Draft inducer system

Abstract

A draft inducer system has a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, and an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the voltage reducer. The voltage reducer includes a reducer housing, a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, and an output interface capable of delivering the reduced voltage. The set of prongs is capable of plugging into an AC outlet. The inducer unit has a unit housing, an air moving device within the unit housing, and a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing. The mixing chamber has an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, and an ambient air input for receiving ambient air. The ambient air mixes with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air. Accordingly, the mixing chamber also has a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.

1 . A draft inducer system comprising: 
 a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced DC voltage, the voltage reducer comprising: 
 a reducer housing;  
 a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, the set of prongs capable of plugging into an AC outlet; and  
 an output interface capable of delivering the reduced DC voltage, the system also including an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the output interface, the inducer unit comprising:  
 a unit housing;  
 an air moving device including a DC blower within the unit housing receiving the DC voltage; and  
 a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing, the mixing chamber having an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, the mixing chamber also having an ambient air input for receiving ambient air, the ambient air mixing with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air, the mixing chamber also having a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.  
   
   
   
       2 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the reducer housing is comprised of a flexible material.  
   
   
       3 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the voltage reducer includes a transformer for producing the reduced voltage.  
   
   
       4 . The system as defined by  claim 1  further including a hot water heater, the unit housing being mounted to the hot water heater, the hot water heater burning the fuel to produce the exhaust.  
   
   
       5 . The draft inducer as defined by  claim 1  further including a switch between the input and the output, the switch being configured to provide a closed circuit when the air moving device is operating at least at a predefined speed.  
   
   
       6 . The draft inducer as defined by  claim 9  wherein the switch is configured to provide an open circuit when the air moving device is operating below the predefined speed, the open circuit preventing power from being delivered from the output.  
   
   
       7 . A draft inducer system comprising: 
 a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, the voltage reducer having a set of prongs capable of plugging into an AC outlet; and    an inducer unit having a unit housing and an air moving device within the unit housing, the inducer unit being removably coupleable with the voltage reducer, the inducer unit being energized by the reduced voltage.    
   
   
       8 . The system as defined by  claim 7  wherein the voltage reducer has a cord that terminates in an output interface, further wherein the inducer unit has a power input that is removably coupleable with the output interface of the voltage reducer.  
   
   
       9 . The system as defined by  claim 7  wherein the voltage reducer has a reducer housing that contains voltage reduction circuitry.  
   
   
       10 . The system as defined by  claim 7  wherein the reduced voltage is an AC voltage, the inducer including rectification circuitry to convert the reduced voltage to a DC voltage.