Water heater combustion chamber sensing system

Abstract

A combustion chamber is disposed below the water container of a water heater and formed at least partially by a shell. A burner disposed within the combustion chamber and a fuel supply line is connected to the burner. A valve associated with the fuel supply line. A combustion chamber sensor is disposed within the combustion chamber and adapted to sense a rise in temperature indicative of an abnormality in the combustion chamber. A circuit connected to the sensor and the valve such that the circuit triggers the valve to shut off fuel to the burner in response to a sensed temperature by the sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, taken partly in section, of a gas water heater embodying aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, taken partly in section, of the gas water heater shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of selected parts of the lower portion of the gas water heater shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a fuel supply line assembly with the burner removed for ease of understanding.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded side elevational view of a sensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a casing portion shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a spacer shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a circuit portion shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the sensing system of FIG. 6 in an assembled condition.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the sensing system of FIG. 7 in a closed circuit condition, inserted in an access plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the sensing system of FIG. 8 in an open circuit condition.

Claims

1. A water heater comprising: a water container;a combustion chamber disposed below the water container and formed at least partially by a shell having an interior surface;a burner disposed within the combustion chamber;a fuel supply line connected to the burner;a valve associated with the fuel supply line;a movable combustion chamber sensor disposed interiorly of the shell proximate to the interior surface of the shell, and adapted to sense a rise in temperature indicative of an abnormality in the combustion chamber; anda switch associated with the sensor and operatively associated with the valve such that the switch triggers the valve to shut off fuel to the burner in response to a sensed temperature by the sensor.

2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the switch further comprises a movable reset shaft.

3. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber sensor further comprises a casing having a hollow portion and a sensing protrusion extending away from the hollow portion.

4. The water heater according to claim 4, wherein the combustion chamber sensor is disposed within the hollow portion and adapted to sense the temperature of the combustion chamber sensor casing.

5. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber sensor is a generally circular disc, normally biased in a concave position and adapted to operate to a convex position upon reaching a predetermined temperature.

6. The water heater according to claim 5, further comprising a shaft portion disposed between the sensor and the switch and adapted to move toward the switch when the sensor shifts from the concave position to the convex position such that the shaft does not project or extend into the combustion chamber.

7. The water heater according to claim 6, wherein the switch is normally closed and operation of the combustion chamber sensor from the concave position to the convex portion causes the normally closed circuit to open, thereby closing the valve.

8. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is resetable.

9. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein switch is in series with the valve.

10. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the shell further comprises an access door covering an opening in the shell.

11. The water heater according to claim 10, wherein the combustion chamber sensor is disposed interiorly of the access door.

12. The water heater according to claim 10, wherein the circuit is disposed exteriorly.

13. A combustion chamber temperature sensing system comprising: a casing having a sensing extension and a barrel portion;a sensor disposed within the barrel portion and adapted to operate from a concave to convex position upon reaching a predetermined temperature;a switch comprising a member having a fixed first end portion connected to a first terminal and a movable second end portion biased against a second terminal; anda shaft portion disposed between the sensor and the member and adapted to move the second end portion away from the second terminal when the sensor shifts from a concave to a convex position.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the switch is closed when the member is biased against the second terminal.

15. The system according to claim 13, sized and shaped to be mounted at least partially inside of a combustion chamber of a water heater, thereby disposing the sensor within the interior of the combustion chamber.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the switch further comprises a movable reset shaft associated with the movable second end portion.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the shaft portion extends or projects away from the sensor when the sensor is in the convex position.

18. A water heater comprising: a water container;a combustion chamber disposed below the water container and formed at least partially by a shell having an interior surface;a burner disposed within the combustion chamber;a fuel supply line connected to the burner;a valve associated with the fuel supply line;a movable combustion chamber sensor disposed interiorly of the shell proximate to the interior surface, and adapted to sense a rise in temperature indicative of a selected amount of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber; anda switch associated with the sensor and operatively associated with the valve such that the switch triggers the valve to shut off fuel to the burner in response to a sensed temperature by the sensor.

19. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the switch further comprises a movable reset switch.

20. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the combustion chamber sensor further comprises a casing having a hollow portion and a sensing protrusion extending away from the hollow portion.

21. The water heater according to claim 20, wherein the combustion chamber sensor is disposed within the hollow portion and adapted to sense the temperature of the combustion chamber sensor casing.

22. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the combustion chamber sensor is a generally circular disc, normally biased in a concave position and adapted to operate to a convex position upon reaching a predetermined temperature.

23. The water heater according to claim 22, further comprising a shaft portion disposed between the sensor and the switch and adapted to move toward the switch when the sensor shifts from the concave position to the convex position such that the shaft does not project or extend into the combustion chamber.

24. The water heater according to claim 22, wherein the switch is normally closed and operation of the combustion chamber sensor from the concave position to the convex portion causes the normally closed switch to open, thereby closing the valve.

25. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is resetable.

26. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the abnormality is a rise in carbon monoxide content in the combustion chamber.

27. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the abnormality is a rise in combustion temperature in the combustion chamber.

28. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the abnormality comprises combustion of extraneous fumes.

29. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein switch is in series with the valve.

30. The water heater according to claim 17, wherein the shell further comprises an access door covering an opening in the shell.