Patent ID: 6036480
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: F23D,F24H

Abstract:
A water heater comprising:a holding tank defining a water chamber;a heat exchange conduit extending through the water chamber and having therein a combustion chamber, the combustion chamber being at least partially disposed within the water chamber;an inner wall at least partially defining an inner space, the inner space being in fluid communication with the combustion chamber;an outer space at least partially surrounding the inner wall, the outer space being in fluid communication with the combustion chamber;one of the inner space and the outer space being communicable with a source of air and the other of the inner space and the outer space being communicable with a source of gas so that a flow of gas mixes with a flow of air in the combustion chamber to create a combustible mixture;a deflector plate positioned between the inner space and the combustion chamber and between the outer space and the combustion chamber, the deflector plate including a first series of apertures communicating with the inner space, and a second series of apertures communicating with the outer space, a first series of louvers each positioned adjacent a respective one of the first series of apertures, the first series of louvers being adapted to direct one of the flow of air and the flow of gas in a first direction, and a second series of louvers each positioned adjacent a respective one of the second series of apertures, the second series of louvers being adapted to direct the other of the flow of air and the flow of gas in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to cause the combustible mixture to be a substantially uniform mixture of air and gas prior to ignition of the combustible mixture; andan ignition assembly partially disposed within the combustion chamber, and adapted to ignite the combustible mixture.