Energy efficient induced air gas water heater

Abstract

An energy efficient induced air gas water heater includes a water tank; a flue associated with the water tank; a burner that combusts a mixture that creates combustion products that pass through the flue; a blower that receives the combustion products from an outlet of the flue; a damper that movably covers and uncovers the flue outlet or an outlet of the blower, the damper being in an open position when the burner and/or the blower are operating and being in a closed position when the burner or the blower are not operating.

1 . An energy efficient induced air gas water heater, the water heater comprising:
 a water tank;   a flue associated with the water tank;   a burner that generates combustion products that pass through the flue;   a blower having a blower outlet that receives the combustion products from an outlet of the flue;   a damper that movably covers and uncovers the flue outlet or the blower outlet, the damper being in a substantially open position when the blower and/or burner are operating and being in a substantially closed position when the blower and/or burner are not operating.   
     
     
         2 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the damper comprises:
 a frame sized and shaped to securely attach to the blower outlet or the flue outlet;   a movable cover secured within the frame to cover the blower outlet or the flue outlet;   a pivot member that connects the movable cover to the frame and that allows for the movable disc to move;   the damper being in an open position when the blower and the burner are operating such that the combustion products exit the water heater, the movable cover moved by airflow and/or flow of the combustion products to uncover the blower outlet or the flue outlet; and   the damper being in a closed position when the blower and the burner are not operating to retain heat within the flue and the water tank, the movable cover covering the blower outlet or the flue outlet.   
     
     
         3 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the movable cover moves to a position to cover the blower outlet or the flue outlet through gravity. 
     
     
         4 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the frame and the movable disc are metal. 
     
     
         5 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the damper is comprised of a heat resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the flue is substantially vertically oriented and passes substantially through the center of the water tank and the blower is positioned above and surrounds the outlet of the flue. 
     
     
         7 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the damper comprises:
 a frame sized and shaped to securely attach to the blower outlet or the final outlet;   a plurality of flaps that are collectively sized and shaped to cover the blower outlet or the flue outlet, each flap attached at an edge portion to the frame;   the damper being in an open position when the blower and the burner are operating such that the combustion products exit the water heater, the plurality of flaps moved upward by airflow and/or flow of the combustion products to uncover the blower outlet or the flue outlet; and   the damper being in a closed position when the blower and the burner are not operating to retain heat within the flue and water tank, the plurality of flaps covering the blower outlet or the flue outlet.   
     
     
         8 . The damper of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of flaps move to a position to cover the blower outlet or the flue outlet through gravity. 
     
     
         9 . The damper of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of flaps are comprised of an elastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The damper of  claim 7 , wherein the damper is comprised of a heat resistant material.