Patent ID: 6276309
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: F24H,Y10T

Abstract:
A safety system for a hot water heater having a gas supply pipe, comprising:a) a water containment means having a removable door and a channel for accommodating said gas supply pipe, said containment means surrounding the lower portion of said hot water heater to thereby provide a containment area;b) a drain plug for draining leaked water from said water containment means;c) a water level detector for detecting leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means;d) an electrical switch electrically connected to said water level detector;e) an electrical solenoid water valve electrically connected to said electrical switch;f) a water pump for pumping leaked water from said containment means, said pump being electrically connected to said electrical switch, andg) an adjustable collar for enclosing said containment means to protect against debris being accidentally dropped into said containment area and to exclude from the enclosed gas flame flammable vapors from external sources, thereby substantially eliminating ignition of said vapors;whereby said water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means and actuates said switch causing said pump to remove said water from said containment means.