Patent Publication Number: US-11662266-B2

Title: Water heater with an integrated leak detection system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to water heaters, and more particularly to a water heater with an integrated leak detection system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A water heater may be subject to deterioration over the course of its life. Such deterioration may compromise the integrity of the water heater and may cause water that is stored in a storage tank of the water heater to leak. For example, the water may leak from the storage tank and eventually pool at the base of the water heater. If left undetected and unattended, such leaks may result in damage to furniture, electrical equipment, the water heater itself, and/or other property which may result in costly repairs. Further, these leaks can create a hazardous working environment for persons near the leak. 
     Existing water heaters may include a leak detection system that is configured to detect a leak condition, i.e., a water leak from the water heater. However, the leak detection system is typically provided as a separate accessory that a user installs on site. If the user fails to install the leak detection system or installs the leak detection system incorrectly, the leak sensing functionality of the water heater is negated. Further, in existing water heaters leak detection systems may be routed externally which makes the leak detection system vulnerable to being tampered with or to being inadvertently disabled and thereby negating the leak sensing functionality of the water heater. Furthermore, in existing water heaters, the leak detection systems are not easily replaceable. 
     This background information is provided to reveal information believed to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a water heater. The water heater includes a tank assembly. The tank assembly includes an inner storage tank, and an outer jacket that is disposed peripherally around the inner storage tank. The outer jacked is disposed such that an insulation cavity is defined between the inner storage tank and the outer jacket. Further, the water heater includes a bottom pan disposed below the tank assembly such that the bottom pan serves as a base of the water heater. Furthermore, the water heater includes a bottom pad that is disposed between the tank assembly and the bottom pan. The bottom pad creates a seal that prevents leaking of an insulation material from the insulation cavity to the bottom pan. The bottom pad comprises an aperture that is configured to internally route a leak sensor assembly of the water heater from the bottom pan, through the insulation cavity, and to a controller of the water heater. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a water heater. The water heater includes a tank assembly. The tank assembly includes an inner storage tank, and an outer jacket that is disposed peripherally around the inner storage tank such that an insulation cavity is defined between the inner storage tank and the outer jacket. Further, the water heater includes a bottom end assembly that defines a base of the water heater. The bottom end assembly includes a bottom pan disposed below the tank assembly, and a bottom pad that is disposed between the tank assembly and the bottom pan. The bottom pad creates a seal that prevents leaking of an insulation material from the insulation cavity to the bottom pan and comprises an aperture that is configured to internally route a leak sensor assembly of the water heater from the bottom pan to a controller of the water heater through the insulation cavity of the water heater. Furthermore, the water heater includes a mounting bracket that is coupled to the inner storage tank and configured to securely hold and route a portion of the leak sensor assembly that is disposed in the insulation cavity towards the controller of the water heater. 
     These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments, will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present disclosure are best understood with reference to the following description of certain example embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of an example integrated leak detection system that is disposed in a bottom end assembly of a water heater, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example integrated leak detection system disposed in the bottom end assembly with the bottom pan having been removed therefrom to illustrate a bottom surface of a bottom pad of the bottom end assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded view of the example integrated leak detection system disposed in the bottom end assembly with the bottom pan having been removed therefrom, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-section view of the example integrated leak detection system disposed in the bottom end assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates the example water heater comprising a mounting bracket disposed therein along with the leak detection system and bottom end assembly of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an enlarged view of a bottom portion of the water heater with the outer jacket being removed therefrom to illustrate the mounting bracket, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates the mounting bracket that is coupled to the inner storage tank of the example water heater, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the mounting bracket of  FIG.  7    without the protective cover coupled to the mounting bracket, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a bottom portion of the inner storage tank of the water heater with the mounting bracket having been removed therefrom to illustrate the thermistor and the element bracket to which the mounting bracket is coupled, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrate different perspective views of the mounting bracket, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a cross section view of the example water heater, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis is instead placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes a water heater with an integrated leak detection system. In certain example embodiments, the integrated leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is internally routed from a bottom pan of the water heater to a controller of the water heater through an insulation cavity of the water heater. In said example embodiment, the internal routing minimizes inadvertent disablement or tampering of the leak detection system, thereby improving safety of the water heater. Further, in said example embodiment, the leak sensor assembly is integrated with the water heater. Such an integration ensures that the leak detection system is installed when the water heater leaves the manufacturing facility and remains connected to the water heater by default which minimizes the possibility that a user would fail to install the leak sensor on-site. In certain example embodiments, the water heater also includes a mounting bracket that is configured to support and route the leak sensor assembly to the controller in the insulation cavity, provide a place to couple a protective cover for the terminals of the heating element thereto, and hold a thermistor against an inner storage tank of the water heater. In said example embodiments, the mounting bracket enables easy assembly of the water heater and also aids to minimize the number of components in the water heater, thereby making the water heater cost efficient. Furthermore, the leak sensor assembly is configured to allow easy replacement of the leak sensor when needed. 
     In one example, the integrated leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly. One end of the leak sensor assembly is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater and an opposite end of the leak sensor assembly is coupled to a controller of the water heater. The end of the leak sensor assembly that is disposed in the bottom pan extends along a perimeter of the bottom pan to create a circumferential area of leak detection around the water heater. The controller is configured to control an operation of the water heater based on input received from the leak sensor assembly. The leak sensor assembly is routed from the bottom pan to the controller through an insulation cavity formed between an inner storage tank and an outer jacket of a tank assembly of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly is routed internally via a bottom end assembly that includes a bottom pad and gaskets that are disposed between the bottom pan and a bottom end of the tank assembly. The bottom pad is configured to prevent insulation foam (liquid) from leaking from the insulation cavity to the bottom pan, while allowing the leak sensor assembly to be routed therethrough to the insulation cavity. The water heater also includes a mounting bracket that is coupled to the inner storage tank and disposed in the insulation cavity. The mounting bracket has features to support and manage the routing of the leak sensor assembly to the controller through the insulation cavity. The mounting bracket also has features to support the mounting of a protective cover that extends over the terminals of a heating element of the water heater. The mounting bracket additionally includes features to securely retain a thermistor in contact with or against the inner storage tank of the water heater. 
     Example embodiments of the water heater with the integrated leak detection system will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that describe representative embodiments of the present technology. If a component of a figure is described but not expressly shown or labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding component in another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for a corresponding component in another figure. Further, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in a figure herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean, unless expressly stated, that such embodiment is not capable of having such feature or component. For example, for purposes of present or future claims herein, a feature or component that is described as not being included in an example embodiment shown in one or more particular drawings is capable of being included in one or more claims that correspond to such one or more particular drawings herein. 
     The technology of the water heater with the integrated leak detection system may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technology to those appropriately skilled in the art. Further, example embodiments of the present disclosure can be used for any size (e.g., capacity) of water heater. Furthermore, example embodiments of the present disclosure can be located in any type of environment (e.g., warehouse, attic, garage, storage, mechanical room, basement) for any type (e.g., commercial, residential, industrial) of user. Water heaters used with example embodiments can include both electric and/or fuel fired water heaters that can be used for one or more of any number of processes (e.g., automatic clothes washers, automatic dishwashers, showers, sink faucets, heating systems, humidifiers). 
     Water heaters (or components thereof, including controllers) described herein can be made of one or more of a number of suitable materials to allow that device and/or other associated components of a system to meet certain standards and/or regulations while also maintaining durability in light of the one or more conditions under which the devices and/or other associated components of the system can be exposed. Examples of such materials can include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, fiberglass, glass, plastic, PVC, ceramic, and rubber. 
     Further, components of the water heater and/or the integrated leak detection system (or portions thereof) described herein can be made from a single piece (as from a mold, injection mold, die cast, or extrusion process). In addition, or in the alternative, components of the water heater and/or the integrated leak detection system (or portions thereof) can be made from multiple pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other. In such a case, the multiple pieces can be mechanically coupled to each other using one or more of a number of coupling methods, including but not limited to epoxy, welding, soldering, fastening devices, compression fittings, mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or more pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other can be coupled to each other in one or more of a number of ways, including but not limited to fixedly, hingedly, removeably, slidably, and threadably. 
     Terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, and “within” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation and are not meant to limit embodiments of water heaters with integrated leak detection systems. In the following detailed description of the example embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the integrated leak detection systems of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. 
     Turning now to the figures, example embodiments of a water heater with the integrated leak detection system will be described in association with  FIGS.  1 - 12   .  FIGS.  1 - 5    illustrate an example integrated leak detection system that is internally routed from the bottom pan to the controller through the insulation cavity via a bottom end assembly of the water heater; and  FIGS.  6 - 11    illustrate the mounting bracket of the water heater that supports and routes a leak sensor assembly of the leak detection system within the insulation cavity. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 12   , a water heater  500  (illustrated in  FIG.  5   ) may include a tank assembly  501  and a bottom end assembly  160  (illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  5   ) that is disposed below the tank assembly  501 . The bottom end assembly  160  may form a base of the water heater  500 . The tank assembly  501  may include an inner storage tank  601  (illustrated in  FIG.  6   ) that is configured to store water that is to be heated by the water heater  500 . The tank assembly  501  may further include an outer jacket  503  that peripherally surrounds the inner storage tank  601  such that an annular insulation cavity  1201  is formed between the inner storage tank  601  and the outer jacket  503 . The outer jacket  503  may be larger in diameter than the inner storage tank  601 . The insulation cavity  1201  may extend from a top end  1202  (illustrated in  FIG.  12   ) to a bottom end  1203  of the inner storage tank  601 . In certain example embodiments, the inner storage tank  601  and the outer jacket  503  may be substantially cylindrical in shape. However, in other example embodiments, the inner storage tank  601 , and the outer jacket  503 , and the insulation cavity  1201  formed between the outer jacket  503  and the inner storage tank  601  may have any other appropriate shape without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     The bottom end assembly  160  may include a bottom pan  101  (illustrated in  FIG.  1    and a bottom pad  102  that is disposed in the bottom pan  101 . Further, the bottom end assembly  160  may include a first gasket  302  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   ) and second gasket  202  (illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ) that are disposed between (e.g., sandwiched between) the bottom pad  102  and the bottom pan  101 . In particular, the bottom pad  102 , the first gasket  302 , and the second gasket  202  may be disposed between a bottom end  1204  (illustrated in  FIG.  12   ) of the tank assembly  501  and the bottom pan  101 . 
     In certain example embodiments, the bottom pad  102  may be configured to support the inner storage tank  601 . As such, in said example embodiments, the bottom pad  102  may include a tank retaining slot  103  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . The tank retaining slot  103  is configured to receive and seat a periphery of a bottom end of the inner storage tank  601  therein. The tank retaining slot  103  may be configured to centrally align the inner storage tank  601  within the bottom end assembly  160 . Further, in said example embodiments, the bottom pad  102  may include plastic inserts  203  (illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) disposed below the tank retaining slot  103 . The plastic inserts  203  are spaced 120° apart from each other and are configured to support, balance, and securely retain the inner storage tank thereon. In some example embodiments, the inserts may be formed using any other appropriate material. Further, in some example embodiments, fewer or more inserts may be used without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     In certain example embodiments, the bottom pad  102  may also support the outer jacket  503  of the tank assembly  501  such that the bottom pad  102  creates a seal  401  (illustrated in  FIG.  4   ) between the bottom pan  101  and the insulation cavity  1201 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the seal  401  may be created between a sidewall  104  of the bottom pan  101  and an outer edge  301  of the bottom pad  102 . The seal  401  may be configured to prevent leak of an insulation material from the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501  to the bottom pan  101 , e.g., when insulation material (liquid) is injected in between the inner storage tank  601  and the outer jacket  503  to rise and fill the insulation cavity  1201 . 
     In certain example embodiments, in addition to creating a seal  401  that prevents the insulation material from leaking from the insulation cavity  1201  to the bottom pan  101 , the bottom pad  102  may define a portion of a routing path  350  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   ) that allows a leak sensor assembly  151  of the leak detection system  150  to be routed from the bottom pan  101  to a controller  505  (illustrated in  FIG.  5   ) of the water heater  500  through the insulation cavity  1201 . The portion of the routing path  350  that is defined by the bottom pad  102  may include a first routing aperture  105  that is formed in the bottom pad  102 . A remainder of the routing path  350  may be defined by a second routing aperture  355  that is formed in a first gasket  302 , and a second gasket  202 . The routing path  350  may be configured to allow at least a portion of the leak sensor assembly  151  to pass therethrough from the bottom pan  101  to the insulation cavity  1201 , while preventing insulation material in the insulation cavity  1201  from leaking into the bottom pan  101  through the routing path  350 . In other words, the routing path  350  allows the leak sensor assembly  151  to be internally routed from the bottom pan  101  to the controller  505  through the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501 , while creating a seal that does not allow insulation material (liquid form) to pass from the insulation cavity  1201  to the bottom pan  101 . 
     The first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102  may be formed in a recessed portion  303  of the bottom pad  102 . The recessed portion  303  and the first routing aperture  105  may be positioned within the bottom pad  102  such that when the water heater  500  is assembled (e.g., tank assembly  501  disposed on the bottom end assembly  160 ), the first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102  is aligned with the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501 . In some example embodiments, the first gasket  302  may be configured to fit within the recessed portion  303  of the bottom pad  102 . In said example embodiments, the shape of the first gasket  302  may substantially match the shape of the recessed portion  303  of the bottom pad  102 . The first gasket  302  may be disposed in the recessed portion  303  of the bottom pad  102  such that the second routing aperture  355  of the first gasket  302  may be axially aligned with the first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102 . The second routing aperture  355  may be smaller than the first routing aperture  105  to prevent the leak of insulation material from the insulation cavity  1201  to the bottom pan  101  through the routing path  350 . 
     Additionally, a second gasket  202  may be disposed below the first gasket  302 . That is, the first gasket  302  may be attached to the bottom pad  102  and the second gasket  202  may be attached to the bottom pan  102 . The shape of the second gasket  202  may or may not be similar to that of the first gasket  302 . The second gasket  202  may be configured to further prevent the leak of insulation material from the insulation cavity  1201  to the bottom pan  101  through the routing path  350 . 
     In certain example embodiments, the routing path  350  extends in between the first and second gaskets ( 202 ,  302 ), through the second routing aperture  355  of the first gasket  302 , and through the first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102  as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . That is, as best seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a leak sensor assembly  151  from the bottom pan  101  may be routed through the routing path  350  in between the first and second gaskets ( 202 ,  302 ), through the second routing aperture  355  of the first gasket  302 , and through the first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102  to the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501 . 
     In addition to the tank assembly  501  and the bottom end assembly  160 , the water heater  500  may include the leak detection system  150 . The leak detection system  150  may be configured to detect water (or any appropriate liquid) that leaks from the water heater  500 . For example, the leak detection system  150  may be configured to detect water that leaks from the inner storage tank  601 , the couplings or valve joints of the outer jacket  503 , etc. As briefly described above, the leak detection system  150  may include a leak sensor assembly  151 . In certain example embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the leak sensor assembly  151  may include a leak sensor  152 , a sensor guiding tube  153 , and a transport element  154 . 
     In certain example embodiments, the transport element  154  may be formed using a material that can transport water or any appropriate liquid from a source point, i.e., point at which the water engages the transport element  154 , to a destination point, e.g., point where the leak sensor  152  is coupled to the transport element  154 . In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the transport element  154  may include a tube that is formed using a wicking material that can transport the water that leaks from the water heater  500  towards the leak sensor  152 . As such, hereinafter, the transport element  154  may be referred to as a wicking tube. 
     The leak sensor assembly  151  may be arranged such that one end of the sensor guiding tube  153  extends into the wicking tube  154  and the other end of the sensor guiding tube  153  receives the leak sensor  152  therein and guides the leak sensor  152  to the wicking tube  154 . The leak sensor  152  may extend into a portion of the wicking tube  154 . The remainder portion of the wicking tube  154  may extend circumferentially around a perimeter of the bottom pan  101 . In some example embodiments, the bottom pan  101  may have a channel that is formed along the perimeter thereof to house the wicking material  154  therein. As best seen in  FIG.  1   , the channel may extend between on outer surface  111  and an inner surface  113  of the bottom pan  101 . That is, the channel may be configured such that a portion of the wicking material  154  may be disposed inside the bottom pan  101  while a remainder portion of the wicking material  154  may be disposed outside the bottom pan  101  to capture both external or internal leaks (e.g., from the outer jacket  503  and the inner storage tank  601 ) of the water heater  500 . However, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the bottom pan  101  may have any other appropriate type of channel or alternatively may not include a dedicated channel for the wicking tube  154 . The water that reaches the wicking tube  154  may be transported by the wicking tube  154  to the leak sensor  152  that is coupled to the wicking tube  154 . 
     In contrast to conventional technology that requires numerous leak sensors around the water heater, using the wicking tube  154  to transport water to the leak sensor  152  provides faster and more comprehensive detection of leaks around the entire water heater  500 . Further, the use of the wicking tube  154  allows the leak sensor  152  to have a small sensing segment which may be cost effective and may also contribute towards improving the efficiency of the leak detection system since the time required to dry the leak sensor and reset any alarms may be minimized. However, in some example embodiments, the leak sensor assembly  151  may not include the wicking tube  154 . Instead, the leak sensor assembly  151  may include a leak sensor  152  that is long enough to extend circumferentially around the bottom pan  101  and to the controller  505  of the water heater  500  without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     The sensor guiding tube  153  extends from the bottom pan  101  to the insulation cavity  1201  through the routing path  350 . That is, from the wicking tube  154  in the bottom pan  101 , the sensor guiding tube  153  extends in between the first and second gaskets ( 202 ,  302 ), and through the second routing aperture  355  of the first gasket  302  and the first routing aperture  105  of the bottom pad  102  to the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501 . In addition to guiding the leak sensor  152  to the wicking tube  154 , the sensor guiding tube  153  may be configured to shield the leak sensor  152  from the insulation material in the insulation cavity  1201 . Additionally, the sensor guiding tube  153  allows the leak sensor  152  to be easily replaced as needed. 
     In certain example embodiments, the leak sensor  152  may be a rope sensor that includes: (a) sensing segment  155  comprising metal sensing wires protected by a fiber material disposed around the sensing wires, and (b) a connector  156  (e.g., male or female connector) that is coupled to the sensing wires  155  and is disposed at one end of the rope sensor. In other example embodiments, the leak sensor  152  may include any other appropriate sensor that is configured to detect any appropriate liquid that leaks from the water heater  500 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS.  6 - 8   , the portion of the leak sensor  152  that is disposed in the insulation cavity  1201  of the tank assembly  501  may be securely held and routed to the controller  505  of the water heater  500  by a mounting bracket  602 . The mounting bracket  602  may be coupled to the inner storage tank  601  of the water heater  500 . In particular, the mounting bracket  602  may be removably coupled to an element bracket  603  that is disposed around a heating element  604  of the water heater  500 . In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 8   , the heating element  604  may be a lower heating element that is disposed at a lower portion of the water heater  500  and the element bracket  603  may be a clip that disposed around the heating element such that the arms  615  of the clip extend above the heating element  604 . In said example embodiment, the mounting bracket  602  may be coupled to or clipped onto the arms  615  of the element bracket  603  such that the mounting bracket  602  is installed adjacent to and above the lower heating element  604 . 
     One of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the mounting bracket  602  may be coupled to the inner storage tank in any other appropriate manner using any other appropriate coupling mechanism without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, in other example embodiments, the mounting bracket  602  may be installed above an upper heating element of the water heater without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure, e.g., if the controller  505  is disposed above the upper heating element. In certain example embodiments, the water heater may include more than one mounting bracket  602  without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  10 - 11   , the mounting bracket  602  may include a base  902  and a pair of sidewalls  904  that extend out in a first direction from opposite edges of the base  902 . Further, the mounting bracket  602  may include wings  907  that protrude or extend out in opposite directions from the sidewalls  904 . The wings  907  may be configured to mate with the arms  615  of the element bracket  603  to couple the mounting bracket  602  to the element bracket  603 . For example, the arms  615  of the element bracket  603  may include coupling apertures  816  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ) that are configured to receive a portion of the wings  907  therein to couple the mounting bracket  602  to the element bracket  603 . However, as described above, any other appropriate coupling mechanism may be used to couple the mounting bracket  602  to the inner storage tank  601  and/or the element bracket  603 . 
     One of the sidewalls ( 904   a  or  904   b ) may include a hook  908  that is formed therein. The hook  908  may protrude substantially perpendicularly and out from a respective side wall ( 904   a  or  904   b ) as illustrated in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . The hook  908  may be configured to securely hold and route the portion of the leak sensor  152  that is in the insulation cavity  1201  towards the controller  505  of the water heater  500 . In certain example embodiments, the hook  908  may be shaped such that the leak sensor  152  or any other appropriate conduit can be secured thereto (e.g., snapped therein) such that the leak sensor  152  or other appropriate conduit is held in a vertical orientation within the insulation cavity  1201  as the leak sensor  152  or other appropriate conduit is routed to a destination (e.g., controller  505 ). In other example embodiments, the mounting bracket may have any other appropriate securement feature that can securely hold and route the leak sensor or a vertical conduit to a desired destination such as the controller  505  of the water heater  500 . 
     In addition to securely holding and routing the portion of the leak sensor  152  that is in the insulation cavity  1201 , the mounting bracket  602  also includes features that are configured to hold a thermistor  802  against the outer surface of the inner storage tank  601  and to mount an element protective cover  605  thereto. As such, the base  902  may include a window opening  903  and a first tab feature  905  that extends along a perimeter of the window opening  903 . The first tab feature  905  may extend away from the base  902  in a second direction  920 . The first tab feature  905  may be configured to receive and securely hold a thermistor  802  therein by snapping the thermistor into a securement cavity  1002  formed by the first tab feature  905 . The securement cavity  1002  may be configured based on the shape of the thermistor  802  such that the securement cavity  1002  partially surrounds the thermistor  802 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 11   , the securement cavity  1002  may have a substantially C-shaped profile based on the cylindrical profile of the thermistor  802 . In other example embodiments, the securement cavity  1002  defined by the first tab feature  905  may have any other appropriate shape to securely retain the thermistor therein such that the thermistor is not easily decoupled from the mounting bracket  602 . Further, the securement cavity  1002  may be configured such that the thermistor  802  cannot be inserted therein and removed therefrom without applying a certain amount of force or pressure, e.g., manually pushing it in or pulling it out using fingers. 
     Further, the first tab feature  905  may removably couple the thermistor  802  to securement cavity  1002  defined by the first tab feature  905  such that the thermistor  802  is visible through the window opening  903  when the thermistor is coupled to the mounting bracket  602 . Further, the first tab feature  905  may be configured to hold the thermistor  802  in place against the surface of the inner storage tank  601  such that there is a contact between the thermistor  802  and the surface of the inner storage tank  601  when the mounting bracket  602  is coupled to the inner storage tank  601 . The thermistor  802  may be configured to measure and provide temperature readings from the surface of the inner storage tank  601  to indicate when water heating is needed for the efficient functioning of the water heater  500 . 
     Further, each sidewall ( 904   a ,  904   b ) of the pair of sidewalls  904  of the mounting bracket  602  may include a second tab feature  906 . Each second tab feature  906  may include two tabs ( 906   a ,  906   b ) that protrude out from the sidewalls ( 904   a ,  904   b ). The tabs ( 906   a ,  906   b ) of the second tab feature  906  may be configured to mate with complementary coupling features of an element protective cover  605  to removably couple the element protective cover  605  thereto. As illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 8   , the second tab feature  906  of the mounting bracket  602  may be configured to couple the element protective cover  605  to the inner storage tank  601  of the water heater such that the element protective cover  605  is disposed over and covers the terminals  701  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ) of the lower heating element  604  of the water heater  500 . The element protective cover  605  may be provided for the safety of the user or technician. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in addition to the components described above, the water heater  500  may include many other additional components such as, dip tubes, plumbing, drain pipes, burners, etc. Said additional components may not described herein to avoid obscuring the features of the leak detection system of the water heater. Further, in certain example embodiments, the second gasket  202  of the bottom end assembly  160  may be optional. Furthermore, in certain example embodiments, the sensor guiding tube  153 , the leak sensor  152 , and/or the transport element  154  may be flexible. 
     Although example embodiments are described herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein.