Drain Systems and Methods for Heater Assemblies

Abstract

A drain assembly is provided for a heater assembly. The heater assembly has a tankless water heater. The drain assembly includes a stand having a base and a support portion extending from the base. The support portion is configured to be coupled to the tankless water heater. The drain assembly further includes a drain pan provided at the base. The drain pan has an outlet. The drain pan is configured to direct liquid from the tankless water heater to the outlet.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain assembly for a heater assembly, the heater assembly comprising a tankless water heater, the drain assembly comprising:
 a stand comprising a base and a support portion extending from the base, the support portion being configured to be coupled to the tankless water heater; and   a drain pan provided at the base, the drain pan having an outlet,   wherein the drain pan is configured to direct liquid from the tankless water heater to the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The drain assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain pan has a first end, a second disposed opposite the first end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the outlet is disposed at the second end, and wherein the body is inclined at the first end, with respect to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The drain assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the body is inclined at the first end at an angle of between two and fifteen degrees, with respect to the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The drain assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the outlet comprises a conduit extending from the second end away from the first end. 
     
     
         5 . The drain assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the drain pan is removably coupled to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The drain assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the drain pan and the base are a unitary component made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         7 . The drain assembly according to  claim 4 , further comprising a controller and a leak detection sensor electrically connected to the controller, wherein the controller is associated with the tankless water heater, and wherein the leak detection sensor is configured to detect a leak in the tankless water heater. 
     
     
         8 . The drain assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the leak detection sensor is disposed on the tankless water heater. 
     
     
         9 . The drain assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the leak detection sensor is disposed on the drain pan. 
     
     
         10 . The drain assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the conduit is a pipe made of a material selected from the group consisting of a monomer, a polymer, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A heater assembly comprising:
 a tankless water heater; and   a drain assembly comprising:
 a stand comprising a base and a support portion extending from the base, the support portion being coupled to the tankless water heater, and 
 a drain pan provided at the base, the drain pan having an outlet, 
   wherein the drain pan is configured to direct liquid from the tankless water heater to the outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The heater assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the tankless water heater is a first tankless water heater, wherein the drain assembly is a first drain assembly, wherein the heater assembly further comprises a second tankless water heater and a second drain assembly each configured and coupled together the same as the first tankless water heater and the first drain assembly, respectively, wherein the first and second tankless water heaters are positioned adjacent one another, and wherein the first and second drain assemblies are positioned adjacent one another. 
     
     
         13 . The heater assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the drain pan of the first drain assembly and the drain pan of the second drain assembly are a unitary component made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         14 . The heater assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the drain pan has a first end, a second disposed opposite the first end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the outlet is disposed at the second end, wherein the body is inclined at the first end, with respect to the second end, wherein the tankless water heater is a first tankless water heater, wherein the drain assembly is a first drain assembly, wherein the heater assembly further comprises a second tankless water heater and a second drain assembly each configured and coupled together the same as the first tankless water heater and the first drain assembly, respectively, wherein the first and second tankless water heaters are positioned adjacent one another, and wherein the first and second drain assemblies are positioned adjacent one another. 
     
     
         15 . The heater assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the body of the first drain assembly is inclined at the first end of the first drain assembly at an angle of between two and fifteen degrees, with respect to the second end of the first drain assembly, and wherein the body of the second drain assembly is inclined at the first end of the second drain assembly at an angle of between two and fifteen degrees, with respect to the second end of the second drain assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The heater assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the outlet of the first drain assembly comprises a first conduit extending from the second end of the first drain assembly away from the first end of the first drain assembly, wherein the outlet of the second drain assembly comprises a second conduit extending from the second end of the second drain assembly away from the first end of the second drain assembly, and wherein the first and second conduits are disposed parallel to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The heater assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the drain assembly further comprises a controller and a leak detection sensor electrically connected to the controller, wherein the controller is associated with the tankless water heater, and wherein the leak detection sensor is configured to detect a leak in the tankless water heater. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a drain assembly with a tankless water heater, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the tankless water heater;   providing the drain assembly with a stand and a drain pan, the stand comprising a base and a support portion extending from the base;   positioning the tankless water heater on the support portion;   positioning the drain pan at the base of the stand and providing the drain pan with an outlet; and   collecting liquid from the tankless water heater at the outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the drain assembly further comprises a controller and a leak detection sensor electrically connected to the controller, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 associating the controller with the tankless water heater; and   detecting a leak in the tankless water heater with the leak detection sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the drain pan has a first end, a second disposed opposite the first end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the outlet is disposed at the second end, wherein the body is inclined at the first end, with respect to the second end, wherein the body is inclined at the first end at an angle of between two and fifteen degrees, with respect to the second end, and wherein the outlet comprises a conduit extending from the second end away from the first end.