Water Heater inhibits ignition of flammable vapors.
Press Release Summary:
Residential water heater, with Shield Combustion System(TM), employs Lock-Shield flame arrestor plate with 18,000 air louvers that prevent ignited flammable vapors from traveling backwards out of combustion chamber/water heater. Thermal switch detects increases in heat and shuts down gas supply to pilot and main burner. Piezo igniter provides pushbutton ignition of pilot flame, while sight glass allows unrestricted view into combustion chamber for observation of burner and pilot flames.
Original Press Release:
Lochinvar® Introduces Shield Combustion System(TM)
Providing Safety Through Advanced Technology
LEBANON, Tenn. (April 28, 2003) - Lochinvar® Corporation introduces the Shield Combustion System(TM), designed to protect against the ignition of flammable vapors and provide customers years of dependable and efficient operation.
Designed and manufactured with engineering precision, Lochinvar's Shield Combustion System meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) construction standard for residential gas-fired water heaters. Effective July 2003, the ANSI code will require residential water heater combustion technology to resist the ignition of flammable vapors outside the water heater. Lochinvar's new technology will not change the height, width or gallon capacity of any water heater effected by this standard.
The key component of the Shield Combustion System is the Lock-Shield flame arrestor plate made from 304L stainless steel. This plate is designed and manufactured with 18,000 geometrically engineered air louvers. These air louvers prevent ignited flammable vapors from traveling backward out of the combustion chamber and outside the water heater.
The thermal switch, located in the combustion chamber, is calibrated to detect an increase in heat created when flammable vapors are ignited and will shut down gas supply to the pilot and main burner. In addition, the thermal switch will shut down the burner and pilot if significant quantities of lint, dust or oil accumulate and begin to restrict airflow through the arrestor plate.
The Piezo igniter provides simple push-button ignition of the pilot flame. A sight glass provides an unrestricted view into the combustion chamber for observation of both the burner and pilot flames.
With Lochinvar's Shield Combustion System technology, if a small amount of flammable vapor spills in the vicinity of the water heater, the burner or pilot flame will harmlessly ignite the vapors. If significant quantities of flammable vapors are pulled into the combustion chamber, the velocity of air through the flame arrestor plate prevents the flame from traveling backward and igniting the flammable vapors outside the water heater.
The new Shield Combustion System technology provides residential gas-fired water heater customers with high efficiency, long service life, maintenance-free operation and low NOx emissions. This technology will not change the height, width or gallon capacity of any Lochinvar residential gas-fired water heater.
For more information regarding Lochinvar's Shield Combustion System, or for additional information about Lochinvar's high-efficiency water heaters, boilers and pool heaters, contact: Lochinvar Corp., 300 Maddox Simpson Parkway, Lebanon, Tenn. 37090; Phone: (615) 889-8900; Fax: (615) 547-1000; www.Lochinvar.com.
