Thermal Insulators for Providing a Thermal Break Between the Body and Flange Assembly of a Gas Water Heater Control
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorsJohn M. Bronson, Jeffrey N. Arensmeier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed in which thermal insulation is used to provide a thermal break and/or thermally insulative barrier generally between a body and flange assembly of a gas water heater control. An exemplary embodiment of a valve assembly for a water heater generally includes a flange, a body, and a thermal insulator. The thermal insulator is configured for placement generally between the body and the flange. The thermal insulator has a lower thermal conductivity than the flange and the body. The thermal insulator is operable for inhibiting heat loss from within the storage tank through the valve assembly.
Claims20
A valve assembly for a water heater, comprising:
- a flange configured to be coupled to a storage tank of the water heater;
- a body configured to be coupled to the flange;
- and
- a thermal insulator configured for placement generally between the flange and a body of the valve assembly, the thermal insulator having a lower thermal conductivity than the flange and the body, whereby the thermal insulator is operable for inhibiting heat loss from within the storage tank through the valve assembly.
A valve assembly for adjusting fuel flow in a fuel-fired water heater having a storage tank, the valve assembly comprising:
- a thermal insulator;
- a first component configured to be coupled to the storage tank;
- a second component coupled to the first component with the thermal insulator generally between the first and second components;
- and
- a third component coupled to the first component, the third component configured to extend at least partially into the storage tank for sensing temperature of water within the storage tank when the first component is coupled to the storage tank;
- wherein the thermal insulator has a lower thermal conductivity than the first, second, and third components for inhibiting heat loss from within the water storage tank through the valve assembly.
A method for inhibiting heat loss from a storage tank of a water heater through a valve assembly of the water heater, the method comprising positioning a thermal insulator generally between a body and a flange of the valve assembly, wherein the thermal insulator has a thermal conductivity less than a thermal conductivity of the flange and the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.