초록 ▼

The invention concerns devices for water storage, heating and delivery. A storage water heater of the invention provides an amount of unmixed recently heated water from an internal small volume during a draw along with water from a main volume. When water is drawn from the storage water heater, an a

The invention concerns devices for water storage, heating and delivery. A storage water heater of the invention provides an amount of unmixed recently heated water from an internal small volume during a draw along with water from a main volume. When water is drawn from the storage water heater, an amount of recently heated water substantially unmixed with the remaining volume of the tank is drawn along with heated water from the remaining volume. Substantial performance increases in the hot water that may be delivered over a period, such as an hour, may be achieved compared to an otherwise identical storage water heater that lacks the invention.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A storage water heater comprising: a main storage volume; an insulated tank enclosing said main storage volume; a water inlet; a water outlet; a first energy source for supplying heat into said main storage volume; a structure to create a small volume internal to said main st

What is claimed is: 1. A storage water heater comprising: a main storage volume; an insulated tank enclosing said main storage volume; a water inlet; a water outlet; a first energy source for supplying heat into said main storage volume; a structure to create a small volume internal to said main storage volume and in fluid communication with said main storage volume; and a second energy source for supplying heat into said small volume and controlled to be active during a draw of water through said water outlet. 2. The storage water heater of claim 1, further comprising a restrictor to restrict flow out from said small volume. 3. The storage water heater of claim 1, wherein said first and second energy sources comprise electrical resistance heating elements. 4. A storage water heater comprising: a main storage volume; an insulated tank enclosing said main storage volume; a water inlet; a water outlet; a first energy source for supplying heat into said main storage volume; a structure to create a small volume internal to said main storage volume and in fluid communication with said main storage volume, and a second energy source for supplying heat into said small volume and controlled to be active during a draw of water through said water outlet, wherein said structure comprises a thermosyphon tube. 5. The storage water heater of claim 3 wherein said thermosyphon tube is arranged to deliver substantially unmixed water to said outlet during a draw while said outlet also draws water from said main storage volume. 6. A storage water heater comprising: a main storage volume; an insulated tank enclosing said main storage volume; a water inlet; a water outlet a first energy source for supplying heat into said main storage volume; a structure to create a small volume internal to said main storage volume and in fluid communication with said main storage volume; and a second energy source for supplying heat into said small volume and controlled to be active during a draw of water through said water outlet, further comprising a plurality of thermostats, wherein said thermostats control one or both of said first and second electrical heating elements to be active or both to be inactive depending upon the temperature sensed at said plurality of thermostats. 7. A method for heating water in an insulated storage water heater, the method comprising steps of: creating a main volume of water; creating a small volume within the main volume, the small volume being in fluid communication to accept water from the main volume and deliver, proximate an outlet, water to said outlet; supplying heat within the small volume when water is being drawn from the insulated storage water heater; and supplying heat within the main volume to establish and maintain the temperature of water within the main volume. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of restricting flow from said small volume.