CA2092348A1 - Insulating support base with elevated circumferential ridge - Google Patents
Insulating support base with elevated circumferential ridgeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2092348A1 CA2092348A1 CA 2092348 CA2092348A CA2092348A1 CA 2092348 A1 CA2092348 A1 CA 2092348A1 CA 2092348 CA2092348 CA 2092348 CA 2092348 A CA2092348 A CA 2092348A CA 2092348 A1 CA2092348 A1 CA 2092348A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- insulating
- ridge
- casing
- inner casing
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/06—Arrangement of mountings or supports for heaters, e.g. boilers, other than space heating radiators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
- F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
- F24H1/181—Construction of the tank
- F24H1/182—Insulation
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Details Of Fluid Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
INSULATING SUPPORT BASE WITH ELEVATED
CIRCUMFERENTIAL RIDGE
Abstract of the Disclosure An improved insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical inner casing of a domestic water heater is herein described to provide better insulation of the inner metal casing. The base is formed of rigid insulated material and defines a circular base having a bottom support surface and a circumferential ridge extending above a top face thereof. The ridge has a width which is dimensioned for close fit between inner and outer casings of the water heater. The base provides for centering of the inner casing over the top face thereof internally of the circumferential ridge. The ridge has an inclined outer wall surface sloping outwardly from an upper end thereof to the bottom support surface. The ridge also extends above the top face of the base. The same ridge provides insulation for producing plumbing connections.
CIRCUMFERENTIAL RIDGE
Abstract of the Disclosure An improved insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical inner casing of a domestic water heater is herein described to provide better insulation of the inner metal casing. The base is formed of rigid insulated material and defines a circular base having a bottom support surface and a circumferential ridge extending above a top face thereof. The ridge has a width which is dimensioned for close fit between inner and outer casings of the water heater. The base provides for centering of the inner casing over the top face thereof internally of the circumferential ridge. The ridge has an inclined outer wall surface sloping outwardly from an upper end thereof to the bottom support surface. The ridge also extends above the top face of the base. The same ridge provides insulation for producing plumbing connections.
Description
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BACKGROUND OF ~NVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates -to an insulating support base for a water heater and having an elevated circumferential ridge whereby to improve the insulation properties about the side wall of the inner casing of the water heater, and further, to a method of :Lnsulating the inner metal casing of the hot water heater tank.
Dasaription of Prior ~rt In my U.S. application Serial No. 826,603 entitled "Insulating Support Base for a Cylindrical Electrical Hot Water Tank", now U.S. Patent No.
5,173,351 issued January 12, 1993, I disclose the construction of an insulating support base formed of rigid insulating foarn material whereby to support the bottom wall of the inner casing of a hot water tank and to facilitate centering of the outer casing thereabout. U.S. Patent 5,180,077 also discloses a water heater bottom insulating disc wherein there is provided an upwardly convex center portion which mates wi-th the concave base of the inner tank whereby to completely support the water heater and its water content. However, the center portion does not only support the inner tank, but at the same time, provides a better insulation than known prior art. These discs also permit centering of the inner casing and proper uniform spacing of the outer casing. Both these devices provide some thermal insulation to the base of the water heater.
In order to insulate the space between the inner casing side wall and the side wall of the outer casing, a~ sheet of insulating wool, such as Fiberglass (registered trademark) insulation, is usually folded over the entire inner casing from the top thereof and collapsed over the inner casing 2~3 ~3 whereby to embrace the caslng from both sides thereof. The insulating sheet may also be wrapped around the side wall of the water heat and a circular disc of insulation material placed on top of the heater~ With these methods of insulation, it has been found that, in most cases, the insulating wool does not extend fully to the bottom of the casings and a space is created between the inner casing and outer casings adjacent the support disc spacing peripheral flange. Tests have shown that this void in the side wall insulation results in heat loss in the tank bottom end and, therefore, energy inefficiency.
It is also well known in the prior art that bacteria contamination of water in hot water heaters is susceptible in the lower end of the hot water heater where the temperature of -the water is at its lowest. This phenomena is clearly described in Canadian Patent 2/030~976 issued on May 29, 1992 to Hydro Quebec and there is a brief description in that patent of the need to maintain the water temperature as high as possible in the lower tank region. However, this has proven difficult. It is therefore essential that the lower portion of the tank be properly insulated and this has been heretofore difficult to achieve due to the insulating methods utilized during the fabrication of hot water heaters.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank and which is provided with a circumferential ridge which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.
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,.
2~2~
Another feature of the present invention is to provide an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank and wherein -the support base is provided with a circumferential ridge which extends above a top face of the base and which is dimensioned for close fit between the inner and outer casings of the water heater, whereby to provide substantially continuous insulation between the inner casing side wall and outer casing in the bottom portion thereof.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a water heater incorporating therein an insulating support base which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a method of insulating an inner metal casing of a water heater and which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
According to a still further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically grounding the tank inner cas~ng to the outer casing during the assembly of the tank.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank. The base is formed of rigid insulating material and defines a circular base having a bottom support surface and a circumferential ridge extending above a top face of the base. The ridge has a width which is dimensioned for close fit between an inner and outer casing of a water heater.
Means is provided for centering the inner casing over the top face of the base internal]y of the circumferential ridge. The ridge has an inclined 2~23ll ~
outer wall surface sloping outwardly from an upper end thereof to the bottom support surface.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water heater having an inner cylindrical metal casing in which water is heated by internal heating means. A
lower insulating circular support base supports the inner casing. An outer metal casing is secured spaced about the inner casing. Insulating sheet material is disposed between the outer casing and the inner casing. The base has a flat bottom wall for seating in a bottom circular support metal dish.
The improvement comprises a peripheral ridge extending above a top face of the base and about a lower circumferential portion of the inner casing to provide an insulating ring about the lower circumferential portion and to further provide substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation together with the insulating sheet material.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of insulating an inner metal casing of a water heater.
The method comprises the steps of guidingly placing a ~ottom wall of the inner casing over a circular insulating rigid foam disc having a peripheral ridge extending about a lower circumferential portion of the inner casing. The disc is disposed in a bottom circular support metal dish. Insulating and compressible sheet material is placed over a top wall of the inner casing and the cylindrical side wall of the inner casing from opposed sides thereof and extends at least to or overlaps a top portion of the peripheral ridge. An outer metal cylindrical casing is then inserted over the inner casing and insulatin~ material from a top end of the inner ~ ~3 ~
casing and is slid down and disposed about the peripheral ridge of the rigid foam disc, thereby causing any overlapped portion of the insulating and compressible material dlsposed between the outer metal caslng and the perlpheral rldge to be compressed therebetween. The perlpheral ridge provides a ring of thermal insulation about the lower circumferential portion of the inner casing and substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation with the wool-type insulating material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING~
A preferred embodiment of the present invention wlll now be descrlbed wlth reference to the accompanylng drawlngs ln whlch:
FIGURE 1 ls a top view of the insulating support base of the present invention;
FIGURE ~ ls a slde view of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is a cross-section vlew along cross-section llnes III-III of Figure l;
FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the lnsulating support base;
FIGURES SA, 5B and 5C are side views respectively showing some of the stages in the assembly of the insulatlon abou-t the slde wall of the tank lnner casing;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmented section view illustrating the position of the circumferential ridge with respect to the insulating wool disposed between the inner casing outer wall and the outer casing;
! FIGURE 7 is a vlew slmilar to Figure 6 but illustrating the deficiency in the prior art; and FIGUR~ 8 is a fragmented vlew showing the manner in which the ground connection interconnects the tank ilmer casing to the outer casing.
~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFE~RED EMBODIMENTS
Referri.ng now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown generally at 10, the insulating support base of the present invention for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank 50 as shown in its assembled state in Figure 5C. The support base 10 is formed of a rigid insulating material, such as foam or other suitable moldable insulating materials, and defines a circular base 11 having a bottom flat support surface 12 and a circumferential ridge 13 extending above a top face 14 of the base. The circumferential ridge 13 has a thickness which is dimensioned for close fit between a hot water tank inner casing 51 (see Figure 5B) and an outer casing 52 (see Figure 5C).
The insulating support base 10 is further provided with a means for centering the inner casing 51 over its top face 14 and internally of the circumferential ridge 13. A circumferential channel is provided in the support base top face 1~ adjacent the circumferential ridge 13. Dome-shaped support means, in the form of a plurality of radiating support ribs 16, extend above the top face 14. The ribs radiate from a central support hub 17, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and have flat upper surfaces 18. The ribs also have a dome-shaped slope, as shown more clearly in Figure 3. These ribs supportingly abut the dome-shaped bottom wall 53 of the tank inner casing, as shown in Figure 6, to help support the inner tank. They are not for insulation purposes but for support purposes. The insulation i5 provided by the base 11 and circumferential ridge 13. It is pointed out that the bottom disc may not have support ribs 16, as is known in some prior art. ::
The means for centering the lnner casing 51 over the base 10 is comprised by the inner sloping wall surface 19 of the circumferential ridge which will guide the lower circumferential edge 54 of the inner casing in position into the circumferential channel 15. The circumferential channel 15 is also provided with a sloped side wall 20 leading to the top face 14 of the circumferential ba.se and it also serves to guide the lower circumferential edge 54 (see Figure 6) of the inner casing into the circumferential channel 15.
As can be seen more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the circumferential ridge 13 also has an inclined outer wall surface 21 which slopes outwardly from the upper flat face 22 of the ridge down to the bottom support surface 12. This inclined outer wall surface 21 also guides the lower circumferential end 55 of the outer casing 52 (see Figure 6) during the assembly of the hot water tank as will be described later.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one or more slots 23 are formed in the circumferential ridge 13 from the top wall 22 thereof and this is for the passage of one or more tank connecting elements, such as the water intake pipe or ground wiring or other such elements. A slotted opening is provided for more automatic assembly 24.
Referring now additionally to Figures 5A to 6, the assembly of a hot water heater incorporating the insulating support base 10 of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 5A, it can be seen that the insulating support base 10 is dimensioned for close fit within a bottom circular dish 30 of the water heating t~nk 50. The circular dish 30 has a vertical extending outer peripheral flange 31 and a circular bottom wall 32.
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The inclined outer wall surface 21 of the support base guides the lower cylindrical portion 55 of the outer casing 52 against an inner face 33 of the peripheral flange 31 during assembly and as will be described later. The purpose of the circumferential ridge 13 is to provide for substantially continuous side wall insulation between the inner surface 56 of the outer casing 52 and the outer surface 57 of the inner casing 51 and this is accomplished as follows.
As shown in Figure 5B, in the assembly of the tank, the inner casing 51 is positioned and centered on the insulating support base 10 as previously described. As herein shown, the water intake connecting pipe 40 of the inner casing 51 extends through one of the slots 53 in the circumferential ridge 13. An elongated rectangular sheet 41 of insulating wool-type material, such as Fiberglass (registered trade mark), is then disposed over the top wall 42 of the inner casing 51 by engaging a central portion of the sheet, herein by positioning a hole 43 provided substantially at mid-length of the sheet and centrally thereof about the outlet pipe 44 of the tank. In this position, the sheet 41 arcs over the tank~ The sheet is also of sufficient width to substantially surround the side wall 58 of the inner casing 51 to provide continuous insulation thereabout. The insulation is collapsed about the tank either by pushing an open-ended flared cone from the top end thereof to the bottom of the tank and then disconnecting it therefrom after the outer casing 52 is positioned thereover or merely, as shown in Figure 5C, by pushing the outer metal cylindrical casing 52 over the inner casing and hand-grinding the insulating wool-type material from a top end thereof as the outer casing is down to the peripheral ridge 13 of the insulating support base ~ il3~?~3A~
10. However, as shown in Figure 5C, before the outer casing 52 reaches the circumferential ridge 13, the lower ends 45 of the wool sheet 41 may overlap the ridge. Therefore, as the casing descends with the lower circumferential end 55 being guided by the inclined outer wall surface 21 of the ridge 13, it will squeeze the lower overlapped portions ~5 of the insulation wall in close fit over the top wall 22 of the ridge and/or squeeze the wool by compression between the outer casing inner surface 56 and the inclined outer wall 21 of -the ridge. Therefore, the ridge 13 ensures that the wool extends in contact with the ridge entirely about the circumference of the inner casing 51 to avoid the problem of the prior art, as illustrated in Figure 7, of developing voids 60 between the insulating wool 61 and the outer and inner casings 52 and 51 respectively. An alternative method of insulating the inner casing is to wrap around the tank wall 51 a blanket of Fiberglass ~Registered Trade Mark) and position a round insulating disc, with appropriate holes, on top of the tank. Other insulation materials may also be used.
~ lth the prior art, illustrated by Figure 7, it can be seen that the irregularities in the insulating wool sheet 61 about the base thereof provides voids 60 and heat loss in the direction indicated by arrow 62, and as previously described, such heat loss causes the water temperature in the lower end 53 of the inner tank to be lowered and ris~ing the formation of bacteria legionella which can pose serious health hazards. As shown in Figure 6, with Applicantis circumferential ridge 13, there is provided a ring of thermal insulation about the lower circumferential portion 54 of the inner casing 51 and substantially continuous side wall thermal - .~ :
2 ~ ~ ~d r3 ~
i~sulation with the wool-type insulating material 41 throughout -the length of the side wall 58 of the inner casing and the inner surface 56 of the outer casing 52.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the circumferential base 11 is provided with centering holes 28 ln the flat support lower surface 12 thereof and this is to facilitate automatic assemb].y of the water heater on an automated assembly line.
The inner casing 51 may be positioned directly on this base prior to positioning the base 10 within the circular dish 30, as shown in Figure 5A.
Re:Eerring now to Figure 8, there is shown the manner in which the tank inner casing 51 is grounded to the outer casing via the bottom circular dish 30.
As herein shown, the circular dish 30 has a grounding flange 63 welded thereto at a specific location. A small slot 65 is formed at a specific location in the channel 15 of the insulating support base whereby the grounding flange 63 enters the slot when the support base is pos.itioned on the circular dish 30. The grounding flange extends upwardly therefrom and closely spaced to the inner casing side wall 58. A spot weld 64 secures the grounding flange 63 to the side wall 58. This spot weld is made by a welding rod which extends through the circumferential ridge 13, at a precise location, to contact the flange 63. When the rod is retracted, the foam in the ridge melts and seals the hole made by the welding rod.
It is pointed out that the grounding flange 63 may be welded to the inner face of the circular dish 3Q or may be punched out from the bottom wall o~ the circular dish. The welding rod is mounted on a jig and the circular dish is precisely positioned . . . , , . , ., - , . . .
2 ~
with respect to the welding rod whereby to ensure in the automatic assembly of the tank.
Other obvious modifications of the present invention and the assembly as illustrated in Figures 5A to 5C are intended to be covered by the present invention provided such is embodied in the invention as broadly claimed.
.
,~
BACKGROUND OF ~NVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates -to an insulating support base for a water heater and having an elevated circumferential ridge whereby to improve the insulation properties about the side wall of the inner casing of the water heater, and further, to a method of :Lnsulating the inner metal casing of the hot water heater tank.
Dasaription of Prior ~rt In my U.S. application Serial No. 826,603 entitled "Insulating Support Base for a Cylindrical Electrical Hot Water Tank", now U.S. Patent No.
5,173,351 issued January 12, 1993, I disclose the construction of an insulating support base formed of rigid insulating foarn material whereby to support the bottom wall of the inner casing of a hot water tank and to facilitate centering of the outer casing thereabout. U.S. Patent 5,180,077 also discloses a water heater bottom insulating disc wherein there is provided an upwardly convex center portion which mates wi-th the concave base of the inner tank whereby to completely support the water heater and its water content. However, the center portion does not only support the inner tank, but at the same time, provides a better insulation than known prior art. These discs also permit centering of the inner casing and proper uniform spacing of the outer casing. Both these devices provide some thermal insulation to the base of the water heater.
In order to insulate the space between the inner casing side wall and the side wall of the outer casing, a~ sheet of insulating wool, such as Fiberglass (registered trademark) insulation, is usually folded over the entire inner casing from the top thereof and collapsed over the inner casing 2~3 ~3 whereby to embrace the caslng from both sides thereof. The insulating sheet may also be wrapped around the side wall of the water heat and a circular disc of insulation material placed on top of the heater~ With these methods of insulation, it has been found that, in most cases, the insulating wool does not extend fully to the bottom of the casings and a space is created between the inner casing and outer casings adjacent the support disc spacing peripheral flange. Tests have shown that this void in the side wall insulation results in heat loss in the tank bottom end and, therefore, energy inefficiency.
It is also well known in the prior art that bacteria contamination of water in hot water heaters is susceptible in the lower end of the hot water heater where the temperature of -the water is at its lowest. This phenomena is clearly described in Canadian Patent 2/030~976 issued on May 29, 1992 to Hydro Quebec and there is a brief description in that patent of the need to maintain the water temperature as high as possible in the lower tank region. However, this has proven difficult. It is therefore essential that the lower portion of the tank be properly insulated and this has been heretofore difficult to achieve due to the insulating methods utilized during the fabrication of hot water heaters.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank and which is provided with a circumferential ridge which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.
.
,.
2~2~
Another feature of the present invention is to provide an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank and wherein -the support base is provided with a circumferential ridge which extends above a top face of the base and which is dimensioned for close fit between the inner and outer casings of the water heater, whereby to provide substantially continuous insulation between the inner casing side wall and outer casing in the bottom portion thereof.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a water heater incorporating therein an insulating support base which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a method of insulating an inner metal casing of a water heater and which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
According to a still further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically grounding the tank inner cas~ng to the outer casing during the assembly of the tank.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank. The base is formed of rigid insulating material and defines a circular base having a bottom support surface and a circumferential ridge extending above a top face of the base. The ridge has a width which is dimensioned for close fit between an inner and outer casing of a water heater.
Means is provided for centering the inner casing over the top face of the base internal]y of the circumferential ridge. The ridge has an inclined 2~23ll ~
outer wall surface sloping outwardly from an upper end thereof to the bottom support surface.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water heater having an inner cylindrical metal casing in which water is heated by internal heating means. A
lower insulating circular support base supports the inner casing. An outer metal casing is secured spaced about the inner casing. Insulating sheet material is disposed between the outer casing and the inner casing. The base has a flat bottom wall for seating in a bottom circular support metal dish.
The improvement comprises a peripheral ridge extending above a top face of the base and about a lower circumferential portion of the inner casing to provide an insulating ring about the lower circumferential portion and to further provide substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation together with the insulating sheet material.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of insulating an inner metal casing of a water heater.
The method comprises the steps of guidingly placing a ~ottom wall of the inner casing over a circular insulating rigid foam disc having a peripheral ridge extending about a lower circumferential portion of the inner casing. The disc is disposed in a bottom circular support metal dish. Insulating and compressible sheet material is placed over a top wall of the inner casing and the cylindrical side wall of the inner casing from opposed sides thereof and extends at least to or overlaps a top portion of the peripheral ridge. An outer metal cylindrical casing is then inserted over the inner casing and insulatin~ material from a top end of the inner ~ ~3 ~
casing and is slid down and disposed about the peripheral ridge of the rigid foam disc, thereby causing any overlapped portion of the insulating and compressible material dlsposed between the outer metal caslng and the perlpheral rldge to be compressed therebetween. The perlpheral ridge provides a ring of thermal insulation about the lower circumferential portion of the inner casing and substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation with the wool-type insulating material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING~
A preferred embodiment of the present invention wlll now be descrlbed wlth reference to the accompanylng drawlngs ln whlch:
FIGURE 1 ls a top view of the insulating support base of the present invention;
FIGURE ~ ls a slde view of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is a cross-section vlew along cross-section llnes III-III of Figure l;
FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the lnsulating support base;
FIGURES SA, 5B and 5C are side views respectively showing some of the stages in the assembly of the insulatlon abou-t the slde wall of the tank lnner casing;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmented section view illustrating the position of the circumferential ridge with respect to the insulating wool disposed between the inner casing outer wall and the outer casing;
! FIGURE 7 is a vlew slmilar to Figure 6 but illustrating the deficiency in the prior art; and FIGUR~ 8 is a fragmented vlew showing the manner in which the ground connection interconnects the tank ilmer casing to the outer casing.
~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFE~RED EMBODIMENTS
Referri.ng now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown generally at 10, the insulating support base of the present invention for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank 50 as shown in its assembled state in Figure 5C. The support base 10 is formed of a rigid insulating material, such as foam or other suitable moldable insulating materials, and defines a circular base 11 having a bottom flat support surface 12 and a circumferential ridge 13 extending above a top face 14 of the base. The circumferential ridge 13 has a thickness which is dimensioned for close fit between a hot water tank inner casing 51 (see Figure 5B) and an outer casing 52 (see Figure 5C).
The insulating support base 10 is further provided with a means for centering the inner casing 51 over its top face 14 and internally of the circumferential ridge 13. A circumferential channel is provided in the support base top face 1~ adjacent the circumferential ridge 13. Dome-shaped support means, in the form of a plurality of radiating support ribs 16, extend above the top face 14. The ribs radiate from a central support hub 17, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and have flat upper surfaces 18. The ribs also have a dome-shaped slope, as shown more clearly in Figure 3. These ribs supportingly abut the dome-shaped bottom wall 53 of the tank inner casing, as shown in Figure 6, to help support the inner tank. They are not for insulation purposes but for support purposes. The insulation i5 provided by the base 11 and circumferential ridge 13. It is pointed out that the bottom disc may not have support ribs 16, as is known in some prior art. ::
The means for centering the lnner casing 51 over the base 10 is comprised by the inner sloping wall surface 19 of the circumferential ridge which will guide the lower circumferential edge 54 of the inner casing in position into the circumferential channel 15. The circumferential channel 15 is also provided with a sloped side wall 20 leading to the top face 14 of the circumferential ba.se and it also serves to guide the lower circumferential edge 54 (see Figure 6) of the inner casing into the circumferential channel 15.
As can be seen more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the circumferential ridge 13 also has an inclined outer wall surface 21 which slopes outwardly from the upper flat face 22 of the ridge down to the bottom support surface 12. This inclined outer wall surface 21 also guides the lower circumferential end 55 of the outer casing 52 (see Figure 6) during the assembly of the hot water tank as will be described later.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one or more slots 23 are formed in the circumferential ridge 13 from the top wall 22 thereof and this is for the passage of one or more tank connecting elements, such as the water intake pipe or ground wiring or other such elements. A slotted opening is provided for more automatic assembly 24.
Referring now additionally to Figures 5A to 6, the assembly of a hot water heater incorporating the insulating support base 10 of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 5A, it can be seen that the insulating support base 10 is dimensioned for close fit within a bottom circular dish 30 of the water heating t~nk 50. The circular dish 30 has a vertical extending outer peripheral flange 31 and a circular bottom wall 32.
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The inclined outer wall surface 21 of the support base guides the lower cylindrical portion 55 of the outer casing 52 against an inner face 33 of the peripheral flange 31 during assembly and as will be described later. The purpose of the circumferential ridge 13 is to provide for substantially continuous side wall insulation between the inner surface 56 of the outer casing 52 and the outer surface 57 of the inner casing 51 and this is accomplished as follows.
As shown in Figure 5B, in the assembly of the tank, the inner casing 51 is positioned and centered on the insulating support base 10 as previously described. As herein shown, the water intake connecting pipe 40 of the inner casing 51 extends through one of the slots 53 in the circumferential ridge 13. An elongated rectangular sheet 41 of insulating wool-type material, such as Fiberglass (registered trade mark), is then disposed over the top wall 42 of the inner casing 51 by engaging a central portion of the sheet, herein by positioning a hole 43 provided substantially at mid-length of the sheet and centrally thereof about the outlet pipe 44 of the tank. In this position, the sheet 41 arcs over the tank~ The sheet is also of sufficient width to substantially surround the side wall 58 of the inner casing 51 to provide continuous insulation thereabout. The insulation is collapsed about the tank either by pushing an open-ended flared cone from the top end thereof to the bottom of the tank and then disconnecting it therefrom after the outer casing 52 is positioned thereover or merely, as shown in Figure 5C, by pushing the outer metal cylindrical casing 52 over the inner casing and hand-grinding the insulating wool-type material from a top end thereof as the outer casing is down to the peripheral ridge 13 of the insulating support base ~ il3~?~3A~
10. However, as shown in Figure 5C, before the outer casing 52 reaches the circumferential ridge 13, the lower ends 45 of the wool sheet 41 may overlap the ridge. Therefore, as the casing descends with the lower circumferential end 55 being guided by the inclined outer wall surface 21 of the ridge 13, it will squeeze the lower overlapped portions ~5 of the insulation wall in close fit over the top wall 22 of the ridge and/or squeeze the wool by compression between the outer casing inner surface 56 and the inclined outer wall 21 of -the ridge. Therefore, the ridge 13 ensures that the wool extends in contact with the ridge entirely about the circumference of the inner casing 51 to avoid the problem of the prior art, as illustrated in Figure 7, of developing voids 60 between the insulating wool 61 and the outer and inner casings 52 and 51 respectively. An alternative method of insulating the inner casing is to wrap around the tank wall 51 a blanket of Fiberglass ~Registered Trade Mark) and position a round insulating disc, with appropriate holes, on top of the tank. Other insulation materials may also be used.
~ lth the prior art, illustrated by Figure 7, it can be seen that the irregularities in the insulating wool sheet 61 about the base thereof provides voids 60 and heat loss in the direction indicated by arrow 62, and as previously described, such heat loss causes the water temperature in the lower end 53 of the inner tank to be lowered and ris~ing the formation of bacteria legionella which can pose serious health hazards. As shown in Figure 6, with Applicantis circumferential ridge 13, there is provided a ring of thermal insulation about the lower circumferential portion 54 of the inner casing 51 and substantially continuous side wall thermal - .~ :
2 ~ ~ ~d r3 ~
i~sulation with the wool-type insulating material 41 throughout -the length of the side wall 58 of the inner casing and the inner surface 56 of the outer casing 52.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the circumferential base 11 is provided with centering holes 28 ln the flat support lower surface 12 thereof and this is to facilitate automatic assemb].y of the water heater on an automated assembly line.
The inner casing 51 may be positioned directly on this base prior to positioning the base 10 within the circular dish 30, as shown in Figure 5A.
Re:Eerring now to Figure 8, there is shown the manner in which the tank inner casing 51 is grounded to the outer casing via the bottom circular dish 30.
As herein shown, the circular dish 30 has a grounding flange 63 welded thereto at a specific location. A small slot 65 is formed at a specific location in the channel 15 of the insulating support base whereby the grounding flange 63 enters the slot when the support base is pos.itioned on the circular dish 30. The grounding flange extends upwardly therefrom and closely spaced to the inner casing side wall 58. A spot weld 64 secures the grounding flange 63 to the side wall 58. This spot weld is made by a welding rod which extends through the circumferential ridge 13, at a precise location, to contact the flange 63. When the rod is retracted, the foam in the ridge melts and seals the hole made by the welding rod.
It is pointed out that the grounding flange 63 may be welded to the inner face of the circular dish 3Q or may be punched out from the bottom wall o~ the circular dish. The welding rod is mounted on a jig and the circular dish is precisely positioned . . . , , . , ., - , . . .
2 ~
with respect to the welding rod whereby to ensure in the automatic assembly of the tank.
Other obvious modifications of the present invention and the assembly as illustrated in Figures 5A to 5C are intended to be covered by the present invention provided such is embodied in the invention as broadly claimed.
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Claims (18)
1. An insulating support base for supporting a cylindrical water heater tank, said base being formed of rigid insulating material and defining a circular base having a bottom support surface and a circumferential ridge extending above a top face of said base, said ridge having a width dimensioned for close fit between an inner and outer casing of a water heater, means for centering said inner casing over said top face of said base internally of said circumferential ridge, said ridge having an inclined outer wall surface sloping outwardly from an upper end thereof to said bottom support surface.
2. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for centering said inner casing is comprised by an inner sloping wall surface of said circumferential ridge for guiding a lower peripheral edge of said inner tank internally of said ridge and adjacent thereto.
3. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 2 wherein there is further provided a circumferential locating channel in said top face adjacent a lower end of said inner sloping wall surface.
4. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 3 wherein said top face is further provided with support means having a dome-shaped upper support surface for support engagement with a bottom dome-shaped bottom wall of said inner casing.
5. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 4 wherein said dome-shaped support means comprises a plurality of support ribs radiating from a central. hub and extending over said top face to said locating channel, each rib having a convexly shaped upper flat support surface.
6. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circumferential ridge is further provided with one or more slots for the passage of one or more tank connecting elements therethrough.
7. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support disc is molded from rigid foam material and dimensioned for close fit within a bottom circular dish of said water heater, said circular dish having a vertically extending outer peripheral flange, said inclined outer wall surface of said support base guiding a lower cylindrical portion of said outer casing against an inner face of said peripheral flange and causing any overlapped portions of an insulating wool disposed between said outer casing and said insulating ring to be compressed therebetween, said support base providing a ring of thermal insulation about a lower circumferential portion of said inner casing and substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation with said insulating wool.
8. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper end of said ridge is a flat horizontal end wall.
9. In a water heater having a cylindrical inner metal casing in which water is heated by heating means, a lower insulating circular support base, an outer metal casing secured spaced about the inner casing, insulating sheet material between said outer casing and said inner casing, said base having a flat bottom wall for seating in a bottom circular support metal dish, the improvement comprising a peripheral ridge extending above a top face of said base and about a lower circumferential portion of said inner casing to provide an insulating ring about said lower circumferential portion and to further provide substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation together with said insulating sheet material.
10. A water heater as claimed in claim 9 wherein said peripheral ridge provides a means for centering said inner metal casing over said upper face of said base.
11. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for centering said inner casing is comprised by an inner sloping wall surface of said circumferential ridge for guiding a lower peripheral edge of said inner tank internally of said ridge and adjacent thereto.
12. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is further provided a circumferential locating channel in said top face adjacent a lower end of said inner sloping wall surface.
13. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 12 wherein said top face is further provided with dome-shaped support means shaped for close fit within a bottom cavity of said inner casing for support engagement therewith.
14. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 13 wherein said dome-shaped support means comprises a plurality of dome-shaped support ribs radiating from a central hub and extending over said top face to said locating channel, each rib having a convexly shaped upper flat support surface.
15. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 9 wherein said circumferential ridge is further provided with one or more slots for the passage of one or more tank connecting elements therethrough.
16. An insulating support base as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for centering said inner casing is comprised by an inner sloping wall surface of said circumferential ridge for guiding a lower peripheral edge of said inner tank internally of said ridge and adjacent thereto.
17. A method of insulating an inner metal casing of a water heater comprising the steps of (i) guidingly placing a bottom wall of said inner casing over a circular insulating rigid insulating disc having a peripheral ridge extending about a lower circumferential portion of said inner casing, said disc being disposed in a bottom circular support metal dish, (ii) placing insulating and compressible sheet material over a top wall of a cylindrical side wall of said inner casing, said sheet extending at least to or overlapping a top portion of said peripheral ridge, (iii) inserting an outer metal cylindrical casing over said inner casing and insulating material from a top end of said inner casing and sliding it down to dispose it about said peripheral ridge of said rigid insulating disc thereby causing any overlapped portions of said insulating sheet material disposed between said outer metal casing and said peripheral ridge to be compressed therebetween, said peripheral ridge providing a ring of thermal insulation about said lower circumferential portion of said inner casing and substantially continuous side wall thermal insulation with said insulating sheet material.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said step (iii) comprises:
(a) placing an elongated rectangular sheet of insulating wool-type material over a top wall of said inner casing by engaging a central portion of said sheet with said top wall, and (b) collapsing said sheet onto a cylindrical side wall of said inner casing from opposed sides thereof, said sheet having a width sufficient to encircle said inner casing and a length extending at least to or overlapping a top portion of said peripheral ridge.
(a) placing an elongated rectangular sheet of insulating wool-type material over a top wall of said inner casing by engaging a central portion of said sheet with said top wall, and (b) collapsing said sheet onto a cylindrical side wall of said inner casing from opposed sides thereof, said sheet having a width sufficient to encircle said inner casing and a length extending at least to or overlapping a top portion of said peripheral ridge.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2092348 CA2092348A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-03-24 | Insulating support base with elevated circumferential ridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2092348 CA2092348A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-03-24 | Insulating support base with elevated circumferential ridge |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2092348A1 true CA2092348A1 (en) | 1994-09-25 |
Family
ID=4151341
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2092348 Abandoned CA2092348A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-03-24 | Insulating support base with elevated circumferential ridge |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2092348A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2423618A3 (en) * | 2010-08-05 | 2013-01-02 | Baxi Heating (UK) Limited | An improved method of insulating a hot water cylinder |
| BE1020880A3 (en) * | 2010-07-27 | 2014-07-01 | Seibel & Reitz Gmbh & Co Kg | BASE FOR THERMAL APPLIANCES. |
| CN107975944A (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2018-05-01 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Base mechanism, shell assembly and water heater |
| FR3101336A1 (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2021-04-02 | Viessmann Werke Gmbh & Co Kg | Thermally insulated container and its manufacturing process |
-
1993
- 1993-03-24 CA CA 2092348 patent/CA2092348A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE1020880A3 (en) * | 2010-07-27 | 2014-07-01 | Seibel & Reitz Gmbh & Co Kg | BASE FOR THERMAL APPLIANCES. |
| EP2423618A3 (en) * | 2010-08-05 | 2013-01-02 | Baxi Heating (UK) Limited | An improved method of insulating a hot water cylinder |
| CN107975944A (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2018-05-01 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Base mechanism, shell assembly and water heater |
| CN107975944B (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2024-04-16 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Base mechanism, shell assembly and water heater |
| FR3101336A1 (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2021-04-02 | Viessmann Werke Gmbh & Co Kg | Thermally insulated container and its manufacturing process |
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