Vent Attachment for Tankless Water Heater

Abstract

A vent attachment for a tankless water heater is provided. The vent attachment includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust pathway and a first air intake pathway. The first air intake pathway includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism. The second conduit includes a second exhaust pathway and a second air intake pathway. The second air intake pathway slidably engages with the first air intake pathway. The second air intake pathway includes a projecting portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length and a second adjustment mechanism. The first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to a vent attachment, and more specifically relates to an adjustable vent attachment for a tankless water heater.

BACKGROUND

Typically, in a tankless water heater, water flows through a heat exchanger coil and provides heated water instantaneously as per the demand set by a user. Such tankless water heaters are provided with relatively more energy efficient devices for heating water. Conventionally, in the tankless water heater, the water is heated either electrically or by using gas burners. The tankless water heater uses a water heating unit which is placed at a distant end and the heated water is circulated through a plumbing system without storing the water in the tank. Inlet and vent pipes are provided to the water heating unit to allow the combustion air or fresh air to flow inside the water heating unit, and also to discharge exhaust gases. Usually, the inlet and vent pipes are extended horizontally outward from the water heating unit through an exterior wall of the building, or vertically outward through a roof of the building.

Existing horizontal or vertical vent terminations used for the tankless water heater have fixed dimensions. The dimension may be either too short that it does not reach the water heating unit while passing through the wall or it is too long and extrude out too far from the wall, which is not aesthetically pleasing. To overcome such limitations, some vent terminations have various lengths, for example 6″, 8″, 10″ and 12″, however if the wall exterior has different finishes such as having stucco or stone, which create variation on total length in addition to the various wall thickness, the fixed length of the vent termination may not be an ideal fit. Practically, an installer needs to cut to length to achieve the ideal fit, which also adds extra labor and involves risk in cutting to a wrong length. Another problem associated with such type of heater is the lack of reliability and the frequent break down, which demands regular maintenance and repair. Hence, there is a need remains to develop a vent attachment for a tankless water heater which is adjustable in length and eliminates the problems associated with the existing vent termination ends.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vent attachment for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment includes a first conduit configured to couple with the tankless water heater and a second conduit configured to couple with the first conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust pathway configured to expel exhaust gas from the tankless water heater and a first air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway and configured to allow flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater. The first air intake pathway incudes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion. In an embodiment, the first exhaust pathway has a first diameter, and the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway has a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway. The second conduit includes a second exhaust pathway configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust pathway and a second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway. In an embodiment, the second exhaust pathway has a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway. The second air intake pathway is configured to slidably engage with the first air intake pathway. The second air intake pathway includes a projecting portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion. In an embodiment, the projecting portion of the second air intake pathway has a fourth diameter. The fourth diameter of the projecting portion is greater than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway. In an embodiment, the fourth diameter of the projecting portion is smaller than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway.

The first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment. In one embodiment, each of the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism includes threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the projecting portion of the second conduit. In another embodiments, the first adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of projections defined in the adjustable portion of the first conduit. The second adjustment mechanism includes one or more grooves defined in the projecting portion of the second conduit. The vent attachment further includes a fastening member configured to couple the first conduit and the second conduit when one of the plurality of projections and the one or more grooves are aligned with each other based on the desired length of the vent attachment.

In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust pathway and the second exhaust pathway. The one or more gaskets is configured to prevent the exhaust gas from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first air intake pathway.

In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes a limiting member defined on an outer surface of the first air intake pathway at the first adjustable length defined from an attachment edge of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis thereof.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vent attachment for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment includes a first conduit having a first end configured to couple with the tankless water heater and a second conduit having a first end configured to couple with the first conduit. The first conduit includes a first exhaust pathway having a first diameter configured to expel exhaust gas from the tankless water heater and a first air intake pathway having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway. The first air intake pathway is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway and configured to allow flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater. The first air intake pathway includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length defined from an edge of a second end of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis thereof and a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion. The second conduit includes a second exhaust pathway having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway and a second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway and configured to slidably engage with the first air intake pathway. The second exhaust pathway is configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust pathway. The second air intake pathway includes a projecting portion having a fourth diameter greater than the second diameter of the first air intake pathway and a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit. The second air intake pathway further includes a second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion. The first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment based on a thickness of a wall through which a second end of the second conduit is projected out.

In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust pathway and the second exhaust pathway, and configured to prevent the exhaust gas from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first air intake pathway.

In some embodiments, the vent attachment includes a limiting member defined on an outer surface of the first air intake pathway at the first adjustable length from the edge of the second end of the first conduit.

In some embodiments, each of the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism includes threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the projecting portion of the second conduit.

In some embodiments, the first adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of projections defined in the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism includes one or more grooves defined in the projecting portion of the second conduit. The vent attachment further includes a fastening member configured to couple the first conduit and the second conduit when one of the plurality of projections and the one or more grooves are aligned with each other based on the desired length of the vent attachment.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vent attachment kit for a tankless water heater is disclosed. The vent attachment kit includes a first conduit, a second conduit and an adjustable vent attachment configured to fluid tightly couple with the first conduit and the second conduit. The first conduit has a first exhaust pathway and a first air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway. The first conduit is configured to couple with the tankless water heater. The second conduit includes a second exhaust pathway and a second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway. The second conduit is configured to discharge exhaust gas to atmosphere and receive combustion air from the atmosphere. The adjustable vent attachment is configured to fluid tightly couple with the first conduit and the second conduit. The adjustable vent attachment includes an inner conduit, a first outer conduit, and a second outer conduit. The inner conduit is configured to fluid tightly engage with the first exhaust pathway of the first conduit and the second exhaust pathway of the second conduit. The first outer conduit is coaxially disposed around the inner conduit and configured to fluid tightly couple with the first air intake pathway of the first conduit. The first outer conduit includes an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion. The second outer conduit is coaxially and slidably disposed around the first outer conduit and configured to couple with the second air intake pathway of the second conduit. The second outer conduit includes a projecting portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion. The first adjustment mechanism of the first outer conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second outer conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit and the first conduit for a desired length of the adjustable vent attachment.

These and other aspects and feature of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure (including alternatives and/or variations thereof) may be obtained with reference to the detailed description of the embodiments along with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing installation of a tankless water heater using an adjustable vent attachment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vent attachment of FIG. 1A illustrating a telescopic adjustment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment illustrating a threaded adjustment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment illustrating stepped adjustment using projections and grooves, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a vent attachment kit for the tankless water heater, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.

It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

Also, in describing the disclosed technology, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, the disclosed technology can include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Further, ranges described as being between a first value and a second value are inclusive of the first and second values. Likewise, ranges described as being from a first value and to a second value are inclusive of the first and second values.

Herein, the use of terms such as “having,” “has,” “including.” or “includes” are open-ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as “comprising” or “comprises” and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as “can” or “may” are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.

The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components that would perform the same or similar functions as the components described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosed technology. Such other components not described herein can include, but are not limited to, similar components that are developed after development of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 100 for a tankless water heater 102 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tankless water heater 102, for example, may use a natural gas for heating water, but in turn, use of the natural gas produces harmful gases like carbon monoxide as by-products. Hence, for efficient functioning of the tankless water heater 102, the vent attachment 100 is provided to receive ambient air for combustion of gas in the tankless water heater 102 and to discharge exhaust gas into the atmosphere. Further, with the use of venting, circulation of fresh air and exhaust gas are also enhanced, which result in increased efficiency of the tankless water heater 102. Conventionally, venting of the tankless water heater 102 can be provided in two ways, namely a vertical venting and a horizontal venting. In the vertical venting, the vent attachment 100 may discharge gases outside through a roof of a building. In the horizontal venting, the vent attachment 100 may pass through a wall 104 of the building to discharge the gases outside.

Further, there are two types of tankless water heaters namely, non-condensing water heaters, which is otherwise known as mid-efficiency water heaters, and condensing water heaters, which is otherwise known as high-efficiency water heaters. In the condensing water heaters, most of the heat energy from the gas is transferred to the water hence the condensing water heaters achieve high thermal efficiency. Therefore, the exhaust gas temperature is around 150° F. in the condensing water heaters while the exhaust gas temperature is around 300° F. in the non-condensing water heaters, which are also known as mid-efficiency water heaters. The vent attachment 100 of the present disclosure is particularly implemented for the non-condensing water heaters, however, the vent attachment 100 can be implemented for other types of water heaters without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vent attachment 100 is illustrated. For the illustration purpose of the present disclosure, and without limiting the scope of the invention, a schematic representation of the vent attachment 100 is shown and described in detail herein below. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the vent attachment 100 includes a first conduit 110 and a second conduit 130. The first conduit 110 includes a first end 112 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102. The first conduit 110 further includes a first exhaust pathway 116 and a first air intake pathway 118. The first exhaust pathway 116 is configured to expel the exhaust gas from the tankless water heater 102. Particularly, the first exhaust pathway 116 may be in communication with a combustion chamber of the tankless water heater 102 to receive the exhaust gas. In an embodiment, the first exhaust pathway 116 has a first diameter ‘D1’. The first air intake pathway 118 is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway 116. The first air intake pathway 118 may be connected to the first exhaust pathway 116 using reinforcement members (not shown). The first air intake pathway 118 is configured to allow flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater 102. Particularly, the first air intake pathway 118 may be in communication with the combustion chamber to supply air thereto. When the tankless water heater 102 is in use, the first air intake pathway 118 receives combustion air for the tankless water heater 102 from the atmosphere and the first exhaust pathway 116 discharges exhaust gas from the tankless water heater 102 into the atmosphere. The first air intake pathway 118 can include an adjustable portion 120 having a first adjustable length ‘L1’. The first air intake pathway 118 can include a substantially smooth surface (e.g., outer surface, inner surface). Alternatively, the first air intake pathway 118 can include a first adjustment mechanism 122. The first adjustable length ‘L1’ is defined from an edge of a second end 114 of the first conduit 110. In an embodiment, the adjustable portion 120 of the first air intake pathway 118 has a second diameter ‘D2’ which is greater than the first diameter ‘D1’ of the first exhaust pathway 116. The second diameter ‘D2’ of the adjustable portion 120 may be alternatively referred to as the second diameter ‘D2’ of the first air intake pathway 118. Particularly, the first adjustment mechanism 122 is defined on the adjustable portion 120.

The second conduit 130 includes a first end 132 configured to couple with the first conduit 110. The second conduit 130 is configured to provide an extension to the first conduit 110 such that the exhaust gas is discharged to the atmosphere and the combustion air is entered into the tankless water heater 102 from outside the building. In an embodiment, the second conduit 130, in fluid coupling with the first conduit 110, provides horizontal venting to the tankless water heater 102. The second conduit 130 includes a second end 134 that passes through an opening defined in the wall 104 of the building. Further, a termination cap 106 may be coupled to the second end 134 of the second conduit 130 outside the wall 104 to discharge the exhaust gas and receive ambient air. Particularly, the termination cap 106 may be attached to an exterior surface of the wall 104 using an adhesive. The second conduit 130 further includes a second exhaust pathway 136 and a second air intake pathway 138. The second exhaust pathway 136 is configured to slidably engage with the first exhaust pathway 116 of the first conduit 110 in a fluid-tight communication. In an embodiment, the second exhaust pathway 136 has a third diameter ‘D3’ which is smaller than the first diameter ‘D1’ of the first exhaust pathway 116, thereby providing a firm coupling between the first exhaust pathway 116 and the second exhaust pathway 136 and avoiding any gas leakage. In some embodiments, the vent attachment 100 further includes one or more gaskets 144 which are disposed between the first exhaust pathway 116 and the second exhaust pathway 136. The one or more gaskets 144 is configured to prevent mixing of the exhaust gas with the combustion air flowing through the first air intake pathway 118 and the second air intake pathway 138. In an embodiment, the one or more gaskets 144 may be sheet gaskets, spiral-wound gaskets, constant seating stress gaskets, double-jacketed gaskets, flange gaskets, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the gasket 144 is composed of at least one of rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), and a plastic polymer.

The second air intake pathway 138 is coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway 136. Particularly, the second air intake pathway 138 may be connected to the second exhaust pathway 136 using reinforcement members (not shown). The second air intake pathway 138 is configured to slidably engage with the first air intake pathway 118 such that the first air intake pathway 118 engages in fluid tight communication with the second air intake pathway 138. The second air intake pathway 138 includes a projecting portion 140. The second air intake pathway 138 can include a substantially smooth surface (e.g., inner surface or outer surface) configured to slide in relation to a corresponding surface (e.g., outer surface or inner surface) of the first air intake pathway 118. Alternatively, the second air intake pathway 138 can include a second adjustment mechanism 142. The projecting portion 140 has a second adjustable length ‘L2’ which is equal to or greater than the first adjustable length ‘L1’ of the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110. The projecting portion 140 of the second air intake pathway 138 has a fourth diameter ‘D4’. In one embodiment, the fourth diameter ‘D4’ of the projecting portion 140 is greater than the second diameter ‘D2’ of the adjustable portion 120 of the first air intake pathway 118. Specifically, the second adjustment mechanism 142 is defined on the projecting portion 140 of the second air intake pathway 138.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130 are slidably moving towards each other and are configured to couple the second conduit 130 with the first conduit 110 for a desired length of the vent attachment 100. The desired length of the vent attachment 100 may be defined as a maximum extendable length, a maximum collapsible length, or an adjustable length achieved between the maximum extendable length and the maximum collapsible length. The desired length of the vent attachment 100 may be further defined based on a thickness of the wall 104 through which the second end 134 of the second conduit 130 is projected out.

In an embodiment, the first conduit 110 is slidably coupled with the second conduit 130 in a telescopic arrangement such that the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 can be coupled to the desired length of the vent attachment 100. In the telescopic arrangement, the second air intake pathway 138 is slidably and freely received over the first air intake pathway 118 and the second exhaust pathway 136 is slidably and freely received inside the first exhaust pathway 116. As shown in FIG. 1B, one gasket 144 is disposed between the first exhaust pathway 116 and the second exhaust pathway 136 such that the exhaust gas does not leak into the combustion air flowing through the first and the second air intake pathways 118, 138. In some embodiments, more than one gasket 144 may be disposed between the first and the second exhaust pathways 116, 136 based on the maximum extendable and collapsible lengths of the vent attachment 100. The vent attachment 100 further includes a limiting member 146 defined on the first air intake pathway 118 to limit adjustable length of the vent attachment 100. Particularly, the limiting member 146 is provided to restrict movement of the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 in such a way to achieve the maximum collapsible length. Absence of the limiting member 146 may cause undesirable movement of the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 which in turn may damage the vent attachment 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first air intake pathway 118 includes the limiting member 146 defined on an outer surface 148 thereof at the first adjustable length ‘L1’ defined from an attachment edge, otherwise known as the edge of the second end 114, of the first conduit 110 along a longitudinal axis. The limiting member 146 is configured to limit movement of the second conduit 130 over the first conduit 110 as the second air intake pathway 138 is slidably received over the first air intake pathway 118. In an embodiment, the limiting member 146 may be an individual component such as a pin, a positioning post, or a screw separately attached to the first air intake pathway 118. In some embodiments, the limiting member 146 may be molded along with a profile of the first air intake pathway 118 as shown in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the limiting member 146 may be defined according to a design of the first and the second adjustment mechanisms 122, 142.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 200 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment 200 includes threads defined in the first and the second air intake pathways 118, 138 to slidably engage the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 compared to the telescopic arrangement described in FIGS. 1 and 2. Particularly, the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 includes a thread 202 defined on the outer surface 148 of the adjustable portion 120 of the first air intake pathway 118 up to the first adjustable length ‘L1’. Correspondingly, the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes a thread 204 on an inner surface of the projecting portion 140 of the second air intake pathway 138 up to the second adjustable length ‘L2’. In an embodiment, the second adjustable length ‘L2’ is equal to or greater than the first adjustable length ‘L1’ of the first conduit 110. The threads 202, 204 provided on the first and the second air intake pathways 118, 138, respectively, are configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110 and the projecting portion 140 of the second conduit 130. In some embodiments, the vent attachment 200 may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 after the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 are threadably engaged and the desired length is adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 300 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment 300 includes a plurality of projections 302 and one or more grooves 304 defined in the first and the second air intake pathways 118, 138, respectively, to slidably engage the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 as compared to the telescopic arrangement and the threadable engagement described in FIGS. 1B and 2, respectively. The first adjustment mechanism 122 includes the plurality of projections 302 defined in the adjustable portion 120 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes the one or more grooves 304 defined in the projecting portion 142 of the second conduit 130. In an example, and as shown in FIG. 3, the first adjustment mechanism 122 includes four projections 302 defined at equal distance along the first adjustable length ‘L1’ of the adjustable portion 120 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 includes one groove 304 proximate the first end 132 of the second conduit 130. A cross-section of the groove 304 is identical to a cross section of the projection 302 such that the projection 302 and the groove 304 may be engaged intact to achieve the desired length. In the example, the vent attachment 300 may be fixed at four desirable lengths. In some embodiments, the first adjustment mechanism 122 may include more or less than four projections 302 defined at equal distance or uneven distance to achieve various desired lengths. The vent attachment 300 further includes a fastening member 306 configured to couple the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 when one of the plurality of projections 302 and the one or more grooves 304 are aligned with each other. The alignment of the plurality of projections 302 with respect to the one or more grooves 304 is defined based on the desired length of the vent attachment 300 required while installing the tankless water heater 102. In an embodiment, the fastening member 306 may be a circlip, a hose clip, or any other fastening mechanism known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic cross-sectional view of a vent attachment 400 is illustrated, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustable portion 120 of the first air intake pathway 116 has the second diameter ‘D2’ and the first exhaust pathway 116 has the first diameter ‘D1’. Further, the second exhaust pathway 136 has the third diameter ‘D3’ that is smaller than the first diameter ‘D1’ of the first exhaust pathway 116. The projecting portion 140 of the second air intake pathway 138 has the fourth diameter ‘D4’, which is smaller than the second diameter ‘D2’ of the adjustable portion 120 of the first air intake pathway 118. As the fourth diameter ‘D4’ is smaller than the second diameter ‘D2’, the first air intake pathway 118 is slidably received over the second air intake pathway 138. Further, a limiting member (not shown) may be defined in the first air intake pathway 118 or the second air intake pathway 138 to restrict further movement of the second air intake pathway 138 beyond the maximum collapsible length.

Referring to FIG. 5, a diagrammatic representation of a vent attachment kit 500 for the tankless water heater 102 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vent attachment kit 500 includes a first conduit 510, a second conduit 530, and an adjustable vent attachment 501 configured to fluid tightly couple with the first conduit 510 and the second conduit 530. The first conduit 510 includes a first exhaust pathway 516 and a first air intake pathway 518. The first air intake pathway 518 is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway 516. The first conduit 510 further includes a first end 512 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102 and a second end 514 configured to couple with the adjustable vent attachment 501. The second conduit 530 includes a first end 532 configured to couple with the adjustable vent attachment 501 and a second end 534 disposed outside the wall 104 and configured to discharge the exhaust gas to the atmosphere and receive the combustion air from the atmosphere. The second conduit 530 further includes a second exhaust pathway 536 and a second air intake pathway 538 coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway 536.

The adjustable vent attachment 501 further includes an inner conduit 550, a first outer conduit 560, and a second outer conduit 570. The inner conduit 550 is configured to fluid tightly engage with the first exhaust pathway 516 of the first conduit 510 and the second exhaust pathway 536 of the second conduit 530. The inner conduit 550 includes a first end 552 configured to engage with the first exhaust pathway 516 in a fluid tight communication and a second end 554 configured to engage with the second exhaust pathway 536 in a fluid tight communication. In some embodiments, the vent attachment kit 500 may include gaskets (not shown) disposed at the first and the second ends 552, 554 of the inner conduit 550 to engage with the first and the second exhaust pathways 516, 536 in fluid tight communication.

The first outer conduit 560 is coaxially disposed around the inner conduit 550. The first outer conduit 560 is configured to fluid tightly couple with the first air intake pathway 516 of the first conduit 510. The first outer conduit 560 includes the adjustable portion 120 having the first adjustable length ‘L1’ and the first adjustment mechanism 122 defined on the adjustable portion 120.

The second outer conduit 570 is coaxially and slidably disposed around the first outer conduit 560. Particularly, the second outer conduit 570 is configured to couple with the second air intake pathway 538 of the second conduit 530. The second outer conduit 570) further includes the projecting portion 140 which has the second adjustable length ‘L2’ and the second adjustment mechanism 142. The second adjustable length ‘L2’ is equal to or greater than the first adjustable length ‘L1’ of the adjustable portion 120 of the first outer conduit 560. The second adjustment mechanism 142 is defined on the projecting portion 140. The first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first outer conduit 560 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second outer conduit 570 are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit 530 and the first conduit 510 for the desired length of the adjustable vent attachment 501.

The present disclosure relates to the vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400 and the vent attachment kit 500 for the tankless water heater 102. The vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400 includes the first conduit 110 configured to couple with the tankless water heater 102, and the second conduit 130 configured to couple with the first conduit 110. The first air intake pathway 118 of the first conduit 110 includes the adjustable portion 120 having the first adjustment mechanism 122 defined thereon. Further, the projecting portion 140 of the second air intake pathway 138 of the second conduit 130 has the second adjustment mechanism 142. The first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130 are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit 130 with the first conduit 110 for the desired length of the vent attachment 100, 200, 300, 400. Due to the constructional arrangement of the first adjustment mechanism 122 of the first conduit 110 and the second adjustment mechanism 142 of the second conduit 130 and the manner in which the first conduit 110 and the second conduit 130 is coupled, the vent attachment 110 of the present disclosure provides a flexible arrangement and also a tight fluid connection. Further, the vent attachment 100 of the present disclosure eliminates cutting the parts and/or settle for non-ideal lengths which is prevalent in the existing vent attachment method. Furthermore, the vent attachment 100 facilitates hassle free maintenance compared to the existing venting methods.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A vent attachment for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment comprising: a first conduit configured to couple with the tankless water heater, the first conduit comprising: a first exhaust pathway configured to expel exhaust gas from the tankless water heater; anda first air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway and configured to direct a flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater, the first air intake pathway comprising an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length; anda second conduit configured to couple with the first conduit, the second conduit comprising: a second exhaust pathway configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust pathway; anda second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway and configured to slidably engage with the first air intake pathway, the second air intake pathway comprising a projecting portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit.

2. The vent attachment of claim 1 further comprising one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust pathway and the second exhaust pathway, the one or more gaskets being configured to prevent the exhaust gas from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first air intake pathway.

3. The vent attachment of claim 1 further comprising a limiting member defined on an outer surface of the first air intake pathway at the first adjustable length from an attachment edge of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis thereof.

4. The vent attachment of claim 1, wherein the first air intake pathway further comprises a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion, wherein the second air intake pathway further comprises a second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion, andwherein the first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment.

5. The vent attachment of claim 4, wherein each of the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism comprises threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the projecting portion of the second conduit.

6. The vent attachment of claim 4, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises one or more projections defined in the adjustable portion of the first conduit.

7. The vent attachment of claim 6, wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises one or more grooves defined in the projecting portion of the second conduit.

8. The vent attachment of claim 7 further comprising a fastening member configured to couple the first conduit to the second conduit when a projection of the one or more projections aligns with a groove of the one or more grooves.

9. The vent attachment of claim 1, wherein the first exhaust pathway has a first diameter and the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway has a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway.

10. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the second exhaust pathway has a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway.

11. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the projecting portion of the second air intake pathway has a third diameter that is less than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway.

12. The vent attachment of claim 9, wherein the projecting portion of the second air intake pathway has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter of the adjustable portion of the first air intake pathway.

13. A vent attachment for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment comprising: a first conduit having a first end configured to couple with the tankless water heater, the first conduit comprising: a first exhaust pathway having a first diameter configured to expel exhaust gas from the tankless water heater; anda first air intake pathway having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway, wherein the first air intake pathway is coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway and configured to allow flow of combustion air into the tankless water heater, the first air intake pathway comprising: an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length defined from an edge of a second end of the first conduit along a longitudinal axis thereof; anda first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion; anda second conduit having a first end configured to couple with the first conduit, the second conduit comprising: a second exhaust pathway having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first exhaust pathway, and configured to slidably engage in fluid-tight communication with the first exhaust pathway; anda second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway and configured to slidably engage with the first air intake pathway, the second air intake pathway comprising: a projecting portion having a fourth diameter greater than the second diameter of the first air intake pathway and a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length of the first conduit; anda second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion,wherein the first adjustment mechanism of the first conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit with the first conduit for a desired length of the vent attachment.

14. The vent attachment of claim 13 further comprising one or more gaskets disposed between the first exhaust pathway and the second exhaust pathway, and configured to prevent the exhaust gas from mixing with the combustion air flowing through the first air intake pathway.

15. The vent attachment of claim 13 further comprising a limiting member defined on an outer surface of the first air intake pathway at the first adjustable length from the edge of the second end of the first conduit.

16. The vent attachment of claim 13, wherein each of the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism comprises threads configured to slidably engage the adjustable portion of the first conduit and the projecting portion of the second conduit.

17. The vent attachment of claim 13, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises one or more projections defined in the adjustable portion of the first conduit.

18. The vent attachment of claim 17, wherein the second adjustment mechanism comprises one or more grooves defined in the projecting portion of the second conduit.

19. The vent attachment of claim 18 further comprising a fastening member configured to couple the first conduit to the second conduit when a projection of the one or more projections aligns with a groove of the one or more grooves.

20. A vent attachment kit for a tankless water heater, the vent attachment kit comprising: a first conduit having a first exhaust pathway and a first air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the first exhaust pathway, the first conduit configured to couple with the tankless water heater;a second conduit having a second exhaust pathway and a second air intake pathway coaxially disposed around the second exhaust pathway, the second conduit configured to discharge exhaust gas to atmosphere and receive combustion air from the atmosphere; andan adjustable vent attachment configured to fluid tightly couple with the first conduit and the second conduit, the adjustable vent attachment comprising: an inner conduit configured to fluid tightly engage with the first exhaust pathway of the first conduit and the second exhaust pathway of the second conduit;a first outer conduit coaxially disposed around the inner conduit and configured to fluid tightly couple with the first air intake pathway of the first conduit, the first outer conduit comprising an adjustable portion having a first adjustable length and a first adjustment mechanism defined on the adjustable portion; anda second outer conduit coaxially and slidably disposed around the first outer conduit and configured to couple with the second air intake pathway of the second conduit, the second outer conduit comprising a projecting portion having a second adjustable length equal to or greater than the first adjustable length and a second adjustment mechanism defined on the projecting portion,wherein the first adjustment mechanism of the first outer conduit and the second adjustment mechanism of the second outer conduit are together configured to slidably couple the second conduit and the first conduit for a desired length of the adjustable vent attachment.