Electric water heater

Abstract

A water heater, comprising a storage tank defining opposed storage tank lower and upper ends, the storage tank being provided with a storage tank outlet for releasing water contained thereinto; a heating tank provided inside the storage tank and provided with a heating element thereinto, the heating tank defining opposed heating tank lower and upper ends, the heating tank being also provided with a heating tank outlet for releasing the water contained thereinto to the storage tank; an inlet for providing the water to the water heater; and a fluid throughway distinct from the heating tank outlet allowing flow of the water between the heating and storage tanks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water heater, comprising:
 a storage tank defining opposed storage tank lower and upper ends, the storage tank being provided with a storage tank outlet for releasing water contained thereinto;   a heating tank provided inside the storage tank and provided with a heating element thereinto, the heating tank defining opposed heating tank lower and upper ends, the heating tank being also provided with a heating tank outlet for releasing the water contained thereinto to the storage tank;   an inlet for providing the water to the water heater; and   a fluid throughway distinct from the heating tank outlet allowing flow of the water between the heating and storage tanks.   
     
     
         2 . The water heater as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat for receiving electrical power to power the heating element, the thermostat including a temperature sensor for sensing a stored water temperature of the water outside the heating tank, the thermostat being operable for transmitting the electrical power to the heating element when the stored water temperature falls below a predetermined stored water temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The water heater as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a valve at the heating tank outlet, the valve only allowing the water to flow from the heating tank to the storage tank when the water in the heating tank adjacent the valve is at or above a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The water heater as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the inlet is configured to deliver the water in the storage tank adjacent the storage tank lower end and the storage tank outlet is adjacent the storage tank upper end. 
     
     
         5 . The water heater as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the heating tank lower end is spaced apart from the storage tank lower end. 
     
     
         6 . The water heater as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the inlet is configured to deliver the water to the heating tank adjacent the heating tank lower end and the heating tank outlet is adjacent the heating thank upper end. 
     
     
         7 . The water heater as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the heating tank upper end is at the storage tank upper end. 
     
     
         8 . The water heater as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the heating element is provided adjacent the heating tank upper end. 
     
     
         9 . The water heater as defined in  claim 8 , wherein a partition wall delimiting upper and lower compartments extends across the heating tank between the heating tank upper and lower ends, the partition wall including a passageway extending therethrough allowing the water to move between the upper and lower compartments. 
     
     
         10 . The water heater as defined in  claim 9 , wherein a pump is operatively coupled to the passageway for selectively pumping the water from the lower compartment to the upper compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The water heater as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the pump is powered when the heating element is powered. 
     
     
         12 . The water heater as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the pump is powered only when the heating element is powered. 
     
     
         13 . The water heater as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the heating tank outlet is provided with a diffusing head for angularly spreading the water dispensed through the heating tank outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The water heater as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a heat exchanger positioned in the heating tank adjacent the heating tank inlet, the heat exchanger being connectable to an external supply for circulating external water therethrough and exchange heat between the external water and the water contained in the heating tank. 
     
     
         15 . The water heater as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising
 a secondary tank outside of the storage tank;   first and second pipes each extending between the storage and secondary tanks for allowing circulation of the water from the storage tank, through the secondary tank, and back to at least one of the storage and heating tanks.   
     
     
         16 . The water heater as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the fluid throughway includes an opening formed in the heating tank. 
     
     
         17 . The water heater as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the opening is provided at the heating tank lower end. 
     
     
         18 . The water heater as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising a valve for controlling flow of the water through the opening, the valve being open only when the water contained in the storage tank adjacent thereto is below a predetermined predetermined temperature.