Patents Assigned to Tom Richards, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11988411
    Abstract: An inline heater includes a heater core that includes a heat spreader assembly comprising a tubular heat spreader that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and that comprises an external surface. The heat spreader assembly includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. At least one conduit extends helically about the longitudinal axis of the heat spreader between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to define a fluid heating flow path that fluidically connects the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The heat spreader assembly further comprising an electrically operated heating element for heating the heat spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Barnhart, Howard J. Base, Dale A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220034549
    Abstract: An inline heater includes a heater core that includes a heat spreader assembly comprising a tubular heat spreader that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and that comprises an external surface. The heat spreader assembly includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. At least one conduit extends helically about the longitudinal axis of the heat spreader between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to define a fluid heating flow path that fluidically connects the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The heat spreader assembly further comprising an electrically operated heating element for heating the heat spreader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Barnhart, Howard J. Base, Dale A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210372661
    Abstract: A heat transfer assembly includes a sheath which in one embodiment is elliptical in cross-section and in another embodiment has a complex cross-section with flat wall sections and curved wall sections. The sheath is elastically deformable so as to accept a heat transfer element sub-assembly. Once installed, the sheath holds the sub-assembly in place by an interference fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Joel Rozga, Michael Frase
  • Publication number: 20190323728
    Abstract: A heater assembly includes a heated hose construction including a thermoplastic conduit that is relatively thin and a resistance wire or resistance ribbon wound around an exterior periphery of the conduit and in thermal communication therewith. An overall coverage of a surface area of the conduit by the resistance wire or resistance ribbon is at least 50% of the surface area of the conduit so that the resistance wire or resistance ribbon reinforces the conduit. A non-conductive braid layer is disposed over the resistance wire or resistance ribbon. The braid layer is permeable to vapor leaking out of the conduit. A support member is provided by which the heated hose construction is supported. The support member may be accommodated in a housing through which a purge gas flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Derrick L. Sanislo
  • Publication number: 20190120523
    Abstract: A heat transfer assembly includes a sheath which in one embodiment is elliptical in cross-section and in another embodiment has a complex cross-section with flat wall sections and curved wall sections. The sheath is elastically deformable so as to accept a heat transfer element sub-assembly. Once installed, the sheath holds the sub-assembly in place by an interference fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Joel Rozga, Mike Frase
  • Publication number: 20170328651
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for fluids includes an elongated conduit. At least two spaced fluid passageways are defined in the conduit and extend longitudinally through the conduit from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. A heat transfer element thermally contacts a surface of the conduit to transfer heat to or from a fluid flowing through the at least two spaced passageways. The conduit can be unitary and of one piece. In one embodiment, the conduit can be a single crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Rozga, Derrick Sanislo, Howard J. Base, Jack M. Geiger
  • Patent number: 9562703
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes wherein at least some of the tubes are elliptical or oval in cross section and each tube includes a longitudinal axis. Each elliptical tube includes a major axis and a minor axis. The plurality of tubes is arranged in a radial pattern such that the major axes of the elliptical tubes intersect a centerline of the heat exchanger. The plurality of tubes is connected to a heater mount and a heater is also connected to the heater mount. A securing element holds the plurality of tubes, the heater and the heater mount together. A tube liner can extend along the longitudinal axis of at least one of the elliptical or oval tubes of the plurality of tubes. If a tube liner is employed, a purge fluid flow channel is defined between an outer periphery of the tube liner and an inner periphery of at least one of the elliptical or oval tubes of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Jack M. Geiger, Joel Rozga, Mounir B. Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20140038118
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes wherein at least some of the tubes are elliptical or oval in cross section and each tube includes a longitudinal axis. Each elliptical tube includes a major axis and a minor axis. The plurality of tubes is arranged in a radial pattern such that the major axes of the elliptical tubes intersect a centerline of the heat exchanger. The plurality of tubes is connected to a heater mount and a heater is also connected to the heater mount. A securing element holds the plurality of tubes, the heater and the heater mount together. A tube liner can extend along the longitudinal axis of at least one of the elliptical or oval tubes of the plurality of tubes. If a tube liner is employed, a purge fluid flow channel is defined between an outer periphery of the tube liner and an inner periphery of at least one of the elliptical or oval tubes of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Jack M. Geiger, Joel Rozga, Mounir B. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 7034259
    Abstract: A self-regulating positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater assembly and a method of manufacturing the heater assembly are disclosed. The PTC heater assembly includes at least one PTC heating element and a pair of spaced electrodes. Each electrode includes a first side, the first sides of the pair of electrodes being spaced from one another, wherein the at least one PTC element is located between, supported by and energized by the pair of electrodes. The at least one PTC element is oriented approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the pair of spaced electrodes. An electrically insulative and thermally conductive interface pad is interposed between and contiguous to the first side of at least one of the pair of electrodes and a wall of the PTC element. A pair of power leads, one being connected to each of the pair of electrodes, energizes the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Lokar, Richard Lokar, Nathan Lucas
  • Patent number: 6485257
    Abstract: A top-flow fluid pump that is made from a high-purity fluroplastic material is disclosed. The pump is used to circulate extremely corrosive fluids that are heated to temperatures of 160-180° C. through at least one filtration unit. The pump can be used in a semiconductor etching system. The pump utilizes the driven side of an impeller to generate a suction force that draws the corrosive fluid into a pumping chamber from at least one inlet port. A pedestal support or shaft sleeve, through which a motor drive shaft extends, is modified to create an annular passageway that permits the corrosive fluid to enter the pumping chamber from the inlet. With the inlet design of the present invention, a drive motor seal assembly is no longer subjected to corrosive fluid because the seal assembly is positioned on the suction side of the impeller. In a “dead headed” condition, the corrosive fluid flow stops completely as the fluid within the pumping chamber simply remains in shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Base, Daniel J Olson