US3987761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auxiliary heater for a gas-fired water heater
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-12
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1995-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An auxiliary water heating tank to be employed in combination with a conventional tank water heater which is gas fired and supplies heated flue gases to the ambient, the heated flue gases from the water heater to be supplied either into a flue pipe centrally located within the auxiliary heater tank or into a chamber surrounding the auxiliary heater tank, the first embodiment employing a plurality of heat conducting members extending transversely through said flue pipe with the ends of such extending within the auxiliary heater tank, the heating conducting members arranged in a spiral pattern throughout said flue pipe, the members adapted to conduct heat energy from said flue pipe into water contained within said auxiliary heater tank, the second embodiment employing heat sinks and the principle of thermosyphon to efficiently heat the water, the third embodiment conducting the exhaust gases of the water heater into a chamber totally encompassing the auxiliary heater tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon L. Downs
- 👤 Woodrow W. Mecham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:32
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D21/00; F28D21/0001; F28D21/0003; F28D21/0005; F28D21/0007; F24; F24H; F24H1/00; F24H1/18; F24H1/20; F24H1/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In combination with a water heater tank having a heating means which produces heated gases which pass through a flue into the ambient, said water heater tank having a water inlet and a water outlet, an auxiliary heater comprising: a tank having a top and a bottom and having an interior water chamber, said tank having a tank wall, said wall including opening means provided therein, said opening means connecting with said flue at said bottom and also connecting with an outlet flue pipe at said top, whereby the gases from said flue pass into said opening means at the bottom of said tank and then pass completely around said tank wall and hence into said outlet flue pipe at said top; and means for collecting condensate from said tank wall preventing such from entering said flue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In combination with a water heater tank having a heating means which produces heated gases which pass through a flue into the ambient, said water heater tank having a water inlet and a water outlet, an auxiliary heater comprising: a tank having a top and a bottom and having an interior water chamber, said tank having a tank wall, said wall including opening means provided therein, said opening means connecting with said flue at said bottom and also connecting with an outlet flue pipe at said top, whereby the gases from said flue pass into said opening means at the bottom of said tank and then pass completely around said tank wall and hence into said outlet flue pipe at said top; and means for collecting condensate from said tank wall preventing such from entering said flue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: said opening means comprises a space substantially encompassing said tank, whereby maximum wall area is provided in contact with the flue gases to obtain maximum heat transfer capability.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein: said spacing being substantially of equal width completely about said tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein: said means comprises a condensate collector located at the junction of said tank wall in said flue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein: said condensate collector includes an annular chamber which innerconnects said flue and said opening means, whereby the flue gases are required to pass through said annular chamber prior to entering said opening means, a condensate discharge tube centrally located within said annular chamber, whereby the condensate dripping from tank wall will pass into said discharge tube and hence exteriorly of said annular chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein: said discharge tube includes a funnel shaped cone, the largest diameter of said funnel shaped cone is at least equal to the diameter of said flue, whereby condensate dripping into said discharge tube will be prevented from being conducted into said flue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein: the wall of said condensate collector including an annular collecting chamber, said annular collecting chamber located exteriorly of and slightly below the upper open end of said flue, the wall of said condensate collector in the area of said discharge chamber including a discharge opening which is adapted to carry collected condensate to an exterior condensate disposing location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein: said tank being within the range of thirty to forty percent by volume of said water heater tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |