IMPROVED EFFICIENCY PILOT BURNER SYSTEM FOR WATER HEATERS

摘要

A tube disposed in the combustion chamber of a standing pilot type fuel-firedwater heater isused to increase the overall efficiency of the water heater by improving theheat transfer fromthe pilot flame to the tank during standby periods by funneling the standingpilot flame upwardlythrough the tube in a manner concentrating the pilot flame heat against anunderside portion ofthe bottom head of the water heater tank. To further increase water heaterefficiency, the pilotburner is of a dual input type. Various pilot burner operational algorithmmodes are disclosedfor causing the pilot burner to operate at a high firing rate during mainburner operation, and at alow firing rate during standby periods.