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Water Heater and a Method of Operating Same

a water heater and water heater technology, applied in the direction of fluid heaters, combustion processes, damper arrangements, etc., can solve the problems of safety hazards, add to the cost and complexity of water heaters, and achieve the effect of low cos

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-06-04
DUX MFG
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanically simple, relatively low cost water heater able to achieve a 5 Star AGA energy rating.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013]wherein, when only the pilot flame is burning, the heated gas outlet duct is adapted to restrict the air drawn into the flue via the air inlet to the minimum amount required to maintain the pilot flame alight.
[0023]directing the heated gases from the tank top to atmosphere via a generally downwardly directed duct of substantially unrestricted cross-section, the duct being adapted to restrict the gas flow drawn into the flue to only the minimum amount required to maintain the pilot flame alight.
[0026]directing the heated gases from the tank top to atmosphere via a generally downwardly directed duct of substantially unrestricted cross-section, the duct being adapted to restrict the gas flow drawn into the flue to only the minimum amount required to maintain the pilot flame alight.

Problems solved by technology

However, disadvantages of this approach are that the damper adds to the cost and complexity of the water heater and can also create a safety hazard if it jams in the closed position when the heater is in the heating mode.

Method used

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  • Water Heater and a Method of Operating Same
  • Water Heater and a Method of Operating Same

Examples

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first embodiment

[0029]Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a natural draft water heater 10 according to the invention. The water heater 10 includes a cylindrical steel water tank 12 with a central flue 14. The flue 14 has a length L1 and a spiral baffle 16 therein. The tank has an outwardly concave (domed) bottom 18 and an outwardly concave (domed) top 20. The flue 14 has an inlet 22 adjacent the tank bottom 18 and an outlet 24 slightly above the tank top 20. In use, the tank 12 is almost completely filled with water.

[0030]It will be well understood by those skilled in the art that cold water is introduced from mains water supply via a cold water inlet (not shown) near the tank bottom 16 of the tank 12 and hot water is drawn off for use via a hot water outlet (not shown) near the top 20 of the tank 12.

[0031]A burner 26 is located beneath the tank bottom 18. As is well understood by persons skilled in the art, the burner 28 has a pilot flame (not shown) and is adapted to burn fuel, preferably natural...

second embodiment

[0036]A water heater (not shown) according to the invention is similar to the heater 10 except it has an electronically controlled gas valve that re-ignites the main burner electronically. This heater has no pilot flame alight in idle mode. The duct 40 also improves the Star rating of this heater as it provide a resistance to, and thus slows, the flow of the heated air (ie. air heated by transfer from the surrounding water) leaving the flue.

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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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a water heater and a method of operating same.[0002]The invention has been primarily developed for use in a natural draft water heater that has a gas burner at the base of the water tank and a flue which passes through the water tank for heating water in the tank.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Natural draft water heaters are well known and are used extensively in domestic water heating and other applications. The energy efficiency of such water heaters is considered to be an important consideration by many purchasers and owners of such water heaters.[0004]The Australian Gas Association (AGA) conducts performance testing for water heaters and generates a Star (Trade Mark) rating indicating the heater's overall energy efficiency (e.g. 5 Star). The higher the Star rating, the higher the overall energy efficiency. The Star rating is, generally speaking, a combination of: Efficiency; and Maintenance. Efficiency is a measure o...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24H9/20F24H9/02
CPCF24H1/205F23L11/00
Inventor PUSSELL, PATRICK
Owner DUX MFG