Abstract: A vaporizer for vaporizing a liquefied gas includes a first heat exchanger block having first and second linear conduits extending therethrough, a second heat exchanger block having first and second linear conduits extending therethrough, one or more heaters located between the first and second heat exchanger blocks, and an inlet capacity control valve. The heat exchanger blocks may be fabricated by extruding aluminum. The heaters may be independently powered. At least a portion of the inlet capacity control valve may be located within one of the conduits.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a removably attached catalytic heater cartridge having catalytic material. The heater is attached to an LPG tank to position the catalytic heater cartridge to face the tank. The catalytic heater cartridge covers a plenum chamber of the catalytic tank heater. A fuel distribution header and heating element are positioned within the plenum chamber and are controlled to initiate combustion of the catalytic material to heat the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the catalytic tank heater, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The catalytic heater cartridge can be replaced with a new cartridge while at the location of the tank on a property.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a removably attached catalytic heater cartridge having catalytic material. The heater is attached to an LPG tank to position the catalytic heater cartridge to face the tank. The catalytic heater cartridge covers a plenum chamber of the catalytic tank heater. A fuel distribution header and heating element are positioned within the plenum chamber and are controlled to initiate combustion of the catalytic material to heat the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the catalytic tank heater, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The catalytic heater cartridge can be replaced with a new cartridge while at the location of the tank on a property.

Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.

Abstract: A fluid heater having a first heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein, and having a first surface, a second heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein and having a second surface adjacent to the first surface. A cavity is formed in the surface of the first block, or, alternatively, formed in each of the surfaces of the first and second blocks. A heating element is positioned within the cavity and completely encapsulated by the first and second blocks. The heating element may include first and second bus plates and a plurality of PTC elements sandwiched between the bus plates in an electrically parallel configuration, each PTC element including first and second conductive plates, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient heating stones sandwiched between the conductive plates in an electrically parallel configuration.

Abstract: A vaporizer for liquefied gas, such as liquefied petroleum gas, which includes a heat exchanger and a capacity control valve for controlling the inflow of liquefied gas to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an inlet to accept liquefied gas and an outlet to release superheated gas vapor. The capacity control valve has an inlet to accept the liquefied gas from a source of liquefied gas, an outlet coupled to the inlet of the heat exchanger. The capacity control valve includes a valve positioned between the inlet and outlet of the capacity control valve, and movable between fully closed and fully open positions. The capacity control valve includes a diaphragm positioned between a thermal expansion chamber with a pressure dependent on the temperature of the gas vapor in the outlet of the heat exchanger sensed by a sensing bulb, and a liquefied gas inlet chamber with the pressure dependent on the pressure of the liquefied gas being supplied to the vaporizer by the liquefied gas source.

Abstract: A fluid heater having a first heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein, and having a first surface, a second heat exchanger block with a fluid heating tube encased therein and having a second surface adjacent to the first surface. A cavity is formed in the surface of the first block, or, alternatively, formed in each of the surfaces of the first and second blocks. A heating element is positioned within the cavity and completely encapsulated by the first and second blocks. The heating element may include first and second bus plates and a plurality of PTC elements sandwiched between the bus plates in an electrically parallel configuration, each PTC element including first and second conductive plates, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient heating stones sandwiched between the conductive plates in an electrically parallel configuration.

Abstract: A vaporizer having a pair of heat exchanger blocks each with a vaporization tube formed therein. The heat exchanger blocks are in face-to-face arrangement and the vaporizer tubes are coupled together in series. A plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are clamped in position between the heat exchanger blocks to provide the heat for vaporization of the liquefied gas. A capacity control valve controls the flow of liquefied gas into the vaporizer tubes.