Systems and methods for vacuum insulation panels for water heater tanks
AssigneeRheem Manufacturing Company
InventorsSaman Beyhaghi, Nathan Andrew, Atilhan Manay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vacuum insulation panel is disclosed for use with a storage vessel having a storage vessel outer surface. The vacuum insulation panel includes: a vacuum insulation panel inner surface configured to cover a portion of the storage vessel outer surface; a vacuum insulation panel outer surface separated from the vacuum insulation panel inner surface by a vacuum space; and a spacer disposed within the vacuum space, being in contact with the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface and maintaining a separation of the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface.
Claims18
A vacuum insulation panel for use with a storage vessel having a storage vessel outer surface, the vacuum insulation panel comprising:
- a vacuum insulation panel inner surface configured to cover a portion of the storage vessel outer surface;
- a vacuum insulation panel outer surface separated from the vacuum insulation panel inner surface by a vacuum space;
- and
- a spacer disposed within the vacuum space and in contact with the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface for maintaining a separation of the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface,
- wherein the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface comprise a first material,
- wherein the spacer comprises a second material,
- wherein the first material is different from the second material,
- wherein the first material comprises a metal, and
- wherein the second material comprises a non-metal.
A water heater comprising:
- a storage vessel;
- and
- a vacuum insulation panel comprising:
- a vacuum insulation panel inner surface configured to cover a portion of the storage vessel outer surface,
- a vacuum insulation panel outer surface separated from the vacuum insulation panel inner surface by a vacuum space, and
- a spacer disposed within the vacuum space and in contact with the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface for maintaining a separation of the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface,
- wherein the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface comprise a first material
- wherein the spacer comprises a second material,
- wherein the first material is different from the second material,
- wherein the first material comprises a metal, and
- wherein the second material comprises a non-metal.
A vacuum insulation panel for use with a storage vessel having a storage vessel outer surface, the vacuum insulation panel comprising:
- a vacuum insulation panel inner surface configured to cover a portion of the storage vessel outer surface;
- a vacuum insulation panel outer surface separated from the vacuum insulation panel inner surface by a vacuum space;
- a spacer disposed within the vacuum space and in contact with the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface for maintaining a separation of the vacuum insulation panel inner surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer surface;
- a vacuum insulation panel inner top surface configured to cover to a top portion of the storage vessel outer surface;
- a vacuum insulation panel outer top surface separated from the vacuum insulation panel inner top surface by a top vacuum space;
- and
- a top spacer disposed within the top vacuum space and in contact with the vacuum insulation panel inner top surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer top surface for maintaining a separation of the vacuum insulation panel inner top surface and the vacuum insulation panel outer top surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.