Water Heater Blower Ramp Venting for Compact High-Heat Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water heaters face challenges in efficiently venting combustion products due to the need for compact blower designs that can handle high temperatures and integrate with existing venting systems without requiring substantial modifications.
Innovation Solution
A blower design for water heaters featuring a housing with multiple chambers and an impeller that directs exhaust gases through a ramped structure, allowing for efficient mixing of combustion products with ambient air and venting them in a direction parallel to the flue axis, while preventing condensate entry through a coupling with a drain mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact blower design is used, then the device size is reduced and installation is simplified, but the ability to handle high temperatures and venting efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blower housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are arranged in sequence along the exhaust flow path. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for specific functions (exhaust reception, ambient air mixing, and directed venting) while maintaining a compact overall structure that can handle high temperatures effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If a compact blower design is used, then installation is simplified, but integration with existing venting systems without substantial modifications becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is designed with a multi-chamber housing structure that performs multiple functions: receiving exhaust from the flue, mixing with ambient air, and directing exhaust parallel to the flue axis. This universal design allows the compact blower to integrate with existing venting systems without requiring substantial modifications while maintaining installation simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If exhaust is directed through a ramped structure, then turbulence in venting is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp structure within the blower housing features curved surfaces that guide exhaust flow smoothly from the first chamber through the second and third chambers. This curvature design reduces turbulence in venting by creating streamlined flow paths, while the ramp is integrated into the housing structure to minimize overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables compact, high-temperature-resistant blower systems that simplify installation and reduce turbulence in venting, effectively managing combustion product exhaust and preventing condensate issues within the venting system.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller positioned in the second chamber and being operable to draw exhaust from the flue into the first chamber through the inlet and being operable to direct the exhaust through the second chamber and across the surface of the ramp
Implementation Method 2
a ramp extending through the second chamber and having a surface, the surface being oriented at an acute angle with respect to the flue axis, and the surface of the ramp directing the exhaust through the outlet in a direction substantially parallel to the flue axis
Implementation Method 3
Atmospheric air can be mixed with the products of combustion in the interior space of the first housing before the products of combustion move into the second housing
Data Source
AI summary
A blower for a water heater having a flue defining a flue axis. The blower includes a housing at least partially defining a first chamber and a second chamber and having an inlet opening into the first chamber and an outlet communicating between the second chamber and atmosphere, the inlet being alignable with the flue, a ramp extending through the second chamber and having a surface, the surface being oriented at an acute angle with respect to the flue axis, and an impeller positioned in the second chamber and being operable to draw exhaust from the flue into the first chamber through the inlet and being operable to direct the exhaust through the second chamber and across the surface of the ramp, the surface of the ramp directing the exhaust through the outlet in a direction substantially parallel to the flue axis.