Temperature and pressure relief apparatus for water heater
US7392766B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/1812
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid heating appliance, representatively a water heater, is provided with protective apparatus for preventing rupture of its liquid storage tank portion caused by overheating of pressurized liquid therein. Illustratively, the protective apparatus includes a length of thermoplastic tubing, preferably polybutylene tubing, whose interior is exposed to the tank interior so as to be pressurized by heated liquid therein. In the event of a liquid overheating condition in the tank, the tubing is heat-softened in a manner reducing its burst pressure and causing it to burst, at a pressure substantially below the tank burst pressure, and thereby form a pressure relief outlet passage for the tank. A shield structure with at least one fluid outlet opening therein extends outwardly around the thermoplastic tubing to diffuse pressurized fluid escaping from the burst tubing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.