AU604758B2

AU604758B2 - Water heater tank flushing device

Info

Publication number: AU604758B2
Application number: AU79483/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul G. Daugirda
Original assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1986-10-09
Filing date: 1987-10-08
Publication date: 1991-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-08
Also published as: AU7948387A; IT1211833B; IT8748463A0; MX159980A; CA1296960C

Description

584 CCEPTED MENDME .P LQ'-'.TON ACCEPTED AND AMENDMENTS' SydLn .ticSWED FORM FORM S F Ref: 38313 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int Class a v 1 i e Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: This document contains the amendmrents lade under| Section 49 and is correct for printing.

44 C (C Name and Address of Applicant: Address for Service: Rheem Manufacturing Company 350 Park Avenue New York NY 10022-6022 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia a sC Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Water Heater Tank Flushing Device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us 5845/3 9 SBR:eah 83W BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect, this invention relates to sediment flushing apparatus in a water heater tank.

In a typical residential water heater having a cylindrical tank, the water to be heated is introduced into the lower portion of the tank through an inlet conduit and withdrawn from the upper portion of the tank through an outlet. Due to naturally occurring properties of the water, sediment and/or hard water scale may collect in the bottom of the tank.

water scale collects in water heater tanks because its solubility decreases as the water temperature increases. Thus, cold inlet water includes, minerals in solution, such as calcium carbonate, etc. that precipitate from the water as it is heated and collect as sediment at the bottom of the water heater tank. As the sediment collects and coats the bottom of the tank, it impedes the heat transfer capabilities of the tank, thereby reducing the thermal efficiency of the water heater. Thus, it is desirable to remove the sediment from the water heater tank to maintain the efficiency of the water heater.

The most familiar method of removing sediment from the bottom of 20 a water heater tank is to periodically drain a portion of the contents of the tank. To this end, water heater tanks are generally provided with drain valves at their lower end. Historically, sediment has been removed from the water heater tank through the drain valve by merely opening the drain valve and permitting the natural movement of water as the tank 1 25 empties to sweep the sediment out of the tank. A problem associated with this method is that the velocity of the water caused by the natural draining movement is insufficient to sweep all of the sediment out of the bottom of the water heater tank. Therefore, a portion of the sediment fails to be dislodged or removed from the bottom of the tank.

Particularly, larger aggregations of sediment remain in the bottom of the rf twater heater tank and are not swept away by the water's natural movement during such draining. Consequently, to achieve acceptable heat transfer characteristics, the tank must be drained relatively frequently.

Another method of removing sediment that collects in the bottom A of a water heater tank is to divert the influent water along the bottom of the tank so as to agitate the sediment whenever influent water is entering the tank. This is usually accomplished by decreasing the cross section of the inlet conduit so as to effect a higher average velocity of the influent water. This influent stream can then be directed to agitate the sediment and divert it upward off of the bottom of the tank. As heated water is drawn out of the bottom of the water heater tank, sediment at the bottom is agitated, diverted upward from the bottom of the tank, and swept out of the outlet conduit with the heated water. Devices employing this method are disclosed in US Patent Reg. No. 4,263,879, issued to Lindahl on April 28, 1981, and US Patent Reg. No. 4,157,077, issued to Lindahl on June 5, 1979.

A problem associated with the continuous removal of sediment from the water heater tank is that the sediment is carried out of the tank into plumbing lines downstream fr'om the tank. This sediment can collect in plumbing, such as solenoids in dishwashers, clothes washer, faucet aerators, shower heads etc. which can necessitate costly repairs. Another problem associated with the continuous removal of sediment from the water heater, is that the sediment can find its way into the water to be consumed. These particles of sediment, although not harmful, can find their way into or onto hair, dishes, clothes, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein in a water heater tank including an enclosed tank with a bottom portion, a cold water inlet conduit and means for heating the water adjacent the bottom, comprising: *its a sediment flushing tube, said tube extending from within the inlet conduit to the bottom portion of the tank so as to direct a stream of flushing water against sediment in the bottom of the tank and thereby divert the sediment to a tank discharge position along the lower portion of the tank, said flushing tube extending generally parallel with the inlet conduit and having an inlet terminus within the inlet conduit and an outlet terminus spaced from the inlet conduit; a pivotally mounted diverter plate for covering the tube inlet terminus; means for povoting the diverter plate between a closed position covering the tube inlet terminus and an open position for flow of water 'through the tube; and T R 1,KUL12'! 11 t 3means for actuating the diverter plate by controlling the pivoting means, said means positioned externally of the tank and at least partially externally of the cold water inlet conduit.

There is further disclosed herein a water heater tank including an enclosed tank with a bottom portion, a cold water Inlet conduit, and means for heating the water adjacent the bottom, comprising: a sediment flushing tube, said tube extending from within the inlet conduit to the bottom portion of the tank so as to direct a stream of flushing water against sediment in the bottom of the tank and thereby divert the sediment to a tank discharge position along the lower portion of thle tank, and a flushing tube extending generally parallel with the inlet conduit and having an inlet terminus within the inlet conduit an an outlet terminus spaced from the inlet conduit; a pivotally mounted diverter plate for covering the tube inlet terminus; means for pivoting the diverter plate between a close position, covering the tube inlet terminus, and an open position, for flow of water through the tube; means for actuating the diverter plate by controlling the pivoting means, said means positioned externally of the tank and at least partially externally of the cold water inlet conduit; and drain means in the tank bottom proximate to the tank discharge position for draining water and sediment from the tank wherever the tube is open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANING A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation, schematic side view of a first embodiment of the invention incorporated in a water heater tank; and Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating a diverter valve construction for the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional, side elevation of the first vertical embodiment of the apparatus showing the diverter valve in the closed position; x f2-552 1 I i- -II .I-lr;lr lr r I 1 riri-- .l.rilr ir-n i~i- 3a Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional, side elevation of the first embodiment of the apparatus showing the diverter valve in the open position for flushing; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus showing the diverter valve in the closed position; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment of the apparatus showing the diverter valve in the open position; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional, side elevation of the second embodiment of the apparatus in a water heater tank.

o 6 6 0 0 0 6 e i 848< 8184 4 1081 8 8 48 0 8488 8 8 88 8 -'r r T .i I r.

i i i L~ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGURES 1-4 depict a first specific embodiment of the invention.

FIGURES 5-7 illustrate a second embodiment.

Referring therefore to FIGURES 1-4, the sediment flushing apparatus 10 of the invention is incorporated in a residential water heater tank 12. The water heater tank 12 is a general and known configuration and comprises a generally cylindrical tank having a bottom or lower pan 14 and a cylindrical side wall 16. A inlet conduit 18 is provided through the side wall 16 in the general region of the bottom 14. The inlet !8 is provided for the introduction of cold inlet water 20. An outlet conduit 22 is provided in the cylindrical wall 16 for removal of heated water in the top tank 12. This general construction is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The tank 12 also includes a lower spigot 24 with a manual valve 26 for draining the tank 12. Heretofore, operation of the lower spigot 24 was recommended periodically in order to drain sediment and other collected material from the tank 12. This was done in order to enhance the heated transfer through the bottom 14 to the contents of the tank 12.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention constitutes a flushing or flush tube 28, located within the inlet conduit 18 as illustrated in greater detail by FIGURES 2, 3, and 4. Specifically in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the flush tube 28 constitutes a uniform diameter tube 28 which extends from a position outside the tank 12 though within the inlet conduit 18, to a position as illustrated in FIGURE 1 adjacent to the bottom 14 of the tank 12 and thus outside the inlet conduit 18. The flush tube 28 defines an inlet terminus 30 and an outlet terminus 32.

The inlet terminus 30 is mounted in a support block 34 which, in the embodiment 10, is semicylindrical in shape and is affixed or is an integral part of a side wall 36 of the inlet conduit 18. This is illustrated in greater detail in FIGURE 2. The support block 34 is thus semicylindrical in shape and is attached or is an integral part of the inner side wall 36 of conduit 18. The opposite surfact or flat straight surface 38 of the block 34 defines a chord 40 of the cross-sectional shape of the inlet conduit 18. The tube 28 is affixed to and passes through the block 34. k diverter plate 42 has an arcuate side 44 and a .r i ~Y~-LI I straight line side 46.

A pivot shaft or rod 48 is affixed to the straight line side of the plate 42. The shaft 48 is journaled into sides 36 of the inlet i8. One end of shaft 48 projects outwardly through one side 36 of the inlet 18.

This permits attachment of a manual actuator such as knob 50. In this manner the diverter plate 42 may be pivoted about the shaft 48 between a closed position for the flushing tube 28, illustrating in FIGURES 2 and 3, and a open position as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Note that in the preferred embodiment of the cord that is defined by the shaft 48 constitutes a diameter of the inlet tube 18. In this manner the shape of the plate 42 can be made to conform closely with the shape of the interior wall 36 of the inlet 18 when the plate 42 is in the position of FIGURE 3 (the closed position) and the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 (the open position). In both positions the 1 5 diverter plate 42 effectively blocks the flow of inlet water, diverting it j either through the inlet tube 18 or through the flush tube 28. Of course, :i the shape of the diverter plate 42 may be varied according to need and desire and the described shape is only for purposes of illustration. Thus, the diverter plate 42 may be designed to permit partial passage of water through the inlet 18 even though the plate has been rotated manually to the position depicted in FIGURE 4.

4 In operation then, the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4 is normally positioned as depicted in FIGURES 2 and 3. Thus, the tube 28 is effectively closed to the flow of water therethrough. When, however, sediment is to be flushed from the bottom 14 of the tank 12, the divertei plate 42 is manually actuated and pivoted to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. When the plate 42 is in this position, inlet water 20 is diverted through the tube 28 and out of the terminus 32. Simultaneously the spigot 24 is opened, the flow of water into the bottom of the tank 12 through the terminus 32 directs sediment toward the spigot and from the tank 12. Once the tank 12 is flushed in this manner, the diverter plate 42 is pivoted back to the position illustrated by FIGURE 3 and of course, Sthe spigot 24 is closed.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative constructive wherein the inlet conduit 18 is positioned in the side all 16 of tank 12. The inlet 18 in this embodiment is quite short and extends only to the interior of _i I i

A

the tank 12. A tube 52 is attached to one side of the inlet conduit 18 and has a diverter plate 42 and support block 34 constructed substantially the same as the embodiment depicted in FIGURES 2, 3, and 4. The tube 52 extends outwardly and downwardly from the conduit 18 and terminates within an aperatured end 54 having lateral discharged openings 56.

Again, the actuation lever external from the tank 12. Diversion of water through the tube 52 and simultaneous opening oF the spigot 24 will effectively flush sediment from the bottom 14 of the tank 12. This results since water is discharged through the nozzel outlet 58 to direct the sediment from the bottom 14 of the tank 12 toward the spigot 24.

As can be seen in FIGURES 3-6, a spring 60 is attached to the diverter plate 42 and the pivot shaft or rod 48 to provide biasing means for biasing the diverter plate in the closed position, as depicted by FIGURES While it has been set forth two preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is only limited by the following claims and their equivalents.

I

Claims

1- 3-CIr~rrc -7- The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A water heater tank including an enclosed tank with a bottom portion, a cold water inlet conduit and means for heating the water adjacent the bottom, comprising: a sediment flushing tube, said tube extending from within the inlet conduit to the bottom portion of the tank so as to direct a stream of flushing water against sediment in the bottom of the tank and thereby divert the sediment to a tank discharge position along the lower portion of i the tank, said flushing tube extending generally parallel with the inlet conduit and having an inlet terminus within the inlet conduit and an outlet terminus spaced from the inlet conduit; a pivotally mounted diverter plate for covering the tube inlet terminus; means for povoting the diverter plate between a closed position covering the tube inlet terminus and an open position for flow of water through the tube; and means for actuating the diverter plate by controlling the pivoting means, said means positioned externally of the tank and at least partially externally of the cold water inlet conduit.

2. The water heater tank of claim 1 wherein the flushing tube is at least partially within the inlet conduit and has a lesser cross-sectional Sarea than the inlet conduit.

3. The water heater tank of claim 1 wherein the diverter plate has an arcuate side connected to a straight line side, said straight line side defining a chord of the cross-sectional shape of the conduit. S4. The water heater tank of claim 3 wherein the chord is a diameter of the conduit. The water heater tank of claim 1 wherein the means for pivoting comprise a shaft projecting from the diverter plate to the outside of the conduit, and the means for actuating the diverter plate comprise a manual M knob attached to the shaft. V 6. The water heater tank of claim 1 wherein the diverter plate is substantially semicircular relative to the cross-sectional area of the inlet conduit.

7. The water heater tank of claim 1 including drain means in the tank bottom for draining water and sediment from the tank whenever the tube is open. KLN/25521 4 -I II 8

8. The water heater tank of claim 1 including biasing means for biasing the diverter plate in the closed position.

9. The water heater tank of claim 8 wherein the biasing means is provided by a spring operatively associated with the diverter plate and the means for pivoting the diverter plate. A water heater tank including an enclosed tank with a bottom portion, a cold water inlet conduit, and means for heating the water adjacent the bottom, comprising: a sediment flushing tube sakt=t-e extending from within the inlet condtit to the bottom portion of the tank so as to direct a stream of flushing water against sediment in the bottom of the tank and thereby divert the sediment to a tank discharge position along the lower portion of the. the tank, flushing tube extending generally parallel with the inlet conduit and having an inlet terminus within the inlet conduit and an outlet terminus spaced from the inlet conduit; a pivotally mounted diverter plate for covering the tube inlet terminus; means for pivoting the diverter plate between a close position, covering the tube inlet terminus, and an open position, for flow of water through the tube; means for actuating the diverter plate by controlling the pivoting means, said means positioned externally of the tank and at least partially externally of the cold water inlet conduit; and drain means in the tank bottom proximate to the tank discharge position for draining water and sediment from the tank wherever the tube is open.

11. A water heater tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this TWELFTH day of SEPTEMBER 1990 Rheem Manufacturing Co Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON KLN/25521 l, V, -ii n