High efficiency tank type continuous flow and self cleaning water heater

Abstract

A water heater comprising a closed tank having a water inlet for connection with a water supply, and a hot water outlet connected to the tank interior; a flue pipe extending vertically through the tank and having an upper portion for connection with a vent pipe; a cylinder having a lower end and upper open end with means for opening disposed within the flue pipe, and spaced from inner walls of the flue pipe, and extending substantially the length of the flue pipe; a burner disposed in a lower region of the cylinder, such that combustion products from the burner rise through the cylinder; and a water conducing coil disposed within the cylinder connected with the interior of the tank.

1 . A water heater comprising: a closed tank having a water inlet for connection with a water supply, and a hot water outlet connected to the tank interior; a flue pipe extending vertically through the tank and having an upper portion for connection with a vent pipe; a cylinder having a lower and upper open end disposed within the flue pipe, and spaced from inner walls of the flue pipe, and extending substantially the length of the flue pipe; a burner disposed in a lower region of the cylinder, such that combustion products from the burner rise through the cylinder; and a water conducing coil disposed within the cylinder connected with the interior of the tank.  
   
   
       2 . The water heater of  claim 1  wherein said water conducing coil has an first upper end and first valve means for selectively connecting with the interior of the tank or with the water supply, and a second lower end and second valve means for selectively connecting with the interior the of tank or to a drain.  
   
   
       3 . The water heater of  claim 2  including control means for activating the first and second valve means, such that in one selected activated state heat from the combustion products is transferred from the coil to the water in the tank, and in another activated state water from the water supply is directed through the coil, immediately after burner shut-off, providing thermal shock to dislodge deposits from the inside walls of the coils for disposing to the drain.  
   
   
       4 . The water heater of  claim 1  comprising a secondary water conducing coil disposed within the vent pipe, said secondary water conducing coil connected serially with the water conducing coil disposed within the cylinder.  
   
   
       5 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the vent pipe includes a generally horizontal transverse portion, and wherein said secondary water conducing coil is disposed within said transverse portion.  
   
   
       6 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the transverse section of the vent pipe is slanted downward and includes a drain, for allowing condensate to collect and drain.  
   
   
       7 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the dimension of the cylinder is selected to provide a space of about 0.25 inches between the cylinder wall and the flue wall.  
   
   
       8 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises heat flow restrictors within the cylinder for increasing contact of combustion gas with the coil to facilitate heat transfer.  
   
   
       9 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for circulating water through the coils to prevent overheating of the coils.  
   
   
       10 . The water heater as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the transverse section of the vent pipe is slanted downward causing the condensate to collect at the drain and painted with non-corrosive material to prevent deterioration of the vent pipe.  
   
   
       11 . The water heater as  claim 1 , further comprising a pump, heat exchanger and filter in a line to provide hydronic heating.  
   
   
       12 . The water heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump, a thermostat, and a flow sensor, wherein the pump is responsive to the thermostat, and the burner is responsive to flow detected by the flow sensor.  
   
   
       13 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 14 , including solenoid valves and a sensor which determines when burner or pump turns off and sends a signal to a pre-programmed timer which activates the solenoid valves after a predetermined number of heating cycles and the solenoid valves are activated for a pre-programmed period of time.  
   
   
       14 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises electrodes inserted into the center of the coil to generate an electric arc to eliminate unburned hydrocarbons, which increases the efficiency and lowers the emissions.  
   
   
       15 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises a pump and heat exchanger in a plumbing line loop for providing instant circulating hot water.  
   
   
       16 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises an adjustable burner, an adjustable pump and flow control valves to allow varying volume of hot water.  
   
   
       17 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a drain pipe is connected to the water reservoir/source of the water heater.  
   
   
       18 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises of automatic controls so as to monitor the overflow, overheating, choke in pipeline/disorders, control for timing the heating and cleaning cycle, pump controls.  
   
   
       19 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coil is adapted for ease of removal and replacement.  
   
   
       20 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a condensate trap disposed in the vent pipe and consisting of a perforated funnel with an attached conduit, which allows combustion products to pass and collects condensate for disposal to a drain.  
   
   
       21 . The water heater as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the drain pipe is fitted with a filter leading to the water reservoir/source of the water heater.  
   
   
       22 . The water heater of  claim 1  wherein the lower end of the cylinder has an outwardly and downwardly extending portion for directing combustion products inward and upward.  
   
   
       23 . The water heater of  claim 23  wherein a substantial portion of the outwardly and downwardly extending portion is spaced from the bottom outer surface of the tank.  
   
   
       24 . The water heater of  claim 1  wherein the flue side of the cylinder has protrusions which make contact with the flue wall of the water heater.  
   
   
       25 . The water heater of  claim 24  wherein the outwardly and downwardly extending portion contains protrusions which make contact with the bottom surface of the bottom of the water heater.  
   
   
       26 . The water heater of  claim 1  wherein the cylinder contains clips attached to the interior surface thereof.  
   
   
       27 . The water heater of  claim 27  wherein a plurality of clips are arranged to form a spiral about the interior of the cylinder.  
   
   
       28 . The water heater of  claim 23  wherein the bottom side of the outwardly and downwardly extending portion contains protrusions to enhance the heat transfer capability of the outwardly and downwardly portion.  
   
   
       29 . Water heater of  claim 1  wherein a secondary coil is positioned vertically within a vertically positioned vent pipe located directly above a condensate trap located directly above the top of the flue.  
   
   
       30 . The water heater of  claim 7  wherein said pump is adapted to operate at various speeds depending of the temperature of the water entering the water conducing coil.  
   
   
       31 . The water conducing coil of  claim 4  wherein said coil and vent pipe utilize heat flow restrictors for increasing contact of combustion gas with the coil to facilitate heat transfer.  
   
   
       32 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder is selected to provide a space of about 0.0625 to 0.25 inches between the cylinder wall and the flue wall.  
   
   
       33 . The water heater of  claim 33 , wherein the cylinder is selected to provide a space of about 0.0625 to 0.125 inches between the cylinder wall and the flue wall.  
   
   
       34 . The water heater of  claim 1  further comprising a system of flow controlling valves including a temperature controlled flow valve adapted to restrict flow below a set temperature for providing operation as an instantaneous water heater.