Cold water inlet for reducing accumulation of scale
US6935280B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H9/133
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cold water inlet for a tank of a water heater is provided. The inlet includes an inlet conduit configured to extend toward a flue extending upwardly through the tank. The inlet conduit includes a proximal, intermediate, and distal conduit portion, the distal portion terminating at a closed end configured to reduce the amount of the water flow directed toward the flue. The cold water inlet further includes flow openings defined in the distal portion to permit the water flow to exit the inlet conduit. Deflectors are positioned along the distal portion proximal respective ones of the flow openings, and are oriented for deflecting the water flow. The closed end and the deflectors of the inlet conduit coact, as the water flows into the tank, to direct the water flow away from the flue and toward the side wall and bottom of the tank, thereby reducing an accumulation of scale.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.