Gas instantaneous water heater
OwnerGerry Wolterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a gas instantaneous water heater for use in boats or recreational vehicles comprising a housing divided into a large upper portion and a small lower portion. A gas valve and electric filament lighter are controlled by an electronic module which opens the gas valve and ignites the gas in response to a signal from a sensor capable of sensing water flow or a pressure drop. The heater employs a photoelectric flame sensor and a thermal override switch to shut off the gas in the event the igniter fails to ignite the gas or if the water temperature is excessively high.
Claims19
An instantaneous gas water heater comprising a casing with a large compartment and a small compartment separated by a dividing wall;
- a gas inlet coupler attached to the casing through the small compartment and capable of being coupled to a source of gas;
- an electric gas solenoid valve positioned near the gas inlet coupler, which is normally closed;
- three gas nozzle jets positioned in the large compartment on the dividing wall and being fluidly connected to said gas inlet coupler in said small compartment;
- a water coupler connected to said casing through said large compartment and capable of being connected to a source of water;
- a plurality of coils connected to said water coupler, which surround said gas nozzle jets in said large compartment;
- a water outlet line which projects through said small compartment and is fluidly connected with said coils in said large compartment;
- an electronic igniter positioned adjacent one of said gas nozzle jets, which is capable of igniting all the gas nozzle jets;
- an optical flame sensor positioned in said small compartment which is capable of optically sensing flame in said large compartment;
- a thermal overriding switch means fastened to said water outlet pipe for sensing outlet water temperature and interrupting the operation of said electric gas solenoid valve is said water is too hot;
- and an electronic control module for operating said heater, when said water is flowing through said coil and for deactivating said heater when said water or said gas is not flowing through their respective lines.
An instantaneous gas water heater comprising:
- (1) a housing having a large compartment and a small compartment, said large compartment being a combustion chamber having a combustion air outlet, said large compartment being in communication with said small compartment, said small compartment having at least one opening therein so as to serve as a source of combustion air and to aid in maintaining any components therein at ambient temperature;
- (2) a gas inlet line coupled to said housing;
- (3) a valve in said small chamber coupled to said gas inlet line to control gas flow when a source of gas is attached to said gas inlet line;
- (4) at least one gas nozzle in said combustion chamber connected to said valve;
- (5) a water inlet line coupled to said housing;
- (6) at least one coil in said combustion chamber connected to said water inlet line, said coil surrounding said at least one gas nozzle;
- (7) a water outlet line connected to said at least one coil whereby water can flow into said water inlet line, through said at least one coil and exit through said water outlet line;
- and (8) a means for igniting said at least one gas nozzle when said water is flowing through said at least one coil to heat said water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.