Liquid heaters and vaporizers – Safety devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-08-21
Wilson, Gregory (Department: 3749)
Liquid heaters and vaporizers
Safety devices
C122S507000, C137S312000, C340S605000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276309
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water heaters; more particularly, to a hot water heater containment and safety system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various hot water heater safety systems are disclosed by the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,662 to Moody, for example, relates to a hot water heater provided with a solenoid valve that controls the supply of cold water. The Moody device has a leakage collector means for collecting leaked water and a controller to shut the solenoid valve when a leak is detected. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,302 to Lenoir, Jr. discloses an overflow protection shut-off device for use with a water heater. The Lenoir, Jr. device shuts off a supply of water to the water heater when a leaking or an overflow condition occurs. Neither the Moody nor the Lenoir, Jr. patents disclose a containment system having a removable front panel; an audible gas leak detector; a pumping system; or means for preventing the infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,816 to Moore, Jr. et al., discloses a water heater provided with a flame-spill prevention arrangement. The Moore, Jr. et al arrangement comprises, among other components, a combustion chamber with an inner door, and a unitary manifold assembly mounted within and covering an access opening to prevent spill-out of the burner flames therethrough. The Moore, Jr. et al. patent does disclose a containment system having a removable front panel; an audible gas leak detector; a pumping system with a cold water shut off solenoid valve; or means for preventing the infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,358 to Brandt et al., discloses a multifunction control system for a water heater. The control system comprises a flammable gas sensor which discontinues gas supply if unsafe concentrations of the gas are detected. The '358 patent does not disclose a containment system having a removable front panel; a pumping system with a cold water shut off solenoid valve; or means for preventing the infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources.
While not directly related to safety, U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,231 to Syler discloses a water heater having a sediment removal means. The water heater of Syler comprises, among other components, a tubular agitator means mounted in the hot water tank.
Conventional containment systems of the type hereinabove described lack access to the burner. There is no disclosure in the prior art concerning a hot water heater containment system having, in combination, a removable front panel for accessing the burner; an audible gas leak detector; a pumping system with a cold water shut off solenoid valve; and an adjustable collar for preventing the infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hot water containment system that affords increased safety over conventional hot water heaters. Advantageously, the water containment system of the present invention holds, detects, and removes leaked water while also shutting off the water supply. In addition, when used with gas fired hot water heaters, the system shuts off supply gas when leaking gas is detected either inside or outside the water containment area and sounds an alarm. Still further, the system helps prevent the infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources from entering the burner, and provides access to the burner for maintenance.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a safety system for a hot water heater having a gas supply pipe. Generally stated, the system comprises a water containment means having a removable door and a channel for accommodating the gas supply pipe and pumping system. The containment means surrounds the lower portion of the hot water heater and has a drain plug for draining leaked water from the water containment means. A water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within the containment means, and an electrical switch is electrically connected between the water level detector and an electrical solenoid water valve. A water pump is used for pumping leaked water from the containment means. The pump is electrically connected to the electrical switch. In operation, the water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within the containment means and actuates the switch causing the pump to remove the water from the containment means.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a safety system for an electrical hot water heater. Generally stated, the system comprises a water containment means having a removable door. The containment means surrounds the lower portion of the hot water heater and has a drain plug for draining leaked water from the water containment means. A water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within the containment means. An electrical switch is electrically connected between the water level detector and an electrical solenoid water valve. A water pump is used for pumping leaked water from the containment means. The pump is electrically connected to the electrical switch. In operation, the water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within the containment means and actuates the switch causing the pump to remove the water from the containment means.
Optionally, the system further comprises a water solenoid valve that is electrically connected between the pump and the electrical switch. When actuated by the switch, the water solenoid valve closes until it is manually reset.
When used on a gas fired unit, the system further comprises a gas sensor for detecting leaking supply gas. A gas solenoid valve on the gas supply line is electrically connected to the gas sensor. The gas solenoid valve, when actuated, must be manually reset. The gas solenoid valve controls gas flow into the supply gas pipe. It is electrically connected to an alarm. When leaking gas is detected by the gas sensor, the system automatically causes the gas solenoid valve to actuate, the gas solenoid valve is caused to close, and the alarm to sound. The leaking gas is shut off within the containment area, and an audible alarm sounds, warning those in the vicinity of the heater that there exists a dangerous condition which requires immediate repair.
As still another option, the apparatus comprises an adjustable collar, for enclosing the containment means so that debris cannot accidentally be dropped into the containment area. In addition, the adjustable color helps assure that flammable vapors from external sources are excluded from the enclosed gas flame, and ignition of the vapors is substantially eliminated.
The present invention significantly enhances the overall safety of hot water systems. The removable front panel; audible gas leak detector; pumping system with cold water shut off solenoid valve; and adjustable collar for prevention of flammable vapor infiltration cooperate, in combination, to provide a hot water containment system that is inexpensive to construct, easy and safe to use, and far more reliable in operation than conventional hot water systems.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4505231 (1985-03-01), Syler
patent: 4805662 (1989-02-01), Moody
patent: 4924816 (1990-05-01), Moore, Jr. et al.
patent: 5085205 (1992-02-01), Hall et al.
patent: 5188143 (1993-02-01), Krebs
patent: 5280802 (1994-01-01), Comuzie, Jr.
patent: 5345224 (1994-09-01), Brown
patent: 5365891 (1994-11-01), Hanning
patent: 5435716 (1995-07-01), Joyce
patent: 5531214 (1996-07-01), Cheek
patent: 5609124 (1997-03-01), Leclerc
patent: 5632302 (1997-05-01), Lenoir, Jr.
patent: 5794609 (1998-08-01), Grant
patent: 5797358 (1998-08-01), Brandt et al.
patent: 5857482 (1999-01-01), Dowling
patent: 5870024 (1999-02-01), Arvelo, Jr.
patent: 6024116 (2000-02-01), Almberg et al.
patent: 6084520 (2000-07-01), Salvucci
Buff, Esq. Ernest D.
Ernest D. Buff & Associates LLC
Wilson Gregory
LandOfFree
Hot water heater containment system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hot water heater containment system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hot water heater containment system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2476691