple with the adjustable vent attachment 501 and a second end 534 disposed outside the wall 104 and configured to exhaust exhaust gases to the atmosphere and receive combustion air from the atmosphere. The second conduit 530 further includes a second exhaust passage 536 and a second intake passage 538 disposed coaxially around the second exhaust passage 536.

[0035] The adjustable vent attachment 501 further includes an inner conduit 550, a first outer conduit 560, and a second outer conduit 570. The inner conduit 550 is configured to fluid-tightly engage the first exhaust passage 516 of the first conduit 510 and the second exhaust passage 536 of the second conduit 530. The inner conduit 550 includes a first end 552 configured to fluid-tightly engage the first exhaust passage 516 and a second end 554 configured to fluid-tightly engage the second exhaust passage 536. In some embodiments, the vent attachment kit 500 may include gaskets (not shown) disposed at the first end 552 and the second end 554 of the inner conduit 550 for fluid-tightly engaging the first exhaust passage 516 and the second exhaust passage 536.

[0036] The first outer conduit 560 is coaxially disposed about the inner conduit 550. The first outer conduit 560 is configured to fluid-tightly couple with the first intake passage 516 of the first conduit 510. The first outer conduit 560 includes an adjustable portion 120 having a first adjustable length “L1” and a first adjustment mechanism 122 defined in the adjustable portion 120.

[0037] The second outer conduit 570 is coaxially and slidably disposed around the first outer conduit 560. In particular, the second outer conduit 570 is configured to couple with the second intake passage 538 of the second conduit 530. The second outer conduit 570 further includes a protruding portion 140 having a second adjustable length "L2" and a second adjustment mechanism 142. The second adjustable length "L2" is equal to or greater than the first adjustable length "L1" of the adjustable portion 120 of the first outer conduit 560. The second adjustment mechanism 142 is defined on the protruding portion 140. The first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first outer conduit 560 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second outer conduit 570 are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit 530 and the first conduit 510 for a desired length of the adjustable vent attachment 501.

[0038] The present disclosure relates to a vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400 and a vent attachment kit 500 for a tankless water heater 102. The vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400 includes a first conduit 110 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102 and a second conduit 130 configured to couple with the first conduit 110. The first air inlet passage 118 of the first conduit 110 includes an adjustable portion 120 having a first adjustment mechanism 122 defined thereon. Additionally, a protruding portion 140 of a second air inlet passage 138 of the second conduit 130 has a second adjustment mechanism 142. The first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130 are configured to slidably couple the second conduit 130 with the first conduit 110 for a desired length of the vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400. Due to the structural arrangement of the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130, as well as the manner in which the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 are coupled, the vent attachment 110 of the present disclosure provides a flexible arrangement as well as a fluid-tight connection. Furthermore, the vent attachment 100 of the present disclosure eliminates the need to cut parts and / or settle for non-ideal lengths that are common in existing vent installation methods. Furthermore, the vent attachment 100 facilitates hassle-free maintenance as compared to existing venting methods.

[0039] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been specifically illustrated and described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be conceived by modification of the disclosed methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments are to be understood as being within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based on the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A vent attachment for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment comprising: a first conduit configured to couple to the tankless water heater, a first exhaust passage configured to exhaust exhaust gases from the tankless water heater; a first conduit including: a first intake passage disposed coaxially around the first exhaust passage and configured to direct a flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater, the first intake passage including an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length; a second conduit configured to couple with the first conduit, a second exhaust passage configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust passage; a second conduit including a second intake passage disposed coaxially around the second exhaust passage and configured to slidably engage with the first intake passage, the second intake passage including a protruding portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit.

2. 10. The vent attachment of claim 1, further comprising one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage, the one or more gaskets configured to prevent the exhaust gases from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first intake passage.

3. 2. The vent attachment of claim 1, further comprising a restrictor member defined in an outer surface of the first air intake passage at the first adjustable length from an attachment edge of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis of the first conduit.

4. the first intake passage further comprises a first adjustment mechanism defined in the adjustable portion; the second intake passage further comprises a second adjustment mechanism defined in the protruding portion; 2. The vent attachment of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit to achieve a desired length of the vent attachment.

5. 5. The vent attachment of claim 4, wherein the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism each comprise threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the protruding portion of the second conduit.

6. The vent attachment of claim 4 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises one or more protrusions defined on the adjustable portion of the first conduit.

7. The vent attachment of claim 6 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises one or more grooves defined in the protruding portion of the second conduit.

8. 8. The vent attachment of claim 7, further comprising a fastener configured to couple the first conduit to the second conduit when a protrusion of the one or more protrusions is aligned with a groove of the one or more grooves.

9. 2. The vent attachment of claim 1, wherein the first exhaust passage has a first diameter and the adjustable portion of the first intake passage has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage.

10. 10. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the second exhaust passage has a third diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage.

11. 10. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the protruding portion of the second intake passage has a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first intake passage.

12. 10. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the protruding portion of the second intake passage has a third diameter greater than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first intake passage.

13. A vent attachment for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment comprising: a first conduit having a first end configured to couple with the tankless water heater; a first exhaust passageway having a first diameter configured to exhaust exhaust gases from the tankless water heater; a first intake passageway having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust passageway, the first intake passageway being coaxially disposed about the first exhaust passageway and configured to allow combustion air to flow into the tankless water heater, the first intake passageway comprising: an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length defined from an edge of the second end of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis of the first conduit; a first conduit including a first intake passage including a first adjustment mechanism defined in the adjustable portion; a second conduit having a first end configured to couple with the first conduit, a second exhaust passage having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust passage and configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust passage; a second intake passage disposed coaxially about the second exhaust passage and configured to slidably engage the first intake passage, a protruding portion having a fourth diameter greater than the second diameter of the first intake passage and having a second adjustable length greater than or equal to the first adjustable length of the first conduit; a second conduit including a second intake passage including a second adjustment mechanism defined in the protruding portion; a vent attachment, wherein the first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit to achieve a desired length of the vent attachment.

14. 14. The vent attachment of claim 13, further comprising one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage and configured to prevent the exhaust gases from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first intake passage.

15. 14. The vent attachment of claim 13, further comprising a restrictor member defined in an outer surface of the first intake passage at the first adjustable length from the edge of the second end of the first conduit.

16. 14. The vent attachment of claim 13, wherein the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism each comprise threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the protruding portion of the second conduit.

17. 14. The vent attachment of claim 13, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises one or more protrusions defined on the adjustable portion of the first conduit.

18. 18. The vent attachment of claim 17, wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises one or more grooves defined in the protruding portion of the second conduit.

19. 20. The vent attachment of claim 18, further comprising a fastener configured to couple the first conduit to the second conduit when a protrusion of the one or more protrusions is aligned with a groove of the one or more grooves.

20. A vent attachment kit for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment kit comprising: a first conduit configured to couple to the tankless water heater, the first conduit having a first exhaust passage and a first intake passage disposed coaxially around the first exhaust passage; a second conduit having a second exhaust passage and a second intake passage disposed coaxially about the second exhaust passage, the second conduit configured to discharge exhaust gases to the atmosphere and to receive combustion air from the atmosphere; an adjustable vent attachment configured to be in fluid-tight communication with the first conduit and the second conduit, an inner conduit configured to be in fluid-tight engagement with the first exhaust passage of the first conduit and the second exhaust passage of the second conduit; a first outer conduit coaxially disposed about the inner conduit and configured to fluid-tightly couple with the first intake passage of the first conduit, the first outer conduit including an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined in the adjustable portion; an adjustable vent attachment comprising: a second outer conduit coaxially and slidably disposed about the first outer conduit and configured to couple with the second intake passage of the second conduit, the second outer conduit including a protruding portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length, and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the protruding portion; the first adjustment mechanism of the first outer conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second outer conduit are configured together to slidably couple the second conduit and the first conduit to achieve a desired length of the adjustable vent attachment.

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