Patent ID: 6578530
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: F23C,F23L,F23M

Abstract:
An air inlet apparatus for attachment to a previously installed fluid-fueled water heater so as to supply all combustion air from at least a selected minimum height above a floor supporting the water heater, the water heater comprising a housing having a pilot flame access doorway extending therethrough at a height below the selected minimum height, the inlet apparatus comprising:a tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the tube comprising a flange portion adjacent the outlet end, the flange portion comprising a sealing surface having a size and shape selected to allow the flanged portion to seal the pilot flame access doorway of the water heater so that the combustion air can flow through the access doorway only by passing through the tube; the tube having a length selected to allow the inlet end of the tube to extend above the selected height when the sealing surface of the flange portion seals the pilot flame access doorway; and; a fastener for retaining the sealing surface of the flange portion adjacent the doorway.