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US 7,017,251 B1Granted
Resistored anode and a water heater including the same
AssigneeApcom, Inc.
InventorMark Allan Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method of incorporating a resistive interface between an anode rod and a water heater tank connector. The resistive interface can include a conductive polymer material or coating.
Claims22
A connector assembly comprising:
- a metal conduit adapted to receive an anode rod, the metal conduit having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a nipple adapted to support the metal conduit, the nipple including a first end and a second end, a portion of the metal conduit positioned between the first end and the second end of the nipple;
- and
- an interface comprising a conductive polymer layer on at least a portion of the interior surface of the metal conduit positioned between the first end and the second end of the nipple.
1 more element
A connector assembly comprising:
- a cap in electrical communication with an anode rod;
- a fitting in direct electrical communication with the cap, the fitting adapted to be connected to a water tank;
- and
- a conductive polymer layer between the fitting and the cap.
1 more element
A connector assembly comprising:
- a first cap in electrical communication with an anode rod;
- and
- a second cap including a conductive polymer layer, the second cap adapted to receive the first cap.
A method of providing a resistive interface between an anode rod and a water heater tank, the method comprising:
- applying a layer of a conductive polymer to a portion of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a metal conduit, a portion of the metal conduit positioned between a first end and a second end of a nipple, the portion of the interior surface of the metal conduit receiving the layer of the conductive polymer being positioned between the first end and the second end of the nipple;
- connecting the metal conduit to the anode rod;
- connecting the nipple to the metal conduit, the nipple in contact with the conductive polymer layer;
- and
- securing the nipple to the water heater tank.
2 more elements
A water heater comprising:
- a tank;
- an inlet to add water to the tank;
- an outlet that withdraws water from the tank;
- a heat source to heat water in the tank;
- an anode rod electrically coupled to the tank;
- and
- a connector assembly electrically coupled to and supported by the tank, the connector assembly comprising
- a metal conduit adapted to receive the anode rod, the metal conduit having an interior surface and an exterior surface,
- a nipple adapted to support the metal conduit, the nipple including a first end and a second end, a portion of the metal conduit positioned within the first end and the second end of the nipple, and
- a conductive polymer layer on at least a portion of the interior surface of the metal conduit positioned between the first end and the second end of the nipple.
7 more elements
A water heater comprising:
- a tank;
- an inlet to add water to the tank;
- an outlet that withdraws water from the tank;
- a heat source to heat water in the tank;
- an anode rod electrically coupled to the tank;
- and
- a connector assembly electrically coupled to and supported by the tank, the connector assembly comprising
- a first cap in electrical communication with the anode rod, and
- a second cap including a conductive polymer layer, the second cap adapted to receive the first cap.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.