U.S. patent application number 11/865378 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for water heaters with combustion air inlet.
Invention is credited to John L. Dreher, III, Roger A. Gillespie, Jeff L. Lyons, Timothy Smith, Emadeddin Y. Tanbour.
Application Number | 20090084328 11/865378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506769 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090084328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyons; Jeff L. ; et
al. |
April 2, 2009 |
WATER HEATERS WITH COMBUSTION AIR INLET
Abstract
A water heater includes a water container, a combustion chamber
adjacent the, water container, a burner associated with the
combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in
the water container, a blower assembly positioned to receive
combustion gases generated by the burner, a shield positioned below
at least a heating portion of the burner, a diverter that directs
combustion air into the combustion chamber below the shield, and a
passageway that directs at least a portion of the combustion air
from the combustion air inlet, as primary combustion air, to the
burner.
Inventors: |
Lyons; Jeff L.; (Gray,
TN) ; Smith; Timothy; (Blountville, TN) ;
Gillespie; Roger A.; (Bristol, TN) ; Dreher, III;
John L.; (Johnson City, TN) ; Tanbour; Emadeddin
Y.; (Johnson City, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP GROUP OF DLA PIPER US LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 1650 MARKET ST, SUITE 4900
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
40506769 |
Appl. No.: |
11/865378 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
122/13.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 9/148 20130101;
F24H 1/205 20130101; F23C 7/02 20130101; F24H 9/14 20130101; F24H
9/0026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
122/13.01 |
International
Class: |
F23C 7/00 20060101
F23C007/00; F24H 1/00 20060101 F24H001/00 |
Claims
1. A water heater comprising: a water container; a combustion
chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the
combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in
the water container; a shield positioned below at least a heating
portion of the burner; a diverter that directs combustion air into
the combustion chamber below the shield; and a passageway that
directs at least a portion of the combustion air from a combustion
air inlet, as primary combustion air, to the burner.
2. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber is
substantially air-tight except for an opening in the diverter.
3. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the diverter, substantially
sealingly connects to a side wall of the combustion chamber.
4. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the shield directs
secondary combustion air toward at least one outer portion of the
combustion chamber and has an opening that permits the primary
combustion air to pass to the passageway.
5. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the shield directs
secondary air substantially to a side wall of the combustion
chamber to thereby supply secondary combustion air to the heating
portion of the burner and cause a temperature reduction effect on
the side wall.
6. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the diverter directs at
least a portion of the combustion air to a space between the
shield, and a floor of the combustion chamber.
7. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the passageway is
positioned along a portion of a floor portion of the combustion
chamber.
8. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a blower
assembly positioned to receive combustion gases generated by the
burner.
9. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a blower
connected to an air inlet in the combustion chamber.
10. A water heater comprising: a water container; a combustion
chamber adjacent the water container; burner associated wit the
combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in
the water container; a blower assembly positioned to receive
combustion gases generated by the burner; a shield positioned below
at least a heating portion of the burner that directs secondary
combustion air toward at least one outer portion of the combustion
chamber; a combustion air intake system that, directs, combustion
air, into the combustion chamber below the shield and comprises a
combustion air supply portion, a dilution air supply portion, a
connector portion connected between the blower, assembly and the
dilution air supply portion, and a diverter positioned in the
combustion chamber and associated with the combustion air supply
portion; and a passageway that directs at least a portion of the
combustion air from the diverter, as primary combustion air, to the
burner.
11. A water heater comprising: a water contained; a combustion
chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the
combustion chamber and arranged to, combust fuel to heat water in
the water container; a shield positioned within the combustion
chamber and below at, least a heating portion of the burner such
that, secondary combustion air is directed substantially to a side
wall of the combustion chamber to thereby supply secondary
combustion air to the heating portion of the burner and cause a
temperature reduction effect on the side wall; a diverter that
directs combustion air into the combustion chamber below the
shield; and a passageway that directs at least a portion of the
combustion air from the combustion air inlet, as primary combustion
air, to the burner.
12. The water heater of claim 11, further comprising a blower
assembly positioned to receive combustion gases generated by the
burner.
13. The water heater of claim 11, further comprising a blower
connected to an air inlet in the combustion chamber.
14. A water heater comprising: a water container; a combustion
chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the
combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in
the water container; a combustion air feed system that supplies
ambient air to the combustion chamber; a primary air passageway
connected between the combustion air feed system and the burner
that supplies primary combustion air to the burner; and a secondary
air passageway connected between the combustion air feed system and
a space located below at least a heating portion of the burner that
supplies secondary combustion air.
15. The water heater of claim 14, wherein the secondary air
passageway directs the secondary combustion air substantially to a
side wall of the combustion chamber to thereby supply secondary
combustion air to a heating portion of the burner and cause a
temperature reduction effect on the side wall.
16. The water heater of claim 14, further comprising a blower
assembly positioned to receive combustion gases generated by the
burner.
17. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a blower
connected to the combustion air inlet.
18. The water heater of claim 14, wherein the, secondary air
passageway comprises a chamber positioned below at least a heating
portion of the burner that has a plurality of openings to diffuse
the secondary air toward a side wall of the combustion chamber.
19. A water heater comprising: a water container; a combustion
chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the
combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in
the water container; and a combustion air intake system that
directs combustion air into the combustion chamber comprising a
combustion air supply portion and an air supply passageway portion
connected between the combustion air supply portion and a side wall
of the combustion chamber; the supply air portion comprising a side
wall connector portion fixed to the side wall and a coupling which
connects to and substantially seals with the side wall
connector.
20. The water heater of claim 19, wherein a distal end portion of
the side wall connector has a plurality of slots that engage a
corresponding number of protrusions located on the coupling to
substantially lock the side wall connector and coupling in a
selected position with respect to each other.
21. The water heater of claim 19, wherein the coupling slides
concentrically over the side wall connector portion.
22. The water heater of claim 19, wherein the coupling is a distal
portion of an elbow in the supply air portion.
23. The water heater of claim 19, further comprising a blower
assembly positioned to receive combustion gases generated by the
burner.
24. The water heater of claim 19, further comprising a blower
connected to an air inlet of the combustion chamber.
25. The water heater of claim 19, further comprising: a shield
positioned below at least a heating portion of the burner; a
diverter that directs combustion air into the combustion chamber
below the shield; and a passageway that directs at least a portion
of the combustion air from a combustion air inlet, as primary
combustion air, to the burner.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technology in this disclosure relates to water heaters,
particularly to Water heaters that have a combustion air
intake.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Both natural draft and power vented water heaters face a
number of challenges with respect to providing proper air fuel
mixtures for combustion, establishing and maintaining flame
patterns on the burners, maintaining lower surface temperatures of
the lower portion of the water heater while adhering to stringent
cost requirements. Thus, it could be advantageous to provide water
heaters that address these various issues.
[0003] Power vented water heaters face many of the same challenges
as natural draft water heaters, but some that are different with
respect to reducing the likelihood of igniting flammable vapors
outside the power vented water heater. Designing a solution to that
challenge and at the same time provide a reliable, safe and
efficient system that supplies combustion air to the burner has
been an ongoing problem.
SUMMARY
[0004] We provide a water heater including a water container, a
combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner
associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel
to heat water in the water container, a shield positioned below at
least a heating portion of the burner, a diverter that directs
combustion air into the combustion chamber below the shield, and a
passageway that directs at least a portion of the combustion air
from the combustion air inlet, as primary combustion air, to the
burner.
[0005] We also provide a water heater including a water container;
a combustion chamber adjacent the water container; a burner
associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel
to heat water in the water container; a blower assembly positioned
to receive combustion gases generated by the burner; a shield
positioned below at least a heating portion of the burner that
directs secondary combustion air toward at least one outer portion
of the combustion chamber; a combustion air intake system that
directs combustion air into the combustion chamber below the shield
and comprises a combustion air supply portion, a dilution air
supply portion, a connector portion extending between the blower
assembly and the dilution air supply portion, and a diverter
connected to the combustion air supply portion; and a passageway
that directs at least a portion of the combustion air from the
diverter, as primary combustion air, to the burner.
[0006] We further provide a water heater including a water
container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a
burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to
combust fuel to heat waters in the water container, a shield
positioned below at least a heating portion of the burner such that
secondary combustion air is directed substantially to the side wall
of the combustion chamber to thereby supply secondary combustion
air to he heating portion of the burner and cause a temperature
reduction effect on the side wall, a diverter that directs at least
a portion of combustion air into the combustion chamber below the
shield, and a passageway that directs at least a portion of the
combustion air from the combustion air inlet, as primary combustion
air, to the burner.
[0007] We even further provide a water heater including a water
container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a
burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to
combust fuel to heat water in the water container, a combustion air
feed system that supplies ambient air to the combustion chamber, a
primary air passageway connected between the combustion air feed
system and the burner that supplies primary combustion air to the
burner, and a secondary air passageway connected between the
combustion air feed system and a space located below at least a
heating portion of the burner that supplies secondary combustion
air to the burner.
[0008] We still further provide a water heater comprising: a water
container; a combustion chamber adjacent the water container; a
burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to
combust fuel to heat water in the water container; and a combustion
air intake system that directs combustion air into the combustion
chamber comprising a combustion air supply portion arid a supply
air portion connected between the combustion air supply portion and
a side wall of the combustion chamber; the supply air portion
comprising a side wall connector portion fixed to the side wall and
a coupling which connects to and substantially seals with the side
wall connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a water heater with a
combustion air inlet.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water heater showing
selected interior portions with dashed lines.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the water heater of
FIG. 2, taken partially in section.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combustion chamber
bottom pan of the water heater of FIGS. 2 and 3 and selected
portions of a combustion air inlet and diverter.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded interior perspective view of a portion
of the diverter shown in FIG. 4 connected to a combustion chamber
skirt of the water heater.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded interior perspective view of the
structure shown in FIG. 5 with the diverter removed.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded exterior perspective of a portion of
the combustion air supply structure connected to a combustion
chamber skirt of the water heater.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded exterior perspective view of a larger
portion of the combustion air supply structure from FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the end portion of the
structure shown in FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a partial sectional view of the end of the,
combustion air supply structure shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] It will be appreciated that the Following description is
intended to refer to specific aspects of the representative
structures selected for illustration in the drawings and is not
intended to define or limit the technology of this disclosure,
other than in the appended claims.
[0020] Our water heaters are efficient and produce reduced
emissions. This result is achieved by supplying primary and
secondary combustion air to the burner in a desired fuel mix and in
an improved flame pattern. This maximizes heat production and
minimizes emissions production.
[0021] Our water heaters can also assist in reducing the likelihood
that flammable vapors outside a water heater will reach the
combustion chamber where they may be ignited by the main burner or
pilot ignition device. One way that this is achieved is with a
bidirectional air intake system that directs separate air intake
paths to the water heater blower and vent system. One
representative air intake path provides air for combustion and may
be located above the dilution air intake for the blower. The intake
pipe may be a large diameter pipe that allows air for dilution of
the combustion exhaust products to be drawn from an upper portion
of the water heater and directly into the blower assembly and
exhausted to the outside. Another smaller pipe, a portion of which
is inside of the large diameter air intake pipe, permits air for
combustion to be drawn from the upper portion of the water heater
or even above the blower assembly and travel down to a
substantially sealed combustion chamber. These bidirectional air
paths are separate and do not intermix.
[0022] Turning now to the drawings generally and FIGS. 1-3 in
particular, a representative water heater 10 is shown. FIG. 1 shows
the exterior of a water heater 10 which includes, but is not
limited to, a jacket 12, a gas control valve 13 and an air intake
system 38.
[0023] Another water heater 10 in FIGS. 2-3 includes, but is not
limited to, a jacket 12, insulation 14, tank 16, combustion chamber
18 and burner 20. A flue 22 extends longitudinally substantially
concentrically within tank 16 from an uppermost portion (tank head)
to a lowermost portion (tank bottom). Combustion chamber 18
contains burner 20 which connects to a fuel supply line (not
shown). Fuel supply line connects to gas control valve 24 that
connects to a fuel supply (not shown).
[0024] A blower assembly 26 is positioned on the top pan 28 of
water heater 10 and sealingly connects to flue 22 at its upper
terminus. Accordingly, exhaust/combustion gases generated by burner
20 flow upwardly through flue 22 and into blower assembly 26.
Blower assembly 26 has an electrical supply cord (not shown) that
may be "plugged in" a typical electrical residential household
socket (or hard wired into an electrical supply). Various electric
control lines may be contained within a conduit (not shown)
connected between blower assembly 26 and gas valve 24.
[0025] Water heater 10 has a bottom pan 34. Bottom pan 34 rests on
legs 36 that support the entire water heater 10.
[0026] An air intake system 38 of FIG. 1 includes a substantially
vertically oriented portion 40 and a substantially horizontally
oriented portion 44 that penetrates through the side of jacket 12
and into the water heater combustion chamber. Substantially
vertically oriented portion 40 has a distal end portion 43 that has
an opening 45 covered by a louvered grate 41. Just inside louvered
grate 41 is a fan 49. Fan 49 is optional.
[0027] An air intake system 38 of FIG. 2, connects between blower
assembly 26 and combustion chamber 18. Air intake system 38
includes an air intake conduit and a dilution air conduit. The air
intake conduit includes a substantially vertically oriented portion
40 that extends alongside or adjacent jacket 12 of water heater 10.
It may also extend between jacket 12 and tank 16 if desired. The
air intake conduit also comprises an angled portion 43 and a
substantially horizontally oriented portion 44 that extends from
the substantially vertically oriented portion 40 to opening 46 in
jacket 12 and opening 47 in skirt 56. Substantially vertically
oriented, portion 40 may extend upwardly beyond the top of blower
assembly 26.
[0028] The dilution air conduit includes a substantially vertically
oriented portion 42 that substantially extends around at least a
portion of portion 40. The dilution air conduit also includes a
connector portion 48 that extends between blower assembly 26 and
substantially vertically oriented portion 42. Substantially
vertically oriented portion 42 preferably has a perforated cap 52
at its upper portion and is positioned to allow ambient air to
enter through the perforated cap, as shown by arrows "A", and
through an open end of substantially vertically oriented portion
40. Portions of substantially vertically oriented portion 40 and
substantially vertically oriented portion 42 are preferably
concentric.
[0029] Substantially horizontal portions 44 of the water heaters of
FIGS. 1-3 connect to a diverter 54 that is located within
combustion chamber 18. The connection between substantially
horizontal portion 44 and diverter 54 is preferably made
substantially adjacent skirt 56 that forms the side wall of
combustion chamber 18. It is thus preferable that combustion air
enters through the side wall (skirt 56) of combustion chamber 18.
However, combustion air need not enter only through the side wall.
For example, it is possible for combustion air to be introduced
through combustion chamber bottom pan 34. In such a case, opening
46 would be eliminated and opening 47 would be moved to bottom pan
34. Horizontally-oriented portion 44 would extend under bottom pan
34 and connect to combustion chamber 18 through repositioned
opening 47.
[0030] Diverter 54 is also connected to combustion chamber bottom
pan 34 as particularly shown in FIG. 4. Diverter 54 further
connects to shield 58 that in FIG. 4 is substantially hexagonally
shaped and spaced above bottom pan 34. Shield 58 spreads air
received from diverter 54 across the bottom portion of the
combustion chamber 18 and also preferably acts as a radiation
shield. The pace creates a pathway for the flow of combustion air
along at least selected portions of the top surface of bottom pan
34 and below the lower surface of shield 58.
[0031] The edge portions of shield 58 are folded into side walls 60
having a substantially vertical orientation. Side walls 60.have
lower edge portions that lie on the upper surface of bottom pan 34.
Side walls 60 support shield 58 and act to substantially enclose
the space between bottom pan 34 and shield 58. There are a
plurality of openings 62 in vertical side walls 60. Clamps 64
retain shield 58 in a desired, selected position. Of course, other
retention means known in the art may be substituted for clamps
64.
[0032] A set of secondary substantially vertically oriented walls
66 extend between shield 58 and bottom pan 34. Those side walls 66
also help to support shield 58 and form a channel 68 that connects
to diverter 54. Channel 68 engages an opening 70 in shield 58 which
leads to a burner air conduit 72 (see FIG. 2, for example) that
connects to and channels primary combustion air to burner 20.
[0033] During operation as shown with respect to FIG. 1, a burner
generates heat and exhaust gases which creates a draft flowing
through the combustion chamber. This causes air to flow through air
intake system 38 to feed combustion of the fuel at the, burner.
Thus, combustion flows through grate 41, substantially vertically
oriented portion 40 which acts as an air supply portion,
substantially horizontally oriented portion 44 which acts as an air
supply passageway portion, and into combustion chamber 18. Fan 49
may be actuated at that time to cause ambient air to flow into air
intake system 38 and toward the combustion chamber. Alternatively,
fan 49 can be connected to the gas control valve 13 so that its
operation is initiated prior to the supplying fuel to the burner
and before ignition is initiated.
[0034] The air flow, whether achieved through natural draft or by
way of fan 49 causes flow of air in the space under shield 58 of
FIG. 4, through diverter 54, substantially horizontal portion 44,
angled horizontal portion 43 and substantially vertical portion 40.
Combustion air enters air intake system 38 by way of louvered grate
41 as shown by arrows "X" in FIG. 1. Then, fresh combustion air
flows downwardly through vertically oriented portion 40 as shown by
arrow "Y", into horizontally oriented portion 44 and into the
combustion chamber 18 by way of diverter 54.
[0035] During operation as shown in FIGS. 2-3, burner 20 generates
exhaust gases. Blower assembly 26 initiates a flow of air and
exhaust gases upwardly through flue 22. This also causes an upward
flow of air/exhaust gases through combustion chamber 18. This in
turn causes, flow of air in the space under shield 58, through
diverter 54, substantially horizontal portion 44, angled portion 43
and substantially vertical portion 40. Combustion air enters air
intake and exhaust system 38 by way of perforations in cap 52 as
shown by arrows "A" in FIG. 2. Then, fresh combustion air flows,
downwardly through vertically oriented portion 40 as shown by
arrows "B", into horizontally oriented portion 44, upwardly through
openings 46 and 47 and into combustion chamber 18 by way of
diverter 54.
[0036] Substantially simultaneously, as shown by reference to FIG.
2, blower assembly 26 causes the flow of air to supply air to the
blower to mix with exhaust gases entering blower assembly 26
through flue 22, which decreases the temperature of the exhaust
gases and provides for a range of types of exhaust lines.(not
shown), but which would extend in a direction "away" from water
heater 10 in the Figures. The suction created by blower assembly 26
causes dilution air to move into and through substantially
vertically oriented portion 42. With particular reference to FIG.
2, arrows "C" depict the entrance of dilution air through an
opening in the lowermost portion of substantially vertically
oriented portion 42. That lowermost opening is preferably at least
no lower than about a mid point of the height of water heater 10.
Dilution air flows upwardly through substantially vertically
oriented portion 42, through connector 48 and into blower assembly
26 for combination with exhaust gases exiting from the terminus of
flue 22.
[0037] It can be seen, especially as shown in FIG. 2, that
simultaneous intake of combustion and dilution air can occur at
locations relatively high off the floor and without intermixing.
This can be achieved by the seal between combustion air pipe 40 and
dilution air pipe 42. This simultaneous flow from a relatively
elevated position reduces the chances of undesirable flammable
ignition of vapors that might be located adjacent the water heater
and provides for a means to lower the temperature of exhaust gases
to increase flexibility of installation of the water heater.
[0038] Combustion air passing through combustion air pipe 40 as
shown by arrows "B" flows through angled portion 43 and into
substantially horizontal portion 44. Then, as particularly shown in
FIG. 4, combustion air enters diverter 54 whereby the flow is
divided into three different portions. Arrow "D" represents the
flow of primary combustion air traveling through channel 68,
through opening 70, into burner air feed channel 72 and
subsequently into burner 20 to mix with fuel as primary combustion
air in a desired proportion.
[0039] On the other hand, the outer portions of combustion air
flowing through diverter 54 pass into the space between shield 58
and bottom pan 34 as shown by the arrows "E." That combustion air
is secondary combustion air and exits from the space between shield
58 and bottom pan 34 through openings 62 as shown by arrows "F."
That secondary combustion air flows around the outermost edges of
shield 58 and passes upwardly into combustion chamber 18 and
towards burner 20 as shown by arrow "G" (FIG. 3) as secondary
combustion air. This helps to create and maintain an even and
consistent flame pattern.
[0040] The movement of secondary combustion air as shown by arrows
"F" and "G" causes that air to impinge on skirt 56 that forms the
side wall of combustion chamber 18 and thereby causes a temperature
reduction effect on skirt 56 which helps to retain heat within
combustion chamber 18 so that it can better be directed to the
water of water tank 16, as opposed to radiating outwardly towards
jacket 12 in the lower portions of the water heater.
[0041] The sizes, shapes and arrangement of diverter 54 and shield
58 as shown in FIG. 4 are merely one possible arrangement. Other
sizes and shapes of diverters and shields are possible. For
example, shield 58 can be round or any other shape. Also, it can
cover more or less surface area. Alternative means of providing
side walls 60 and opening 62 may also be provided. Similarly,
channel 68 can be formed in any number of alternative ways as can
be diverter 54. One example may be that diverter 54 is divided into
two passageways, possibly without connection to bottom pan 34,
whereby one passageway flows directly to opening 70 in shield 58
and the other passageway flows to a sized and shaped air diffusion
device that directs secondary combustion air toward the outer
portions of combustion chamber 18.
[0042] It is also possible for the diverter and shield to be made
from a variety of different heat resistant materials. Preferably,
those materials should also be corrosion resistant in the presence
of moisture and elevated temperatures.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of how diverter 54 is mounted
between skirt 56 which serves as the side wall of the combustion
chamber, diverter 58 and bottom pan 34. It is preferred that
diverter 58 be sized and shaped to closely connect between those
various portions so that air will be substantially completely
channeled in the desired directions. However, it is not necessary
for diverter 54 to be air tightly sealed to those respective
structures. It is typically sufficient for diverter 54 to be
secured to bottom pan 34 by way of a screw 101, for example, or any
other means known in the art such as connectors, spot welds, heat
resistant adhesives and the like. The most important part of the
connection with respect to diverter 54 is that it covers an opening
106, shown in FIG. 6, in skirt connector 102 that extends from an
opening 105 in skirt 56.
[0044] FIGS. 6 and 7 are further exploded views of the structure
shown in FIG. 5, except that diverter 54 has been removed to
substantially completely reveal skirt connector 102. Skirt
connector 102 includes a proximal end portion 104 with an opening
106 that extends into combustion chamber 18. Skirt connector 102
also has a distal end portion 108 extending outwardly from skirt
56. A, pair of slots 110Q are cut into distal portion 108 at
opening 112 to facilitate engagement of other portions of
substantially horizontally oriented portion 44.
[0045] Skirt connector 102 is preferably substantially sealed to
skirt 56 at opening 105 such that air will not flow into combustion
chamber 18 or but of combustion chamber 18 except through openings
106 and 112 of skirt connector 102. Attachment of skirt connector
102 to skirt 56 can be achieved in any number of ways known in the
art such as by welding, for example. Other means for mounting and
sealing skirt connector 102 to skirt 156 may be employed.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows horizontally oriented portion 44 in its,
entirety as connected to the water heater. In particular, skirt
connector 102 is mounted and sealed to skirt 56. A tube connector
114 having a pair of protrusions 116, shown in FIG. 9, engage slots
110 to thereby attach tube connector 114 to skirt connector 102 and
fix connector 114 into a substantially rigid position with respect
to the balance of the water heater. Tube connector 114 is in turn
connected to elbow 116 to complete substantially horizontally
oriented portion 44. This arrangement causes combustion air to be
supplied directly from the air intake system to combustion chamber
18.
[0047] FIG. 10 shoves a partial cross section of substantially
horizontally oriented portion 44 connected to skirt 56. Also,
diverter 54 is shown in a selected position relative to
horizontally oriented portion 44 to receive combustion air from the
combustion air supply system. By utilizing slots 110 and
protrusions 116 to attach the connector 114 portion of elbow 118 to
skirt connector 102, the combustion air system is easy to
manufacture, assemble, disassemble and maintain.
[0048] The size and shape of the various portions can be increased
or decreased to suit the application and/or size and/or shape of
the water heater. The location of the various conduits relative to
the water heater may also be varied depending on the size, shape
and location of the water heater. Conversely, the upper portion of
the water heater may be the upper half of the water heater, but may
be a larger portion so long as the combustion air opening is above
the dilution air intake.
[0049] It will be understood that water heater 10 may be
constructed with a wide variety of materials, in a wide variety of
shapes and sizes. For example, any number of types of burners 20
may be employed, along with various types of blower assemblies 26,
gas control valves 24 and the like. Also, various types of
insulation, water containers/tanks and jackets may be employed.
Preferably, air intake system 38 is constructed of PVC, ABS or CPVC
materials, although other suitable materials may be employed. Skirt
connector 102 should, on the other hand, preferably be made from
the same or similar material as skirt 56, which is preferably a
heat and corrosion resistant metal.
[0050] Although the technology of this disclosure has been
described in connection with specific representative forms thereof,
it will be appreciated, that a wide variety of equivalents may be
substituted for the specified elements described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of this technology as described
in the appended claims.
* * * * *