USRE37240EExpiredUtility

Water heater with reduced localized overheating

71
Assignee: AMERICAN WATER HEATER COPriority: Dec 14, 1993Filed: Mar 28, 1996Granted: Jun 26, 2001
Est. expiryDec 14, 2013(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:H. Jack Moore, Jr.Bijan Gidanian
F24H 1/206
71
PatentIndex Score
26
Cited by
15
References
26
Claims

Abstract

A water and/or space heater is provided in which water is circulated to prevent the localized overheating or vaporization thereof.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim:  
     
       1. A water heater comprising a water tank, a burner adapted to heat the water within said tank, a water inlet, a water outlet and water circulating means independent of said inlet and said outlet and connected to circulate the water in said tank responsive to activation of said burner for increasing uniformity of water temperature at different locations up and down said tank. 
     
     
       2. A water heater according to claim  1 , wherein said burner comprises a combustion chamber adapted to burn a mixture of fuel and air and including a blower adapted to force said mixture into said combustion chamber. 
     
     
       3. A water heater according to claim  1  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       4. A water heater according to claim  3  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       5. A water heater according to claim  4  in which control means are provided and connected wherein said pump is activated only when said burner is activated. 
     
     
       6. A water heater according to claim  3  in which said circulating pump is located exteriorly of said tank. 
     
     
       7. A water heater comprising a water tank, a water inlet, a water outlet, a burner adapted to burn a mixture of gas and air to heat the water within said tank and having a heat output, water circulating means independent of said inlet and outlet and connected to circulate the water in said tank in response to activation of said burner, and means for adjusting the heat output of said burner. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to claim  7  including a thermostat adapted to activate said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of said water is below a preselected level. 
     
     
       9. A water heater comprising a water tank, a burner adapted to heat water within said tank, a water inlet, a water outlet and water circulating means connected to said tank to circulate water in said tank responsive to activation of said burner for increasing uniformity of water temperature at locations up and down said tank. 
     
     
       10. A water heater according to claim  9  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       11. A water heater according to claim  9  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       12. A water heater comprising a water tank, a burner adapted to heat water within said tank, a blower adapted to assist in venting combustion products generated by said burner, a water inlet, a water outlet and water circulating means connected to said tank to circulate water in said tank responsive to activation of said blower for increasing uniformity of water temperature at locations up and down said tank. 
     
     
       13. A water heater according to claim  12  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       14. A water heater according to claim  12  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       15. A water heater comprising a water tank, a burner adapted to heat water within said tank, a water inlet, a water outlet, a sensor adapted to detect the temperature of water in said water outlet and water circulating means connected to said tank to circulate water in said tank responsive to said sensor for increasing uniformity of water temperature at locations up and down said tank. 
     
     
       16. A water heater according to claim  15  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       17. A water heater according to claim  15  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       18. A water heater comprising a water tank, a thermostat adapted to detect the temperature of water in said tank, a burner adapted to heat said water, a water inlet, a water outlet and non- heated water circulating means connected to said tank to circulate water in said tank responsive to said thermostat for increasing uniformity of water temperature at locations up and down said tank.   
     
     
       19. A water heater according to claim  18  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       20. A water heater according to claim  18  where said burner and said circulating pump are activated in response to said thermostat when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       21. A water heater comprising a water tank, a burner adapted to heat water within said tank, a fuel regulator connected to said burner, a water inlet, a water outlet and water circulating means connected to said tank to circulate water in said tank responsive to activation of said fuel regulator for increasing uniformity of water temperature at locations up and down said tank. 
     
     
       22. A water heater according to claim  21  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       23. A water heater according to claim  21  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       24. A water heater comprising a water tank, a water inlet, a water outlet, a burner adapted to burn a mixture of gas and air to heat the water within said tank and having a heat output, water circulating means and connected to circulate the water in said tank in response to activation of said burner, and means for adjusting the heat output of said burner. 
     
     
       25. A water heater according to claim  24  in which said circulating means includes a circulating pump connected at different locations in said tank to circulate the water within said tank. 
     
     
       26. A water heater according to claim  24  including a thermostat for activating said burner and said circulating pump when the temperature of the water in said tank is below a predetermined level.

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References (0)

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