Apparatus and method for introducing and drawing water in a water heater

Abstract

A water heater having a water storage tank an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit is provided. The inlet conduit has a top end portion coupled to an inlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of the water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The top end portion of the inlet conduit defines at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow from the passage of the inlet conduit into the water storage tank. The outlet conduit defines a top end portion coupled to an outlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of the water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from the bottom end portion to the top end portion. The top end portion of the outlet conduit defines at least one inlet opening configured to draw water from the water storage tank and into the passage in the top end portion of the outlet conduit. The bottom end portion of the outlet conduit defines an inlet opening configured to draw water from the water storage tank and into the passage in the bottom end portion of the outlet conduit.

1 . A water heater comprising: 
 a water storage tank;    an inlet conduit having a top end portion coupled to an inlet of said water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of said water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from said top end portion to said bottom end portion, said top end portion of said inlet conduit defining at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow from said passage of said inlet conduit into said water storage tank; and    an outlet conduit having a top end portion coupled to an outlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of the water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from said bottom end portion to said top end portion, said top end portion of said outlet conduit defining at least one inlet opening configured to draw water from said water storage tank and into said passage in said top end portion of said outlet conduit, and said bottom end portion of said outlet conduit defining an inlet opening configured to draw water from said water storage tank and into said passage in said bottom end portion of said outlet conduit.    
   
   
       2 . The water heater of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of outlet openings defined in said top end portion of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       3 . The water heater of  claim 2 , said outlet openings being arranged in a common radial plane.  
   
   
       4 . The water heater of  claim 3  wherein said outlet openings are arranged in a plurality of common radial planes.  
   
   
       5 . The water heater of  claim 1 , said inlet conduit additionally defining at least one inlet opening configured to draw water from said water storage tank into said passage in said top end portion of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       6 . The water heater of  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of inlet openings defined in said top end portion of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       7 . The water heater of  claim 6  wherein said inlet openings are arranged in a common radial plane.  
   
   
       8 . The water heater of  claim 7 , said inlet openings being arranged in a plurality of common radial planes.  
   
   
       9 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said outlet opening is in the form of a notch formed in said conduit extending into said passage of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       10 . A method for reducing the stratification of water within a water heater, said method comprising the steps of: 
 diverting a portion of inlet water flow from a top end portion of an inlet conduit and into a top interior segment of the water heater;    delivering water from a bottom end portion of the inlet conduit and into the water heater;    drawing water from the water heater and into a bottom end portion of an outlet conduit; and    drawing water from the top interior segment of the water heater and into the top end portion of the outlet conduit.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of drawing water from the top interior segment of a water heater and into said top end portion of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of drawing water from a bottom interior segment of a water heater and into said bottom end portion of said inlet conduit.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of diverting a portion of the water flow from the passage of the inlet conduit and into a bottom interior segment of the water heater through an outlet opening spaced from the bottom end portion of the inlet conduit.  
   
   
       14 . An electric water heater comprising: 
 a water storage tank;    at least two heating elements extending into an interior of said water storage tank, wherein a top heating element is positioned above a bottom heating element; and    an outlet conduit having a top end mounted to said water storage tank and a bottom end extending into said interior of said water storage tank, said bottom end of said outlet conduit extending to a predetermined elevation with respect to that of said heating elements.    
   
   
       15 . The electric water heater of  claim 14 , wherein said bottom end of said outlet conduit extends to an elevation corresponding to a volume of at least 11 gallons of water above the elevation of said bottom heating element.  
   
   
       16 . The electric water heater of  claim 14 , said bottom end of said outlet conduit extending to an elevation below that of said bottom heating element.  
   
   
       17 . The electric water heater of  claim 14  wherein said outlet conduit provides an inlet opening proximal said top end for drawing water into said outlet conduit from the water storage tank.  
   
   
       18 . An outlet configured for use in a water storage tank of a water heater, said outlet comprising: 
 an outlet conduit having a top end portion configured to be coupled to an outlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion configured to extend into an interior of the water storage tank, a passage for water flow from said bottom end portion to said top end portion, and an inlet opening at a bottom end of said outlet conduit; and    means located at said top end portion of said outlet conduit for drawing water into said passage from the water storage tank.    
   
   
       19 . The outlet of  claim 18 , said water drawing means comprising at least one inlet opening configured to draw water into said passage in said top end portion of said outlet conduit.  
   
   
       20 . A method for withdrawing water from a water heater comprising the steps of: 
 drawing water into a passage of an outlet conduit from the water heater through an inlet opening defined in a bottom end portion of the outlet conduit;    drawing water into the passage of the outlet conduit from the water heater through at least one inlet opening defined in a top end portion of the outlet conduit; and    withdrawing water from the water heater through the passage of the outlet conduit.