Patent ID: 6553947
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: F24H,F28D,Y10T

Abstract:
In a storage type water heater for operation in a water system having a positive pressure and comprising a water tank having a wall, a top and a bottom defining a water tank interior for storing a volume of water, a hot water outlet connected near the water tank top for passage of water withdrawn from the water tank, a cold water inlet connected to the water tank top for passage of water into the water tank, and a dip tube having a first open end in communication with the cold water inlet and a second open end terminating above the water tank bottom, wherein, upon withdrawal of water from the water tank through the hot water outlet, a stream of water flows through the cold water inlet into the dip tube first open end and out the dip tube open second end into a lower portion of the water tank for maintaining the volume of water in the water tank; the improvement comprising:a first eductor mixer connected in the dip tube between the dip tube first open end and the dip tube second open end and in communication with the water tank interior for mixing a portion of the volume of water from the water tank with the stream of water flowing through the dip tube; and a baffle horizontally disposed within the water tank interior between the water tank top and the water tank bottom for dividing the volume of water into a portion below the baffle and a portion above the baffle and for limiting formation of water streamers and convection currents within the volume of water and allowing upward passage of water from the portion of water below the baffle into the portion of water volume above the baffle.