Dual function high efficiency water heater

Abstract

A dual function water heater having two separate hot water outlets, one for potable water and the other for a building heating system. The vertical flue pipe, extending through the tank, comprises a radially expanded means for increasing water heater power productivity and efficiency of heat recovery from the flue gases. The radially expanded means comprises a chamber for the flow of the hot flue gases, and the chamber includes a means for directing the hot flue gases toward the inner surface of the radially expanded means. In a further improvement, the burner control unit possesses an additional means for adjusting burner power depending on water temperature in the water tank. In a still further improvement, the means for directing the flue gases constitutes a tank containing water in a heat exchange relationship with water in the tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A water heater having an insulated water tank with a flue pipe extending vertically through the tank for the discharge of waste combustion or flue gases, a burner below the tank, and a burner control means; 
 characterized in that said flue pipe comprises a water surrounded and radially expanded means for increasing heat recovery from said flue gases    and said radially expanded means comprises a chamber for the flow of said flue gases    and said chamber includes a means for directing said flue gases toward the inner surface of said radially expanded means,    whereby the efficiency and productivity of the water heater is increased.    
     
     
         2 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 1;  characterized in that said water heater further comprises a means for transferring heat from the water in said water tank to an additional water line, preferably for heating potable water for domestic use such as showering and washing the dishes or clothes:  
     
     
         3 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 1;  characterized in that said burner control means possesses an additional means for adjusting burner power depending on water temperature in said water tank.  
     
     
         4 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 1;  characterized in that said means for directing said flue gases constitutes a tank containing water in a heat exchange relationship with the water in said water tank.  
     
     
         5 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 4;  characterized in that said tank for directing the flue gases comprises at least two interconnected sections.  
     
     
         6 . A water heater for heating water for domestic consumption as well as for heating system in a building, comprising at least one separate heat exchanger for transferring heat to an additional water line, a burner with control means, and a water housing; 
 characterized in that said water housing comprises a separate inner ribbed means and a separate outer shell tightly sealed and interconnected together, between which is contained water to be heated and said heat exchanger.    
     
     
         7 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 6;   characterized in that said outer shell is preferably in the shape of a cylinder with one partially closed top end and one open bottom end wherein said partially closed top end possesses a machined flange face sealing surface on the inside surface of said top end, and said open bottom end possesses a machined flange face sealing surface on the bottom side of a lip perpendicularly extending from the outside of said outer shell;    and said inner ribbed means is preferably in the shape of a truncated cone with one partially closed top end and one open bottom end wherein said partially closed top end possesses a machined flange face sealing surface on the outside surface of said top end, and said open bottom end possesses a machined flange face sealing surface on the top side of a lip extending from the outside of said inner shell;    wherein said flange face sealing surface on said top end of both said inner ribbed means and said outer shell are tightly sealed and connected together,    and said flange face sealing surface on said lip of said bottom end of both said inner ribbed means and said outer shell are tightly sealed and connected together with bolts,    and the opening of said partially closed top end of both said inner ribbed means and said outer shell provides for the discharge of said combustion gases from said water heater,    and the opening of said bottom end of said inner ribbed means provides for the entry of said combustion gases to said water heater.    
     
     
         8 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 6;  characterized in that said burner control means possesses an additional means for adjusting burner power depending on water temperature in said water housing.  
     
     
         9 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 6;  wherein said inner ribbed means constitutes a cast shell comprising a plurality of ribs for absorbing and transferring heat from the combustion gases.  
     
     
         10 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 9;  wherein at least some of said ribs possess inner water cooling passages to maximize heat transfer.  
     
     
         11 . A water heater as set forth in  claim 9;  characterized in that said ribs are radially-starlike situated in said inner cast shell.