초록 ▼

A water heater includes a tank for receiving cold water and dispensing heated water. A thermostat is associated with the tank and detects the temperature of water held therein. A gas burner including a hot surface igniter receives fuel to be combusted via a fuel line when a valve on the fuel line is

A water heater includes a tank for receiving cold water and dispensing heated water. A thermostat is associated with the tank and detects the temperature of water held therein. A gas burner including a hot surface igniter receives fuel to be combusted via a fuel line when a valve on the fuel line is opened. A controller is responsive to the thermostat and opens the valve and operates the igniter to ignite the fuel when the temperature of the water held in the tank falls below a first predetermined level. A vent including a flue passes through the tank and allows combustion gases and heat of combustion to be vented from the water heater. The vent includes a blower responsive to the controller which mixes ambient air with combustion gases prior to venting the combustion gases to the atmosphere. The controller initiates the blower when the water temperature falls below the first predetermined level to establish at least a predetermined pressure in the flue before the valve and igniter are operated. When the water temperature rises to a second predetermined level, the controller shuts off the igniter and the valve and maintains the blower in operation for a preset time to exhaust substantially all combustion gases and heat of combustion from the water heater.

대표청구항 ▼

A water heater comprising: a tank adapted to hold water; temperature sensing means associated with said tank for detecting the temperature of water held therein; a burner receiving fuel to be combusted; control means responsive to said temperature sensing means and operating said burner to ignite sa

A water heater comprising: a tank adapted to hold water; temperature sensing means associated with said tank for detecting the temperature of water held therein; a burner receiving fuel to be combusted; control means responsive to said temperature sensing means and operating said burner to ignite said fuel when the temperature of water held in the tank falls below a first predetermined temperature; vent means for discharging combustion gases, said vent means including blowing means responsive to said control means for mixing a cooling medium with said combustion gases at least while said fuel is ignited; pressure sensing means for detecting the pressure in said vent means and being in communication with said control means, said control means further initiating said blowing means when the temperature of water held in said tank falls below said first predetermined temperature to establish at least a predetermined pressure in said vent means as detected by said pressure sensing means prior to operating said burner.