Water seepage abatement in water heaters

Abstract

A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud assembly and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud assembly is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, the shroud assembly and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water heater system comprising:
 a water heater comprising a tank, a layer of tam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam;   a cover positioned on a top edge of the water heater;   a shroud assembly positioned over the cover; and   at least one ring positioned around at least one of an inlet port of the water beater and an outlet port of the water heater,   wherein the cover, the shroud assembly and the at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The water beater system of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud assembly comprises
 a first part; and   a second part joined to the first part along a seam such that the first part and the second part form a hollow cylinder,   wherein:   the shroud assembly couples to a first portion of the water heater, the seam is positioned near an axis of a center of the inlet, port and the outlet port, the first part comprises an opening for a controller of the water heater, and at least one of the first part and the second part comprises an opening for the inlet port and the outlet port; and   the controller and the first part are removable independent one another.   
     
     
         3 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the water heater is a top portion of the water heater, and wherein the shroud assembly covers at least one of the controller of the water heater, and an evaporator of the water heater. 
     
     
         4 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the shroud assembly is configured to allow the inlet port and the outlet port to extend from a top of the water heater. 
     
     
         5 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first part aligns with a front view of the water heater and the second part aligns with a rear view of the water heater;   the first part and the second part are joined along the seam through a first set of one or more tabs and fasteners, and the second part is configured for attachment to the water heater through a second set of one or more tabs and fasteners; and   the first set of one or more tabs and fasteners and the second set of one or more tabs or fasteners are positioned such that the first set of one or more tabs and fasteners and the second set of one or more tabs and fasteners are accessible by a user from one of the front view and the rear view.   
     
     
         6 . The Water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the first part is removable independent of the second part. 
     
     
         7 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the opening for the controller of the water heater is positioned such that the controller is accessible from a front view of the water heater. 
     
     
         8 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the first part comprises at least one front vent on at least one side of the controller opening and the second part comprises at least one rear vent positioned on a rear portion of the second part to allow a front-through-rear airflow path through the shroud assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein the first part comprises at least one top vent positioned on a top portion of the first part, and the second part comprises at least one rear vent positioned on a rear portion of the second part to allow a top-through-rear airflow path through the shroud assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The water heater system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprises at least one structural support to carry a load from the shroud assembly into the water heater.