Heat trap insert for dip tube

Abstract

A dip tube assembly for use with a water heater includes a dip tube and a heat trap insert. The dip tube includes a tubular body having a retainer opening and an anti-siphon opening. The heat trap insert includes a tubular body supported within the tubular body of the dip tube, and a retainer peg received within the retainer opening of the dip tube. A heat trap is supported by the tubular body of the heat trap insert. A lower end of the heat trap insert is positioned axially below the anti-siphon opening of the dip tube. A gap is defined between the dip tube and the heat trap insert, such that a Venturi effect is defined proximate a lower end of the heat trap insert and low pressure draws water radially inwardly through the anti-siphon opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dip tube assembly for use with a water heater, the dip tube assembly comprising:
 a dip tube including:
 a first tubular body including a first side wall extending along a longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end, 
 a retainer opening within the first side wall, and 
 an anti-siphon opening within the first side wall and in axial spaced relation to the retainer opening; and 
   a heat trap insert including:
 a second tubular body including a second side wall extending along the longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end, the second side wall supported within the first side wall of the dip tube and defining a water passageway, 
 a retainer peg extending outwardly from the second side wall and received within the retainer opening of the first side wall, 
 a heat trap supported by the second side wall and extending within the water passageway, and 
 wherein the lower end of the second side wall is positioned axially below the anti-siphon opening of the first side wall. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first side wall of the dip tube includes an inner surface;   the second side wall of the heat trap insert includes an outer surface; and   a gap is defined between the inner surface of the first side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall, such that a Venturi effect is configured to be defined proximate the lower end of the second tubular body and low pressure draws water radially inwardly through the anti-siphon opening.   
     
     
         3 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heat trap includes an outer holder and an inner flap, the outer holder supported by the second side wall of the heat trap insert, and the inner flap extending inwardly from the outer holder into the water passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the heat trap includes an upper heat trap, and a lower heat trap positioned axially below the upper heat trap. 
     
     
         5 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the upper heat trap is diametrically opposed and axially spaced from the lower heat trap. 
     
     
         6 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the inner flap of the heat trap is formed of an elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer peg includes a leading inclined edge and a trailing retaining edge. 
     
     
         8 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heat trap insert includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the upper end of the second side wall, the flange configured to engage the upper end of the dip tube. 
     
     
         9 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular body of the heat trap insert includes radially outwardly extending ribs configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the first side wall of the dip tube. 
     
     
         10 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular body of the heat trap insert is formed of a molded polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A dip tube assembly for use with a water heater, the dip tube assembly comprising:
 a dip tube including:
 a first tubular body including a first side wall extending along a longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end, the first side wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and 
 an anti-siphon opening within the first side wall; 
   a heat trap insert including:
 a second tubular body including a second side wall extending along the longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end, the second side wall supported within the first side wall of the dip tube and defining a water passageway, the second side wall including an inner surface and an outer surface, 
 a heat trap supported by the second side wall and extending within the water passageway, and 
 wherein the lower end of the second side wall is positioned axially below the anti-siphon opening of the first side wall; and 
   wherein a gap is defined between the inner surface of the first side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall, such that a Venturi effect is configured to be defined proximate the lower end of the second tubular body and low pressure draws water radially inwardly through the anti-siphon opening.   
     
     
         12 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the heat trap includes an outer holder and an inner flap, the outer holder supported by the second side wall of the heat trap insert, and the inner flap extending inwardly from the outer holder into the water passageway. 
     
     
         13 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the dip tube assembly further includes a retainer opening within the first side wall; and   the heat trap assembly further includes a retainer peg extending outwardly from the second side wall and received within the retainer opening of the first side wall.   
     
     
         14 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the retainer peg includes a leading inclined edge and a trailing retaining edge. 
     
     
         15 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the heat trap includes an upper heat trap, and a lower heat trap positioned axially below the upper heat trap. 
     
     
         16 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the upper heat trap is diametrically opposed and axially spaced from the lower heat trap. 
     
     
         17 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the heat trap insert includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the upper end of the second side wall, the flange configured to engage the upper end of the dip tube. 
     
     
         18 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the second tubular body of the heat trap insert includes radially outwardly extending ribs configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the first side wall of the dip tube. 
     
     
         19 . The dip tube assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the second tubular body of the heat trap insert is formed of a molded polymer.