Importance

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Abstract

A continuous-flow water heater has an elongated closed tank with sidewalls and end closures. The tank is arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and is provided with a vertically disposed internal tubular baffle dividing the tank into inner and outer concentric compartments which are open to each other at the top and bottom of the tank. A plurality of electric immersion heating elements are positioned within the inner compartment and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the baffle. A jet nozzle extends into the bottom of the tank and is arranged to direct a substantially vertically directed high velocity jet of water into the tubular baffle and toward the top end closure of the tank. The water jet traverses the heating elements and produces a continuous vertical recirculatory flow of water within the tank upwardly through the inner compartment and downwardly through the outer compartment thereby diminishing steam bubble formation, reducing noise, establishing a uniform temperature distribution in the tank and reducing the build-up of lime deposits. The heated water flows from the tank through an outlet in the top end closure. The jet nozzle may be a venturi nozzle having associated with the throat thereof a pressure responsive switch controlling energization of the heating elements. Flow directing members for inducing a helical flow of water through the inner chamber may be provided within the tubular baffle.

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First Claim