Importance

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Abstract

A hot water heater comprises a tank having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall having an axis, the tank being adapted to contain water at a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure. A separator structure is received in the tank between the axis and the peripheral wall and is configured to separate the tank into an inner chamber surrounding the axis, an outer chamber adjacent the perimeter wall, an intermediate chamber between the inner and outer chambers, and a top chamber adjacent the top wall and above the intermediate chamber. The chambers are in communication for flow of water along a supply path from the outer chamber, through the top chamber, through the inner chamber and into the intermediate chamber, and a reverse flow path opposite to the supply path. The intermediate chamber has an upper closed portion for trapping a volume of gas above a level of water in the tank. A heat source is provided for heating the water in the inner chamber. An inlet conduit leads from outside the tank into the outer chamber, and an outlet conduit leads from the intermediate chamber to outside the tank. Heating and cooling of the trapped gas in the intermediate chamber displaces water from the tank into the supply line when the heat source is supplying heat to heat the water and allows cool water to enter the outer, top and inner chambers after the heat source is turned off.

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First Claim