Systems and Methods for Water Heaters with Dip Tubes

Abstract

A dip tube for use with a water heater having a water tank and a water input. The dip tube includes a top portion configured to be at least partially position in the water tank along a water input axis and connected to the water input to receive water. The dip tube also includes a bottom portion being configured to output the water into the water tank along an axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dip tube for use with a water heater having a water tank and a water input, the dip tube comprising:
 a top portion configured to be at least partially position in the water tank along a water input axis and connected to the water input to receive water; and   a bottom portion being configured to output the water into the water tank along an axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis.   
     
     
         2 . The dip tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a central portion configured to connect to the top portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to connect to the central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The dip tube of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the top portion has a top portion input port and a top portion output port, the top portion input port being configured to connect to the water input,   wherein the central portion has a central portion input port, a central portion output port, and an anti-siphon hole, the central portion input port being configured to connect to the top portion output port, the anti-siphon hole being configured to be between the top portion input port and the top portion output port when the central portion input port is connected to the top portion output port, and   wherein the bottom portion has a bottom portion input port, a bottom and a central wall, the bottom portion input port being configured to connect to the central portion output port, the central wall having a plurality of openings configured to output the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis, the bottom being configured to prevent the water from being output into the water tank along the water input axis.   
     
     
         4 . The dip tube of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an anti-siphon hole; and   a one-way valve disposed about the anti-siphon hole,   wherein the one-way valve is configured to permit a portion of water from the water tank to enter through the anti-siphon hole when a negative pressure is present in the dip tube.   
     
     
         5 . The dip tube of  claim 4 , wherein the one-way valve comprises at least one of a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, and/or a deformable flap. 
     
     
         6 . The dip tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion has a first plurality of openings configured to output a first portion of the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis. 
     
     
         7 . The dip tube of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom portion has a second plurality of openings configured to output a second portion of the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis. 
     
     
         8 . The dip tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is configured to prevent the water from being output into the water tank along the water input axis. 
     
     
         9 . A water heater comprising
 a water tank;   a water input; and   a dip tube, comprising
 a top portion configured to be at least partially position in the water tank along a water input axis and connected to the water input to receive water, and 
 a bottom portion being configured to output the water into the water tank along an axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis. 
   
     
     
         10 . The water heater of  claim 9 , wherein the dip tube comprises a central portion configured to connect to the top portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to connect to the central portion. 
     
     
         11 . The water heater of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the top portion has a top portion input port and a top portion output port, the top portion input port being configured to connect to the water input,   wherein the central portion has a central portion input port, a central portion output port, and an anti-siphon hole, the central portion input port being configured to connect to the top portion output port, the anti-siphon hole being configured to be between the top portion input port and the top portion output port when the central portion input port is connected to the top portion output port, and   wherein the bottom portion has a bottom portion input port, a bottom and a central wall, the bottom portion input port being configured to connect to the central portion output port, the central wall having a plurality of openings configured to output the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis, the bottom being configured to prevent the water from being output into the water tank along the water input axis.   
     
     
         12 . The water heater of  claim 9 , wherein the dip tube comprises:
 an anti-siphon hole; and   a one-way valve disposed about the anti-siphon hole,   wherein the one-way valve is configured to permit a portion of water from the water tank to enter through the anti-siphon hole when a negative pressure is present in the dip tube.   
     
     
         13 . The water heater of  claim 12 , wherein the one-way valve comprises at least one of a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, and/or a deformable flap. 
     
     
         14 . The water heater of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom portion has a first plurality of openings configured to output a first portion of the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis. 
     
     
         15 . The water heater of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom portion has a second plurality of openings configured to output a second portion of the water into the water tank along the axis substantially perpendicular to the water input axis. 
     
     
         16 . The water heater of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom portion is configured to prevent the water from being output into the water tank along the water input axis. 
     
     
         17 . A dip tube for use with a water heater having a water tank, the dip tube comprising:
 an anti-siphon hole; and   a one-way valve disposed about the anti-siphon hole,   wherein the one-way valve is configured to permit a portion of water from the water tank to enter through the anti-siphon hole when a negative pressure is present in the dip tube.   
     
     
         18 . The dip tube of  claim 17 , wherein the one-way valve comprises at least one of a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, and/or a deformable flap. 
     
     
         19 . The dip tube of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a top portion configured to be at least partially positioned in the water tank; and   a central portion having the anti-siphon hole and configured to be connected to the top portion.   
     
     
         20 . The dip tube of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a bottom portion being configured to connect to the central portion and to output water into the water tank.