Hot water heater containment system

• US 6,276,309 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barry Zeek
• Original Assignee: Barry Zeek
• Inventors: Zeek, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US09/492,470
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 122/14.3, 122/14.31, 122/504, 122/507, 122/4.A, 137/312, 137/313, 137/314, 340/604, 340/605
• US Class Current: 122/504
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/12 Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/246 Water level
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/17 Means for retaining water leaked from heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2007 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

A hot water heater containment system holds, detects, and removes leaked water while also shutting off the water supply. The system additionally shuts off supply gas when leaking gas is detected, and sounds an alarm. A burner within the system is shielded against infiltration of flammable vapors from external sources. The shielding function is accomplished without preventing access to the burner for maintenance. Advantageously, the hot water containment system is inexpensive to construct, easy and safe to use, and highly reliable in operation.

Claims

1. A safety system for a hot water heater having a gas supply pipe, comprising:

a) a water containment means having a removable door and a channel for accommodating said gas supply pipe, said containment means surrounding the lower portion of said hot water heater to thereby provide a containment area;

b) a drain plug for draining leaked water from said water containment means;

c) a water level detector for detecting leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means;

d) an electrical switch electrically connected to said water level detector;

e) an electrical solenoid water valve electrically connected to said electrical switch;

f) a water pump for pumping leaked water from said containment means, said pump being electrically connected to said electrical switch, and

g) an adjustable collar for enclosing said containment means to protect against debris being accidentally dropped into said containment area and to exclude from the enclosed gas flame flammable vapors from external sources, thereby substantially eliminating ignition of said vapors;

whereby said water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means and actuates said switch causing said pump to remove said water from said containment means.

2. A safety system as recited by claim 1, further comprising a water solenoid valve electrically connected between said pump and said electrical switch, said water solenoid valve, upon being actuated by said switch, being caused to close and remain closed until manually reset.

3. A safety system as recited by claim 1, wherein the height of said containment means is at least 18 inches.

4. A safety system as recited by claim 3, wherein the height of said containment means ranges from at least 18 inches to about 28 inches.

5. A safety system for a hot water heater having a gas supply pipe, comprising:

a) a water containment means having a removable door and a channel for accommodating said gas supply pipe, said containment means surrounding the lower portion of said hot water heater to thereby provide a containment area;

b) a drain plug for draining leaked water from said water containment means;

c) a water level detector for detecting leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means;

d) an electrical switch electrically connected to said water level detector;

e) an electrical solenoid water valve electrically connected to said electrical switch; and

f) a water pump for pumping leaked water from said containment means, said pump being electrically connected to said electrical switch;

g) a gas sensor for detecting leaking supply gas, said gas emanating from a point either within or around said containment area;

h) a gas solenoid valve electrically connected to said gas sensor, said gas solenoid valve being constructed to require a manual reset after actuation;

i) said gas solenoid valve being operative to control the flow of gas into said supply gas pipe; and

j) an alarm electrically connected to said gas solenoid valve;

whereby said water level detector detects leaked water at a predetermined depth within said containment means and actuates said switch causing said pump to remove said water from said containment means, and said gas sensor, upon detecting leaking gas, causes said gas solenoid valve to actuate thereby causing said gas solenoid valve to close and said alarm to sound, thereby shutting off said leaking gas within said containment area and sounding said alarm.