Heating chamber assemblies with flow diffusers for water heaters

Abstract

A water heater is disclosed. The water heater may include an inlet, a heating chamber and a diffuser. The inlet may be configured to receive water from a source. The diffuser may be disposed in the heating chamber in proximity to the inlet. The diffuser may be configured to receive the water from the inlet and distribute the water evenly in the heating chamber. The water heater may further include a heating element disposed in an interior portion of the heating chamber. The heating element may be configured to heat the water received from the diffuser.

Description

HEATING CHAMBER ASSEMBLIES WITH FLOW DIFFUSERS FOR WATER HEATERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[00011 The present application claims priority to and the benefit of US provisional patent application No. 63 / 622,270, filed January 18, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to water heaters and more specifically to heating chamber assemblies of water heaters including flow diffusers.BACKGROUND[ 0<>3| Water heaters are generally used to provide a supply of heated water in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Water heaters are typically of two types, tank water heaters and tankless water heaters. A tank water heater includes a storage tank in which water is stored and heated by using a heating source, e.g., an electric heating source, a gas burner, a heat pump, or a combination thereof. A tankless water heater is a water heater that instantly (e.g., within a short time duration in a range of 10 to 30 seconds) heats water as the water flows through the tankless water heater, and water is not required to be stored in the tankless water heater.

[0004] In a tankless water heater, water flows through a heating chamber of the water heater that includes heating elements, such as electric and / or gas heating elements. Other heating elements, such as a heat pump or the like, may be used as well. The heating elements heat water as the water flows through the heating chamber.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] 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.

[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 0008] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a heating chamber assembly of a water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of a heating chamber assembly of a water heater in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of a cover plate including a diffuser in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary water flow inside a heating chamber in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a method to evenly distribute water in a heating chamber in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure is directed to a tankless water heater that is configured to heat a supply of water received from a source and output hot water. To ensure efficient water heating and minimize wear and tear of the heating elements, it is desirable that water flows evenly through heating elements of the tankless water heater. In some embodiments, the water heater may include an inlet, a heating chamber, one or more heating elements, and an outlet. The inlet may receive the supply of water from the source and output the water towards the heating chamber. The heating elements may be disposed in an interior portion of the heating chamber. In some instances, the heating elements may be configured to heat the water received from the inlet. The water heated by the heating elements may be output from the water heater via the outlet. In some instances, the heating chamber may be shaped as a hollow cylinder, and the heating elements may be coils that may be at least partially wrapped about themselves and disposed in the interior portion of the heating chamber in a helical pattern.[ 014| In some aspects, the heating chamber may include a diffuser that may be disposed in proximity to the inlet. The diffuser may be configured to receive the supply of water from the inlet and output the water evenly into the interior portion of the heating chamber. The diffuser may include a number of diffuser through-holes that may enable the diffuser to evenly (or substantially evenly) distribute the water received from the inlet to the interior portion of the heating chamber. Each diffuser through-hole may be shaped as a circle, a rectangle, a square, and / or the like or combinations thereof. The through-holes may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration to evenly (or substantially evenly) distribute the water received from the inlet to the interior portion of the heating chamber.The present disclosure discloses a water heater that includes a diffuser configured to evenly distribute a supply of water into an interior portion of a heating chamber of the water heater. In some instances, since the water is evenly distributed in the interior portion of the heating chamber, the water is evenly distributed to all of the components / portions of the heating elements disposed in the interior portion of the heating chamber, thereby ensuring efficient water heating and even dissipation of heat from the heating elements to the water. Even dissipation of heat from the heating elements to the water ensures that one or more components / portions of the heating elements are not excessively heated, thereby reducing wear and tear of the heating elements and increasing the operational life of the heating elements. More so, evenly (or substantially evenly) distributing the water about the heating elements disposed within the heating chamber increases the efficiency of the water heater.[001.6] 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 being a system and method for heating water in a tankless water heater. 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 being a system and method for heating water in a tankless waterheater, it will be understood that other implementations can take the place of those referred to, e.g., tank water heaters.

[0017] 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 a system and method to heat water in a tankless water heater, it is to be understood that the system and method described herein can apply to fluids other than water in other types of water heaters. 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.[0O18| Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a water heater 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 will be described along with FIGS. 2-6 that depict different views of the water heater 100 and its components. In some embodiments, the water heater 100 may be a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater is a water heater that instantly (e.g., within a short time duration in a range of 10 to 30 seconds) heats water as the water flows through the tankless water heater, and water is not required to be stored in the tankless water heater. In various implementations, heating elements within a tankless water heater are activated when there is a flow of water detected flowing through the tankless water heater (e.g., a hot water demand event such as a hot water fixture opening). This is in contrast to a storage tank water heater that operates heating elements without a flow to maintain the water stored therein at a set point temperature. While tankless water heaters may include heating chambers where water is heated, the volume of such chambers is 10% or less of a typical storage tank water heater. For example, a volume of a heating chamber in a tankless water heater may be 5 gallons or less, 3 gallons or less, 1 gallon or less, or half a gallon or less. This is in contrast to a storage tank water heater with volumes of hot water of 28 to 90 gallons or more. In various implementations, a tankless water heater may include a small buffer tank for maintaining a small volume of hot water (e.g., 0.5-5 gallons or less). Therefore, the water heater 100 is not a storage tank water heater. In other instances, the water heater may be a tank water heater. Any suitable water heater may be used herein.[0019| In some aspects, the water heater 100 may include a front cover 102 and a back cover202 (as shown in FIG. 2) that may form an enclosure to enclose a number of water heater components (described below). The water heater 100 may further include an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. The inlet 104 may be configured to receive a supply of water 108 from a source, e.g.,a utility source, and the outlet 106 may be configured to output a supply of hot water 110 from the water heater 100. The inlet 104 and the outlet 106 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. 0020] The water heater 100 may further include a heating chamber 204, as depicted in FIG. 2. In some instances, the heating chamber 204 may be configured to receive the supply of water 108 from the inlet 104 and output the supply of hot water 110 to the outlet 106. In certain embodiments, the hot water 110 may be supplied to the outlet 106 via an outlet tube 206. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber 204 may be hollow and shaped as a cylinder, a cuboid, etc. The heating chamber 204 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the heating chamber 204 is a hollow cylinder. In certain embodiments, a length of the heating chamber 204 may be in a range of 12 to 18 inches, and a diameter of the heating chamber 204 may be in a range of 3 to 6 inches. Further, the heating chamber 204 may be made of metal, such as cooper, aluminum, steel, iron, and / or the like.[00211 In some aspects, the heating chamber 204 may include a chamber top end 208, a chamber bottom end 210, and chamber sidewalls 212. In some instances, the inlet 104 may be disposed in proximity to the chamber bottom end 210, and the heating chamber 204 may receive the supply of water 108 via the chamber bottom end 210. The chamber top end 208 may be an end opposite to the chamber bottom end 210 in the heating chamber 204. In some instances, a proximal end of the outlet tube 206 may be connected to the chamber sidewalls 212 in proximity to the chamber top end 208, and a distal end of the outlet tube 206 may be connected to the outlet 106. In some instances, water may enter the heating chamber 204 from the chamber bottom end 210, flow towards the chamber top end 208, and exit the heating chamber 204 from the outlet tube 206. In certain embodiments, the water may get heated in the heating chamber 204 as the water flows from the chamber bottom end 210 towards the chamber top end 208, thereby enabling the supply of water 108 to be output as the supply of hot water 110 from the water heater 100. For example, as described below, the water may flow about and exchange heat with one or more heating elements disposed within the heating chamber 204 as the water flows from the chamber bottom end 210 towards the chamber top end 208.

[0022] In certain embodiments, both the chamber top end 208 and the chamber bottom end 210 may be covered to shield / seal an interior portion of the heating chamber 204 from theambient environment. For example, the chamber top end 208 may include a top cover plate 302 (as shown in FIG. 3) and the chamber bottom end 210 may include a bottom cover plate 304. In some instances, the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304 may be welded (or securely attached via adhesive) to the respective top and bottom ends of the heating chamber 204. Further, both the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304 may cover or seal entire areas of the respective chamber top end 208 and the chamber bottom end 210. In some aspects, diameters of the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304 may be equivalent to the diameter of the heating chamber 204. In certain embodiments, the thicknesses of the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304 may be in a range of 0.25 to 0.75 inches. Furthermore, the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304 may be made of the same material as the heating chamber 204, which may also have a similar thickness as the top cover plate 302 and the bottom cover plate 304. In other instances, the heating chamber 204, the top cover plate 302, and the bottom cover plate 304 may be a single unitary component.|0023| In some instances, the bottom cover plate 304 may include a plate top surface 502 (as shown in FIG. 5) and a plate bottom surface 306 (as shown in FIG. 3). The plate top surface 502 may face the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 or the chamber top end 208. The plate bottom surface 306 may be disposed opposite to the plate top surface 502. The bottom cover plate 304 may further include a plate through-hole 402 (as shown in FIG. 4) that may be disposed anywhere on the bottom cover plate 304. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate through-hole 402 is disposed at a center portion of the bottom cover plate 304. However, in other instances, the plate through-hole 402 may be offset from the center. The plate through-hole 402 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, the plate through-hole 402 may be circular, rectangular, oval, etc. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the plate through-hole 402 is circular. In certain embodiments, a diameter of the plate through-hole 402 may be in a range of 20-40% of the diameter of the bottom cover plate 304. [0024| The water heater 100 may further include a diffuser 404. In some instances, the diffuser 404 may be disposed / poisoned to cover the plate through-hole 402 or attached to the plate top surface 502 such that the diffuser 404 covers (and / or is present on top of) the plate through-hole 402, as shown in FIG. 5. The diffuser 404 may be attached to the plate top surface 502 or the bottom cover plate 304 such that the diffuser 404 and the bottom cover plate 304 form an integrated structure of the bottom cover plate 304. Stated another way, in some instances, thediffuser 404 may be integrated to the bottom cover plate 304 such that the diffuser 404 and the bottom cover plate 304 form a unitary structure of the bottom cover plate 304. In this manner, the diffuser may be disposed about the inlet 104 of the heating chamber 204. 0025] In certain embodiments, the diffuser 404 may be made of the same material as the bottom cover plate 304. In some instances, the diffuser 404 may include a diffuser top plate 406 and diffuser side walls 408, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. In certain embodiments, the diffuser side walls 408 may be disposed on or attached to the plate top surface 502 such that the diffuser side walls 408 are located around the circumference of the plate through-hole 402. In some aspects, the diffuser side walls 408 may surround or be disposed within an entire circumference of the plate through-hole 402. In one embodiment, a height of the diffuser side walls 408 above the plate top surface 502 may be in a range of 0.5 to 2 inches, and the diffuser side walls 408 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to a plane of the bottom cover plate 304. 0026] The diffuser top plate 406 may be the same shape as the plate through-hole 402. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the diffuser top plate 406 may be circular. In certain embodiments, a diameter of the diffuser top plate 406 may be less than a diameter of the plate through-hole 402. In an exemplary aspect, the diameter of the diffuser top plate 406 may be in a range of 60- 90% of the diameter of the plate through-hole 402 (which may itself be in a range of 1-3 inches).

[0027] In some aspects, the diffuser top plate 406 may include one or more first diffuser through-holes 504 (or openings), as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the one or more first diffuser through-holes 504 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more of the first diffuser through-holes 504 may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, etc. or combinations thereof. Further, each of the first diffuser through-holes 504 may have the same or different shape and dimensions as the other first diffuser through- holes 504. In the example depicted in FIG. 5, each of the first diffuser through-holes 504 is circular. A count of the first diffuser through-holes 504 may depend on the dimensions of the diffuser top plate 406. For example, a diffuser top plate with a larger dimeter (e.g., 1.5-2.5 inches) may have a higher count of the first diffuser through-holes 504 (e.g., in a range of 8-12), and a diffuser top plate with a smaller diameter (0.75-1.5 inches) may have a lower count of the first diffuser through-holes (e.g., in a range of 4-6). Further, the first diffuser through-holes 504 may be disposed in any pattern on the diffuser top plate 406. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first diffuser through-holes 504 include six first diffuser through-holes 504 that are disposedin a circular pattern around a center of the diffuser top plate 406. In some instances, a diameter of each of the first diffuser through-hole 504 may be in a range of 0.1 to 0.5 inches.

[0028] In addition, in some instances, the diffuser side walls 408 may include one or more second diffuser through-holes 410 (or openings, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, the one or more second diffuser through-holes 410 may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, etc. or combinations thereof. Further, each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may have the same or different shape and dimensions as the other second diffuser through-holes. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 is substantially rectangular with a circular curvature. For example, a ring of the diffuser 404 may be attached to the plate top surface 502 about the plate through-hole 402. One or more spacers may extend from the ring and attach the ring to the diffuser top plate 406. The second diffuser through-holes 410 may be formed between the ring, the spacers, and the diffuser top plate 406. For example, in some instances, the ring may have a larger diameter than the diffuser top plate 406, which may result in the openings that form the second diffuser through-holes 410.

[0029] In some aspects, each second diffuser through-hole 410 may be formed by removing a predefined section / portion / area of the diffuser side walls 408 and a predefined section / portion / area of the diffuser top plate 406. Consequently, each second diffuser through- hole 410 may be a diagonal / combined hole or an opening or a rectangular “cut-out” section that may be formed at the comers of the sections / portions of the diffuser 404 where the diffuser side walls 408 meet the diffuser top plate 406. Such an opening or cut-out section enables the supply of the inlet water to move / flow into the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 vertically upwards, sideways and diagonally simultaneously, thereby enabling the water to flow / enter into the heating chamber 204 evenly through all directions (and not just vertically upwards).

[0039] A count of the second diffuser through-holes 410 and dimensions of each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may depend on the dimensions of the diffuser side walls 408, the diffuser top plate 406, and the diameter of the plate through-hole 402. For example, if the plate through-hole 402 has a larger diameter (in a range of 2-3 inches), each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may have larger dimensions and / or the count of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may be large (e.g., in a range of 8-12). On other hand, if the plate through- hole 402 has a smaller diameter (in a range of 1-2 inches), each of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may have smaller dimensions and / or the count of the second diffuser through-holes 410 may be low (e.g., in a range of 4-6). In some aspects, a rectangular second diffuser through- hole 410 may have a length in range of 0.5-1 inch and a height in range of 0.25-0.5 inches. 0031] In certain embodiments, the diffuser 404 may be disposed within the heating chamber 204 in proximity to the inlet 104. In this manner, the diffuser 404 may be configured to receive the supply of water 108 from the inlet 104 and distribute the water evenly in the heating chamber 204. As used herein, “evenly” means distributing the water equally about the volume of the heating chamber 204 so that the water passes more equally about all sides of the heating elements (e.g., heating coils) disposed within the heating chamber 204 to reduce or eliminate any hotspots about the heating elements disposed within the heating chamber 204.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inlet 104 may be disposed in proximity or attached to the plate bottom surface 306 and may be configured to output the supply of water 108 to the diffuser 404 via the plate through-hole 402. In some aspects, the diffuser top plate 406 may include a diffuser plate top surface and a diffuser plate bottom surface, and the inlet 104 may be configured to output the supply of water 108 towards the diffuser plate bottom surface via the plate through-hole 402. The diffuser plate top surface may face the interior portion of the heating chamber 204, and the diffuser plate bottom surface may be disposed opposite to the diffuser plate top surface and may face the inlet 104.

[0033] In some aspects, the supply of water 108 received at the diffuser 404 is output towards the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 via the first diffuser through-holes 504 and the second diffuser through-holes 410. Since the diameter of the diffuser top plate 406 is less than the diameter of the plate through-hole 402, the water output from the first diffuser through- holes 504 is at a higher pressure than a pressure of the supply of water 108 received from the inlet 104. In some aspects, the count of diffuser through-holes in the first diffuser through-holes 504 and the second diffuser through-holes 410 and dimensions of respective diffuser through- holes may be designed such that the water output from the diffuser 404 towards the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 has at least 8-10% higher pressure than the pressure of the supply of water 108 received from the inlet 104. The higher pressure of the water enables the water to efficiently travel or flow through the length of the heating chamber 204 from the chamber bottom end 210 towards the chamber top end 208. In further aspects, the count of diffuser through-holes in the first diffuser through-holes 504 and the second diffuser through-holes 410 and dimensions of respective diffuser through-holes may be designed such that 70- 90% of water may be output from the second diffuser through-holes 410 and 10-30% of the water may be output from the set of first diffuser through-holes 504. 0034] Since the supply of water 108 received at the diffuser 404 is output via the first diffuser through-holes 504 and the second diffuser through-holes 410, the water is distributed evenly in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with water flow indicators 412. The example shape and structure of the diffuser 404 shown in FIG. 5 should not be construed as limiting. The diffuser 404 may of any shape or structure that may enable the diffuser 404 to effectively and evenly distribute the supply of water 108 received from the inlet 104 into the interior portion of the heating chamber 204.

[0035] The water heater 100 may further include one or more heating elements 214a, 214b, 214c (collectively referred to as heating element 214) that may be disposed in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204. Although FIG. 2 depicts the heating element 214 as being outside of the heating chamber 204, in a packaged and operational water heater 100, the heating element 214 is enclosed inside the heating chamber 204 (i.e., in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204), as depicted in FIG. 6. In certain embodiments, the heating element 214 may be an electric heating element that may be configured to heat the water that is received in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 from the diffuser 404. The heating element 214 may be shaped at least in part as a cylindrical coil that may wrapped / disposed in a helical pattern in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204. In some instances, cylindrical coil of the heating element 214 may be wrapped around an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the heating element 214.[0036| In certain embodiments, since the water is evenly distributed in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204 by the diffuser 404, the water gets evenly distributed in an interior portion of the helical-patterned heating element 214 and an exterior portion of the helical- patterned heating element 214, as shown in FIG. 6. Since the water is evenly distributed in and around the heating element 214, all parts / portions of the heating element 214 (including all coiled or linear portions) are evenly exposed to the water and hence are able to dissipate / transfer heat to the water. In this manner, heat is evenly dissipated / transferred from the heating element 214 to the water and one or more parts / portions of the heating element 214 are not excessively heated. This results in less wear and tear of the heating element 214 and hence longer operationallife of the heating element 214. Furthermore, an even dissipation of heat from the heating element 214 enables better operational efficiency for the water heater 100 and efficient heating of water. 0037] The water that is heated by the heating element 214 is output from the heating chamber 204 via the outlet tube 206 and the outlet 106 as the supply of hot water 110.

[0038] FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a method 700 to evenly distribute water in the heating chamber 204 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 may be described with continued reference to prior figures, including FIGS. 1-6. 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.

[0039] The method 700 starts at step 702. At step 704, the method 700 may include providing the supply of water 108 to the inlet 104 of the water heater 100. As described above, responsive to receiving the supply of water 108, the inlet 104 outputs the supply of water 108 to the diffuser 404. At step 706, the method 700 may include causing the water to evenly distribute in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204. As described above, the diffuser enables the supply of water 108 to get evenly distributed in the interior portion of the heating chamber 204. As a result, the water gets evenly distributed in an interior portion of the helical-patterned heating element 214 and an exterior portion of the helical-patterned heating element 214.

[0040] At step 708, the method 700 may include heating the water by using the heating element 214. At step 710, the method 700 may include outputting the supply of hot water 110 via the outlet tube 206 and the outlet 106. The method 700 stops at step 712.[0041 [ 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 thesame 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. 0042] 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. 0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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

CLAIMSTHAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A water heater, comprising: an inlet configured to receive water from a source; a heating chamber; and a diffuser disposed in the heating chamber in proximity to the inlet, wherein the diffuser is configured to receive the water from the inlet and distribute the water evenly in the heating chamber.

2. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber comprises a top end, a bottom end and chamber sidewalls, wherein the bottom end comprises a cover plate configured to seal the bottom end.

3. The water heater of claim 2, wherein the cover plate comprises a plate top surface and a plate bottom surface, wherein the plate top surface faces an interior portion of the heating chamber.

4. The water heater of claim 3, wherein the cover plate comprises a plate through-hole, and wherein the diffuser is positioned to cover the plate through-hole.

5. The water heater of claim 4, wherein the inlet is disposed in proximity to the plate bottom surface, and wherein the inlet is configured to output the water to the diffuser via the plate through-hole.

6. The water heater of claim 2, wherein the diffuser is integrated to the cover plate such that the diffuser and the cover plate form an integrated structure of the cover plate.

7. The water heater of claim 4, wherein the diffuser comprises a diffuser top plate and diffuser side walls.

8. The water heater of claim 7, wherein the diffuser top plate comprises one or more first diffuser through-holes and the diffuser side walls comprise one or more second diffuser through- holes.

9. The water heater of claim 8, wherein the one or more first diffuser through-holes are circular.

10. The water heater of claim 8, wherein the one or more second diffuser through-holes are rectangular.

11. The water heater of claim 7, wherein the diffuser top plate comprises a diffuser plate top surface and a diffuser plate bottom surface, and wherein the inlet outputs the water towards the diffuser plate bottom surface.

12. The water heater of claim 7, wherein the diffuser top plate is circular, and wherein the plate through-hole is circular.

13. The water heater of claim 12, wherein a diameter of the diffuser top plate is less than a diameter of the plate through-hole.

14. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a heating element disposed in an interior portion of the heating chamber, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the water received from the diffuser.

15. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising an outlet configured to output hot water from the heating chamber.

16. A tankless water heater, comprising: an inlet configured to receive water from a source; a heating chamber;a diffuser disposed in the heating chamber in proximity to the inlet, wherein the diffuser is configured to receive the water from the inlet and distribute the water evenly in the heating chamber; and a heating element disposed in an interior portion of the heating chamber, wherein the heating element is configured to heat water received from the diffuser.

17. The tankless water heater of claim 16, wherein the diffuser comprises a diffuser top plate and diffuser side walls.

18. The tankless water heater of claim 17, wherein the diffuser top plate comprises a set of first diffuser through-holes and the diffuser side walls comprise a set of second diffuser through- holes.

19. The tankless water heater of claim 18, wherein each first diffuser through-hole is circular, and wherein each second diffuser through-hole is rectangular.

20. A tankless water heater comprising: an inlet configured to receive water from a source; a heating chamber; and a diffuser disposed in the heating chamber in proximity to the inlet, wherein: the diffuser is configured to receive the water from the inlet and distribute the water evenly in the heating chamber, the diffuser comprises a diffuser top plate and diffuser side walls, and the diffuser top plate comprises a set of first diffuser through-holes and the diffuser side walls comprise a set of second diffuser through-holes.

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