Abstract:
A safety system and method to prevent water within a top portion of a tank of an electric water heater to drop below a safe temperature during a load shedding period, other than a full emergency grid failure, by a power provider whereby to prevent the propagation of harmful bacteria in a top portion the tank. A control device monitors the water temperature in the top portion of the tank by the use of a temperature sensor. If the control device detects a temperature of the water in the top portion of the tank inferior to 140 degrees F., it will by-pass the instructions of the power provider and connect power to one or more of the resistive heating elements of the tank until a predetermined temperature above 140 degrees F. is attained before switching off the resistive heating elements.
Abstract:
A safety system and method to prevent water within a top portion of a tank of an electric water heater to drop below a safe temperature during a load shedding period, other than a full emergency grid failure, by a power provider whereby to prevent the propagation of harmful bacteria in a top portion the tank. A control device monitors the water temperature in the top portion of the tank by the use of a temperature sensor. If the control device detects a temperature of the water in the top portion of the tank inferior to 140 degrees F., it will by-pass the instructions of the power provider and connect power to one or more of the resistive heating elements of the tank until a predetermined temperature above 140 degrees F. is attained before switching off the resistive heating elements.
Abstract:
An electric water heater is described and wherein a bottom resistive heating element extends in at least a portion of the cavitated circumferential area defined inside the tank between the tank side wall and the dome-shaped bottom wall and wherein deposits accumulate to create a culture medium for bacteria growth. The bottom resistive heating element heats water in this cavitated area to a temperature sufficient to sanitize a lower region of said water holding tank and to kill bacteria such as the Legionella bacteria.
Abstract:
A dual energy gas water heater is described and wherein a square flange, curved resistor style resistive heating element, is secured in a bottom portion of the tank of the water heater spaced above a top wall of the combustion chamber. A gas burner is secured in the combustion chamber and connected to a gas supply line through a gas valve. The curved resistive heating element is a low density, long life, element having a density in the range of about 20 to 80 watts/sq. inches. A switch is secured between the thermostat of the resistive heating element and the voltage supply line. A controller selectively operates the switch and the gas valve to disconnect the voltage supply line from the thermostat and/or shut-off the gas valve secured to the gas supply line depending on the desired source of energy. The controller is adapted to be optionally controlled by a utility/provider through a communication link. Renewable energy source may also be secured to an additional resistive heating element to improve the efficiency thereof.
Abstract:
A high efficiency condensing flue gas-fired water heater is provided with a secondary tubular flue mounted inside the water tank and secured thereto by dielectric connectors to electrically isolate the secondary tubular flue from the tank. The secondary tubular flue has an intermediate helical section and opposed connecting end sections which each form a part of the dielectric connectors. The connectors do not require any welding for its installation to the tank and a compression nut and dielectric insulators provide for a leak proof and electrically isolated connection. The method of securing the secondary tubular flue is also described.
Abstract:
A safety system and method to prevent water within a top portion of a tank of an electric water heater to drop below a safe temperature during a load shedding period, other than a full emergency grid failure, by a power provider whereby to prevent the propagation of harmful bacteria in a top portion the tank. A control device monitors the water temperature in the top portion of the tank by the use of a temperature sensor. If the control device detects a temperature of the water in the top portion of the tank inferior to 140 degrees F., it will by-pass the instructions of the power provider and connect power to one or more of the resistive heating elements of the tank until a predetermined temperature above 140 degrees F. is attained before switching off the resistive heating elements.
Abstract:
A high efficiency condensing flue gas-fired water heater is provided with a secondary tubular flue mounted inside the water tank and secured thereto by dielectric connectors to electrically isolate the secondary tubular flue from the tank. The secondary tubular flue has an intermediate helical section and opposed connecting end sections which each form a part of the dielectricconnectors. The connectors do not require any welding for its installation to the tank and a compression nut and dielectric insulators provide for a leak proof and electrically isolated connection. The method of securing the secondary tubular flue is also described.
Abstract:
A pressure clamp adapter for mounting a thermistor on an existing thermostat control support bracket secured to a hot water tank spud is described. It comprises a thermistor bracket having a rear wall with opposed transverse projecting connecting arm formations extending from an outer surface of the rear wall. A cavity is formed from the rear surface of the rear wall to form a housing shaped to receive a thermistor therein. A passage communicates with the cavity. Each of the connecting arm formations is adapted for removable attachment to a pair of upwardly projecting legs of the thermostat control support bracket.
Abstract:
An electric water heater is described and wherein the bottom portion of the water holding tank is provided with various forms of electric heating elements to heat the water in the lowermost region of the tank adjacent the dome-shaped bottom wall to a temperature sufficient to prevent the proliferation of bacteria growth such as the Legionella bacteria in such lowermost region. The insulating foam support base of the water heater also provides a thermal barrier to the heating elements while biasing the heating element on the dome-shaped bottom wall in a region to insure excellent heat transfer to the cavitated zone surrounding the dome-shaped bottom wall where sedimentary deposits occur to create a culture medium for bacteria growth.
Abstract:
An electric water heater having a water holding tank defined by a cylindrical side wall, a top wall and a dome-shaped bottom wall. A cold water inlet is disposed for releasing water under pressure in a lower portion of the tank. Two or more resistive heating elements heat water in an upper and lower region of the tank. The lower portion of the cylindrical side wall and the outer circumferential portion of the dome-shape bottom wall form a circumferential cavitated area inside the tank in which sediments deposit forming a bed in which bacteria can proliferate. A conduit is secured about at least a substantial circumferential portion of an outer surface of the cylindrical side wall adjacent the cavitated area. A resistive heating wire is disposed in the conduit and has connection leads extending out of a free open end of the conduit to an access area to provide connection to power terminals and a control for controlling the supply of power to the resistive heating wire.