U.S. patent application number 13/081676 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-13 for water heater including a dip tube.
Invention is credited to J. Eric Arnold, Mark Allan Murphy, Ramin K. Rahmani, Timothy Mitchell Smith.
Application Number | 20110247572 13/081676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44760004 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110247572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Timothy Mitchell ; et
al. |
October 13, 2011 |
WATER HEATER INCLUDING A DIP TUBE
Abstract
A water heater includes a storage tank, a heat source for
heating water stored in the storage tank, and a dip tube extending
into the tank. The dip tube includes upper and lower ends, a
restriction between the upper and lower ends so as to create back
pressure in the dip tube above the restriction, the restriction
positioned in an upper portion of the storage tank, a lower opening
below the restriction for providing cold water to a lower portion
of the storage tank, and an upper opening above the restriction for
providing cold water to the upper portion of the storage tank due
to the first restriction.
Inventors: |
Smith; Timothy Mitchell;
(Blountville, TN) ; Arnold; J. Eric;
(Jonesborough, TN) ; Rahmani; Ramin K.; (Johnson
City, TN) ; Murphy; Mark Allan; (Nashville,
TN) |
Family ID: |
44760004 |
Appl. No.: |
13/081676 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61322387 |
Apr 9, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
122/19.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 9/124 20130101;
F24H 1/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
122/19.1 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/02 20060101
F24H009/02 |
Claims
1. A water heater comprising: a storage tank; a heat source for
heating water stored in the storage tank; a dip tube extending into
the tank, the dip tube having upper and lower ends, a restriction
between the upper and lower ends so as to create back pressure in
the dip tube above the restriction, the restriction positioned in
an upper portion of the storage tank, a lower opening below the
restriction for providing cold water to a lower portion of the
storage tank, and an upper opening above the restriction for
providing cold water to the upper portion of the storage tank due
to the restriction.
2. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the upper opening is one of
a plurality of upper openings above the restriction and uniformly
distributed around the circumference of the dip tube.
3. The water heater of claim 2, wherein the dip tube further
includes a second restriction between the upper end and the lower
end so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the second
restriction, and a plurality of second upper openings uniformly
distributed around the circumference of the dip tube, the second
upper openings positioned above the second restriction for
providing water to the storage tank due to the second
restriction.
4. The water heater of claim 3, wherein the upper openings each
have a first diameter and the second upper openings each have a
second diameter different than the first diameter.
5. The water heater of claim 3, wherein the dip tube further
includes a longitudinal axis, and wherein center points of the
first-mentioned upper openings define a first plane that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and center
points of the second upper openings define a second plane that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
6. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the first-mentioned upper
openings each have a first diameter and the second upper openings
each have a second diameter different than the first diameter.
7. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the second upper openings
are offset from the first-mentioned upper openings.
8. The water heater of claim 7, wherein the first-mentioned upper
openings each have a first diameter and the second upper openings
each have a second diameter different than the first diameter.
9. The water heater of claim 3, wherein the dip tube further
includes a third restriction between the upper end and the lower
end so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the third
restriction and a plurality of third upper openings uniformly
distributed around the circumference of the dip tube, the third
upper openings positioned above the third restriction for providing
water to the storage tank due to the third restriction.
10. The water heater of claim 9, wherein the first-mentioned upper
openings each have a first diameter, the second upper openings each
have a second diameter different than the first diameter, and the
third upper openings each have a third diameter different than the
first diameter and the second diameter.
11. The water heater of claim 9, wherein the dip tube further
includes a longitudinal axis; and wherein center points of the
first-mentioned upper openings define a first plane that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, center points
of the second upper openings define a second plane that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and center
points of the third upper openings define a third plane that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
12. The water heater of claim 11, wherein the first-mentioned upper
openings each have a first diameter, the second upper openings each
have a second diameter different than the first diameter, and the
third upper openings each have a third diameter different than the
first diameter and the second diameter.
13. The water heater of claim 11, wherein the second upper openings
are offset from the first-mentioned upper openings and the third
upper openings are offset from the second upper openings.
14. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the restriction is formed
as an insert that is positioned within the dip tube.
15. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the restriction is
integrally formed with the dip tube.
16. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the dip tube further
includes an insert, an upper tube, and a lower tube, the insert
connecting the upper tube to the lower tube; wherein the
restriction is formed in the insert; and wherein the upper opening
is formed in the upper tube.
17. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the dip tube further
includes a second restriction between the upper end and the lower
end so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the second
restriction and a second upper opening above the second restriction
for providing water to the storage tank due to the second
restriction.
18. The water heater of claim 17, wherein the first-mentioned
restriction and the second restriction are integrally formed with
the dip tube.
19. The water heater of claim 17, wherein the dip tube further
includes a third restriction between the upper end and the lower
end so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the third
restriction, and a third upper opening above the third restriction
for providing water to the storage tank due to the third
restriction.
20. A dip tube for use with a water heater including a storage tank
with a lower portion and an upper portion and a heat source for
heating water stored in the storage tank, the dip tube comprising:
an upper end; a lower end; a restriction between the upper and
lower ends so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the
restriction, the restriction positioned in an upper portion of the
storage tank; a lower opening below the restriction for providing
cold water to the lower portion of the storage tank; and an upper
opening above the restriction for providing cold water to the upper
portion of the storage tank due to the first restriction.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,387 filed on Apr. 9,
2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to water heaters. More
specifically, the present invention relates to dip tubes for water
heaters. A dip tube is used to provide cold water to the storage
tank of the water heater.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides, in one aspect, a water
heater including a storage tank, a heat source for heating water
stored in the storage tank, and a dip tube extending into the tank.
The dip tube includes upper and lower ends, a restriction between
the upper and lower ends so as to create back pressure in the dip
tube above the restriction, the restriction positioned in an upper
portion of the storage tank, a lower opening below the restriction
for providing cold water to a lower portion of the storage tank,
and an upper opening above the restriction for providing cold water
to the upper portion of the storage tank due to the first
restriction.
[0004] The present invention provides, in another aspect, a dip
tube for use with a water heater including a storage tank with a
lower portion and an upper portion and a heat source for heating
water stored in the storage tank. The dip tube including an upper
end, a lower end, a restriction between the upper and lower ends so
as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the restriction,
the restriction positioned in an upper portion of the storage tank,
a lower opening below the restriction for providing cold water to
the lower portion of the storage tank, and an upper opening above
the restriction for providing cold water to the upper portion of
the storage tank due to the first restriction.
[0005] Other features and aspects of the invention will become
apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water heater including a dip
tube.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dip tube of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the dip tube of FIG. 2
along line 3-3.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insert of the dip tube of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the
dip tube of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a water heater including a dip
tube.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the dip tube of FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the dip tube of FIG. 7
along line 8-8.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the dip tube of FIG. 7 along
line 9-9.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the dip tube of FIG. 7 along
line 10-10.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the dip tube of FIG. 7 along
line 11-11.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a dip tube.
[0018] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a water heater 100 including a tank 110
containing water, a jacket 115 surrounding the tank 110, and a heat
source or burner 120. The tank includes an upper portion 125 and a
lower portion 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion
125 is the upper half of the tank 110 and the lower portion 130 is
the lower half of the tank 110. Insulation 135 is provided between
the tank 110 and the jacket 115. A flammable fuel is provided to
the burner 120 by a fuel line inlet 140 connected to a fuel valve
145. The burner 120 is positioned in a combustion chamber 150
beneath the tank 110. The fuel valve 145 is connected to a fuel
supply. The fuel can be, for example, natural gas or propane. The
combustion chamber 150 is connected to an air supply, for example,
the atmosphere around the water heater 100. A flue tube 155 extends
from the combustion chamber 150 through the tank 110. The products
of combustion or exhaust gases created by the burner 120 flow
through the flue tube 155 to heat the water stored in the tank 110.
A cold water inlet pipe 160 is connected by a spud 165 to a dip
tube 170 to supply cold water to the tank 110. A hot water supply
pipe 175 connected to a spud 180 supplies hot water to an end-use
location, for example, a faucet. A temperature and pressure
(T&P) valve 185 permits water to be released from the tank 110
in the event of high pressure or high temperature within the tank
110. The water heater 100 as described above is a conventional
gas-fired water heater. Alternatively, the water heater 100 is a
conventional electric water heater and the heat source is at least
one electrical heating element extending into the tank, rather than
a burner 120.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the dip tube 170. The dip tube is formed
by a tubular wall 190 that extends from an upper end 195 to a lower
end 200. The lower end 200 is positioned in the lower portion 130
of the tank 110. The dip tube 170 can have various overall lengths
and diameters as is known in the art. In the illustrated
construction, the dip tube 170 has a length of approximately 44
inches, an outside diameter of approximately 0.65 inch, and a wall
thickness of approximately 0.035 inch.
[0021] An insert 205 is located inside the dip tube 170. The insert
205 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-4. The insert 205 provides a
restriction 210 in the dip tube 170. The restriction 210 is located
in the upper portion 125 of the tank 110. Preferably, the top of
the insert 205 is approximately 6.5 inches below the upper end 195
of the dip tube 170. The wall 190 has therein a hole or opening
215. The opening 215 is positioned above the restriction 210.
Preferably, the opening 215 is located approximately six inches
below the upper end 195 and the diameter of the opening 215 is
approximately 0.31 inch. Alternatively, multiple openings located
above the restriction are provided in the wall of the dip tube.
[0022] The insert 205 is preferably made of cross-linked
polyethylene (PEX) and has a tubular side wall 220 defining a
central passageway 225. The outside of the side wall 220 has
thereon a plurality of circumferential barbs 230 that provide a
friction fit with the inside of the dip tube 170. Alternatively,
the insert 205 can be secured within the dip tube 170 by a variety
of appropriate methods, including a threaded connection, adhesive,
or a friction fit without barbs, for example. The lower end of the
insert 205 includes an annular hub 235 with a central opening 240.
The hub 235 is connected to the side wall 220 by a plurality of
spokes 245 extending downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of
the side wall 220. Water flowing through the insert 205 can exit
through the openings 247 between the spokes 245 or through the hub
opening 240.
[0023] The insert 205 effectively reduces the inside diameter of
the dip tube 170, creating above the restriction 210 a back
pressure that forces cold water out of the dip tube 170 through the
opening 215. The cold water exiting through the opening 215 into
the upper portion 125 of the tank 110 helps to keep the temperature
in the upper portion 125 within the preferred operating
temperatures, thereby avoiding triggering the T&P valve 185 due
to high temperature. In this way, the dip tube 170 addresses a
problem where water flows of approximately one gallon per minute
(or lower) can cause overheating at the upper portion 125 of the
tank 100, which would trip the T&P valve 185 due to high
temperature. Additionally, the dip tube 170 inhibits stacking
within the tank 110, which helps improve the Energy Factor (EF) of
the water heater 100 by preventing unnecessary cycling of the heat
source 120.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, a diffuser 250 is inserted in the lower
end 200 of the dip tube 170. The diffuser is preferably made of
cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and is similar in construction to
the insert 205. The diffuser 250 includes a tubular side wall 255
defining a central passageway 260. The outside of the side wall 255
has thereon a plurality of circumferential barbs 265 that provide a
friction fit with the inside of the dip tube 170. Alternatively,
the diffuser 250 can be secured to the dip tube 170 by a variety of
appropriate methods, including a threaded connection, adhesive, or
a friction fit without barbs, for example. A lower portion 270 of
the side wall 260 has an increased thickness and has therein three
openings 275 spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart.
Alternatively, more or fewer openings 275 are formed in the lower
portion 270. The lower end of the diffuser 250 includes an annular
hub 280 with a central opening 285. The hub 280 is connected to the
side wall 255 by a plurality of spokes 290 extending downwardly and
inwardly from the lower end of the side wall 255. Cold water exits
the dip tube 170 into the lower portion 130 of the tank 110 through
the diffuser 250. Water exits the diffuser through the side wall
openings 275, through the openings 295 between the spokes 290, or
through the hub opening 285. The total area of the side wall
openings 275, the hub opening 285, and the openings 295 of the
diffuser 250 is greater than the total area of the hub opening 240
and the openings 247 of the insert 205. Alternatively, the dip tube
170 does not include the diffuser 250 so that cold water exits the
dip tube 170 into the lower portion 130 of the tank 110 through the
lower end 200 of the dip tube 170.
[0025] An alternative dip tube 370 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-11.
Components similar to those of the dip tube 170 described above are
numbered in a similar fashion plus two hundred.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, a restriction 410 is formed in the
dip tube 370. The restriction 410 is located in the upper portion
125 of the tank 110. The inner diameter of the dip tube 370 is
reduced at the restriction 410. Three openings 415 are formed
through the wall 390 and are positioned above the restriction 410.
The openings 415 are uniformly distributed around the circumference
of the dip tube 370. Alternatively, more or fewer openings 415 can
be formed through the wall 390. The restriction 410 creates a back
pressure that forces cold water out of the dip tube 370 through the
openings 415 and into the tank 110. Preferably, the center points
of the openings 415 are included in a plane 417 (shown in FIG. 8
and also as the cutting plane of FIG. 9) that is perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 372 of the dip tube 370. Preferably, the
openings 415 are of equal diameter. Alternatively, the diameter of
the openings 415 can vary.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, a second restriction 510 and
associated openings 515 are formed in the dip tube 370 below the
restriction 410. The restriction 510 and openings 515 are similar
to the restriction 410 and openings 415 described above. The
openings 515 are offset from the openings 415 so that none of the
openings 515 are aligned with any of the openings 415. The
restriction 510 creates a back pressure that forces cold water out
of the dip tube 370 through the openings 515 and into the tank 110.
Preferably, the center points of the openings 515 are included in a
plane (the cutting plane of FIG. 10) that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 372 of the dip tube 370.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, a third restriction 610 and
associated openings 615 are formed in the dip tube 370 below the
restriction 510. The restriction 610 and openings 615 are similar
to the restriction 410 and openings 415 described above. The
openings 615 are offset from the openings 515 so that none of the
openings 615 are aligned with any of the openings 515. The
restriction 610 creates a back pressure that forces cold water out
of the dip tube 370 through the openings 615 and into the tank 110.
Preferably, the center points of the openings 615 are included in a
plane (the cutting plane of FIG. 11) that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 372 of the dip tube 370.
[0029] The restrictions 410, 510, and 610 are integrally formed in
the dip tube 370. Alternatively, the dip tube 370 can include more
or fewer restrictions. The spacing between the restrictions can be
constant or can vary. Alternatively, the restrictions 410, 510, and
610 can be created by multiple inserts 205 located in the dip tube
370. Preferably, the openings 415, 515, and 615 all have the same
diameter. Alternatively, the openings 415 have a different diameter
than the openings 515, which have a different diameter than the
openings 615.
[0030] An alternative dip tube 670 is illustrated in FIG. 12. The
dip tube 670 includes an insert 675, an upper tube 680, and a lower
tube 685. The insert 675 has a tubular side wall 690 that defines a
central passageway 695. The insert 675 includes an upper portion
700, a central portion 705, and a lower portion 710. The outside of
the upper portion 700 has thereon a plurality of circumferential
barbs 715 that provide a friction fit with the inside of the upper
tube 680. The central portion 705 includes a restriction 720 so
that the diameter of the central passageway 695 at the central
portion 705 is smaller than the diameter of the central passageway
695 at either the upper portion 700 or the lower portion 710. The
outside of the lower portion 710 has thereon a plurality of
circumferential barbs 715 that provide a friction fit with the
inside of the lower tube 685. Alternatively, the insert 675 can be
secured to the upper tube 680 and the lower tube 685 by a variety
of appropriate methods, including a threaded connection, adhesive,
or a friction fit without barbs, for example.
[0031] The upper tube 680 is formed by a tubular wall 725 and
includes a lower end 730. The wall 725 has therein a hole or
opening 735. Alternatively, multiple openings 735 are provided in
the wall 725. The lower tube 685 is formed by a tubular wall 740
and includes an upper end 745.
[0032] The dip tube 670 is constructed by inserting the upper
portion 700 of the insert 675 into the lower end 730 of the upper
tube 680 and by inserting the lower portion 710 of the insert 675
into the upper end 745 of the lower tube 685 so that the insert 675
connects the upper tube 680 to the lower tube 685. The central
portion 705 of the insert 675 effectively reduces the inside
diameter of the dip tube 670, creating above the restriction 720 a
back pressure that forces cold water out of the dip tube 670
through the opening 735. A dip tube with multiple restrictions
similar to the dip tube 670 can be constructed by using additional
inserts 675 and additional tubes so that when the additional
inserts 675 and tubes are attached to one another, a back pressure
is created above the restriction 720 of each insert that 675 forces
cold water out of the dip tube through an opening 735 in the tube
above that insert 675.
[0033] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *