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(11)

EP 4 532 996 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.04.2025 Bulletin 2025/15 (21) Application number: 23816613.6 (22) Date of filing: 26.05.2023

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F24H 1/18(2022.01) B21D 51/18(2006.01) F24H 1/00(2022.01) F24H 9/02(2006.01) (52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC): F24H 9/02; B21D 51/18; F24H 1/181 (86) International application number: PCT/US2023/023714 (87) International publication number: WO 2023/235253 (07.12.2023 Gazette 2023/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR Designated Extension States: BA Designated Validation States: KH MA MD TN (30) Priority: 02.06.2022 US 202263365713 P (71) Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company Atlanta, GA 30328 (US)	(72) Inventors: HOTTON, Bruce A. Atlanta, Georgia 30328 (US) FLATNESS, Gary Atlanta, Georgia 30328 (US) (74) Representative: Reddie & Grose LLP  The White Chapel Building 10 Whitechapel High Street London E1 8QS London E1 8QS (GB)