Back to results
US 2019/0137189 A1Published application
Stratifier for tank-type water heater
AssigneeA. O. Smith Corporation
InventorsYingwu TENG, Michael W. SCHULTZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tank-type water heater includes a storage tank and a heating circuit outside of the tank. The heating circuit includes at least one heat engine and at least one pump for circulating water from the bottom of the tank through the heat engine and back to the top of the tank. A stratifier introduces the heated water from the heating circuit into the top of the tank in a diffuse manner to promote stratification of hot water in the tank.
Claims19
A tank-type water heater comprising:
- a tank for storage of water, the tank including a top and a bottom;
- a heating circuit including a heat engine outside of the tank, a heating circuit outlet communicating between the bottom of the tank and the heat engine for delivery of water to be heated from the tank bottom to the heat engine, and a heating circuit return communicating between the heat engine and tank for return to the tank of water heated by the heat engine;
- and
- a stratifier introducing all of the heated water from the heating circuit return into the top of the tank in a diffuse manner to promote stratification of hot water in the tank above the heating circuit outlet.
1 more element
A method of maximizing hot water stored in a water heater tank, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a tank having a top and a bottom;
- (b) filling the tank with water;
- (c) drawing water from the bottom of the tank;
- (d) heating the water drawn from the tank in an external heat engine;
- and
- (e) returning all of the heated water from the external heat engine to the top of the tank in a manner that minimizes turbulence in the water in the tank.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.