Systems and Methods for Adjustable Water Inlet and Outlet Pipe Fittings for Tank Water Heaters

Abstract

A fluid heater including a storage tank, an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting is disclosed. The storage tank may be configured to store a fluid to be heated. The storage tank may include an inlet port to receive cold water and an outlet port to supply hot water. The inlet fitting may be attached to the inlet port at an interior portion of the storage tank. The inlet fitting may be configured to inject cold water into different tank portions along a length of the storage tank based on an inlet fitting operational mode. Further, the outlet fitting may be attached to the outlet port at the interior portion of the storage tank. The outlet fitting may be configured to extract hot water from different tank portions along the length of the storage tank based on an outlet fitting operational mode.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 683,529, filed Aug. 15, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for adjustable water inlet and outlet pipe fittings for tank water heaters configured to inject cold water and extract hot water to / from different locations of a water heater storage tank.BACKGROUND

[0003] Water heaters are generally used to provide a supply of heated water in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial applications. A tank based water heater typically includes a storage tank that stores water that is heated by a heating source. The heating source may be, for example, an electric heating source, a gas burner, a heat pump assembly, solar, and / or the like or combinations thereof. Typically, cold water or water from a utility source is injected into a tank bottom portion to replenish water in the storage tank, when hot water is draw from the water heater. Consequently, water stored in proximity to a tank top portion generally has a higher temperature than the water stored in proximity to the tank bottom portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and / or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example first water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 depicts an example diffuser connected to an inlet port of a water heater storage tank in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 3 depicts an example J-shaped tube connected to an outlet port of a water heater storage tank in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an example second water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 depicts an example first outer tube of an inlet or outlet fitting in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 depicts an example first inner tube of an inlet or outlet fitting in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 7 depicts an example view of the first inner tube of FIG. 6 disposed inside the first outer tube of FIG. 5 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 8 depicts an example view of a second inner tube disposed inside a second outer tube in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 9 depicts an example third inner tube of an inlet or outlet fitting in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram of a controller configured to operate a water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of a method to inject cold water or extract hot water to / from a water heater storage tank in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure is directed to a water heater that may include a storage tank configured to store water and a heating source configured to heat the water stored in the storage tank. The heating source may be a gas burner, an electrical heating element, a heat pump, solar, and / or the like. The water heater may further include an inlet port and an outlet port. The storage tank may receive a supply of cold water from the inlet port and may output hot water via the outlet port. The water heater may further include an inlet fitting that may be connected to the inlet port. The storage tank may receive the cold water from the inlet port via the inlet fitting. In some aspects, the inlet fitting may be configured to inject the cold water at different heights along a storage tank length, based on an operational mode of the inlet fitting. The water heater may additionally include an outlet fitting that may be connected to the outlet port. The storage tank may output the hot water from the outlet port via the outlet fitting. The outlet fitting may be configured to draw hot water from different heights along the storage tank length, based on an operational mode of the outlet fitting.

[0017] In one exemplary embodiment, the inlet port may be disposed at a bottom side wall of the storage tank or in proximity to a tank bottom portion. In this embodiment, the inlet fitting may be a diffuser that may be attached to the inlet port at an interior portion of the storage tank. In some aspects, the diffuser may be shaped as an elongated hollow cylindrical tube with one end open and the other end closed. The open end may be attached to the inlet port and be configured to receive the supply of cold water from the inlet port. Further, the wall of the diffuser may include one or more through holes that may be disposed linearly along the length of the diffuser. In some aspects, the through holes may be shaped as circles, and the centers of the through holes may be aligned to a diffuser longitudinal axis. In other aspects, the through holes may have any other shape, e.g., square, rectangular, oval, etc. The water received from the inlet port may be injected into the storage tank via the through holes.

[0018] In some aspects, a user / technician may axially rotate the diffuser to change a diffuser operational mode or a direction at which the through holes may be pointing. For example, the diffuser may operate in a first operational mode when the through holes may be oriented towards the tank bottom portion and may operate in a second operational mode when the through holes may be oriented towards a tank top portion. The cold water may be injected towards the tank bottom portion via the through holes when the diffuser operates in the first operational mode and may be injected towards the tank top portion via the through holes when the diffuser operates in the second operational mode. Intermediary operational modes are also possible and contemplated, based on the rotation angle of the diffuser.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the user / technician may cause the diffuser to operate in the first operational mode (i.e., have the through holes pointed towards the tank bottom portion) when the user / technician does not desire the cold water to interact with the hot water stored in a tank middle portion or the tank top portion. In some aspects, the temperature of hot water stored in the storage tank is highest at the tank top portion and gradually decreases towards the tank bottom portion (where the cold water is typically injected). By causing the diffuser to operate in the first operational mode, the user / technician may prevent the cold water to directly interact with the hot water stored in the tank middle and / or top portions, thereby ensuring that the temperature of hot water stored in these tank portions does not reduce quickly due to the incoming cold water. Therefore, when the diffuser operates in the first operational mode, the water stored in the tank top or middle portion may stay hot for a longer time duration, and hence a First Hour Rating (FHR) of the water heater may increase.

[0020] On the other hand, when the user / technician desires to have water temperatures at different portions of the storage tank to be more even (e.g., to enhance water heater energy usage efficiency), the user / technician may cause the diffuser to operate in the second operational mode (or in any other intermediary operational mode), in which the through holes may be oriented towards the tank top portion (or in any other intermediary position).

[0021] In further aspects, in addition to or alternative to the user / technician rotating the diffuser to alter the diffuser's operational mode, a water heater controller may automatically cause a diffuser's axial rotation via one or more actuators, based on inputs received from the user / technician and real-time temperature inputs received from one or more water heater temperature sensors. For example, when the user desires a higher FHR (e.g., when the user has guests coming over), the controller may automatically rotate the diffuser to make the diffuser operate in the first operational mode described above. The controller may additionally rotate the diffuser to make the diffuser operate in the second operational mode when the user desires a higher water heater efficiency.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, the outlet port may be disposed at a top side wall of the storage tank. In this embodiment, the outlet fitting may be a J-shaped tube (or an L-shaped tube) that may be attached to the outlet port in the interior portion of the storage tank. In some aspects, the J-shaped tube may be a curved hollow cylindrical tube, having a first part and a second part. The first part may be attached to the outlet port, and the second part may be configured to draw hot water from the storage tank. In an exemplary aspect, a first part longitudinal axis may be perpendicular to a second part longitudinal axis.

[0023] The first part may be configured to axially rotate, thereby causing the second part to point towards the tank top portion, the tank middle / bottom portion or other intermediary positions. The user / technician or the controller may cause the first part to rotate to change the operational mode of the J-shaped tube, based on the user inputs and the inputs obtained from the temperature sensors. For example, the J-shaped tube may operate in a first operational mode when the second part may be pointing towards the tank top portion and may operate in a second operational mode when the second part may be pointing towards the tank middle / bottom portion. Intermediary operational modes are possible and contemplated.

[0024] As described above, since the tank top portion has hot water at a higher temperature, the user / technician or the controller may cause the J-shaped tube to draw hot water at a higher temperature (e.g., from the tank top portion) when the J-shaped tube operates in the first operational mode and may cause the J-shaped tube to draw hot water at a relatively lower temperature (e.g., from the tank middle portion) when the J-shaped tube operates in the second operational mode. In this manner, the user may obtain hot water at different temperatures by changing the orientation of the second part (i.e., by changing the operational mode of the J-shaped tube) within the interior portion of the storage tank.

[0025] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inlet port and / or the outlet port may be disposed on a top wall of the tank. In this embodiment, the inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting may be shaped as a dip tube that may be attached to the inlet port and / or the outlet port and extend towards the tank middle or bottom portion. In this case, the inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting may include concentric tubes having a first tube and a second tube. A first tube longitudinal axis may be parallel to a second tube longitudinal axis, which in turn may be parallel to the tank longitudinal axis. In some aspects, the first tube may be disposed inside the second tube along the lengths of the first and second tubes. Further, the first and second tubes may be configured to axially rotate relative to each other.

[0026] In some aspects, the second tube may include an elongated slot disposed along a portion (e.g., 60-80%) of the second tube length. Further, the first tube may include a helical-shaped slot that may be disposed along a portion (e.g., 60-80%) of the first tube length. In this exemplary embodiment, the user / technician or the controller may alter the operational mode of the inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting by rotating the first and second tubes relative to each other, such that different sections of the helical-shaped slot (disposed at different heights along the first tube length) may align with the elongated slot of the second tube. In some aspects, the cold water may get injected into (or hot water may get drawn from) the storage tank via the section of the helical-shaped slot and the elongated slot that may be aligned. By rotating the first and second tubes, the user / technician or the controller may change the height along the storage tank length at which the helical-shaped slot and the elongated slot may get aligned, thereby changing the height at which the cold water gets injected into the storage tank or the hot water is drawn from the storage tank.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the first tube may include a plurality of through holes that may be disposed in a helical arrangement along the first tube length (as opposed to having the helical-shaped slot described above). The through holes may be shaped as circles, square, rectangle, etc. In this case, each through hole may be disposed at a different height on the first tube, and the cold water may get injected into the storage tank or the hot water may get drawn from the storage tank via the through hole that may be aligned with the elongated slot of the second tube.

[0028] The present disclosure discloses a water heater that enable a user / technician to alter a height at which the cold water may get injected into the storage tank, or a height from which the hot water may get drawn from the storage tank. In some aspects, the alteration of the height, as described above, may also be done automatically by the water heater controller. The inlet and outlet fittings disclosed in the present disclosure enable the user / technician to conveniently enhance the water heater's FHR or energy usage efficiency, based on user's requirements.

[0029] Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained in detail herein, it is to be understood that other examples, embodiments, and implementations of the disclosed technology are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components expressly set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology can be implemented in a variety of examples and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter is described in the context of inlet and outlet port fittings disposed in a water heater storage tank. The present disclosure, however, is not so limited, and can be applicable in other contexts. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is described in the context of inlet and outlet port fittings disposed in a water heater storage tank, it will be understood that other implementations can take the place of those referred to.

[0030] Although the term “water” is used throughout this specification, it is to be understood that other fluids may take the place of the term “water” as used herein. Therefore, although described as fluid inlet and outlet port fittings disposed in a water heater storage tank, it is to be understood that the system and method described herein can apply to fluids other than water. Further, it is also to be understood that the term “water” can replace the term “fluid” as used herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example first water heater 100 (or a fluid heater) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The water heater 100 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a water heater housing 102, a heating source 104, a storage tank 106, an inlet port 108, an outlet port 110, one or more temperature sensors 112, one or more actuators 114, a controller 116, and / or the like. Although FIG. 1 depicts the water heater components being disposed inside the water heater housing 102, in some aspects, one or more water heater components may be disposed outside the water heater housing 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, although FIG. 1 depicts the heating source 104 being located in proximity to a top portion of the water heater housing 102 above the storage tank 106, the present disclosure is not limited to such an arrangement. In some aspects, the heating source 104 may be located in proximity to a bottom portion of the water heater housing 102 or in any other location inside (or outside) the water heater housing 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] The storage tank 106 may be configured to store water (or fluid) to be heated and may include the inlet port 108 and the outlet port 110. In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 1, the inlet port 108 is disposed at a bottom side wall (or a bottom side portion) of the storage tank 106, and the outlet port 110 is disposed at a top side wall (or a top side portion) of the storage tank 106, although the present disclosure is not limited to such an arrangement, as described later in the description below in conjunction with FIG. 4.

[0033] The storage tank 106 may be configured to receive a supply of cold water 118 (e.g., from a utility water source) via the inlet port 108 and store the received water in an interior portion of the storage tank 106. The supply of cold water 118 may be received by the storage tank 106 (at the bottom portion of the storage tank 106) via an inlet fitting 120 that may be attached / connected to the inlet port 108. The inlet fitting 120 may be attached to the inlet port 108 at the interior portion of the storage tank 106 and configured to inject the cold water into different tank portions along a length of the storage tank 106 based on an inlet fitting operational mode or structural arrangement. For example, the inlet fitting 120 may inject the cold water upwards towards a tank top portion when the inlet fitting 120 may be operating in a first inlet fitting operational mode, towards a tank top side portion when the inlet fitting 120 may be operating in a second inlet fitting operational mode, towards a tank bottom portion when the inlet fitting 120 may be operating in a third inlet fitting operational mode, etc. The detailed structure and operation of the inlet fitting 120 are described later in the description below in conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0034] The water injected by the inlet fitting 120 into the tank interior portion may be stored in the storage tank 106. The water stored in the storage tank 106 may be heated by the heating source 104 to a desired water temperature set by a water heater user. The hot water stored in the storage tank 106 may then be output (shown as a supply of hot water 122 in FIG. 1) from the outlet port 110 via an outlet fitting 124 when the user draws the hot water from the water heater 100. In some aspects, the outlet fitting 124 may be connected / attached to the outlet port 110 at the interior portion of the storage tank 106 and configured to extract hot water from different tank portions along the length of the storage tank 106 based on an outlet fitting operational mode or structural arrangement. For example, the outlet fitting 124 may extract hot water from a tank top portion when the outlet port 124 operates in a first outlet fitting operational mode, from a tank middle portion when the outlet port 124 operates in a second outlet fitting operational mode, etc. The detailed structure and operation of the outlet fitting 124 are described later in the description below in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0035] The storage tank 106 may be of any size, shape, or configuration based on the water heater application. For example, the storage tank 106 may be sized for common residential use or for commercial or industrial use that may require greater amounts of heated water. Furthermore, the storage tank 106 may be made of any suitable material for storing and heating water, including copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, ceramics, polymers, composites, or any other suitable material. The storage tank 106 may also be treated or lined with a coating to prevent corrosion and leakage. A suitable treating or coating will be capable of withstanding the temperature and pressure of the water heater 100 and may include, as non-limiting examples, glass enameling, galvanizing, thermosetting resin-bonded lining materials, thermoplastic coating materials, cement coating, or any other suitable treating or coating for the application.

[0036] The heating source 104 may be a gas burner, an electrical heating element, a heat pump, solar, and / or the like. The heating source 104 may heat the water stored in the storage tank 106 via one or more heating elements (e.g., heat exchanger coils, not shown) that may be disposed in an interior portion of the storage tank 106 or wrapped around an exterior surface of the storage tank 106. Alternatively, the heating source 104 may heat the water stored in the storage tank 106 via any other known means, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] The water stored in the storage tank 106 may be heated in such a manner that the water stored in proximity to the tank top portion may be hotter than the water stored in proximity to the tank bottom portion. Specifically, since the cold water 118 gets injected into the storage tank 106 through the inlet port 108 that is disposed in proximity to the tank bottom portion, the temperature of the hot water stored in proximity to the tank bottom portion reduces when the hot water interacts with the cold water 118. Since the cold water 118 regularly interacts with the hot water stored in proximity to the tank bottom portion as the water is replenished in the storage tank 106 when the user draws hot water from the water heater 100 (via the outlet port 110 that is disposed in proximity to the tank top portion), the temperature of water in proximity to the tank bottom portion is generally lower than the temperature of water stored in proximity to the tank top portion. In some aspects, the temperature of water is stratified along a length of the storage tank 106, such that the temperature of water gradually increases from the tank bottom portion to the tank top portion. For example, if the temperature of water in proximity to the tank top portion may be in a range of 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of water in proximity to the tank bottom portion may be in a range of 90-110 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

[0038] In some aspects, the temperature sensors 112 may be configured to measure water temperatures at different heights of the storage tank 106, along the length of the storage tank 106. The temperature sensors 112 may be further configured to transmit inputs associated with the measured water temperatures to the controller 116 at a predefined frequency.

[0039] The actuators 114 may be configured to change operational modes or structural arrangements of the inlet fitting 120 and / or the outlet fitting 124 based on command signals obtained from the controller 116. For example, the actuators 114 may change the operational mode of the inlet fitting 120 from the first inlet fitting operational mode to the third inlet fitting operational mode described above, based on the command signals obtained from the controller 116.

[0040] The controller 116 may be communicatively coupled with the temperature sensors 112, the actuators 114, and other water heater components not shown in FIG. 1 via wired or wireless communication means. The controller 116 may be configured to generate the command signals described above based on the inputs obtained from the temperature sensors 112 and / or user inputs and transmit the command signals to the actuators 114 to cause a change in the inlet fitting operational mode and / or the outlet fitting operational mode. The details of the controller 116 are described later in the description below in conjunction with FIG. 10.

[0041] FIG. 2 depicts an example inlet fitting 202 or a diffuser 202 connected to the inlet port 108 of the storage tank 106 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 specifically depicts an interior view of the storage tank 106 showing the inlet fitting 202 / diffuser 202 connected to the inlet port 108. The inlet fitting 202 / diffuser 202 may be same as the inlet fitting 120 described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the inlet fitting 202 is referred to as diffuser 202.

[0042] As described above, the diffuser 202 may be connected / attached to the inlet port 108 at the interior portion of the storage tank 106. The diffuser 202 may include a hollow elongated body having a body wall 204 (or body 204), a first end 206 and a second end 208. In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 2, the body 204 is cylindrical in shape or has a circular cross-section. In other aspects, the body 204 may have any other shape, different from the cylindrical shape depicted in FIG. 2. For example, the body 204 may have a square, a rectangular, an elliptical, etc. cross-section, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the body 204 may be made of metal such as aluminum, steel, etc., or may be of plastic.

[0043] In some aspects, the first end 206 may be open and attached to the inlet port 108. Since the first end 206 is open, the first end 206 may receive the supply of cold water 118 from the inlet port 108 and transfer the cold water to the hollow interior portion of the diffuser 202. Further, the second end 208 may be closed and disposed away from the inlet port 108, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] The diffuser 202 may be attached to the inlet port 108 such that a body longitudinal axis “L1” may be perpendicular to a tank longitudinal axis “L2”. Further, a length of the diffuser 202 / body 204 may be in a range of 4 to 8 inches, and a diameter of the diffuser 202 / body 204 may be in a range of 0.5 to 2 inches. Furthermore, the body 204 may include one or more through-holes 210a, 210b that may be disposed linearly on the body 204, as shown in FIG. 2. Although FIG. 2 depicts the diffuser 202 as having two through-holes, the present disclosure is not limited to such an aspect. In alternative aspects, the diffuser 202 may include more or less than two through-holes.

[0045] In some aspects, the centers of the through-holes 210a, 210b may be aligned with the body longitudinal axis “L1”, such the through-holes 210a, 210b are disposed linearly along the length of the body 204. In an exemplary aspect, the through-holes 210a, 210b may be circular in shape, with a diameter in a range of 0.1 to 0.5 inches. In other aspects, the through-holes 210a, 210b may be shaped as square, rectangular, oval, etc.

[0046] Since the diffuser 202 is closed at the second end 208, the cold water that is received by the diffuser 202 / body 204 via the first end 206 escapes the body interior portion into the tank interior portion via the through-holes 210a, 210b. In further aspects, the diffuser 202 / body 204 may be configured to axially rotate, as shown by an arrow 212 in FIG. 2. In some aspects, the actuators 114 may axially rotate the diffuser 202 based on the command signal obtained from the controller 116. In other aspects, a user or technician may manually rotate the diffuser 202, e.g., during the installation of the water heater 100 at user's home or a building.

[0047] In some aspects, the diffuser 202 may axially rotate to change the operational mode of the diffuser 202. For example, the diffuser 202 may operate in the first inlet fitting operational mode (or a first diffuser operational mode) when the through-holes 210a, 210b may be oriented towards the tank bottom portion. In the first diffuser operational mode, the diffuser 202 may inject the cold water towards the tank bottom portion, as the through-holes 210a, 210b are oriented towards the tank bottom portion.

[0048] In some aspects, the user or the technician may cause (i.e., axially rotate) the diffuser 202 to operate in the first diffuser operational mode when the user may not desire the cold water 118 to get injected directly towards the tank top portion or even the tank middle portion (which may cause the temperature of the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions to reduce as the cold water interacts with the stored hot water). Specifically, when the diffuser 202 operates in the first diffuser operational mode, the incoming cold water 118 does not interact (or minimal interacts) with the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions, thereby ensuring that the temperature of the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions does not quickly / substantially reduce. Since the outlet port 110 is disposed in proximity to the tank top portion, the user may obtain hot water a longer time duration when the diffuser 202 operates in the first diffuser operational mode, as the incoming cold water 118 does not interact with the hot water stored in the tank top portion. This configuration may facilitate in enhancing the First Hour Rating (FHR) of the water heater 100, as hot water may be obtained from the water heater 100 for a longer time duration when the diffuser 202 operates in the first diffuser operational mode.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the diffuser 202 may operate in the second inlet fitting operational mode (or a second diffuser operational mode) when the through-holes 210a, 210b may be oriented towards the tank top side portion and in the third inlet fitting operational mode (or a third diffuser operational mode) when the through-holes 210a, 210b may be oriented towards the tank top portion. The diffuser 202 may similarly operate in a plurality of different operational modes, based on the specific portion of the storage tank 106 towards which the through-holes 210a, 210b may be oriented.

[0050] In the second diffuser operational mode, the diffuser 202 may inject the cold water towards the tank top side portion, as the through-holes 210a, 210b are oriented towards the tank top side portion. Similarly, in the third diffuser operational mode, the diffuser 202 may inject the cold water towards the tank top portion, as the through-holes 210a, 210b are oriented towards the tank top portion.

[0051] In some aspects, the user or the technician may cause (i.e., axially rotate) the diffuser 202 to operate in the second or third diffuser operational mode (or any other operational mode different from the first diffuser operational mode) when the user may desire the cold water 118 to get injected towards the tank top portion or the tank middle portion (which may cause the temperature of the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions to reduce as the cold water interacts with the stored hot water). Specifically, when the diffuser 202 operates in the second or third diffuser operational mode, the incoming cold water 118 may interact with the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions, thereby causing the temperature of the hot water stored in the tank top or middle portions to reduce. The user or the technician may cause the diffuser 202 to operate in the second or third diffuser operational mode when the temperature of the hot water in the storage tank 106 may be too stratified, or a variation in the water temperatures between the tank top portion and the tank bottom portion may be greater than a threshold value. By causing the diffuser 202 to operate in the second or third diffuser operational mode, the temperature of the hot water in the storage tank 106 may be “de-stratified”, thereby enabling the temperature of hot water in the storage tank 106 to be more even through the length of the storage tank 106. This configuration may facilitate in enhancing the uniform energy factor (UEF) of the water heater 100 or the water heater efficiency, as energy may be efficiently used to heat water throughout the length of the storage tank 106.

[0052] It may be apparent from the description above that the diffuser 202 may assist in altering the direction of cold water injection into the storage tank 106 or a height up to which the cold water may get injected into the storage tank 106. By changing the angle of rotation of the diffuser 202, the user or the technician may alter the height up to which the cold water may get injected into the storage tank 106, thereby altering the water heater's FHR or UEF based on water heater usage requirements. In an exemplary aspect, the user may change a setting on the water heater 100, which may enable the user to provide inputs to the water heater 100 indicating whether the user requires a higher FHR or a higher water heater efficiency. For example, if the user has guests arriving at the user's home, the user may change the water heater setting such that the FHR may increase. During other times, the user may desire a higher water heater energy efficiency when the water heater 100 heats the water stored in the storage tank 106.

[0053] Based on the inputs obtained from the temperature sensors 112 and the user's requirements / setting associated with the water heater's FHR or UEF (i.e., whether the user requires a higher FHR or UEF / efficiency), the controller 116 may automatically cause the diffuser 202 to axially rotate via the actuators 114, so that the diffuser 202 operates in the desired operational mode (or the through-holes 210a, 210b are oriented in the desired direction). In this manner, the diffuser 202 may assist in retroactively altering the performance of the water heater 100 after installation. In other aspects, as described above, the user or the technician may manually alter the diffuser's operational mode by rotating the diffuser 202.

[0054] FIG. 3 depicts an example outlet fitting 302 or a J-shaped tube 302 connected to the outlet port 110 of the storage tank 106 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 specifically depicts an interior view of the storage tank 106 showing the outlet fitting 302 / J-shaped tube 302 connected to the outlet port 110. The outlet fitting 302 / J-shaped tube 302 may be same as the outlet fitting 124 described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the outlet fitting 302 is referred to as J-shaped tube 302.

[0055] As described above, the J-shaped tube 302 may be connected / attached to the outlet port 110 at the interior portion of the storage tank 106. In some aspects, the J-shaped tube 302 may include a hollow first part 304 connected to a hollow second part 306 via a hollow third part 308. In some aspects, a first part longitudinal axis “L3” may be perpendicular to a second part longitudinal axis “L4”, as shown in FIG. 3. In other aspects, the first part longitudinal axis “L3” may be oriented at any other non-zero angle relative to the second part longitudinal axis “L4”, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] The first and second parts 304, 306 may be shaped as elongated cylindrical hollow tubes (or may have cross-sections of any other shape, e.g., hexagonal, square, oval, etc.), having lengths in a range of 2 to 8 inches and equivalent diameters in a range of 0.5 to 2 inches. The first and second parts 304, 306 may be made of metal such as aluminum, steel, and / or the like, or plastic. The third part 308 may be made of similar material as the first and second parts 304, 306 and may be shaped as a curved cylindrical tube. A cross-sectional diameter of the curved cylindrical tube or the third part 308 may be equivalent to the diameters of the first and second parts 304, 306. Further, in some aspects, the third part 308 may be shaped as a quarter-circle, as shown in FIG. 3. In an exemplary aspect, a radius of the quarter circle-shaped third part 308 may be in a range of 3 to 8 inches. In other aspects, the third part 308 may be shaped as an L-shaped bracket, which may connected the first and second parts 304, 306 such that the first part longitudinal axis “L3” may be perpendicular to the second part longitudinal axis “L4”. In yet another aspect, the third part 308 may have any other shape (e.g., a zigzag shape, a sinusoidal shape, etc.), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] In some aspects, a third end 310 associated with the first part 304 may be an open end and may be attached to the outlet port 110, as shown in FIG. 3. Stated another way, the third end 310 may not face the third part 308, or the third part 308 may not be attached to the first part 304 via the third end 310. In an exemplary aspect, the third part 308 may be attached to the first part 304 via a fourth end 312 (which may be open) of the first part 304, which may be disposed opposite to the third end 310, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] In further aspects, a fifth end 314 associated with the second part 306 may also be open and may face the interior portion of the storage tank 106. Stated another way, the fifth end 314 may not face the third part 308, or the third part 308 may not be attached to the second part 306 via the fifth end 314. In an exemplary aspect, the third part 308 may be attached to the second part 306 via a sixth end 316 (which may be open) of the second part 306, which may be disposed opposite to the fifth end 314, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] Since the fifth end 314 is open and faces the interior portion of the storage tank 106, the second part 306 may be configured to receive hot water from the interior portion of the storage tank 106 via the fifth end 314, when the user draws hot water from the water heater 100. The second part 306 may transfer the hot water received from the fifth end 314 to the first part 304 via the third part 308. The first part 304 may in turn transfer the hot water to the outlet port 110, thus enabling the user to draw hot water from the interior portion of the storage tank 106.

[0060] In some aspects, the first part 304 may be configured to axially rotate by 180 degrees (or more), as shown by arrows 318. As the first part 304 may be axially rotated, the J-shaped tube 302 may move between different positions in the interior portion of the storage tank 106, such that the fifth end 314 may be oriented towards different portions / sections of the tank interior portion. Examples of the different J-shaped tube positions are shown as positions “A”, “B” and “C” in FIG. 3. Intermediate positions between the positions “A”, “B” and “C” are also possible and contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. The example arrangement depicted in FIG. 3 should not be construed as limiting.

[0061] The first part 304 may be configured to axially rotate to change the outlet fitting operational mode or a J-shaped tube operational mode. For example, the J-shaped tube 302 may operate in a first J-shaped operational mode when the fifth end 314 may be oriented towards the tank top portion, as shown in the position “A”. When the fifth end 314 is oriented towards the tank top portion, the fifth end 314 (and hence the J-shaped tube 302) may extract the hot water from the tank top portion, which, as described above, stores hot water at a higher temperature. Thus, when the J-shaped tube 302 operates in the first J-shaped operational mode, the hot water extracted by the fifth end 314 is at a higher temperature, and hence the hot water received by the user from the outlet port 110 is also at a higher temperature.

[0062] In further aspects, the J-shaped tube 302 may operate in a second J-shaped operational mode when the fifth end 314 may be oriented towards the tank bottom portion, as shown in the position “C”. When the fifth end 314 is oriented towards the tank bottom portion, the fifth end 314 (and hence the J-shaped tube 302) may extract the hot water from the tank middle portion (or the tank bottom portion), which, as described above, stores hot water at a relatively lesser temperature than the hot water stored in proximity to the tank top portion. Thus, when the J-shaped tube 302 operates in the second J-shaped operational mode, the hot water extracted by the fifth end 314 is at a relatively lesser temperature, and hence the hot water received by the user from the outlet port 110 is also at a relatively lesser temperature.

[0063] In a similar manner, the J-shaped tube 302 may operate in other J-shaped operational modes (e.g., a third J-shaped operational mode) when the fifth end 314 may be oriented towards any tank portion between the tank top and bottom portions (e.g., the position “B” shown in FIG. 3). In this case, the fifth end 314 (and hence the J-shaped tube 302) may extract the hot water from the tank portion towards which the fifth end 314 may be oriented, which may store hot water having a temperature between the water temperatures of hot water stored at the tank top portion and the tank middle portion (or the tank bottom portion).

[0064] In some aspects, the user or the technician may cause the first part 304 to axially rotate and make the J-shaped tube 302 to operate in the first J-shaped operational mode when the user desires a higher temperature of hot water to draw from the water heater 100. For example, if the tank top portion and the tank middle portion respectively have hot water at temperatures of 130 degree Fahrenheit and 110 degree Fahrenheit, and the user desires to obtain hot water at the temperature of 130 degree Fahrenheit, the user may cause the J-shaped tube 302 to operate in the first J-shaped operational mode. On the other hand, when the user desires to obtain hot water at a temperature lower than 130 degree Fahrenheit, the user may cause the J-shaped tube 302 to operate in the second J-shaped operational mode or in any intermediate operational mode, based on the desired water temperature.

[0065] In some aspects, the controller 116 may automatically alter the J-shaped tube operational mode via the actuators 114, based on a user desired water temperature (or user inputs) and the inputs obtained from the temperature sensors 112. Specifically, based on whether the user desires temperature of the hot water to be higher or lower, the controller 116 may transmit command signals to the actuators 114 to rotate the first part 304 and cause the J-shaped tube 302 to operate in either the first J-shaped tube operational mode, the second J-shaped tube operational mode or any other intermediary operational mode.

[0066] In certain embodiments, the J-shaped tube 302 may be used to enhance the water heater's FHR. For example, if a higher FHR is required, the hot water stored in the storage tank 106 may be over-heated (i.e., heated above the desired water temperature) and the J-shaped tube 302 may be made to gradually move from the position “C” to the position “A”, as the hot water is drawn from the water heater 100. In this case, since the hot water is over-heated, the hot water extracted from the tank middle portion or the tank bottom portion, when the J-shaped tube 302 is at the positon “C”, may be at the desired water temperature when the hot water is first drawn from the water heater 100. As the hot water may be drawn from the water heater 100, the cold water may get injected into the storage tank 106 via the tank bottom portion (as described above), which may cause the temperature of water stored in the tank middle portion or the tank bottom portion to gradually reduce. During this operation, the controller 116 may gradually move the J-shaped tube 302“upwards” towards the position “A”, so that the user may continue to obtain hot water at the desired water temperature for a longer time duration (since the hot water at the top tank portion may gradually reach to the desired water temperature level as the hot water may be drawn from the water heater 100).

[0067] In some aspects, the controller 116 or the user / technician may simultaneously and / or independently alter the diffuser operational mode (as described in conjunction with FIG. 2) and / or the J-shaped tube operational mode (as described in conjunction with FIG. 3) to enable the user to obtain the hot water from the water heater 100 at the desired temperature and / or enhance water heater's FHR and / or UEF.

[0068] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an example second water heater 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 will be described in conjunction with the FIGS. 5-9.

[0069] The water heater 400 may be similar to the water heater 100 described above in conjunction with FIG. 1, with the same water heater components, e.g., the water heater housing 102, the heating source 104, the storage tank 106, the inlet port 108, the outlet port 110, the temperature sensors 112, the actuators 114, and the controller 116. These components perform the same functions in the water heater 400 as the functions performed in the water heater 100, and hence are not described again here for the sake of simplicity and conciseness.

[0070] In some aspects, the inlet port 108 and / or the outlet port 110 of the water heater 400 may be disposed at a top wall of the storage tank 106, as opposed to the tank bottom wall or the tank top side wall described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 4, both the inlet port 108 and the outlet port 110 are shown to be disposed on the tank top wall, although the present disclosure is not limited to such an arrangement.

[0071] When the inlet port 108 is disposed on the tank top wall, the cold water 118 may be injected into the storage tank 106 via a dip tube or an inlet fitting 402 that may be attached to the inlet port 108. In some aspects, the inlet fitting 402 may be made of the same material as the diffuser 202 and may have an elongated shape such that the inlet fitting 402 may extend from the inlet port 108 to the tank bottom portion, as shown in FIG. 4. In an exemplary aspect, a length of the inlet fitting 402 may be in a range of 75-95% of the length of the storage tank 106, and an inlet fitting longitudinal axis may be parallel to the storage tank longitudinal axis. In some aspects, the inlet fitting 402 may be configured to inject the cold water into different heights of the storage tank 106 along the storage tank length, based on an inlet fitting operational mode. For example, the inlet fitting 402 may inject cold water in proximity to the tank bottom portion when the inlet fitting 402 may be operating in a first operational mode, inject cold water in proximity to the tank middle portion when the inlet fitting 402 may be operating in a second operational mode, inject cold water in proximity to the tank top portion when the inlet fitting 402 may be operating in a third operational mode, etc. The operational modes of the inlet fitting 402 may be controlled manually by the user / technician or by the controller 116, as described above.

[0072] In a similar manner, when the outlet port 110 is disposed on the tank top wall, the hot water 122 may be drawn from the storage tank 106 via a dip tube or an outlet fitting 404 that may be attached to the outlet port 110. In some aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may be made of the same material as the J-shaped tube 302 and may have an elongated shape such that the outlet fitting 404 may extend from the outlet port 110 to the tank middle portion, as shown in FIG. 4. In an exemplary aspect, a length of the outlet fitting 404 may be in a range of 45-60% of the length of the storage tank 106, and the outlet fitting length may be shorter than the inlet fitting length. Further, an outlet fitting longitudinal axis may be parallel to the storage tank longitudinal axis. In some aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may be configured to draw hot water from different heights of the storage tank 106 along the storage tank length, based on an outlet fitting operational mode. For example, the outlet fitting 404 may draw hot water from the tank top portion when the outlet fitting 404 may be operating in a first operational mode, draw hot water from the tank middle portion when the outlet fitting 404 may be operating in a second operational mode, draw hot water from a portion in between the tank top and middle portions when the outlet fitting 404 may be operating in a third operational mode, etc. As described above, since the hot water stored at different levels / heights of the storage tank 106 may have different temperatures, the user may draw hot water at different temperatures by causing a change in the outlet fitting operational mode. The operational modes of the outlet fitting 404 may be controlled manually by the user / technician or by the controller 116, as described above.

[0073] In some aspects, when the inlet port 108 and the outlet port 110 are disposed at the tank top wall, the inlet fitting 402 and the outlet fitting 404 may have similar shapes and structural design, however, their lengths may be different. In an exemplary aspect, the inlet fitting 402 may be longer than the outlet fitting 404, as the inlet fitting 402 may be required to inject cold water in proximity to the tank bottom portion; however, in most cases, the hot water may be required to be drawn from the tank top or middle portions (as these portions may have relatively greater water temperature than the temperature of water stored in proximity to the tank bottom portion). In alternative aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may have a length similar to the length of the inlet fitting 402, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0074] Structural details of the dip tube-shaped inlet fitting 402 and outlet fitting 404 are described below in conjunction with FIGS. 5-9. The description below is described in the context of the outlet fitting 404; however, the same description and structural details may apply to the inlet fitting 402 as well. The description provided below should not be considered directed exclusively to the outlet fitting 404.

[0075] In some aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may include concentric hollow cylindrical tubes that may be configured to axially rotate relative to each other. In an exemplary aspect, the outlet fitting 404 / concentric hollow cylindrical tubes may include a first tube 602 (as shown in FIG. 6) and a second tube 502 (as shown in FIG. 5), which may be hollow cylindrical tubes made of metal such as aluminum, steel, etc. or plastic. When installed in the water heater 100, the first tube 602 may be disposed inside the second tube 502, as shown in FIG. 7. The first tube 602 and the second tube 502 may be configured to axially rotate relative to each other, as shown by arrows 702 in FIG. 7. The user may manually rotate the first tube 602 and / or the second tube 502 relative to each other, or the actuators 114 may automatically rotate the first and second tubes 602, 502 relative to each other based on the command signals obtained from the controller 116.

[0076] In some aspects, the first tube 602 and the second tube 502 may be cylindrical in shape, and a diameter of the first tube 602 may be only slightly less than a diameter of the second tube 502. For example, a first tube diameter may be in a range of 92-98% of a second tube diameter. The first tube 602 may be disposed inside the second tube 502 such that a first tube exterior surface may touch a second tube interior surface. Stated another way, there may not exist any gap between the first tube exterior surface and the second tube interior surface.

[0077] In some aspects, the first tube 602 may include a first open end 704 and a first closed end 706 (as shown in FIG. 7). The first open end 704 may be attached to the outlet port 110. Stated another way, the first tube 602 may be attached to the outlet port 110 via the first open end 704. Further, the second tube 502 may include a second open end 708 and a second closed end 710. When the first tube 602 is disposed inside the second tube 502, the first closed end 706 may be disposed in proximity to the second closed end 710 or may touch the second closed end 710. Further, both the first closed end 706 and the second closed end 710 may face towards the tank bottom portion.

[0078] In some aspects, a first tube length may be equivalent to a second tube length, in which case the second open end 708 may be disposed in proximity to the first open end 704 and / or connected to the outlet port 110. In other aspects (as shown in FIG. 7), the second tube length may be shorter than the first tube length, e.g., in a range of 40-80% of the first tube length. In this case, the second open end 708 may not be connected to the outlet port 110, and the second tube interior surface may be connected to the first tube exterior surface such that the second tube 502 may not fall down, while at the same time the first and second tubes 602, 502 may conveniently rotate relative to each other.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the second tube 502 may include an elongated slot 504 disposed on a second tube wall 506, as shown in FIG. 5. The elongated slot 504 may form an opening in the second tube wall 506 and may have a slot length in a range of 40-80% of the second tube length. Further, a slot width may be in a range of 20-40% of a second tube diameter. In an exemplary aspect, an elongated slot longitudinal axis may be parallel to a second tube longitudinal axis (which itself may be parallel to the tank longitudinal axis).

[0080] In further aspects, the first tube 602 may include a helical-shaped slot 604 disposed on a first tube wall 606, as shown in FIG. 6. The helical-shaped slot 604 may form an opening in the first tube wall 606 and may be disposed along the first tube length. In an exemplary aspect, the helical-shaped slot 604 may cover 60-80% of the first tube length. Further, a slot width of the helical-shaped slot 604 may be in a range of 20-40% of a first tube diameter. In some aspects, the helical-shaped slot 604 may cover half of a first tube circumference (e.g., opposite ends of the helical-shaped slot 604 may be disposed 180 degrees apart). In other aspects, the helical-shaped slot 604 may cover more or less than half of the first tube circumference.

[0081] In some aspects, the user / technician and / or the controller 116 may alter an operational mode of the outlet fitting 404 by axially rotating the first tube 602 relative to the second tube 502 (e.g., via the actuators 114). In an exemplary aspect, the outlet fitting 404 may operate in a first outlet fitting operational mode when the first and second tubes 602, 502 may be rotated such that a first section 712 of the helical-shaped slot 604 may be aligned with the elongated slot 504, in a second outlet fitting operational mode when the first and second tubes 602, 502 may be rotated such that a second section 714 of the helical-shaped slot 604 may be aligned with the elongated slot 504 (as shown in FIG. 7), and in a third outlet fitting operational mode when the first and second tubes 602, 502 may be rotated such that a third section 716 of the helical-shaped slot 604 may be aligned with the elongated slot 504. Intermediate operational modes are also contemplated and possible, based on the angle of rotation of the first and second tubes 602, 502 relative to each other.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7, the first, second and third sections 712, 714, 716 may be disposed at different distances relative to the first closed end 706 (or the first open end 704). Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 7, the first section 712 may be disposed at a distance “L1” from the first closed end 706, the second section 714 may be disposed at a distance “L2” from the first closed end 706, and the third section 716 may be disposed at a distance “L3” from the first closed end 706. The distance “L1” may be greater than the distance “L2”, and the distance “L2” may be greater than the distance “L3”.

[0083] In some aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may be disposed in the interior portion of the storage tank 106 such that the first closed end 706 (or the second closed end 710) may be disposed in proximity to the tank middle portion (or below the tank middle portion). In this arrangement, when the outlet fitting 404 operates in the first outlet fitting operational mode, the outlet fitting 404 may draw hot water from the tank interior portion via the first section 712, which is at a greater distance (i.e., the distance “L1”) away from the tank middle portion, and hence closer to the tank top portion. As described above, the temperature of hot water stored in proximity to the tank top portion may be greater than the temperature of hot water stored in proximity to the tank middle portion. Consequently, when the outlet fitting 404 operates in the first outlet fitting operational mode, the hot water drawn from the outlet fitting 404 is at a higher temperature, since the water is extracted via the first section 712. Therefore, the user / technician or the controller 116 may cause the outlet fitting 404 to operate in the first outlet fitting operational mode when the user desires hot water at a greater / higher temperature.

[0084] In a similar manner, when the outlet fitting 404 operates in the second or third outlet fitting operational mode, the outlet fitting 404 may draw hot water from the tank interior portion via the second or third section 714, 716, which is at a relatively shorter distance (i.e., the distance “L2” or “L3”) away from the tank middle portion, and hence relatively farther away from the tank top portion. Consequently, when the outlet fitting 404 operates in the second or third outlet fitting operational mode, the hot water drawn from the outlet fitting 404 is at a relatively lower temperature, since the water is extracted via the second or third section 714, 716. Therefore, the user / technician or the controller 116 may cause the outlet fitting 404 to operate in the second or third outlet fitting operational mode when the user desires hot water at a relatively lower temperature.

[0085] It may be apparent from the description above that the water heater 100 may output hot water at different (e.g., higher or lower) temperatures based on the operational mode of the outlet fitting 404. In a similar (but reversed) manner, when the concentric circular tube arrangement is associated with the inlet fitting 402, the user / technical or the controller 116 may rotate the concentric circular tubes relative to each other to inject cold water at different heights along the length of the storage tank 106. For example, the user / technical or the controller 116 may cause the inlet fitting 402 to inject cold water closer to the tank bottom portion (i.e., have an arrangement similar to the “third outlet fitting operational mode” described above), when the user desires to enhance the water heater's FHR and may not want the cold water to interact with the hot water stored in proximity to the tank middle or top portions. In a similar manner, the user / technical or the controller 116 may rotate the concentric circular tubes associated with the inlet fitting 402 relative to each other to inject cold water at different heights, based on the user's hot water usage requirements.

[0086] Although FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict an aspect where the first tube 602 includes a single helical-shaped slot 604 and the second tube 502 includes a single elongated slot 504, the present disclosure is not limited to such an aspect. In alternative aspects, the first tube 602 may include more than one helical-shaped slots and / or the second tube 502 may include more than one elongated slots. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a first tube 802 (which may be similar to the first tube 602) may include two helical-shaped slots 804a, 804b that may be disposed opposite to each other on the first tube's circumference (or disposed on the first tube's surface 180 degrees apart). Similarly, a second tube 806 (which may be similar to the second tube 502) may include two elongated slots 808a, 808b that may be disposed opposite to each other on the second tube's circumference (or disposed on the second tube's surface 180 degrees apart). The user / technician or the controller 116 may operate the example embodiment of the outlet fitting 404 depicted in FIG. 8 in the same manner as described below. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, two surfaces of the helical-shaped slots 804a, 804b (shown as surfaces 810a, 810b) may simultaneously draw hot water from the same height in the storage tank 106, thereby enabling greater outflow of hot water. The user / technician may use the example outlet fitting 404 shown in FIG. 8 when the demand of hot water is expected to be high.

[0087] Remaining details associated with the outlet fitting 404 of FIG. 8 are same as the details described above in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7, and hence are not described again here for the sake of simplicity and conciseness. The first and second tubes 802, 806 may similarly include more than two helical-shaped slots and elongated slots, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] In alternative aspects, the first tube 602 (or the first tube 802) may not include any helical-shaped slots, but may include other patterns that may enable the outlet fitting 404 to draw hot water from different heights along the length of the storage tank 106. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a first tube 902 (which may be similar to the first tube 602 or 802) may include a plurality of through holes 904a, 904b, 904n (collectively referred to as through holes 904) disposed along a portion of the first tube length. In an exemplary aspect, the through holes 904 may be disposed along 75-90% of the first tube length. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the through holes 904 may be arranged in a helical shape along the first tube length. In some aspects, the through holes 904 may be arranged along the first tube length such that a first through hole 904a and a last through hole 904n may be disposed on opposite surfaces of the first tube's circumference (i.e., disposed 180 degrees apart). In other aspects, the first and last through holes 904a, 904n may be disposed apart by any other angle, i.e., 270 degrees.

[0089] Each through hole 904 may be disposed at a different distance from a first closed end 906 (which may be same as the first closed end 706) or a first open end 908 (which may be same as the first open end 704). For example, the first through hole 904a may be farthest away from the first closed end 906 (and hence closest to the tank top portion), and the last through hole 904n may be closest to the first closed end 906 (and hence farthest from the tank top portion).

[0090] In some aspects, the outlet fitting 404 may operate in a first operational mode when the first tube 902 may be rotated relative to the second tube 502 such that the first through hole 904a may align with the elongated slot 504. In this operational mode, the hot water may be drawn from the tank top portion as the first through hole 904a is closest to the tank top portion, and hence the hot water drawn in this operational mode may be hotter.

[0091] In a similar manner, the outlet fitting 404 may operate in a second operational mode when the first tube 902 may be rotated relative to the second tube 502 such that the last through hole 904n may align with the elongated slot 504. In this operational mode, the hot water may be drawn from the tank middle portion (or below the tank middle portion) as the last through hole 904a is farthest from the tank top portion, and hence the hot water drawn in this operational mode may have relatively less temperature. Other intermediary operational modes are possible by rotating the first tube 902 at different angles relative to the second tube 502.

[0092] In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 9, the through holes 904 are circular in shape, although the present disclosure is not limited to such an aspect. In alternative aspects, the through holes 904 may have any other shape, e.g., square, rectangular, oval, etc. Further, a diameter of each through hole 904 may be in a range of 0.2-0.5 inches.

[0093] Remaining details of the first tube 902 are similar to the details of the first tube 602, and hence are not described again here for the sake of simplicity and conciseness.

[0094] The structural details of the inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting described above should not be construed as limiting. The inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting may include other means of enabling the user / technician or the controller 116 to inject or draw water to / from the storage tank 106 at different heights. For example, the inlet fitting and / or the outlet fitting may include telescoping means, bimetallic adjustment means, and / or the like to inject or draw water to / from the storage tank 106 at different heights.

[0095] FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram of the controller 116 configured to operate the water heater 100, 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] The controller 116 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a processor 1002, a memory 1004, and a communication interface 1006. The controller 116 may be a computing device configured to receive data, determine actions based on the received data, and output a control or command signal instructing one or more water heater components (e.g., the actuators 114) to perform one or more actions. In some aspects, the controller 116 may be configured to receive the inputs from the temperature sensors 112, as described above.

[0097] In some aspects, the controller 116 may be configured to send and receive wireless or wired signals, and the signals may be analog or digital signals. The wireless signals may include Bluetooth™, BLE, WiFi™, ZigBee™, infrared, microwave radio, or any other type of wireless communication signals as may be suitable for a particular water heater application. The hard-wired signals can include communication signals between any directly wired connections between the controller 116 and other water heater components. For example, the controller 116 can have a hard-wired 24 Volts Direct Current (VDC) connection to the temperature sensors 112.

[0098] Alternatively, the controller 116 may communicate with the temperature sensors 112 via a digital connection. The digital connection can include a connection such as an Ethernet or a serial connection and can utilize any suitable communication protocol for the water heater application, such as Modbus, fieldbus, PROFIBUS, SafetyBus, Ethernet / IP, and / or the like. Furthermore, the controller 116 can utilize a combination of wireless, hard-wired, and analog or digital communication signals to communicate with and control the various water heater components. A person ordinarily skilled in the art may appreciate that the above configurations are given merely as non-limiting examples and the actual configuration can vary depending on the particular water heating application.

[0099] The memory 1004 may be configured to store a program and / or instructions associated with the functions and methods described herein. The processor 1002 may be configured to execute the program and / or instructions stored in the memory 1004. The memory 1004 can include one or more suitable types of memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash memory, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), and the like) for storing files including the operating system, application programs (including, for example, a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, and or other applications, as necessary), executable instructions and data. One, some, or all of the processing techniques or methods described herein can be implemented as a combination of executable instructions and data within the memory 1004.

[0100] The communication interface 1006 may be configured to send or receive communication signals between the various water heater components (e.g., the actuators 114). The communication interface 1006 can include hardware, firmware, and / or software that allows the processor 1002 to communicate with the other components via wired or wireless networks, whether local or wide area, private or public, as known in the art. The communication interface 1006 can also provide access to a cellular network, the Internet, a local area network, or another wide-area network as suitable for the particular water heater application.

[0101] Additionally, the controller 116 may have or be in communication with a user interface (not shown) for receiving inputs from the user (e.g., the desired water temperature, the desired FHR or water heater efficiency settings, the desired inlet fitting operational mode, the desired outlet fitting operational mode, and / or the like). The user interface may be installed locally on the water heater 100.

[0102] In operation, the controller 116 may obtain inputs from the temperature sensors 112 and the user inputs from the user interface described above. The controller 116 may then correlate the inputs obtained from the temperature sensors 112 and the user inputs, to generate a command signal for the actuators 114. The command signal may be associated with an optimal inlet fitting operational mode and / or an optimal outlet fitting operational mode, determined based on the correlation described above. Responsive to generating the command signal, the controller 116 may transmit (via the communication interface 1006) the command signal to the actuators 114, which may cause the actuators 114 to alter the inlet fitting operational mode and / or the outlet fitting operational mode based on the command signal obtained from the controller 116.

[0103] FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of a method 1100 to inject cold water or extract hot water to / from the storage tank 106 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 may be described with continued reference to prior figures, including FIGS. 1-10. The following process is exemplary and not confined to the steps described hereafter. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include more or less steps than are shown or described herein and may include these steps in a different order than the order described in the following example embodiments.

[0104] The method 1100 starts at step 1102. At step 1104, the method 1100 may include obtaining, by the controller 116, the inputs from the user and the temperature sensors 112. At step 1106, the method 1100 may include generating, by the controller 116, the command signal based on the obtained inputs. At step 1108, the method 1100 may include transmitting, by the controller 116, the generated command signal to the actuators 114 to cause the actuators 114 to alter the inlet fitting operational mode and / or the outlet fitting operational mode based on the command signal.

[0105] The method 1100 stops at step 1110.

[0106] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0107] It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

[0108] With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

[0109] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

[0110] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,”“the,”“said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,”“might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

1. A fluid heater comprising:a storage tank comprising an inlet port to receive cold water and an outlet port to supply hot water;an inlet fitting attached to the inlet port at an interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the inlet fitting is configured to inject cold water into different tank portions along a length of the storage tank based on an inlet fitting operational mode; and / oran outlet fitting attached to the outlet port at the interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the outlet fitting is configured to extract hot water from different tank portions along the length of the storage tank based on an outlet fitting operational mode.

2. The fluid heater of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is disposed at a bottom side wall of the storage tank.

3. The fluid heater of claim 2, wherein the inlet fitting is a diffuser having a hollow elongated body with a first end, a second end and a body wall, wherein the first end is open and attached to the inlet port, wherein the second end is closed and disposed away from the inlet port, wherein the body wall comprises one or more through-holes disposed linearly on the body wall, and wherein centers of the one or more through-holes are aligned along a body longitudinal axis.

4. The fluid heater of claim 3, wherein the diffuser is configured to axially rotate to change the inlet fitting operational mode, wherein the diffuser operates in a first inlet fitting operational mode when the one or more through-holes are oriented towards a tank bottom portion, wherein the diffuser operates in a second inlet fitting operational mode when the one or more through-holes are oriented towards a tank top portion, wherein the diffuser injects cold water towards the tank bottom portion when the diffuser operates in the first inlet fitting operational mode, and wherein the diffuser injects cold water towards the tank top portion when the diffuser operates in the second inlet fitting operational mode.

5. The fluid heater of claim 3, wherein the hollow elongated body is cylindrical in shape.

6. The fluid heater of claim 1, wherein the outlet port is disposed at a top side wall of the storage tank.

7. The fluid heater of claim 6, wherein the outlet fitting is a J-shaped tube having a hollow first part, a hollow second part connected to the hollow first part, a third end disposed on the hollow first part, and a fourth end disposed on the hollow second part, wherein a first part longitudinal axis is perpendicular to a second part longitudinal axis, wherein the third end and the fourth end are open, wherein the hollow first part is attached to the outlet port via the third end, and wherein the hollow second part is configured to receive hot water via the fourth end and transfer the hot water to the hollow first part.

8. The fluid heater of claim 7, wherein the hollow first part is configured to axially rotate to change the outlet fitting operational mode, wherein the J-shaped tube operates in a first outlet fitting operational mode when the fourth end is orientated towards a tank top portion, wherein the J-shaped tube operates in a second outlet fitting operational mode when the fourth end is orientated towards a tank bottom portion, wherein the J-shaped tube extracts hot water from the tank top portion when the J-shaped tube operates in the first outlet fitting operational mode, and wherein the J-shaped tube extracts hot water from a tank middle portion when the J-shaped tube operates in the second outlet fitting operational mode.

9. The fluid heater of claim 7, wherein at least one of the hollow first part or the hollow second part is cylindrical in shape.

10. The fluid heater of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inlet port or the outlet port is disposed at a top wall of the storage tank.

11. The fluid heater of claim 10, wherein at least one of the inlet fitting or the outlet fitting comprises concentric hollow cylindrical tubes comprising a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube is disposed inside the second tube and a first tube exterior surface touches a second tube interior surface, wherein the first tube and the second tube are configured to axially rotate relative to each other, wherein the first tube comprises a first open end connected to the inlet port or the outlet port and a first closed end, wherein the second tube comprises a second open end and a second closed end, and wherein the first closed end and the second closed end are disposed in proximity to each other facing towards a tank bottom portion.

12. The fluid heater of claim 11, wherein the second tube comprises an elongated slot disposed on a second tube wall, wherein the elongated slot forms an opening on the second tube wall, and wherein a slot longitudinal axis is parallel to a second tube longitudinal axis.

13. The fluid heater of claim 12, wherein the first tube comprises a plurality of through holes disposed along a portion of a length of the first tube, wherein each through hole is disposed at a different distance from the first open end, and wherein the plurality of through holes are arranged in a helical shape along the length of the first tube.

14. The fluid heater of claim 13, wherein the concentric hollow cylindrical tubes operate in a first inlet fitting operational mode or a first outlet fitting operational mode when a first through hole, from the plurality of through holes, is aligned with the elongated slot, wherein the concentric hollow cylindrical tubes operate in a second inlet fitting operational mode or a second outlet fitting operational mode when a second through hole, from the plurality of through holes, is aligned with the elongated slot, and wherein the first through hole is different from the second through hole.

15. The fluid heater of claim 12, wherein the first tube comprises a helical-shaped slot disposed along a portion of a length of the first tube.

16. The fluid heater of claim 15, wherein the concentric hollow cylindrical tubes operate in a first inlet fitting operational mode or a first outlet fitting operational mode when a first section of the helical-shaped slot is aligned with the elongated slot, wherein the concentric hollow cylindrical tubes operate in a second inlet fitting operational mode or a second outlet fitting operational mode when a second section of the helical-shaped slot is aligned with the elongated slot, and wherein the first section and the second section are disposed at different distances from the first open end.

17. The fluid heater of claim 1 further comprising one or more actuators, a controller, and one or more temperature sensors, wherein the one or more actuators are configured to change at least one of the inlet fitting operational mode or the outlet fitting operational mode based on a command signal received from the controller.

18. The fluid heater of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to:obtain inputs from the one or more temperature sensors or a user;generate the command signal based on the inputs; andtransmit the command signal to the one or more actuators to cause a change in at least one of the inlet fitting operational mode or the outlet fitting operational mode.

19. A water heater comprising:a storage tank comprising an inlet port to receive cold water and an outlet port to supply hot water;a diffuser attached to the inlet port at an interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the diffuser is configured to inject cold water into different tank portions along a length of the storage tank based on a diffuser operational mode; anda J-shaped tube attached to the outlet port at the interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the J-shaped tube is configured to extract hot water from different tank portions along the length of the storage tank based on a J-shaped tube operational mode.

20. A water heater comprising:a storage tank comprising an inlet port to receive cold water and an outlet port to supply hot water;an inlet fitting attached to the inlet port at an interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the inlet fitting is configured to inject cold water into different tank portions along a length of the storage tank based on an inlet fitting operational mode; andan outlet fitting attached to the outlet port at the interior portion of the storage tank, wherein the outlet fitting is configured to extract hot water from different tank portions along the length of the storage tank based on an outlet fitting operational mode,wherein at least one of the inlet fitting or the outlet fitting comprises concentric hollow cylindrical tubes.

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