MOTOR/DAMPER ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL-FIRED WATER HEATER

摘要

A motor/damper assembly installable on the top end of a fuel-fired water heater includes a support plate structure upon which a flue collar with a pivotally supported flue damper, a drive motor, and a drive shaft interconnecting the motor damper are mounted. The assembly is installed by placing the collar over the upper end of the water heater flue, securing the support plate structure to the top end of the water heater, and positioning a top cover housing on the support plate structure. Using the assembly provides improved support rigidity and alignment for the motor and shaft relative to the damper, improved repeatable precise manufacturing placement of the motor and shaft, improved construction aesthetics, with the cover also protecting the shaft from shipping and handling damages.

主权项

1. A motor/damper assembly for a fuel-fired water heater, the motor/damper assembly comprising:
a support plate structure comprising:
a base plate portion formed of a sheet having a planar bottom surface and having an opening extending therethrough sized and shaped to receive a flue extending from a top surface of the water heater, the planar bottom surface of the sheet extending around a complete perimeter of the opening and being shaped and arranged to rest flat on the top surface of the water heater when the flue is extending through the opening, andfirst and second side support plates connected to opposing sides of the base plate portion and extending substantially perpendicular to the planar bottom surface of the base plate portion; andan open-ended collar extending upwardly from the opening of the base plate portion, the collar being sized and shaped to cooperate with the flue so that combustion exhaust products that pass from the flue through the collar when the support plate structure is disposed on the water heater; a damper member pivotally supported within the collar; a motor supported by the support plate structure and arranged to rotate the damper member in the collar; and a housing having an open bottom portion shaped to receive and cover the base plate portion, the first and second side support plates, and the motor.