Plural Pipes Or Tubes Form Flow Path Patents (Class 392/486)
  • Patent number: 11662122
    Abstract: A tankless water heater system (100), with a heat exchanger device (20) comprising at least one hollow chamber (21, 22, 23, 24) and at least one electrical heating element (52, 53, 54), and a controller device (30) with a temperature control unit (35), a tap event counter unit (32), a down-time counter unit (33) and a time delay unit (34); an electrical switching element (41, 42, 43) for connecting or is connecting one or several heating elements (52, 53, 54) to/from a power supply; an outlet temperature sensor (27) linked with the temperature control unit (35); a flow rate sensor (29); wherein: the tap counter unit (32) is connected to the flow rate sensor (29) and is triggered when water flow rate exceeds a tap indication threshold the down-time counter unit (33) is triggered and retriggered by the tap counter unit (32) and both provide a down-time event signal after any inactivity period with no water flow and records the duration of inactivity; the time delay unit (34) is connected to and triggered by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Stiebel Eltron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Nolte, Michael Dion, Frank Stiebel
  • Patent number: 11156404
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube heat exchanger according to the present invention comprises: an outer barrel having a cavity provided therein such that heating water flows along the same; a lower tube plate that covers an opening near one end of the outer barrel; an upper tube plate that covers an opening near the other end of the outer barrel, the upper tube plate providing an inner space in which a heat source is positioned; a plurality of flues for guiding combustion gas from the upper tube plate to the outside of the lower tube plate; and a main diaphragm arranged across a reference direction between the lower tube plate and the upper tube plate, a plurality of through-holes being formed in the main diaphragm such that the flues penetrate the same, wherein at least some of the through-holes constitute a large-width through-hole (single hole) that at least two of the flues penetrate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Jun Kyu Park, Sung Jun Ahn, Hyun Muk Lim
  • Patent number: 10365012
    Abstract: Provided is a faucet device for an aircraft lavatory unit, wherein a second joint and a third joint are joined by inserting the third joint of a heater module into a second joint of a valve module, and screw members are used to fasten a first case and a second case. As a result, the valve module and the heater module are joined in series via the second joint and the third joint. A first connector of a controller module is joined to a third connector of the valve module and a second connector of the controller module is joined to a fourth connector of the heater module. The first joint of the valve module is joined to a water supply pipe. A fourth joint of the heater module and a faucet main body are joined via a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 9441889
    Abstract: Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage device includes a reservoir configured to hold a thermal energy storage medium, a temperature control system configured to adjust a temperature of the thermal energy storage medium, and a state observation system configured to provide information regarding an energy state of the thermal energy storage device at a plurality of different moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Maria C. Tugurlan, Francis K. Tuffner, David P. Chassin
  • Publication number: 20150117848
    Abstract: What is described is a method for manufacturing an electrical heating device, wherein electrical heating resistors are disposed in tubes of an extruded profile, and openings are cut into a plate of the extruded profile connecting the tubes. According to this disclosure, fastening sections of the extruded profile are plastically deformed and, by means thereof, heat sinks are fastened on the extruded profile. A corresponding electrical heating device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Luppold, Alexander Dauth, Klaus Lehmann, Bernd Halbrock
  • Publication number: 20150082774
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, a guiding pipe, a first heating section, and a second heating section. The vehicle body has a partition wall that partitions a space in an inner section into a first region and a second region. The guiding pipe is configured to guide a reducing agent. The guiding pipe has a first pipe section and a second pipe section. The first pipe section is positioned inside the first region. The second pipe section is positioned in the second region. The first heating section heats the first pipe section. The second heating section heats the second pipe section and adjusts the temperature independently from the first heating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kiichirou Kouno, Ken Itou, Jin Yogita, Kozo Okuda, Yasuyuki Onodera, Hideo Oguri, Shouhei Nagasaka, Minato Tomuro
  • Patent number: 8934763
    Abstract: A water delivery system is provided, comprising at least one faucet device with a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one faucet device, a tankless heater device for heating water, a hot water line having a first portion running from an outlet of the tankless heater device to the at least one faucet device and having a second portion running from the at least one faucet device to an inlet of the tankless heater device, and a circulatory pump arranged in the second portion of the hot water line, wherein the circulatory pump has a prefixed first performance level and a prefixed second performance level, wherein the first performance level causes a finite water flow in the hot water line which is below an operation threshold value of the tankless heater device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Laing
  • Patent number: 8869426
    Abstract: A washing and/or drying appliance includes a heating circuit (140) for heating a washing liquid and/or a drying air flow, connected to voltage distribution lines (105a,105b) distributing power inside the appliance. The heating circuit includes at least one heating resistor (205) in series to switch means (210a,210b) controlled by an appliance control unit (125) for selectively energizing the heating resistor when required. The switch means of the heating circuit includes a first and a second switch (210a,210b) in series to the heating resistor, the heating resistor being interposed between the first and second switches. A monitoring circuit arrangement is provided, which includes a first resistor (R1) in shunt to the heating resistor and having a resistance substantially higher than that of the heating resistor, and a pull-up network connected between a first terminal (215b;215a) of the heating resistor and one of the voltage distribution lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Marco Lorenzi, Paolo Driussi
  • Publication number: 20140169776
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger, comprising at least one electric resistance heating element, at least two conductors which are connected to the at least one electric resistance heating element in an electrically conductive manner in order to conduct electric current through the at least one electric resistance heating element and thereby heat the electric resistance heating element, at least one thermally conductive element for transferring heat from the at least one electric resistance heating element to a fluid to be heated, at least one electrically insulating element, which electrically insulates the at least two conductors, and at least one pipe, wherein the at least two conductors and the at least one electric resistance heating element are arranged within a cavity bounded by the pipe and the pipe lies on the at least one electrically insulating element under a compressive force at at least one contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kohl, Karl-Gerd Krumbach, Thomas Spranger, Frank-Heiner Schenk
  • Publication number: 20130287379
    Abstract: Provided is a hot-water heater manufacturing method capable of obtaining stable heat exchange characteristics by applying a moderate contact surface pressure between heating-medium circulating tubes and heater members that constitute a hot-water heater, and capable of improving the reliability by enhancing the joint strength between the heating-medium circulating tubes, with a simple and easy manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AUTOMOTIVE THERMAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yoshitomi, Katsuhiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8478117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device having a heating arrangement in a housing through which a fluid medium can flow in a longitudinal direction, wherein the at least one heating arrangement comprises at least two grid elements as heat exchanger plates with openings through which the medium flows, the grid planes of which are embodied for the exchange of heat energy between the plate and the fluid medium, at least one heating element, in particular a PTC element, arranged between the grid elements, wherein the at least one heating arrangement is arranged in the housing in such a way that the grid planes of the grid elements are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, so that the flow of medium is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the grid planes, wherein the grid elements and the at least one heating element are arranged braced relative to one another by means of at least one tensioning element so that they touch, and wherein the grid elements each have at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Stego-Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Eisenhauer, Elmar Mangold
  • Patent number: 8450666
    Abstract: A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Shun-Chi Yang, Mao-Hsiung Yang, Tsung-Chuan Yang, Fang-Ming Wu, Cheng-Yen Wu
  • Patent number: 8395097
    Abstract: An electrical heating device, includes a housing in which at least one heat generating element with at least one PTC element and electrical strip conductors abutting oppositely situated lateral faces of the PTC element and a plurality of heat dissipating elements arranged in parallel layers are accommodated. The heat dissipating elements are held abutted on oppositely situated sides of the heat generating element, with the intermediate positioning of an electrical insulation. In order to be capable of improved high voltage operation, at least one conducting element electrically connects together a plurality of heat dissipating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Holger Reiss
  • Patent number: 8395089
    Abstract: An electrical heating device, which includes a housing, in which at least one heat generating element with at least one PTC element and electrical strip conductors abutting oppositely situated lateral faces of the PTC element and a plurality of heat dissipating elements arranged in parallel layers are accommodated, which are held abutted on oppositely situated sides of the heat generating element. An electrical heating device according to the invention and which fulfils the practical requirements, in particular with high voltage operation in an improved manner has at least one heat dissipating element which is situated, with the intermediate positioning of an electrically insulating layer, on the assigned heat generating element and can be electrically connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Holger Reiss
  • Publication number: 20130016959
    Abstract: A radiant heating system comprising a substantially hollow housing having detachable baffle plates internally positioned within the housing. The housing has an inlet and outlet for a flow of coolant to enter into and leave the housing, and a top plate sealing the upper surface of the housing has openings defined therein for insertion of heating elements to project into the housing and be in direct contact with the coolant to heat it. The inlet and the outlet are interconnected with piping to form a closed fluid flow circuit. Two or more baffle plates are used to increase turbulence of the coolant within the housing as it flows through, and temporarily keep coolant in the housing longer to heat it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Patent number: 8260126
    Abstract: A dual wall axial flow electric heater for leak sensitive applications provides an improved corrosion and leak resistant assembly and includes protective tubes over electrical heater rods, double tubesheets spaced apart by a plenum and leak detectors positioned to sensor leaks through the walls of the protective tubes. The design includes the option of two or more tube bundles with each inserted into opposite ends of a shell surrounding the tube sheets and heaters. The design provides ease of maintenance since each heater rod can be replaced independently while the unit is in service. Variable heat flux is provided from standard single flux heater rods by providing protective tubes of varying diameters. A built-in thermowell is provided to allow the rod temperatures to be monitored directly. Hot spots are avoided by the use of turning baffles and vibration is avoided by use of spider baffles to support the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lord Ltd., LP
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lord, Kurt Lund
  • Patent number: 8141268
    Abstract: The present document describes a bag for storing and drying garments or sports equipment. The bag comprises an external envelope substantially made of flexible resistant material. The bag further comprises a frame supporting the external envelope and comprising frame sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the frame occupies more space than in the retracted position. The bag further comprises a tubular structure for hanging the garments or sports equipment and through which air can be blown for drying the hung garments or sports equipment. The tubular structure is mounted on the frame and comprises tube sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the tubular structure occupies more space than in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-François Vezina, Pierrot Lebel
  • Patent number: 8103156
    Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Gaumer Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. McClanahan, Craig S. Tiras
  • Publication number: 20110280555
    Abstract: A flow heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with a tube arrangement including at least one tube (105, 106, 205, 206, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406) for passing through a fluid to be heated or a plurality of fluids to be heated, and with a heater with a metal jacket, especially with a tubular heating body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502), in which the tubes (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406, 505) surround the heater. At least in partial areas of the heater, wall sections (113, 114, 213, 214, 311, 312, 313, 411, 412, 413, 513) of the tube arrangement (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406), which wall sections face the heater, are adapted to an outer contour of the heater, which heater may or may not include a heat transport tube (117, 317, 517), so that the wall sections are in flush contact with sections of this outer contour. The tube arrangement (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406, 505) is connected together and/or with the heater by a connection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas SCHLIPF
  • Publication number: 20110236004
    Abstract: A liquid heater such as a direct electrical resistance liquid heater having multiple flow channels is provided with a temperature-sensing element in the form of a wire extending across numerous channels, preferably all of the channels, near the downstream ends of the channels. The resistance of the wire represents the average temperature of the liquid passing through all of the channels, and hence the temperature of the mixed liquid exiting from the heater. A bubble suppressing structure is provided in the vicinity of the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ISI Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Bowers, Gregory S. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20110150440
    Abstract: A dual wall axial flow electric heater for leak sensitive applications provides an improved corrosion and leak resistant assembly and includes protective tubes over electrical heater rods, double tubesheets spaced apart by a plenum and leak detectors positioned to sensor leaks through the walls of the protective tubes. The design includes the option of two or more tube bundles with each inserted into opposite ends of a shell surrounding the tube sheets and heaters. The design provides ease of maintenance since each heater rod can be replaced independently while the unit is in service. Variable heat flux is provided from standard single flux heater rods by providing protective tubes of varying diameters. A built-in thermowell is provided to allow the rod temperatures to be monitored directly. Hot spots are avoided by the use of turning baffles and vibration is avoided by use of spider baffles to support the tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lord, Kurt Lund
  • Patent number: 7856737
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method that reduces a moisture content of an agricultural product, particularly by using moisture sensors and/or temperature sensors. The apparatus includes at least one moisture sensor, optionally at least one temperature sensor, a controller, a flow regulator and/or a dryer. The method includes obtaining a moisture content and a temperature to calculate a product flowrate and optionally an energy input. A product flowrate signal is used to vary the flow regulator and an energy input signal is used to vary the energy regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Mathews Company
    Inventors: Robert James McMahon, Jr., Kenneth William Kroeker
  • Patent number: 7717104
    Abstract: A device comprising an improved electrical hot-air gun for fast ignition of the charcoal-bed of a barbeque charcoal grill for home use having a very short distance between the front of the hot-air gun and the electrical heating wire of the heating assembly and a very high outlet temperature. The hot-air gun also has a scraper mounted on the igniter/heater front to be able to aid in cleaning the grating of a BBQ grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Looft Industries AB
    Inventor: Richard Looft
  • Patent number: 7637308
    Abstract: The heating plate (1) has cavities (2), in which electrically heatable heating bodies (3) are disposed. A heat exchange medium circulated by a pump (4) transmits the heat emitted by the heating bodies (3). The heating plate is designed to obtain a uniform temperature distribution using as low a volume of heat exchange medium as possible. To this end, the cavities (2) are elongate and the heating bodies (3) are bar-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Swiss Sustainable Systems AG
    Inventors: Patrick Hofer-Noser, Jürg Zahnd, Christoph Boos
  • Patent number: 7616873
    Abstract: A flow-through instantaneous fluid heater system is designed to satisfy the need for a heater not limited by being connected to a storage tank and which can be made using a plastic casing, incorporating cool-down when out of service and with features of venting and simplified flushing and draining. The system incorporates the use of one or more compartments, usually assembled in two compartment modules connected in series. Each compartment includes a casing having a hollow cylindrical interior region. An inlet aperture is located at one end of the casing and an outlet aperture is located at the other end of the casing. The lower end of each casing is closed by a removable base and the upper end of the casing is closed by a top plate and a heating element. The heating element is positioned axially in the interior region of the compartment. The heating element is activated by a control system which senses and compares temperatures of the water at the compartment outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: David E. Seitz
  • Publication number: 20090249821
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space. The refrigerator comprises a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator. An inlet valve distributes the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit. A cold water tank is mounted to one of the main body and the door for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein. A hot water tube is mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit. The hot water tube includes a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein. The heater generates heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Zentner, John J. Roetker, Mahesh Natarajan, Umakant Suresh Katu, Suresh Palanki
  • Patent number: 7496285
    Abstract: A multi-pass parallel tube heat exchanger is disclosed. The multi-pass parallel tubes heat exchanger provides a compact, light and inexpensive heat exchanger that may be oriented in any direction. These features and others make the disclosed exchanger ideal for use in a restricted area such as that available when providing localized cooling systems. This design is more efficient than the prior art and allows for a versatile operation with multiple circuiting options for the flow path and enhanced performance with multiple fluid and heat transfer operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony S. Molavi
  • Patent number: 6998586
    Abstract: The present invention provides heating equipment of a treated substance designed so as to be equipped with any foil of a metallic material or non metallic material for heating the treated substance, and a heating mechanism for heating the foil to a temperature where a far infrared ray is radiated, and to heat the treated substance by the far infrared ray radiated from the foil. The heating efficiency in heating the treated substance by the far infrared ray can be made higher than conventional heating equipment. Meanwhile, the present invention has been found on the basis of experimental results where heating tests of water are performed with using the foil and wire of an aluminum material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 6873790
    Abstract: An elongate heating element that includes an insulative substrate and a resistive coating that heats to a predetermined temperature when an electrical current is passed through the coating. The insulative material forming the substrate is preferably a ceramic such as cordierite, but the invention is not limited to any particular insulative material. An air moving device directs an air stream over the resistive coating in order to heat the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Cooper, Thomas Fich-Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6853804
    Abstract: One or more dispensing conveyances (1) have outlet apertures (2) or conveying and dispensing heated water to surfaces of roofs (3) and other structural surfaces selectively when ice and snow is being accumulated or has accumulated thereon. The water is heated with an electric-resistance (7, 10) or optionally with a fuel-flame heater (8, 11), which can be a tank heater or a tankless geyser water heater. Electric-resistance members can be positioned inside of heat-resistant tubular conveyances proximate the outlet apertures. A programmable control unit (18) can be included for programmable heat, flow rate and flow time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Thad Whitinger
  • Patent number: 6825443
    Abstract: A vehicle or stationary liquid, water or oil tank heater teaches that a hot fluid may be passed through a metal body placed in the water piping or in the vacuum piping, thereby melting any ice in the system and preventing further freezing. The system may be advantageously used with manifolds, valves, scrubbers, pipes or the water tank itself. The coolant flow path may be optimized for ease of production and/or efficient heat transfer. The invention may be used with an external source of hot liquid, or it may be used with a cuff which may slipped over any of a variety of devices in need of de-icing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: William Garland Latham
  • Publication number: 20040131346
    Abstract: A water heater system that will provide immediate hot water to a point of use has a water storage container having an inlet coupled to a water pipe and an outlet coupled to a point of use fixture. A low current heating element is located within the water storage container and is used to immediately heat up and removes contaminants in the water stored and flowing through the water storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Roland J. Chamberlain
  • Publication number: 20040057709
    Abstract: An aircraft sink water heater includes an electric heater with coils engaging water tube coils. The system quickly heats a small volume of water in the tube coils, sufficient to wash a user's hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: John Leary, Thomas J. Sievers, Ruth Li, Kevin McHenry, Dane Immel, Tj Dejong
  • Patent number: 6539173
    Abstract: A water heater apparatus for aircraft applications has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency, where each of the tubes provides an electrical resistance heater part of a 3 phase electrical power circuit. Each tube also has a thermostat, and an electrical circuit breaker. The thermostats establish an open electrical circuit if water temperature exceeds a temperature set point. The circuit breakers establish an open circuit if electric current flow exceeds an electrical current set point. The apparatus uses a pressure check valve to expel pressure from the water heating tubes when pressure exceeds a water pressure set point. A temperature sensor is positioned for sensing water temperature at a water outlet and an ultrasonic water flow sensing switch identifies water flow in the water heating tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Dynamo Aviation, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong S. Chu
  • Publication number: 20030021597
    Abstract: A water heater apparatus for aircraft applications has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency, where each of the tubes provides an electrical resistance heater part of a 3 phase electrical power circuit. Each tube also has a thermostat, and an electrical circuit breaker. The thermostats establish an open electrical circuit if water temperature exceeds a temperature set point. The circuit breakers establish an open circuit if electric current flow exceeds an electrical current set point. The apparatus uses a pressure check valve to expel pressure from the water heating tubes when pressure exceeds a water pressure set point. A temperature sensor is positioned for sensing water temperature at a water outlet and an ultrasonic water flow sensing switch identifies water flow in the water heating tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Yong S. Chu
  • Publication number: 20020154904
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat generation includes a vessel having a working chamber with a flow of working fluid passing therethrough. A source of pulsed light and a light-reflecting surface wettable by the working fluid are situated within the working chamber. A thermal energy is released into the working polar fluid by the pulsed light irradiation of the working fluid in the vicinity of the light-reflecting surface. The released thermal energy is continuously removed from the vessel by the flow of working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Valentin A. Gruzdev, Pavel V. Efremkin
  • Patent number: 6424801
    Abstract: A miniature water heater apparatus has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency. The water heating tubes are enclosed within a cylindrical container with opposing closed ends. A top and a bottom cylindrical covers are adapted for mounting over the top and bottom surfaces establishing a top and a bottom utility volumes. The top utility volume encloses an electrical control circuit providing logical control of the apparatus while the bottom utility volume provides access to the electrical resistance heaters and a temperature range switch. A wire access tube communicates between the opposing closed ends of the cylindrical container for providing circuit wire communication between the control circuit and the resistance heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dynamo Aviation, Inc.
    Inventor: Masoud Rabadi
  • Patent number: 6280688
    Abstract: A device for rinsing sample processing components of an analytical instruments including an inlet coupleable to a fluid source, an outlet coupleable to sample processing components of an analytical instrument, and a fluid reservoir between the inlet and outlet. The device includes a heater coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid reservoir includes at least two reservoir chambers connected in series and separated by a restricted passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Tekmar Company
    Inventor: Martin B. Motz
  • Patent number: 6246831
    Abstract: An improved system, method and apparatus for control of an instantaneous flow-through fluid heater system is disclosed. The control incorporates a logic control method providing modulation of power in small steps to a plurality of heating elements retaining responsiveness to closed-loop control needs without inducing light flicker. Further, the life of the coils of heating circuit electromechanical relays are extended by energizing the coils with a pulse-width-modulated drive decreasing in duty cycle and thus the latent coil heat when an increase in mains voltage is sensed. The life of the contacts of same relays are extended by inhibiting heating element triac drive immediately upon sensing loss of relay coil power, such as by an over temperature limit switch opening, thus ensuring that relay contacts open with zero heating element current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: David Seitz
    Inventors: David E. Seitz, David Paul Sharp, Thomas Lamson Harman, Louis J. Everett, Rodney H. Neumann
  • Patent number: 5548100
    Abstract: A warmer and dryer for fabric articles having a vertically disposed heated frame upon which one or more articles can be draped. A heated fluid is circulated through the frame by a pump that is mounted in the base of the frame. The frame is enclosed by a flexible enclosure made from a material that retains heat while at the same time allowing moisture to pass therethrough into the surrounding ambient. Sufficient heat is provided to warm the atmosphere within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5438642
    Abstract: A heater for the rapid heating of water includes a main body having plural vertical upwardly opening chambers, combined with a molded cover plate that can be removably installed over the upper part of the main body. A plurality of combination heating and chamber partition assemblies extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the installed cover plate and one each of the assemblies resides in a main body chamber, each assembly including a generally flat and vertically elongated partition member and a pair of heating coils mounted to each partition member, one each coil on opposite sides of the partition member, and each partition member cooperates with a chamber to form a first channel for conducting water downwardly and a second channel for conducting water upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Instantaneous Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Posen
  • Patent number: 5408578
    Abstract: A continuous flow water heater assembly requiring no storage tank and including an entrance chamber having a flow control switch mounted therein adapted to be activated upon a positive flow of water through the system wherein the water flows from the entrance chamber to a plurality of heating elements each of which are at least partially segregated by virtue of their being removably mounted within separate heating chambers. The heating chambers are attached in fluid communication to one another by a plurality, at least two, ports which are of proportionately different sizes such that water will be passed between the first and second heating chambers in proportionately different amounts through the different sized ports. Water is thereby effectively distributed between the heating elements so as to prevent exposure of the heating elements when activated and thereby eliminating either of the heating elements from being exposed to air and thereby subject to burnout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Luis Bolivar
  • Patent number: 5353370
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a non-uniform temperature profile in a short duration wind tunnel includes a plurality of nested cylindrical elements each having an inlet end and an outlet end, a plurality of heater element extending axially along the surface of each of the cylindrical elements. The length and thermal mass of the cylindrical elements permits the temperature of test gasses to be raised to the desired level while the gasses are passing over those elements. A plurality of honeycomb elements occupy the space between each of the cylindrical elements to distribute the heating effects smoothly both radially and circumferentially. Each heater is controlled individually by a control circuit in order to establish the desired temperature profile at the outlet end of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Calspan Corporation
    Inventors: Jungho Kim, Michael G. Dunn, Charles W. Haldeman
  • Patent number: 5277152
    Abstract: A water heater includes a base formed in a board, a control device disposed on the base, a vessel fixed to the board and connected to the base, and a heater disposed in the vessel for heating the water contained in the vessel. The water heater occupies a small volume and includes a simplified structure such that the manufacturing cost of water heater can be greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Hsin-Yen Liao
  • Patent number: 5216743
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-through instantaneous fluid heater system designed to satisfy the need for a heater not limited by being connected to a storage tank and which can be made using a plastic casing, incorporating cool-down when out of service and with features of venting and simplified flushing and draining. The system incorporates the use of one or more compartments, usually assembled in two compartment modules connected in series. Each compartment includes a casing having a hollow cylindrical interior region. An inlet aperture is located at one end of the casing and an outlet aperture is located at the other end of the casing. The lower end of each casing is closed by a removable base and the upper end of the casing is closed by a top plate and a heating element. The heating element is positioned axially in the interior region of the compartment. The heating element is activated by a control system which senses and compares temperatures of the water at the compartment outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: David E. Seitz
  • Patent number: 5134684
    Abstract: An electric air or gas heater includes a plurality of equal diameter elongated linear serpentine resistive wire heating elements circularly arranged in parallel about a common axis and disposed within a cylindrical chamber having separable air or gas entrance and exit sections at its opposite ends. Each heating element is disposed in a close-fitting ceramic or quartz tube. The tubes are supported by discs at the opposite ends of the chamber which block air or gas flow outside the cross-sectional area of the tubes. Each heating element has a ceramic cylinder extending through the center thereof through which a wire for electrically connecting adjacent pairs of heating elements extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Joan L. Mishou, Jonathan B. Arold, Charles R. Parent, Joseph P. Stark, Edward A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5129034
    Abstract: An on-demand electric water heater includes at least one heating chamber having an electric heating element operatively positioned between a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet. The heating elements are controlled by pressure sensing switches activated by water flow initiation or termination. A pressure relief valve is provided as a safety feature in the event the pressure sensing switches fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Leonard Sydenstricker
  • Patent number: RE35834
    Abstract: A warmer and dryer for fabric articles having a vertically disposed heated frame upon which one or more articles can be draped. .?.A heated fluid is circulated through the frame by a pump that is mounted in the base of the frame..!. The frame is enclosed by a flexible enclosure made from a material that retains heat while at the same time allowing moisture to pass therethrough into the surrounding ambient. Sufficient heat is provided to warm the atmosphere within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: William R. Miller