Abstract: Heating elements suitable for heating a printing media of a ink-jet printer are provided. The heating element includes an electrical resistance heating member for generating resistance heating and a polymeric supporting layer for substantially encapsulating the electrical resistance heating member. The heating elements of this invention can include a fibrous support layer disposed over the electrical resistance heating member for assisting in the application of the polymeric layer. Additionally, the provided heating elements can be formed into a portion of a media pathway for an ink-jet printer.

Abstract: Electrical resistance heating elements are provided which are useful in heating fluid mediums, such as air and water. The heating elements include an element body having a supporting surface and a resistance wire wound onto the supporting surface which is connected to a pair of terminal end portions. Disposed over the resistance wire, and over most of the supporting surface, is a thermally-conductive polymeric coating which hermetically encapsulates and electrically insulates the resistance wire from the fluids to be heated. This thermally-conductive polymer coating has a thermal conductivity value of at least about 0.5 W/m .degree.K. Improved properties are preferably provided by ceramic powder, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO, and glass fiber additives.

Abstract: A fuel-fired, forced draft, down-fired water heater is provided with an improved combustion product flow path that permits the heater to operate with improved fuel efficiency, lowered CO and NOx emissions, and an improved water heat input distribution along the vertical length of the heater. The water heater includes a vertically oriented tank with a vent plenum structure formed at the top end of the tank interior and having an outlet passage connectable to an external combustion product vent pipe. A centrally positioned submerged vertical burner tube extends downwardly from the vent plenum and has an open lower end extending into a submerged turn bowl disposed at the bottom end of the tank interior. Extending upwardly from the turn bowl within the tank interior, and symmetrically arranged about the centrally disposed burner tube, are a plurality of vertical flue tubes that communicate the interiors of the turn bowl and the vent plenum.

Abstract: Polymeric heating elements and water heaters containing these elements are provided by this invention which utilize polymeric materials in contact with electric resistance heating materials and in contact with fluid to be heated. These polymeric materials also provide a substantially self-supporting structure for the resistance heating material. The heating elements include an electrically conductive resistance material capable of heating fluid when energized. The winding is insulated and protected by a polymer layer integrally disposed over the resistance material. The elements are lightweight, inexpensive to produce and use, and minimize galvanic corrosion and lime depositing without sacrificing heating capacity.