High efficiency combination direct/indirect water heater

Abstract

A combination direct/indirect liquid heating heater comprises a tower, a cold water inlet conduit causing water to fall in said tower, a hot water reservoir in communication with said tower, a gas burner, a hot gas inlet manifold encased in the reservoir and, by means of a vertical section, directing the gas into the tower. The hot gas manifold vertical section is capped by a cap impeding water flow into the manifold. Also, the vertical section comprises a baffle impeding gas flow from the tower into the reservoir.

1 . A combination direct/indirect liquid heating device comprising 
 a tower;    a cold water inlet conduit in communication with a first end of said tower;    a hot water collection tank in communication with said tower, said tank adapted to collect water and there form a water surface;    a hot gas manifold having a first end adapted to receive hot gases, said manifold positioned in the tank so as to be partially submerged below the water surface; and    a means of gas egress attached to a second end of said manifold and positioned above the water surface, the egress means configured to prevent water from entering said manifold.    
   
   
       2  The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said manifold comprises sections providing parallel paths for the gas.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said manifold comprises sections providing a continuous path for the gas.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein exterior regions of said manifold comprise protruding fins.  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein a second end of said manifold terminates with a vertical section extending upwardly into the tower.  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 5  wherein said vertical section comprises a baffle impeding gas flow from the tower into the collection tank.  
   
   
       7 . The device as recited in  claim 5  wherein said vertical section is terminated by the means of gas egress.  
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means of gas egress comprises a cap configured to impede formation of laminar water flow around the periphery of said cap.  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 8  wherein said means comprises a flat region, a conical peripheral region and a vertical cylindrical region.  
   
   
       10 . The device as recited in  claim 8  wherein said conical peripheral region is pleated.  
   
   
       11 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said water collection tank comprises a sleeve surrounding said gas conduit so as to form an annular space adapted to receive water.  
   
   
       12 . The device as recited in  claim 8  wherein said cap comprises a hemispherical region.  
   
   
       13 . The device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a cooling ring positioned on said gas manifold at a point proximal to the means of gas egress, said cooling ring comprising a plate with one or more overflow ports and with gaps arranged along inner and outer peripheries of the plate so as to direct the fall of water.  
   
   
       14 . The device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said manifold is corrugated.  
   
   
       15 . A water heater comprising: 
 a longitudinally extending gas conduit terminating in a means of gas egress;    a sleeve surrounding said gas conduit so as to form an annular space adapted to receive water;    a means for contacting water with gas emanating from the gas egress means;    a means for water ingress to the annular space; and    a means for water egress from the annular space.    
   
   
       16 . The heater as recited in  claim 15  wherein a vertical riser is integrally molded to said sleeve.  
   
   
       17 . The heater as recited in  claim 15  wherein said conduit terminates with a vertical section extending upwardly into a tower.  
   
   
       18 . The heater as recited in  claim 15  wherein the distance between the conduit and the sleeve remains constant along a longitudinally-extending region of the conduit.  
   
   
       19 . The heater as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a heater overflow pipe and means to maintain the water temperature and volume within predetermined levels.