David L Kramer

US Patent:

60364807, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Apr 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/053183

Inventors:

Dennis R. Hughes - Hartford WI
David W. Kramer - Milwaukee WI
Darryl L. Ruark - Lugoff SC
Gary J. Potter - Mooresville IN
Martin P. McCathern - Bishopville SC
Peter J. Phillip - Fort Mill SC

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F23D 1446

US Classification:

431353

Abstract:

A combustion burner includes a housing secured to the top of a water heater, a gas tube in fluid communication with a source of gas and depending vertically from the housing and positioned within a heat exchange tube of the water heater. The An ignition assembly depends vertically from the top of the housing through the gas tube and into the heat exchange tube. An angled nozzle, extending from the housing, transports air from an air blower through the housing and into an annulus defined between the exterior of the annular chamber and the interior of the heat exchange tube. A deflector plate having a first and second series of slots and adjacent louvers effects the mixture of the gas and air in the interior of the heat exchange tube and enables the production of a long narrow flame within the heat exchange tube. A removable air restrictor plate positioned within the angled nozzle accelerates the air through the housing, thereby enabling the burner to achieve different thermal ratings without altering the air blower output.

US Patent:

48728330, Oct 10, 1989

Filed:

May 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/194976

Inventors:

David W. Kramer - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

A. O. Smith Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

F23D 1462

US Classification:

431354

Abstract:

An improved gas burner construction comprising a gas supply conduit having an outlet. A venturi is located downstream of the outlet and includes a converging section, a throat section, and a diverging section. The converging section of the venturi is spaced outwardly of the gas outlet to provide an annular passage through which air is drawn into the venturi. A helical baffle is disposed within the diverging section of the venturi and is spaced downstream of the throat section. The upstream end of the baffle is secured to the diverging section and the remaining portion of the baffle extending downstream from the upstream end has a substantially uniform diameter and is spaced inwardly from the diverging section of the venturi. A target is mounted on the downstream end of the diverging section of the venturi and includes a central disc-like portion, which spreads the combustible gas-air mixture and provides a short flame pattern.

US Patent:

48754650, Oct 24, 1989

Filed:

May 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/195285

Inventors:

David W. Kramer - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

A. O. Smith Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

A47J 2700

US Classification:

126391

Abstract:

A submersible chamber water heater having improved efficiency. The water heater includes a tubular member that is mounted in an opening in the tank and defines a combustion chamber. A fuel-air mixture is supplied to a burner located within the combustion chamber and the waste gases of combustion are conducted from the combustion chamber into a series of heat exchanger tubes which are positioned beneath the combustion chamber and are then discharged to a flue. A conduit extends through the combustion chamber and the ends of the conduit communicate with the interior of the tank. One end of the conduit is at a higher level than the other, so that water flows by convection through the conduit to increase the efficiency of the heating operation.