Water heater having temperature control system with thermostatically controlled mixing device

Abstract

A kit, device and method for improving the hot water supply performance of a water heater are provided. The device comprises a fitting, a conduit, and a mixing device. The fitting includes an inlet port configured for coupling with a cold water supply line, an outlet port configured for releasably coupling with a cold water inlet port of the water heater, and a bypass port configured for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line. The conduit includes an inlet port configured for coupling with the bypass port of the fitting and an outlet port. The mixing device includes a mixing port for coupling with the outlet port of the conduit, an inlet port for releasably coupling with a hot water outlet port of a water heater, and an outlet port for coupling with a hot water supply line.

1 . A kit for improving hot water supply performance of a water heater, said kit being configured to be releasably connected to a cold water inlet port of the water heater, a hot water outlet port of the water heater, a hot water supply line, and a cold water supply line, said kit comprising:
 a fitting including an inlet port configured for coupling with the cold water supply line, an outlet port configured for releasable coupling with the cold water inlet port of the water heater to deliver cold water into the water heater, and a bypass port configured for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line;   a conduit including an inlet port configured for coupling with the bypass port of the fitting, an outlet port, and a fluid flow passageway defined between the inlet port and the outlet port; and   a mixing device including a mixing port for coupling with the outlet port of the conduit, an inlet port for releasable coupling with the hot water outlet port of the water heater, and an outlet port for coupling with the hot water supply line, wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the cold water and the hot water together for delivery of the mixed water into the hot water supply line.   
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device includes a thermostatic mixing valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the mixing port of the mixing device. 
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 2 , further comprising a knob coupled to the thermostatic mixing valve for biasing the thermostatic mixing valve. 
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 3 , further comprising a locking device coupled to the mixing device for retaining the knob in a locked position. 
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port of the conduit and the outlet port of the conduit each includes a flared fitting. 
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the bypass port of the fitting and the mixing port of the mixing device each includes a surface positioned for mating with one of the flared fittings of the conduit. 
   
   
       7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the conduit is flexible for bending. 
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible portion of the conduit includes corrugations positioned along a length dimension of the conduit. 
   
   
       9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing port of the mixing device and the outlet port of the conduit each includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling. 
   
   
       10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port of the conduit and the bypass port of the fitting each includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling. 
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port of the fitting includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling to the cold water supply line. 
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical threads of the inlet port of the fitting are male National Pipe Threads (NPT). 
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port of the fitting includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling to the cold water inlet port of the water heater. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical threads of the outlet port of the fitting are female National Pipe Threads (NPT). 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port of the mixing device includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling to the hot water supply line. 
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical threads of the outlet port of the mixing device are male National Pipe Threads (NPT). 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port of the mixing device includes mechanical threads for releasable threaded coupling to the hot water outlet port of the water heater. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanical threads of the inlet port of the mixing device are female National Pipe Threads (NPT). 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is formed from stainless steel. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising a package for shipment of the fitting, the conduit, and the mixing device. 
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting is a “T” shaped conduit having one inlet end and two outlet ends. 
   
   
       22 . A water heater assembly comprising:
 a water storage tank for containing water;   an inlet port positioned on the water storage tank for receiving cold water delivered from a cold water supply line;   an outlet port positioned on the water storage tank for distributing hot water from the water storage tank toward a hot water supply line; and   a water tempering device releasably coupled to both the inlet port and to the outlet port for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line to the hot water supply line, wherein the water tempering device is configured to selectively mix the cold water with the hot water for delivery of the mixed water into the hot water supply line.   
   
   
       23 . The water heater assembly of  claim 22 , the water tempering device further comprising a fitting including an inlet port for coupling with a cold water supply line, an outlet port for releasably coupling with the inlet port of the water storage tank to deliver cold water into the water storage tank, and a bypass port for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line. 
   
   
       24 . The water heater assembly of  claim 23 , the water tempering device further comprising a conduit including an inlet port for coupling with the bypass port of the fitting, an outlet port, and a fluid flow passageway defined between the inlet port and the outlet port. 
   
   
       25 . The water heater assembly of  claim 24 , the water tempering device further comprising a mixing device including a mixing port for coupling with the outlet port of the conduit, an inlet port for releasably coupling with an outlet port of the water storage tank, and an outlet port for coupling with a hot water supply line. 
   
   
       26 . The water heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the mixing device includes a thermostatic mixing valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the mixing port of the mixing device. 
   
   
       27 . The water heater assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the water storage tank inlet and outlet ports are positioned on a top surface of the water storage tank. 
   
   
       28 . A method of improving hot water supply performance of a water heater having a water storage tank, a cold water inlet port for receiving cold water from a cold water supply line, and a hot water outlet port for delivering hot water to a hot water supply line, said method comprising the steps of:
 coupling an outlet port of a water tempering device to the cold water inlet port of the water heater for delivering cold water from the cold water supply line into the water storage tank,   coupling an inlet port of the water tempering device to the hot water outlet port of the water heater for receiving hot water from the water storage tank to the hot water supply line,   positioning a conduit of the water tempering device between the inlet port and the outlet port of the water tempering device for diverting a portion of the cold water delivered from the cold water supply line into the conduit,   wherein the water tempering device is configured to selectively mix the diverted cold water with the hot water received from the water storage tank, and deliver the mixed water into the hot water supply line.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of coupling the outlet port of the water tempering device further comprises threadedly coupling the outlet port of the water tempering device of the fitting to the cold water inlet port of the water heater. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of coupling the inlet port of the water tempering device further comprises threadedly coupling the inlet port of the water tempering device to the hot water outlet port of the water heater. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of coupling an outlet port to the cold water inlet port of the water heater comprises coupling to a cold water inlet port extending upwardly from a top of the water heater. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of coupling an inlet port to the hot water outlet port of the water heater comprises coupling to a hot water outlet port extending upwardly from a top of the water heater.