Integrated Anode For A Heat Exchanger

A water heater comprising:

• a combustion chamber;
• and
• a heat exchanger disposed within a housing of the water heater, the heat exchanger comprising:
• an end plate;
• a series of heat exchanger tubes extending from the end plate;
• a header attached to the end plate outside of the housing of the water heater, the header comprising:
• an inlet;
• and
• an outlet;
• and
• an anode assembly comprising:
• an anode housing;
• and
• an anode disposed at least partially within the anode housing, the anode comprising:
• an inner anode portion;
• and
• an outer anode stud;
• and
• a bonding wire attached to the outer anode stud;
• wherein the anode assembly is attached to the inlet of the header perpendicular to an inlet flow path;
• and
• wherein the bonding wire is attached to the end plate of the heat exchanger.

An anode assembly comprising:

• an anode housing;
• and
• an anode disposed at least partially within the anode housing, the anode comprising:
• an inner anode portion;
• and
• an outer anode stud;
• wherein the anode assembly is attached to an inlet of a header of a heat exchanger perpendicular to an inlet fluid flow path, such that a fluid contacts the anode along the inlet flow path prior to entering the heat exchanger.