US 6,684,821 B2 · Energy sustaining water heater

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a water heater that sustains energy during the standby mode so that it can power energy saving devices while e minimizing energy loss and controlling the stored water temperature. The present invention may include an outer casing, an insulated tank containing flue tubes, a combustion chamber, a burner rack containing a pilot and thermopile assembly, a flue collector, a damper and a draft diverter. These components are preferrably arranged to enable heat from the main burners to be transferred in an efficient manner to the water when needed and heat loss from the water to be minimized when the main burners are not fired. This may be accomplished without the use of external electric power, and the energy producing and heat transferring components of the water heater are optimally balanced, resulting in a sustained energy level that minimizes heat loss, prevents unwanted increases in water temperature, and enables the use of a damper without external electrical power.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A water heater comprising:

a tank for storing water;
a combustion chamber in thermal communication with said tank for heating said water, said combustion chamber containing a pilot burner and at least one main burner;
a flue containing a flue damper to control the passage of exhaust gases from said combustion chamber;
and
an electrical control circuit, said electrical control circuit including a thermo-voltaic device proximal to said pilot and said control circuit being connected to said flue damper;
wherein said control circuit is capable of using thermal energy from said pilot to generate electrical power to operate said damper and to balance heat loss from the water in said water heater when said main burners are not fired.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy sustaining water heater

Life of this patent

Energy sustaining water heater

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33