US 6,148,146 A · Water heater

Abstract

A hot water heater of a low profile, box-shaped design, with the height and width remaining generally constant, and the length being dependent on the volumetric capacity desired for the water heater. The water heater is configured for horizontal configuration or vertical mounting and includes a cold water inlet for allowing input of cold water into a lower compartment. A baffle plate divides the lower compartment from an upper compartment, and water from the cold water inlet flows through a baffle opening, or delivery outlet, into the upper compartment. While in the lower compartment, the water is subjected to heating by at least one heating element, which serves to pre-heat the water. As the water flows to the upper compartment, it is heated further by at least one additional heating element located in the upper compartment. A hot water outlet is provided in the upper compartment generally at the opposite end of the upper compartment from the baffle opening such that the water will have passed all of the heating elements prior to exiting the hot water outlet. A gas burner version of the water heater includes a conduit for delivering water through a water chamber such that the water is pre-heated in the conduit prior to exiting a delivery opening.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A water heater for horizontal mounting, comprising:

an elongated, horizontally disposed water chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion generally opposite said top portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion generally opposite said first end portion;
a longitudinally extending baffle plate in said water chamber;
said baffle plate being connected to said first end portion of said water chamber and extending generally horizontally in said water chamber;
said baffle plate defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment in said water chamber and a baffle opening proximate to said second end portion of said water chamber;
a water inlet connected to said lower compartment and configured for receiving water and introducing same into said lower compartment;
at least one heater associated with said lower compartment for heating water introduced into said lower compartment through said water inlet;
and
a water outlet connected to said upper compartment configured for allowing water heated in said lower compartment to exit said upper compartment after passing through said upper and lower compartments and said baffle opening.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water heater

Life of this patent

Water heater

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16