Abstract: A method for attaching and securing an apertured mounting bracket to a metal sheathed electric heating element received therethrough to insure firm mechanical support, prevention of relative axial motion, reliable electrical grounding, and ease of adaptation to automated assembly.

Abstract: A means for attaching and securing an apertured mounting bracket to a sheathed electric heating element received therethrough to insure firm mechanical support, preclusion of relative axial motion, reliable electrical grounding, and ease of adaptation to automated assembly, characterized by an initially flangeless sleeve shaped to form a double grip at opposite ends to the heating element with the bracket clamped therebetween.

Abstract: A means for attaching and securing an apertured mounting bracket to a sheathed heating element received therethrough to insure firm mechanical support, prevention of relative axial motion, reliable electrical grounding, and ease of adaptation to automated assembly. A method for effecting the attachment is disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal block for simplified wiring of an electrical immersion heater assembly by providing for either single phase or three phase wire-up in opposite faces of the block. The terminal block has an electrically insulating body of disc-like configuration with three recesses defined in a first face of the block, each recess adapted to receive a lead connecting strap having a pair of apertures. Each of the three recesses has two bores extending into the body, the apertures of the straps alignable with the bores, for receiving leads of three separate heating elements through the apertures and into the bores for three phase wiring in the first face. The opposite face has an X-shaped recess which encompasses only four of the six bores for single phase wiring of four leads of the heating elements with a pair of curved straps. The body is of conical frustrum shape for better sealing characteristics and includes two additional bores adapted for receiving thermowells.

Abstract: The flexing device comprises a strip of metal adapted to be secured to the underside of a drip pan in which a planar formation of a surface electric heating element is disposed. Terminal legs and portions connecting the terminal legs to the planar formation pass through apertures in the bottom of the drip pan and are engaged by the flexing device. A base portion of the flexing device is secured to the center of the underside of the pan. First and second arms of the flexing device extend from the base portion of the flexing device and frictionally and resiliently engage the terminal legs and connecting portions. The second arm is struck from the base portion and is bent outwardly from the base portion to provide an open space which is aligned with the aperture for one terminal leg and connecting portion. The second arm has a first section extending at an angle from the base portion, a V-shaped bend and a second section extending at an angle toward the plane of the base portion.

Abstract: The heating apparatus for applying heat to the interior of a chamber includes a modular, removable, electrical, heat-producing unit and a heat pipe mountable in a wall of the chamber with one end of the pipe arranged to receive heat from the electrical heat producing unit exterior of the housing and with another end of the pipe constructed and arranged to apply heat to the medium within the chamber. The heat pipe has high conductivity with a low temperature differential between the ends thereof and the heat producing unit includes an electric coil positioned about and removably secured to the one end of the heat pipe. The electric coil is embedded in a high thermal conductivity, low electrical conductivity filler material which is surrounded by a low thermal conductivity insulating jacket and which is received around a metal core member which is removably secured to the one end of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A heating device for applying heat to the interior of a closed container containing a liquid therein to be heated includes an elongate cartridge-type electric heating unit and at least one heat pipe having a heat absorbing end and a heat transmitting end. The electric heating unit is attached to the heat absorbing end of each heat pipes and the heating device is secured in an aperture in the wall of the container by means of a mounting flange. The electric heating unit is mounted in an aperture in the mounting flange and the heating unit and at least one heat pipe attached thereto extend into the interior of the chamber to apply heat to the liquid in the container.

Abstract: An electric heating element assembly includes a solderless fitting for sealably securing a sheathed heating element through an aperture in a container wall or bulkhead, such as in a dishwasher or the like. The fitting includes a cylindrical sleeve positioned over the sheath of the heating element and through the aperture. A radial flange on the fitting is drawn tight against a gasket and the wall by means of a fastener on the outside surface of the sleeve to secure a watertight seal between the fitting and the wall. The sleeve is attached to the sheath by means of an annular lip on the face of the flange, circumferential portions of this lip being axially compressed during assembly so as to radially-inwardly deform corresponding circumferential portions of the sleeve and the sheath to obtain a rotationally-locked liquid-sealing engagement therebetween.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a mounting grommet for an electrical heating element used in appliances such as dishwashers and the like. The mounting grommet is formed of a resilient body portion of a size to be forcibly urged through an aperture formed in the bulkhead of the appliance and forming a seal therewith. A neck portion is formed integral with the resilient body portion and has an axial extent substantially equal to the thickness of the bulkhead receiving the grommet. The neck portion is of a diameter substantially to fill the aperture formed in the bulkhead. A head portion is formed integral with the neck portion to overlie the aperture on the side opposite that of the resilient body portion. A passage is formed axially through the body portion, neck portion and head portion to receive the end of a heating element therethrough.

Abstract: An improved terminal for a sheathed resistance heating element includes a body portion, and a tab portion folded over and connected to the body portion by a neck portion of reduced width. A first aperture for receiving a large size threaded fastener is provided on the body portion, and a second aperture axially-aligned with the first aperture is provided on the tab portion for receiving a smaller sized threaded fastener. The tab portion is dimensioned for sliding engagement with a standard female quick-connect type connector.

Abstract: An electric heating element assembly includes a solderless fitting for sealably securing a sheathed heating element through an aperture in a container wall or bulkhead, such as in a dishwasher or the like. The fitting includes a cylindrical sleeve positioned over the sheath of the heating element and through the aperture. A radial flange on the fitting is drawn tight against a gasket and the wall by means of a fastener on the outside surface of the sleeve to secure a watertight seal between the fitting and the wall. The sleeve is attached to the sheath by means of an annular lip on the face of the flange, circumferential portions of this lip being axially compressed during assembly so as to radially-inwardly deform corresponding circumferential portions of the sleeve and the sheath to obtain a rotationally-locked liquid-sealing engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A terminal housing for surface-type resistance heating elements includes interlocking housing sections which snap together to form compartments in which connections to the heating elements are mechanically and electrically protected. The use of identical housing sections with integral locking and strain relief provisions allows the terminal housing to be used with a wide variety of types of connections without the need for a large inventory of components.

Abstract: The attachment is easily replaced, is flexible and elongated, and is adapted to be inserted into a tank for heating a liquid through an opening provided in the metal shell of the tank for mounting an electric immersion heater in the tank. The attachment includes a chain of metal segments which are interconnected by flexible metal wire and which are anodic to the metal shell, and includes a clamp for releasably, and electrically and mechanically, connecting one end of the chain of segments to the sheathed and grounded legs of the immersion heater.

Abstract: A bracket means for supporting at least one heater rod disposed within an open - front housing of an electric radiant heater assembly comprises at least one bracket having an elongate, generally flat, planar brace portion having clip means at opposite ends for removable engagement with the housing. At least one integral support arm located intermediate the ends of the brace portion and disposed normal thereto is provided with an arcuate surface which serves as a seat for the heater rod. The bracket is insertable into the housing through the open front and rotatable to bring the arcuate portion into supporting engagement with the rod and the clips into engagement with the housing. The brace portion is made of a nickel - chrome alloy having spring like characteristics at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An electric resistance heating element for use in appliances such as dishwashers includes a mounting grommet having a resilient body portion sized to be forcibly urged through an aperture formed in a bulkhead of the appliance. A neck portion formed integral with the resilient body portion has an axial extent substantially equal to the thickness of the bulkhead receiving the grommet and a width to substantially fill the aperture. A head portion formed integral with the neck portion overlies the aperture on the side opposite that of the resilient body portion. A passage is formed axially through the body portion, neck portion and head portion to receive the end of a heating element therethrough. A flared tubular ferrule or conical tubular ferrule is provided at the end of the body portion to receive sealing cement for permanently securing the mounting grommet to the heating element inserted therethrough.