Threaded Modular Water Heater

Product Concept: Threaded Modular Water Heater

Introduction:

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is an innovative design aimed at simplifying the manufacturing, transport, and installation processes of water heaters. By incorporating a modular system with threaded connections, the water heater is divided into multiple parts that can be easily screwed together, making it easy to transport and assemble. This design is not only ideal for solar water heaters but can also be adapted to gas and electric water heaters, providing flexibility across different heating technologies.

Key Features:

Threaded Modular System: The water heater is made up of several parts that are connected using threaded joints, allowing users to easily screw the components together. This makes the assembly process quick and convenient.
Multi-Purpose Compatibility: This system is designed to work with various types of water heaters, including solar, gas, and electric, offering flexibility to meet different needs.
Enhanced Portability: The modular components can be carried separately, making transportation much easier, especially for installation in small or remote locations.
Cost-Effective: The modular design reduces manufacturing and logistics costs, and the easy assembly reduces labor costs during installation.

Applications & Versatility:

Solar Water Heaters: The threaded system is ideal for solar-powered water heaters, as it facilitates the assembly of solar collectors and ensures proper insulation.
Gas Water Heaters: This system can be used for traditional

Product Concept: Threaded Modular Water Heater

Introduction:

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is an innovative design aimed at revolutionizing the manufacturing, transport, and installation processes of water heaters. By incorporating a modular system with threaded connections, this water heater consists of several parts that can be easily screwed together, making transportation and assembly more efficient. This design is not only ideal for solar water heaters but also adaptable to gas and electric water heaters, offering versatility across different heating technologies.

Key Features:

Threaded Modular System: The water heater is constructed with multiple components that are connected using threaded joints, enabling users to quickly screw the parts together. This makes the assembly process much simpler and faster, ensuring a smooth installation experience.
Multi-Purpose Compatibility: The threaded system is versatile and can be applied to various types of water heaters, including solar, gas, and electric, providing flexibility for different user needs.
Enhanced Portability: By dividing the water heater into modular components, each part can be transported separately. This reduces the size and weight of the overall unit, making it easier to transport, especially to remote or confined spaces.
Cost-Effective: The modular design streamlines manufacturing and shipping processes, reducing overall production and logistics costs. Additionally, the quick assembly process minimizes labor costs during installation.

Applications & Versatility:

Solar Water Heaters: The threaded system is perfect for solar-powered water heaters, as it facilitates the easy assembly of solar collectors, ensures proper insulation, and accommodates various configurations.
Gas Water Heaters: The system is also suitable for traditional gas water heaters, allowing for easy assembly of tanks, burners, and essential components.
Electric Water Heaters: For electric water heaters, the threaded system provides an efficient method for assembling the electric heating elements, thermostats, and wiring.
Commercial & Industrial Applications: The modular design is ideal for larger water heaters used in commercial and industrial settings. It simplifies the transport, assembly, and installation of high-capacity units, making it a practical choice for these environments.

Benefits:

Efficient Transport & Storage: The ability to transport and store modular parts separately reduces logistics costs and makes the product more portable, especially in challenging environments.
Quick Installation: The threaded system allows users to assemble the water heater on-site quickly, reducing installation time and making it accessible for individuals with minimal technical expertise.
Versatile Applications: Whether it's for solar, gas, or electric water heaters, the threaded system provides a flexible solution for various water heating technologies.
Cost Savings: The modular design cuts down manufacturing and shipping costs, as individual parts can be made and transported more efficiently.
Easy Maintenance & Upgrades: Since the system is modular, parts can be easily replaced or upgraded without needing to replace the entire unit, extending the lifespan of the water heater.

Conclusion:

The Threaded Modular Water Heater presents a flexible and easy-to-install solution for water heating systems. Its modular design not only improves transportation and installation efficiency but also reduces costs in manufacturing and logistics. Whether for residential, commercial, or industrial use, this innovative system offers a versatile solution for solar, gas, and electric water heaters. By simplifying the process of water heater assembly and installation, this design could significantly improve the way water heating systems are produced and utilized globally.

Technical Explanation: Threaded Modular Water Heater

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is a state-of-the-art water heating system designed to improve efficiency in manufacturing, transport, installation, and maintenance of water heaters. This system incorporates a modular design where various components of the water heater are connected using threaded joints, allowing the parts to be assembled or disassembled as needed. Below is a breakdown of the technical aspects of the system:

1. Threaded Modular System

The key innovation of this water heater lies in the use of threaded connections to assemble its components. The components, including the tank, heating elements, insulation layers, and pipes, are designed with standardized threaded fittings that allow them to be screwed together in a quick and efficient manner.

Threaded Joints: Each part has male and female threaded ends that align to form secure and leak-proof connections.
Modular Parts: The modular nature of the system means that each component (e.g., tank, heating elements, control systems, etc.) can be manufactured, transported, and installed separately, reducing transportation volume and complexity.

2. Compatibility Across Heating Technologies

The threaded system is designed to accommodate various types of water heaters, ensuring broad compatibility:

Solar Water Heaters: The system is engineered to integrate with solar collectors and insulation systems, ensuring maximum energy efficiency. The threaded system allows for easy assembly of solar components, such as heat exchangers and solar panels.
Gas Water Heaters: The threaded design works with components like gas burners, valves, and ignition systems. Its flexibility enables users to create a seamless connection between the tank and gas heating components.
Electric Water Heaters: The threaded modular system also accommodates electric heating elements and thermostats. Electric water heaters can be easily assembled with connections to heating elements, power wiring, and temperature control systems.

3. Enhanced Portability & Transport

One of the significant advantages of the threaded modular design is its impact on portability and transport:

Modular Components: By breaking down the water heater into smaller modular parts, the size and weight of each piece are minimized. This allows for more efficient use of shipping space and reduced transportation costs, especially for larger or bulky water heaters.
Easy Handling: Smaller parts are easier to move, especially in areas with limited access, tight spaces, or rough terrain. This design reduces the need for specialized equipment or large vehicles to transport the water heater.

4. Quick and Easy Assembly

The use of threaded connections streamlines the installation process:

Fast Installation: By simply screwing the components together, the water heater can be assembled on-site in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. No specialized tools or skills are required, making installation easier for technicians and even DIY users.
Secure Connections: The threaded joints are designed to form tight, secure seals, preventing any leaks or issues during operation. The robust nature of these connections ensures long-term durability and performance.

5. Cost-Effective Manufacturing & Logistics

Simplified Production: The modular parts can be standardized and manufactured separately, reducing the complexity of the production process. This allows for cost-efficient manufacturing.
Optimized Logistics: By shipping the modular components individually, transportation costs are reduced. The need for large, pre-assembled tanks is eliminated, which also allows for more flexible storage options.

6. Maintenance and Upgrades

The modularity of the system offers additional benefits for maintenance and upgrades:

Easier Repairs: If any part of the water heater fails, it can be easily replaced without the need to replace the entire system. Whether it's the tank, heating element, or control system, only the faulty component needs to be removed and replaced.
Upgradability: As technology advances, users can upgrade specific components of the water heater (e.g., switching to a more energy-efficient heating element) without replacing the entire system, extending the product's lifespan and improving overall efficiency.

7. Durability and Performance

The threaded design ensures long-lasting performance and reliable operation:

Leak-Proof Connections: The threads are designed to create airtight and watertight seals, preventing leaks that could compromise the heater’s functionality and lifespan.
High-Temperature Tolerance: The materials used in the threaded connections and modular parts are capable of withstanding the high temperatures and pressures commonly encountered in water heating applications, ensuring safety and performance over time.

Conclusion

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is a highly adaptable and efficient system that enhances the performance, transportability, and ease of installation of water heaters. With its threaded connections, the system simplifies assembly, reduces manufacturing and shipping costs, and is applicable across different heating technologies, including solar, gas, and electric. Its modular nature also ensures ease of maintenance, while ensuring a durable, long-lasting solution for residential, commercial, and industrial water heating needs.

Threaded Modular Water Heater – Technical Design Overview

1. System Concept & Design Objectives

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is a pressurized hot-water storage and heating system built from multiple cylindrical shell sections that are assembled via threaded mechanical joints.

Instead of a single welded vessel, the tank is divided into structural modules that:

Are manufactured independently
Can be transported as separate parts
Are assembled on-site by screwing sections together
Support multiple heating technologies (solar, gas, electric) through standardized interfaces

Key design objectives:

Reduce manufacturing and logistics complexity for large and medium-sized heaters
Enable installation in hard-to-access sites (narrow shafts, roofs, remote locations)
Allow module-level maintenance and replacement
Provide a common mechanical platform for several heater variants

2. System Architecture

At a high level, the system consists of:

Cylindrical shell modules (tank segments)
End modules (top and bottom)
Threaded connection interfaces between modules
Sealing and insulation layers
Heating technology interfaces (solar, gas, electric)
Hydraulic connections (inlet/outlet, drain, recirculation)
Safety and control components (temperature, pressure, sensors)

2.1 Cylindrical Shell Modules

Each shell module is a pressure-rated cylinder with:

Inner radius ( r_i ) and outer radius ( r_o )
Axial length ( L ) selected according to desired capacity and modularity
One male threaded end and one female threaded end (or adapter rings)

Design considerations:

Modules must withstand design pressure ( P_{design} ) and temperature ( T_{max} )
Wall thickness is determined using pressure vessel rules (e.g., thin-wall cylinder approximation as a starting point) with appropriate safety factors
Materials chosen for corrosion resistance, weldability (if needed), and cost

Typical materials:

Carbon steel with internal coating / enamel
Stainless steel (e.g., 304/316) for higher corrosion resistance
Optional polymer liners or glass-lined interior for potable water applications

2.2 End Modules (Top & Bottom)

End modules close the cylinder stack and provide interfaces for:

Cold-water inlet / hot-water outlet
Safety valve and air vent (top)
Drain valve, recirculation port, or sensor port (bottom)
For gas systems: burner chamber or flue interaction at the bottom/end zone

End modules can be:

Cast or fabricated heads with integrated threaded rings
Flat or dished heads, depending on pressure and stress criteria

3. Threaded Joint Design

The threaded joints between modules are the most critical mechanical feature.

3.1 Geometry & Load Transfer

Each interface includes:

A male thread on one module (external)
A female thread on the adjacent module (internal)
A sealing land or shoulder where a gasket or O-ring is compressed

Design goals:

Transfer axial loads due to internal pressure and dead weight
Maintain circumferential continuity to avoid local stress concentrations
Provide a controlled compression of the sealing element

Possible thread types:

Trapezoidal or buttress threads for high axial load and easy assembly
Fine-pitch cylindrical threads with larger engagement length for improved sealing stability

3.2 Sealing Elements

Between modules, a sealing system is installed, typically:

O-ring or flat gasket in a dedicated groove
Material compatible with:
- Maximum continuous temperature (e.g., 90–120°C or more)
- Potable water (if required)
- Pressure cycles and thermal expansion

Common materials:

EPDM (potable hot water, up to ~110°C)
Silicone (higher temperature range)
Viton/FKM (more chemically resistant, higher cost)

The joint geometry ensures:

A metal-to-metal stop that defines maximum tightening
Appropriate gasket compression at the stop position
Resistance to creep and relaxation under long-term load

3.3 Torque & Assembly

Design must define:

Recommended assembly torque
Acceptable friction coefficients for threads (greased vs. dry)
Use of anti-galling coatings or lubricants to prevent damage

For field assembly:

Either manual torque (with long handles)
Or special clamp tools that engage dedicated flats or lugs on the modules

4. Thermal & Hydraulic Design

The tank operates as a conventional storage heater regarding water behavior, with modularity at the shell level.

4.1 Internal Volume & Stratification

The total internal volume is:

[

V_{total} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \pi r_i^2 L_i

]

Where each module ( i ) may have slightly different lengths ( L_i ).

Stratification considerations:

Hot water outlet is located at the top to exploit natural thermal stratification.
Cold inlet may include a diffuser to reduce mixing.
For solar systems, heat exchangers may be placed in lower modules to heat bottom water, allowing stable stratification.

4.2 Flow Connections

Typical connections:

Cold inlet with diffuser
Hot outlet at highest point
Optional recirculation loop for ring-main systems
Sensor ports for thermostats, PT100, NTC thermistors, etc.

The modular concept allows certain modules to be “instrumentation modules” with pre-defined nozzles and sensor pipes.

5. Heating Technology Interfaces

The modular tank is intended to host three main heating variants, using specialized interface modules.

5.1 Solar Configuration

Solar variant may include:

Internal coil heat exchanger inserted into one or more lower modules
External solar circuit with antifreeze fluid connected via threaded ports
Additional insulation around exchanger modules

Technical points:

Coil surface area sized according to desired solar contribution (kW) and temperature rise
Flow rate and pressure drop optimized to keep pump power reasonable
Materials: copper, stainless, or coated steel coils

5.2 Gas Configuration

For gas-fired operation:

A specialized bottom module integrates the combustion chamber
Flame tube and/or multi-pass flue design for efficient heat transfer
Flue gases exit via a vertical or horizontal stack

Safety and control:

Combustion chamber designed according to applicable gas standards
Flame supervision devices, gas valves, and overheat protection
Adequate clearance and shielding from threaded shell joints

Heat exchange can be:

Direct (flame tube in water volume)
Or indirect (water jacket around combustion chamber)

5.3 Electric Configuration

Electric models use:

One or more electric heating elements inserted through threaded or flanged ports in a designated module
Thermostat and over-temperature cut-out integrated nearby
Wiring paths and junction boxes external to the tank shell

Design points:

Element watt density matched to scale formation risk and water chemistry
Optional multi-stage or modulating elements
Use of replaceable electric modules for easy upgrade/repair

6. Materials & Corrosion Protection

Material selection must consider:

Internal corrosion (water chemistry, oxygen content, temperature)
External corrosion (ambient humidity, installation environment)

Typical strategies:

Internal:
- Glass/porcelain lining (glass-lined steel)
- Magnesium or impressed-current anode for sacrificial protection
- Stainless steel for premium models
External:
- Powder coating or paint
- Additional protective covers or enclosures in harsh environments

Threaded interfaces must be:

Compatible with coating/lining process (masking and post-processing may be needed)
Designed to avoid coating buildup on threads that would prevent assembly

7. Manufacturing & Quality Control

7.1 Manufacturing Processes

Typical steps:

Forming of cylindrical shells (rolling + welding or seamless pipe)
Machining of thread carrier rings (if separate)
Welding rings to shells with proper NDT (non-destructive testing)
Lining or coating of internal surfaces (if applicable)
Machining/finishing of threads and sealing faces
Assembly of test tank (all modules) for qualification

7.2 Testing & Validation

Hydrostatic pressure tests at >1.3× design pressure
Leak tests at threaded joints under cold and hot conditions
Thermal cycling tests to simulate real operation (heating, cooling, pressure changes)
Fatigue assessment of:

Threads under cyclic pressure
Seals under repeated compression/thermal expansion

8. Installation, Maintenance & Serviceability

8.1 Installation

Modules are transported separately and assembled near final location.
Installers follow a procedure:
- Visual check of threads and seals
- Correct order of modules
- Lubrication if required
- Tightening to specified torque
Final connection to water pipes, gas lines, solar loops, or electrical circuits according to variant.

8.2 Maintenance

Advantages of modularity:

Module replacement: if one section corrodes or fails, only that module is replaced.
Partial disassembly: tank can be opened if internal inspection or relining is needed.
Upgrade paths:
- Replace a standard module with a “solar coil module” later
- Upgrade to higher insulation module designs
- Swap electric module to different power rating

Scheduled tasks:

Checking anodes (if used)
Checking seals at joints for signs of leakage
Inspecting insulation and external coatings

9. Safety & Standards Considerations

The system must comply with relevant standards and regulations, for example:

Pressure vessel rules (local equivalents of ASME, PED, etc.)
National standards for:
- Hot-water storage tanks
- Gas appliances (for gas variant)
- Electrical safety (for electric variant)
Potable water regulations, where applicable

Safety components:

Temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR)
Non-return valves on inlet lines where required
Overheat protection and low-water cut-off (for certain designs)

The modular, threaded design must be engineered so that compliance is not compromised by assembly in the field. Clear instructions, torque values, and joint inspection criteria are essential.

10. Summary

The Threaded Modular Water Heater introduces a technically distinct architecture where the primary pressure vessel is built from multiple threaded shell modules rather than a single welded cylinder.

By integrating:

Carefully designed threaded joints and seals
Standardized interface modules for solar, gas, and electric heating
A modular approach to manufacturing, logistics, installation, and maintenance

this design offers a flexible, scalable, and serviceable solution for residential, commercial, and industrial hot-water applications.

Threaded Modular Water Heater – A New Approach to Smart, Efficient Hot Water

Modern buildings depend on reliable hot water, but conventional water heaters are heavy, bulky, and often difficult to transport, install, and maintain. Once a standard heater is manufactured, it usually stays as one large, welded unit for its entire life. If something serious fails, the whole unit is often replaced.

The Threaded Modular Water Heater offers a different path: a water heater built from several threaded, modular sections that can be transported separately and screwed together on-site. The result is a system that is easier to move, install, maintain, and adapt to different heating technologies such as solar, gas, and electric.

1. Concept Overview

The Threaded Modular Water Heater is built around one simple idea:

Instead of one fixed tank, create a tank composed of multiple cylindrical modules that join together with threaded connections.

Each module is a structural part of the heater’s body. When assembled, the modules form a complete, pressurized water heater tank. When disassembled, they are compact, lighter parts that can be carried, stored, or replaced more easily.

This design can be used for:

Solar water heaters
Gas water heaters
Electric water heaters

All within a common modular platform.

2. Core Design & Architecture

2.1 Threaded Modular System

At the heart of the system is a series of male and female threaded interfaces:

Each cylindrical section of the tank is manufactured with:
- A male threaded ring at one end
- A female threaded ring at the other end
When two modules are joined, the threads lock them together and compress the sealing elements between them.

Internally, the tank behaves like a single volume of water; externally, it behaves like a chain of robust, screwed-together shells.

2.2 Sealing & Insulation

Between each threaded section there are:

Gaskets / seals designed to withstand:
- High temperatures
- Internal water pressure
Insulation layers (around the modules) to reduce heat loss.

The design ensures that, once assembled, the heater performs like a conventional high-quality water heater, while still retaining the benefits of modularity.

2.3 Compatibility with Different Heating Technologies

The same modular tank concept can be paired with different “energy packages”:

Solar configuration
- Integrated or external solar collectors
- Heat exchangers designed to circulate solar-heated fluid
- Additional insulation to maximize energy retention
Gas configuration
- Gas burner assembly mounted to a compatible interface at the base or side
- Flue and exhaust arrangements designed for safety and efficiency
- Valves and safety components adapted to the gas standard in each market
Electric configuration
- Threaded or flanged ports for electric heating elements
- Thermostats and control units integrated into the modular shell
- Wiring channels and sensor mounts built into specific modules

All these variations can use the same family of threaded tank sections, simplifying production and inventory.

3. How It Works in Practice

3.1 Manufacturing

Instead of producing one large welded tank, manufacturers produce:

Standard modular tank sections in a few sizes (diameter/length)
Optional end-cap modules (top/bottom)
Dedicated interface modules for:
- Solar heat exchangers
- Gas burners
- Electric heating elements

These parts can be combined in different configurations to create heaters of different capacities and types.

3.2 Transport & Logistics

Because the heater is split into modules:

Each component is smaller and lighter than a complete tank.
More units can fit into a standard shipping container or truck.
It becomes easier to move heaters through:
- Narrow staircases
- Small elevators
- Crowded urban environments
- Remote or rural terrains

For large commercial units, this is especially useful: instead of moving one huge cylinder, the installer moves several manageable sections.

3.3 On-Site Assembly

Installation is straightforward:

Bring the modules to the installation site.
Arrange the modules in order (e.g., bottom cap → mid sections → top cap).
Apply or check the seals/gaskets.
Screw the modules together using the threaded interfaces.
Connect:
- Cold-water inlet and hot-water outlet
- Solar loop / gas line / electrical supply, depending on the heater type
Perform standard pressure and safety checks.

The result is a fully functional heater assembled on-site without heavy welding, special tools, or large lifting equipment.

4. Applications & Use Cases

4.1 Residential Homes

For homes and apartments:

Easier to bring a heater into older buildings with narrow hallways.
Convenient for roof-mounted solar heaters where access is limited.
Simplifies replacement: only damaged or corroded modules may need to be swapped.

4.2 Commercial Buildings

In hotels, office buildings, and multi-unit housing:

Large capacity heaters can be built from multiple modules.
Upgrades are simpler: for example, adding extra modules to increase capacity.
Downtime may be reduced, as sections can be replaced without removing the whole system.

4.3 Industrial & Remote Locations

In factories, farms, or remote sites:

Transport is often the main challenge. Modular sections can be shipped on smaller vehicles or even carried by hand when needed.
Systems can be scaled up by adding more modules as demand grows.
For off-grid projects, solar-based versions combined with modularity can provide robust and flexible hot-water solutions.

5. Key Benefits

5.1 Transport & Storage Efficiency

Smaller packages reduce shipping volume.
Easier handling lowers transport risk and simplifies logistics.
Warehouses can store modules instead of many different full-size models.

5.2 Faster, Easier Installation

No welding or complex fabrication on-site.
Threaded assembly is intuitive and can be trained quickly.
Installers can carry fewer specialized tools.

5.3 Maintenance & Upgrades

If a section corrodes or fails, only that module can be replaced.
Upgrades (e.g., improved insulation or better heating elements) can be implemented by swapping specific parts.
Service visits become more efficient and potentially cheaper for end users.

5.4 Flexibility & Product Families

The same base modules can support:
- Standard electric models
- High-efficiency gas units
- Solar-integrated systems
Manufacturers can design families of products on one modular platform, reducing engineering and tooling costs.

5.5 Sustainability & Lifecycle Advantages

Extending product life by replacing modules instead of entire heaters reduces waste.
More efficient logistics can lower emissions from transport.
Solar configurations can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

6. Future Directions

The Threaded Modular Water Heater concept can be extended further:

Smart modules with integrated sensors for temperature, pressure, and performance.
Pre-insulated shells that snap or screw over the tank modules.
Configurations designed for greywater heat recovery or coupling with heat pumps.
Localized production of modules in different regions, using the same global standard, to support regional markets more flexibly.

7. Conclusion

The Threaded Modular Water Heater rethinks how water heaters are built, moved, installed, and maintained. By transforming a single heavy unit into a family of threaded, modular sections, it simplifies logistics, opens new possibilities for design, and provides a flexible platform for solar, gas, and electric systems alike.

For homes, commercial buildings, and industrial sites, this approach can turn the water heater from a static, difficult-to-handle appliance into a modular, upgradable, and long-lived system that is better aligned with modern needs in construction, energy, and sustainability.

Legal & Collaboration Notice

The Threaded Modular Water Heater — including its modular architecture, threaded connection system, gasket and sealing design, segmented transport configuration, and compatibility across solar, gas, and electric heating technologies — is an original invention and publication by Ronen Kolton Yehuda (MKR: Messiah King RKY).

This innovation — encompassing its structural engineering principles, thermal management system, modular assembly method, and industrial adaptation framework — was first authored and publicly released to establish intellectual ownership and authorship rights.

All associated technical descriptions, engineering schematics, process outlines, and conceptual documentation are part of the inventor’s intellectual property.

Unauthorized reproduction, industrial adaptation, or commercial use without written consent is strictly prohibited.

The Threaded Modular Water Heater introduces a new generation of scalable and transport-efficient heating systems that can be assembled and disassembled via threaded joints. This design dramatically improves manufacturing efficiency, logistics, and installation for all heater types — including solar, gas, and electric systems. It enables simplified on-site assembly, reduces shipping volume and cost, enhances maintenance accessibility, and extends the functional lifespan of the unit.

Through its modular and threaded configuration, the system establishes a universal, cross-compatible platform for sustainable water heating, suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. It serves as a foundation for next-generation, climate-smart energy and utility infrastructure.

I welcome ethical collaboration, licensing discussions, technology partnerships, and investment inquiries for the responsible global deployment and development of this innovation.

— Ronen Kolton Yehuda (MKR: Messiah King RKY)

Patent Landscape, Expired Patents & ChatGPT Review – Threaded Modular Water Heater

As part of writing and publishing this article, I asked OpenAI’s ChatGPT (model GPT-5.1 Thinking) to help me review publicly available patents and information related to modular and segmented water heaters. This is not a full professional patent search, but it gives an initial picture of what already exists and where my concept may be different.

What already exists (similar ideas):

Public patent databases show that some related technologies already exist, for example:

A U.S. patent called “Multiple segment gas water heater and multiple segment gas water heater with water jacket” (Patent No. 4,632,066), filed in 1985 and granted in 1986. It splits the internal water tank into several heat-exchanger segments to improve efficiency, but the heater is still built as one factory-assembled unit, not a tank that is shipped in pieces and screwed together in the field. This patent is very old and fully expired (more than 20 years since filing), so it is only prior art, not a legal barrier.
Other patents and products for “modular” water heaters where “modular” usually means:
- several small heater units mounted together on a rack, or
- a separate storage tank plus heater unit, or
- modular control electronics or reversible end caps.
These do not describe a single pressure tank body built from several threaded shell sections for easier transport and assembly on-site.
There are also modular or panel-based water storage tanks (for bulk water storage, not heaters), sometimes using threaded or bolted connections. Again, these are not the same as a domestic/commercial pressurized water heater tank that you assemble from threaded segments like your concept.

What I did not find (your unique combination):

In this AI-assisted search, no single patent or document was found that clearly describes the full combination that I am presenting here:

A pressurized water-heater tank whose main cylindrical body is intentionally divided into several structural sections.
These sections are joined by threaded interfaces with proper gaskets/seals, so that the tank shell itself can be:
- manufactured as separate modules,
- shipped as smaller parts, and
- fully assembled on-site simply by screwing the segments together.
A common modular tank architecture that is designed from the beginning to support solar, gas, and electric versions (same segmented threaded tank, different heating “packages”) in one product family.

This means that while important building blocks of the idea are already known (segmentation, modular systems, threaded connections), the specific way these elements are combined and used in the Threaded Modular Water Heater appears to be distinct and original as described in this article.

Is it patentable? Do we break other patents?

Because some older patents (like the 1986 segmented gas water heater) are expired, they do not block anyone from using similar principles today. They only act as prior art that the patent office will compare against.
Based on this limited AI review, there is no obvious active patent that clearly covers exactly the same structure and purpose as my concept (threaded tank shell modules for logistics + cross-compatible solar/gas/electric platform).
Therefore, it is reasonable to say that this concept might be patentable, especially if the patent focuses on:
- the exact design of the threaded joints and sealing system,
- the mechanical structure at the joints (strength, pressure, temperature),
- and the unified modular family (one segmented shell design serving multiple heating technologies).

However, this is not a legal guarantee. Only a qualified patent attorney or patent agent can:

perform a full, professional prior-art search,
decide if the invention is novel and non-obvious enough to be patented, and
check freedom to operate (that is, whether a commercial product might infringe any active patents in specific countries).

Role of ChatGPT in this review

All of the above patent landscape summary was prepared with the assistance of ChatGPT, which:

searched public web sources,
helped identify similar but different prior patents,
and helped me clearly explain how my concept is new in its specific combination, while still respecting existing prior art.

This does not mean ChatGPT gives legal approval or any official patent decision. It is only an AI-assisted technical and informational review to support my authorship and documentation of the idea.

— Ronen Kolton Yehuda (MKR: Messiah King RKY)