Heat trap apparatus for water heater

Abstract

A heat trap apparatus for a water heater is provided. The heat trap apparatus includes a tubular body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, a liner disposed within the tubular body, and a heat trap baffle assembly having a tubular housing coaxially disposed within the liner to inhibit convective fluid flow therethrough. The liner has a length greater than the length of the tubular body and has an outer surface engages with an inner surface of the tubular body using an interference fit. The liner includes a first end engaging with a peripheral edge of the first end of the tubular body and a second end extending beyond a peripheral edge of the second end of the tubular body for a desired length to connect with a conduit.

1 . A heat trap apparatus for a water heater, comprising:
 a tubular body having a length defined between a first end and a second end;   a liner disposed within the tubular body, wherein an outer surface of the liner is configured to engage with an inner surface of the tubular body using an interference fit, and wherein a length of the liner is greater than the length of the tubular body, the liner comprising:
 a first end configured to engage with a peripheral edge of the first end of the tubular body; and 
 a second end extending beyond a peripheral edge of the second end of the tubular body for a desired length, and configured to form a fluid tight connection with a conduit; and 
   a heat trap baffle assembly having a tubular housing coaxially disposed within the liner and configured to inhibit convective fluid flow therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the liner comprises a flange configured to engage with the peripheral edge of the first end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the liner comprises one or more radial protrusions defined at the outer surface thereof and is configured to engage with one or more slots defined in the conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a difference value between an outer diameter of the liner and an inner diameter of the tubular body is about 0.015 to 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat trap baffle assembly is disposed proximate the first end of the liner. 
     
     
         6 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat trap baffle assembly is disposed proximate the second end of the liner. 
     
     
         7 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular housing of the heat trap baffle assembly is configured to removably engage with an inner surface of the liner via an interference fit, one or more fasteners, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular housing of the heat trap baffle assembly is configured to movably support one or more heat trap inserts to inhibit the convective fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
         11 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular housing is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the tubular body comprise threads configured to fluid tightly engage with one or more conduits. 
     
     
         13 . A water heater comprising:
 a tank;   a first heat trap apparatus mounted on the tank, and coupled with a cold-water inlet pipe and a dip tube, the first heat trap apparatus comprising:
 a tubular body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to fluid tightly engage with the cold-water inlet pipe; 
 a liner disposed within the tubular body, wherein an outer surface of the liner is configured to engage with an inner surface of the tubular body using an interference fit, and wherein a length of the liner is greater than the length of the tubular body, the liner comprising:
 a first end configured to engage with a peripheral edge of the first end of the tubular body; and 
 a second end extending beyond a peripheral edge of the second end of the tubular body for a desired length, and configured to form a fluid tight connection with the dip tube; and 
 
 a heat trap baffle assembly having a tubular housing coaxially disposed within the liner proximate the second end thereof and configured to inhibit convective fluid flow therethrough; and 
   a second heat trap apparatus mounted on the tank, and coupled with a hot-water outlet pipe and a conduit, the second heat trap apparatus comprising:
 a tubular body having a length defined between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to fluid tightly engage with the hot-water outlet pipe; 
 a liner disposed within the tubular body, wherein an outer surface of the liner is configured to engage with an inner surface of the tubular body using an interference fit, and wherein a length of the tubular body, the liner is greater than the length of the liner comprising:
 a first end configured to engage with a peripheral edge of the first end of the tubular body; and 
 a second end extending beyond a peripheral edge of the second end of the tubular body for a desired length, and configured to form a fluid tight connection with the conduit; and 
 
 a heat trap baffle assembly having a tubular housing coaxially disposed within the liner proximate the first end thereof and configured to inhibit convective fluid flow therethrough. 
   
     
     
         14 . The water heater of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular housing of the heat trap baffle assembly of each of the first heat trap apparatus and the second heat trap apparatus is configured to removably engage with an inner surface of the liner via an interference fit, one or more fasteners, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The water heater of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular housing of the heat trap baffle assembly of each of the first heat trap apparatus and the second heat trap apparatus is configured to movably support one or more heat trap inserts to inhibit the convective fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The water heater of  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the tubular body of the first heat trap apparatus and the first end of the tubular body of the second heat trap apparatus comprise threads configured to fluid tightly engage with the cold-water inlet pipe and the hot-water outlet pipe, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The heat trap apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more heat trap inserts are circumferentially offset. 
     
     
         18 . The water heater of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more heat trap inserts are circumferentially offset.