Water Heater Fitting for Sediment Removal Through Element Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water heaters often face difficulties in draining due to sediment and calcium deposits clogging the drain, preventing water from flowing out, and existing methods require removing the heating element for vacuum assistance, which can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A water heater fitting with a threaded connection to the heating element opening, allowing for the installation of a fluid passageway to drain water, unclog the sediment, and facilitate the removal of deposits by pressurized water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drain is used to drain water from the water heater, then water can be drained from the reservoir, but sediment and calcium deposits clog the drain preventing water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heating element as an intermediary component that serves dual purposes: its primary function of heating water and a secondary function as a access point for removing sediment and unclogging the drain. By using the heating element opening as an intermediary access route, the system can remove clogs without directly modifying the drain structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both its traditional heating purpose and as an access point for maintenance operations. The opening created by removing the heating element is universally used for both inserting new heating elements and for introducing tools to remove sediment and unclog drains.
2Ease of operation
If the heating element is removed to access the interior for vacuum assistance, then sediment can be removed from the water heater, but the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element opening serves itself by providing access for maintenance operations. The same opening used to install or replace heating elements is also used to introduce vacuum equipment and remove sediment, eliminating the need for separate access points or complex disassembly procedures.
3Reliability
If the drain is blocked by sediment, then water cannot flow out of the water heater, but removing the heating element is required to unclog it
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element opening acts as an intermediary access point that allows introduction of unclogging tools and vacuum equipment into the water heater interior. This intermediary route enables drain maintenance without requiring direct access to the blocked drain itself.
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
Enables efficient drainage of water heaters by forming a fluid tight seal and using pressurized water to break up sediment and calcium deposits, effectively unclogging the drain and removing debris without the need to remove the heating element.
Implementation Method 1
using pressurized water to break up sediment and calcium deposits, effectively unclogging the drain
Data Source
AI summary
A water heater fitting for draining water from a water heater that has a threaded heating element opening configured to threadably receive and support a heating element. The water heater fitting includes a body having opposite first and second ends. The body defines a fluid passage extending between and opening out of the first and second ends. The body includes a water heater connector defining the first end. The water heater connector includes a male threaded portion configured to be threadably received in the threaded heating element opening to form a threaded connection with the threaded heating element opening when the heating element is removed from the threaded heating element opening for draining water out of the water heater.