# US 5,341,767 A · Combustion air inlet diverter plate for a water heater

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- Number: US 5,341,767 A
- Document ID: US5341767A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/057,725
- Filed: 1993-05-05
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1993-05-05
- Assignees: AOS Holding Company
- Inventors: Herbert E. Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5341767A

## CPC

- F23M 9/02: in air inlets
- F23C 7/00: Combustion apparatus characterised by arrangements for air supply (inlets for fluidisation air F23C10/20; baffles or shields with air supply passages F23M9/04)
- F23M: CASINGS, LININGS, WALLS OR DOORS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, e.g. FIREBRIDGES; DEVICES FOR DEFLECTING AIR, FLAMES OR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS IN COMBUSTION CHAMBERS; SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION APPARATUS; DETAILS OF COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F23C: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN {A CARRIER GAS OR} AIR (burners F23D)

## Abstract

A water heater comprising a tank defining a water chamber, a combustion chamber for heating water in the water chamber, and a combustion air inlet pipe including an outlet end communicating with the combustion chamber. The inlet pipe also includes an inlet end having a longitudinal axis, and a plate in the combustion air inlet pipe adjacent the inlet end, which plate extends outwardly of the inlet end along the longitudinal axis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A water heater comprising:
a tank defining a water chamber;
a combustion chamber for heating water in said water chamber,
a combustion air inlet pipe including an outlet end communicating with said combustion chamber, and including a generally horizontal inlet pipe; and
a generally planar vertical plate connected to said inlet end of said pipe, said plate extending outwardly from and extending across said inlet end so as to substantially prevent horizontal air flow completely across said inlet end.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A water heater as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate extends into said pipe and divides said inlet pipe into two longitudinally extending portions adjacent said inlet end.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A water heater as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plate includes a semi-circular portion extending outwardly of said inlet end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A water heater as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inlet pipe includes a hemispherical screen covering said inlet end and said plate, and wherein said screen is complementary with said semi-circular portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A water heater as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising a cylindrical collar connecting said screen to said inlet end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A water heater as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet pipe comprises a main conduit, and wherein said inlet end is defined by a downwardly extending elbow portion connected to said conduit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A water heater as set forth in claim 6 wherein said elbow portion extends downwardly at a 45.degree. angle with respect to horizontal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A water heater as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet end has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said plate extends along said axis.