# US 5,346,126 A · Device for controlling heating efficiency of water heater

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- Number: US 5,346,126 A
- Document ID: US5346126A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/077,776
- Filed: 1993-05-06
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1993-05-06
- Inventors: Shin-Chang Lai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346126A

## CPC

- F23L 13/06: slidable only
- F23N 3/047: {using mechanical means}
- F23N 2235/04: in stacks
- F23L: SUPPLYING AIR OR NON-COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS OR GASES TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS IN GENERAL ({air-supply arrangements for fluent fuels F23C;} firebridges with means for feeding air or steam F23M3/04; baffles or shields with air supply passages F23M9/04); VALVES OR DAMPERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CONTROLLING AIR SUPPLY OR DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS {(dampers and throat restrictors for open fire-places F24; air inlet valves for open fire fronts F24)}; INDUCING DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS; TOPS FOR CHIMNEYS OR VENTILATING SHAFTS; TERMINALS FOR FLUES
- F23N: REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION (control devices specially adapted for combustion apparatus in which combustion takes place in a fluidised bed of fuel or other particles F23C10/28; condition responsive controls for regulating combustion in domestic stoves with open fires for solid fuel F24B1/187)

## Abstract

A device for use in improving the heating efficiency of a water heater comprises a housing mounted over the heat collecting pieces of the water heater and provided with at least a set of ventilating ports, each of which is composed of a predetermined number of ventilation holes arranged in a geometric pattern. Pivoted to each of the ventilation holes is a damper, which can be triggered by a heat sensing element to turn so as to open or close automatically the ventiation holes. The heat sensing element is caused by heat to deform in order to bring about a displacement of the damper. The extent of the opening of the ventilation holes depends on the extent of the displacement of the damper.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for controlling the heating efficiency of a water heater comprising:
a housing having a predetermined number of ventilation holes and mounted over heat collecting pieces inside a water heater;
a predetermined number of dampers, each of which is corresponding in shape and location to each of said ventilation holes and is movably mounted on said housing; and
at least one heat sensing element mounted on said housing and pivoted to said dampers;
wherein said housing is provided with at least one set of ventilating port having a predetermined number of ventilation holes of geometric shape; and wherein said heat sensing element is subject to a deformation caused by a heat so as to trigger said dampers to open or close said ventilating port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1 wherein said ventilation holes are arranged circularly and equidistantly; and wherein each of said dampers is of circular construction and is provided with sector pieces corresponding in number and location to said ventilation holes, said each of said dampers being pivoted at the center thereof to the center of said ventilating port.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said ventilation holes of said ventilating port is provided at the edge thereof with a stop portion intended to retain said sector pieces.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with at least one insertion mount; wherein each of said dampers is provided with a protruded pushing portion; and wherein said heat sensing element is mounted in said insertion mount such that one end of said heat sensing element is coupled with said pushing portion of said each of said dampers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2 wherein said housing is provided with at least one insertion mount; wherein each of said dampers is provided with a protruded pushing portion; and wherein said heat sensing element is mounted in said insertion mount such that one end of said heat sensing element is coupled with said pushing portion of said each of said dampers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device according to claim 5 wherein said housing is provided with an insertion mount located between two ventilating ports; and wherein said heat sensing element is mounted in said insertion mount such that both ends of said heat sensing element extend beyond said dampers and are coupled respectively with said pushing portions of said dampers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2 wherein said ventilation holes and said sector pieces are of sectoral construction.