Water heater by-pass and flushing nozzle arrangement

Abstract

A water heater includes a substantially cylindrical tank having a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, and an exhaust flue. The cold water inlet is disposed adjacent the lower end of the tank to prevent condensation from occurring between the cold water inlet and the exhaust flue. A T connector having an inlet and first and second outlets is connected to the cold water inlet. A flush valve is connected to the second outlet of the T connector to allow the tank to be flushed. A nozzle is connected to the cold water inlet and is disposed inside the tank. The nozzle is angled to swirl the water that is being placed into the tank so that sediment is lifted into the water. The nozzle may be angled downwardly to stir up sediment from the bottom of the tank.

1 . A water heater, comprising: 
 a tank having a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, and an exhaust flue;    the tank having an upper end and a lower end;    the cold water inlet being disposed adjacent the lower end of the tank; and    the exhaust flue being disposed adjacent the upper end of the tank.    
     
     
         2 . The water heater of    claim 1   , further comprising a flush valve connected to the cold water inlet.  
     
     
         3 . The water heater of    claim 2   , wherein the flush valve is disposed adjacent the lower end of the tank.  
     
     
         4 . The water heater of    claim 1   , further comprising a cold water pipe connected to the cold water inlet.  
     
     
         5 . The water heater of    claim 4   , wherein the tank includes a flush inlet; the cold water pipe being connected to the flush inlet.  
     
     
         6 . The water heater of    claim 5   , further comprising a flush valve connected to the cold water inlet pipe; the flush valve being located adjacent the lower end of the tank.  
     
     
         7 . The water heater of    claim 6   , further comprising a shut off valve connected to the cold water inlet pipe; the shut off valve being adapted to stop water from flowing through the cold water inlet pipe.  
     
     
         8 . The water heater of    claim 1   , further comprising a nozzle connected to the cold water inlet; the nozzle being disposed inside the tank.  
     
     
         9 . The water heater of    claim 8   , wherein the nozzle is angled to swirl the water that is being placed into the tank.  
     
     
         10 . The water heater of    claim 9   , wherein the nozzle defines an outlet having a longitudinal axis; the longitudinal axis of the outlet being disposed substantially tangentially to the tank when view from the upper end of the tank looking down.  
     
     
         11 . The water heater of    claim 10   , wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet is angled downwardly toward the lower end of the tank such that water is directed from the nozzle outlet to the lower end of the tank.  
     
     
         12 . A water heater, comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical tank having a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, and an exhaust flue;    the tank having an upper end and, a lower end;    the cold water inlet being disposed adjacent the lower end of the tank;    the exhaust flue being disposed adjacent the upper end of the tank.    a T connector having an inlet and first and second outlets;    a cold water inlet piper being connected to the inlet of the T connector;    the first outlet of the T connector being connected to the cold water inlet of the tank;    a flush valve being connected to the second outlet of the T connector;    a shut off valve being connected to the cold water inlet pipe; the shut off valve being adapted to stop water from flowing through the cold water inlet pipe;    a nozzle connected to the cold water inlet; the nozzle being disposed inside the tank;    wherein the nozzle is angled to swirl the water that is being placed into the tank;    wherein the nozzle defines an outlet having a longitudinal axis; the longitudinal axis of the outlet being disposed substantially tangentially to the tank when view from the upper end of the tank looking down; and    wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet is angled downwardly toward the lower end of the tank such that water is directed from the nozzle outlet to the lower end of the tank.