Vent damper
US4770160A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7918
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved vent damper for oil or natural gas-fired hot water heaters includes a damper assembly incorporated into the exhaust duct above a hot water heater, and contains a lightweight, floating poppet closure slidably mounted on a reduced-diameter exhaust pipe. When the hot water heater's main burner is operating, hot exhaust gasses lift the floating poppet closure, and the gasses escape through the gap thereby created around its base. These exhaust gasses are then vented to the outside air via an exhaust duct. When the main burner is turned off again, the floating poppet closure falls back again to its original (closed) position, thereby blocking the exhaust duct and preventing cool room air from circulating through the heater and its central core. Pilot light exhaust gasses are able to continuously escape through the reduced-diameter exhaust pipe even when the floating poppet closure is in the closed position. A cover is mounted on the reduced-diameter exhaust pipe above the floating poppet closure, protecting the poppet from damage and acting as a stop to limit its upward travel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.