Patent ID: 6334411
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: F24H

Abstract:
A combination space heating and potable hot water heater comprising an inner tank, an outer casing spaced about said inner tank, insulation between said inner tank and said outer casing, said inner tank having a glass lined inner surface, heater means for heating a predetermined volume of water within said inner tank, said heater means being a burner secured to said tank and having a burner nozzle extending in a bottom combustion chamber in contact with a bottom wall of said inner tank, a flue pipe extending vertically through said inner tank and communicating with said bottom combustion chamber, said bottom wall and said flue heating said water by heat transfer, an anode within said tank, a closed water circulating circuit connected to said inner tank for circulating said predetermined volume of hot water from said inner tank, heat exchange means connected in said closed water circulating circuit, a pump connected to said closed water circulating circuit for convecting said same volume of hot water from said inner tank through said heat exchange means, said predetermined volume of recirculated water through said heat exchange means providing for minimal deposits to accumulate in said inner tank thereby substantially preventing the build-up of deposits in said heat exchange means and further preventing the formation of harmful bacteria and corrosion in said tank thereby achieving a high constant efficiency and a substantial increase in the life expectancy of the hot water heater, at least one heat exchange coil disposed in said inner tank and immersed in said water contained therein, said heat exchange coil being connected at one end to an outlet coupling to which a domestic hot water line is connected, an inlet coupling to which an opposed end of said heat exchange coil is connected, said inlet coupling being connected to a pressurized water supply, said heat exchange coil being heated by said predetermined volume of water to heat domestic water in a conduit circuit independent of said closed water circulating circuit whereby said domestic water is prevented from contamination by said water in said tank which may contain bacteria formed in said heat exchange means when said pump is inoperative, said heat exchange coil being wound along a major portion of said flue pipe, a tubular sleeve formed about at least a major portion of said heat exchange coil and spaced from said flue pipe to define an annular jacket about said flue pipe to retain heat and providing for an upward connection of hot water from said bottom wall and about said heat exchange coil.