IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0464532
(2006-08-15)
|
등록번호 |
US-7516721
(2009-07-01)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
12 |
초록
▼
A dam assembly to protect a component mounted on a water heater tank wall while insulating foam is injected between the tank and a jacket surrounding the tank, the dam assembly comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions, the web having
A dam assembly to protect a component mounted on a water heater tank wall while insulating foam is injected between the tank and a jacket surrounding the tank, the dam assembly comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions, the web having a strength sufficient to withstand force applied to the inner portion to press the dam assembly into an aperture in the jacket such that the outer portion surrounds the component between the tank and the jacket, and the web breaking under the application of a pre-determined force on the inner portion, allowing the inner portion to be at least partially pushed inside the outer portion to enclose the component within the dam assembly.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A dam assembly to protect a component mounted on a water heater tank wall while insulating foam is injected between the tank and a jacket surrounding the tank, the dam assembly comprising: an outer portion; an inner portion; and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer
What is claimed is: 1. A dam assembly to protect a component mounted on a water heater tank wall while insulating foam is injected between the tank and a jacket surrounding the tank, the dam assembly comprising: an outer portion; an inner portion; and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions, the web having a strength sufficient to withstand force applied to the inner portion to press the dam assembly into an aperture in the jacket such that the outer portion surrounds the component between the tank and the jacket, and the web breaking under the application of a pre-determined force on the inner portion, allowing the inner portion to be at least partially pushed inside the outer portion to enclose the component within the dam assembly. 2. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer portion includes an endless wall that defines a central cavity in which the component is located. 3. The dam assembly of claim 2, wherein the cavity is oval-shaped. 4. The dam assembly of claim 2, wherein the inner portion is shaped to fit within the cavity. 5. The dam assembly of claim 2, wherein the wall is oval shaped. 6. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer portion includes a sealing member that sealingly engages the tank around the component. 7. The dam assembly of claim 6, wherein the sealing member is constructed of open cell polyurethane foam. 8. The dam assembly of claim 6, wherein electrical wires extend between the sealing member and the tank. 9. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer portion is tapered to wedgingly engage the jacket when the outer portion is substantially completely inserted into the aperture in the jacket. 10. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner portion, the outer portion, and the frangible web are constructed of expanded polystyrene. 11. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner portion, the outer portion, and the frangible web are molded as a single piece. 12. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner portion includes an integral handle to facilitate removal of the inner portion from the dam assembly. 13. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner portion forms an interference fit with the outer portion when pushed into the outer portion to improve a sealing engagement between the outer portion and the jacket. 14. The dam assembly of claim 1, wherein the dam assembly is configured to nest with respect to other dam assemblies. 15. A water heater comprising: a tank; means for heating water in the tank; a component mounted on the tank; a jacket substantially surrounding the tank and including an aperture providing access to the component; foam insulation between the tank and the jacket; a dam assembly including an inner portion, and outer portion, and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions; the web having a strength sufficient to withstand force applied to the inner portion to press the dam assembly into the aperture in the jacket such that the outer portion surrounds the component between the tank and the jacket, and the web breaking under the application of a pre-determined force on the inner portion, allowing the inner portion to be at least partially pushed inside the outer portion to enclose the component within the dam assembly. 16. A method of manufacturing a water heater, the method comprising: providing a water heater including: a water tank; means for heating water in the water tank; a component mounted on the tank; and a jacket substantially surrounding the tank and including an aperture providing access to the component; providing a dam assembly including: an inner portion; an outer portion; and a frangible web connecting the inner and outer portions; pressing on the inner portion to push the dam assembly into the aperture such that the outer portion surrounds the component between the tank and the jacket; thereafter pressing the inner portion of the dam assembly with sufficient force to break the web and at least partially push the inner portion into the outer portion to enclose the component within the dam assembly; and injecting foam insulation between the water tank and the jacket and outside the dam assembly. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the outer portion includes an endless wall that defines a central cavity in which the component is located. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cavity is oval-shaped. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the inner portion is shaped to fit within the cavity. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the wall is oval shaped. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the outer portion includes a sealing member that sealingly engages the tank around the component. 22. The method claim 21, wherein the sealing member is constructed of open cell polyurethane foam. 23. The method of claim 16, wherein the outer portion is tapered to wedgingly and sealingly engage the jacket when the outer portion is inserted into the aperture in the jacket. 24. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner portion, the outer portion, and the frangible web are constructed of expanded polystyrene. 25. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner portion, the outer portion, and the frangible web are molded as a single piece. 26. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner portion includes an integral handle to facilitate removal of the inner portion from the dam assembly. 27. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner portion forms an interference fit with the outer portion when pushed into the outer portion to improve a sealing engagement between the outer portion and the jacket. 28. The method of claim 16, wherein the dam assembly is configured to nest with respect to other dam assemblies. 29. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a lid configured to engage a slot in the jacket. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising engaging the lid and the slot such that the lid helps retain the inner portion inside the outer portion. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the outer portion of the dam assembly includes a foam tab configured to form a seal between the lid and the jacket such that the injected foam insulation does not leak from the slot in the jacket. 32. The method of claim 29, further comprising fastening the lid to the jacket with a single fastener.
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