Method Patents (Class 392/312)
  • Patent number: 9841183
    Abstract: The invention relates to heat engineering, power engineering and the field of electric heating of liquids, water for instance; it can be used in circulation water heating systems and hot water supply, and as a universal device for diverse electric heaters. An object of the invention are to enhance the ease of fabrication, fabricability, and operability for block electrodes and electrode heating boilers on the whole, to increase the reliability of device both in static and dynamic modes ones. The invention meets an object of extended performance capabilities, versatility and flexibility of the device, potential diversification and enhancement of adaptability in solving particular problems. Moreover, the invention allows improvement of convection in water heating boilers and reduction of uniformity of sludge and rust deposition on electrodes thus increasing the heater effective performance time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: No Eul Kim
  • Patent number: 8977114
    Abstract: A device for thermal treatment of corrosive gases includes a chamber for heating gases in which there are at least four heating elements or four groups of heating elements including an electrically conductive material, wherein each heating element or group is connected to a separately regulatable and/or controllable subsystem of an electrical energy network and can thereby be heated by direct current flow, wherein each heating element or group can be controlled or regulated with respect to at least one either identical or different value of a parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, heating power, current, voltage and resistance, or with respect to another heating element process variable, which can be influenced by the device, and wherein at least four regulatable and/or controllable subsystems are DC-isolated from ground potential. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for the thermal treatment of corrosive gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ellinger, Josef Wiesbauer, Robert Ring
  • Patent number: 8532474
    Abstract: An electrical liquid heating system and method of heating a liquid includes providing at least two spaced apart electrical conductors and applying an electrical energy source to the conductors. A liquid is directed into contact with the conductors thereby delivering electrical energy to the liquid. Electrical energy is delivered to the liquid at a power level that is sufficient to generate an electrical current to produce resistive heating of the liquid. The electrical energy may be delivered to the liquid at a power level that is sufficient to break at least some molecular bonds of molecules defining the liquid. A regulator may be provided for regulating delivery of electrical energy to the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Mark E. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20130129327
    Abstract: A heat generator and method for generating heat is described and includes an electric fluid heater for receiving fluid and for heating the fluid by passing electric current through the fluid, which heats the fluid by virtue of the fluids resistive properties. A fluid receptacle within a heat exchanger receives heated fluid from the electric fluid heater and transfers the heated fluid to a substance via the heat exchanger, wherein the substance is in proximity to the heat exchanger. The method includes pumping fluid to an electric heater which heats the fluid by passing electric current through the fluid for heating the fluid through resistive properties. The method further includes pumping heated fluid from the electric fluid heater into a fluid receptacle within a heat exchanger, wherein the fluid receptacle transfers heat from the heated fluid via a heat exchanger to a substance in proximity to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Cedric Israelsohn, Robert C. Van Aken
  • Patent number: 8354002
    Abstract: Mixtures containing high boiling and low boiling components, at least one component being dissociatable into ions, are separated effectively by heating by passing an alternating electrical current through the mixture. The process is particularly effective in the workup of crude alkylchlorosilanes from the direct synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Paul Fuchs, Norbert Ellinger, Klaus Kaeppler, Gerhard Staiger
  • Publication number: 20120328269
    Abstract: A device for thermal treatment of corrosive gases includes a chamber for heating gases in which there are at least four heating elements or four groups of heating elements including an electrically conductive material, wherein each heating element or group is connected to a separately regulatable and/or controllable subsystem of an electrical energy network and can thereby be heated by direct current flow, wherein each heating element or group can be controlled or regulated with respect to at least one either identical or different value of a parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, heating power, current, voltage and resistance, or with respect to another heating element process variable, which can be influenced by the device, and wherein at least four regulatable and/or controllable subsystems are DC-isolated from ground potential. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for the thermal treatment of corrosive gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: Norbert ELLINGER, Josef WIESBAUER, Robert RING
  • Patent number: 8326134
    Abstract: An integrated wiring assembly electrically connects components of a multi-zone boiler heating system. The integrated wiring assembly includes a plurality of connection terminals which are commonly connected to facilitate connecting thermostats and zone valves for each zone, end switches of each zone valve to a start switch of the boiler, and a transformer to supply electrical power to the components, in such a way that the complexity of the electrical connections is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: James T. Harper
  • Patent number: 8180203
    Abstract: Provided is a direct heating tube which has a sufficient heating rate and a sufficient cooling rate, and has no cold spots therein, making it possible to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the whole part thereof or a temperature distribution having a desired temperature gradient, and making it possible to keep constant the temperature of a fluid which is caused to flow through the tube or to give a desired change to the temperature of the fluid. Provided also is a direct heating tube which does not exert an adverse influence on devices near the tube, such as a detector and an oven, even by heating the tube. In a desired portion of the tube to be heated, a second heated tube connected to a first heated tube is provided outside the first heated tube, and an electrode portion is connected to the second heated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GL Sciences Incorporated
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kurano
  • Publication number: 20120073502
    Abstract: A heater for a heating system of a chemical vapor deposition process includes a relatively highly emissive body and an electrically conductive heating element disposed within a passageway in the body. The heating element is constructed to melt below an operating temperature of the heater. The passageway is constructed to retain the melted heating element in a continuous path, so that an electrical current along the heating element may be maintained during operation of the heater. Various shapes and arrangements of the passageway within the body may be used, and the heating system may be constructed to provide multiple, independently controllable temperature zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Boris Volf, Eric A. Armour
  • Patent number: 7903956
    Abstract: A device for heating a liquid includes a tank, electrodes, and a conductive liquid. The tank holds the conductive liquid and the electrodes. The electrodes are connected to provide current flowing in the conductive liquid. The device also includes an electrolytic material supply vessel for holding the electrolytic material. The electrolytic material supply vessel is switchably connected for providing the electrolytic material to the tank. The device also includes an electrical parameter sensor for detecting a parameter of electrical energy dissipated in the conductive liquid. The device also includes a controller connected to automatically add the electrolytic material to the conductive liquid if the electrical parameter sensor detects the electrical parameter differing from a set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wood Stone Ideas, LLC
    Inventors: Michael George Colburn, Stephen John Bogner
  • Publication number: 20110019980
    Abstract: An integrated wiring assembly electrically connects components of a multi-zone boiler heating system. The integrated wiring assembly includes a plurality of connection terminals which are commonly connected to facilitate connecting thermostats and zone valves for each zone, end switches of each zone valve to a start switch of the boiler, and a transformer to supply electrical power to the components, in such a way that the complexity of the electrical connections is simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: James T. Harper
  • Publication number: 20100074602
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating fluid, includes a preheat reservoir having at least one pair of reservoir electrodes between which an electric current can be passed through fluid in the preheat reservoir, to heat fluid in the reservoir to a preheat temperature, the preheat temperature being less than a desired output fluid temperature of the apparatus; and an outflow temperature boost passage through which fluid from the preheat reservoir flows to an outlet of the apparatus, the outflow temperature boost passage having at least one pair of outflow electrodes between which an electric current can be passed through fluid in the outflow temperature boost passage, to heat fluid dynamically in the outflow temperature boost passage to the desired output fluid temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Cedric Israelsohn, Robert Cornelis Van Aken
  • Publication number: 20100040352
    Abstract: A device for heating a liquid includes a tank, electrodes, and a conductive liquid. The tank holds the conductive liquid and the electrodes. The electrodes are connected to provide current flowing in the conductive liquid. The device also includes an electrolytic material supply vessel for holding the electrolytic material. The electrolytic material supply vessel is switchably connected for providing the electrolytic material to the tank. The device also includes an electrical parameter sensor for detecting a parameter of electrical energy dissipated in the conductive liquid. The device also includes a controller connected to automatically add the electrolytic material to the conductive liquid if the electrical parameter sensor detects the electrical parameter differing from a set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Michael George Colburn, Stephen John Bogner
  • Publication number: 20080317447
    Abstract: A humidifier configured to determine when the humidifier requires cleaning. The humidifier includes a tank for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the tank to generate steam, and one or more water level sensors for detecting the level of water in the tank, including detecting water at first level and a second level, where the first level is lower than the second level. The humidifier further includes a drain valve for draining water from the tank and a controller. The controller is configured to open the drain valve to drain water from the tank, measure a time interval required for the water to drain from the second level to the first level, and compare the time interval against a threshold value. If the time interval exceeds the threshold value, then the controller is configured to provide an indication to clean the humidifier. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tracy L. Lentz, Steven R. Hoglund
  • Patent number: 7171111
    Abstract: An improved scheme for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen is provided in which a two dimensional matrix of electrodes is provided in a reaction vessel. The electrodes are connected to a source of electrical power for providing a potential difference there between sufficient for dissociating the water. The matrix includes a smallest two dimensional repeating group that consists of four electrodes arranged in a quadrilateral clockwise plus, minus, plus, minus. The hydrogen can be used for burning, running an internal combustion engine, or for providing electrical power in a fuel cell. Core water from the matrix can also be used directly as heating water. Direct current, or switched direct current can be used for generating hydrogen while AC sources can be used for generating heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Carlton W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 6130990
    Abstract: A liquid heater includes an electrical power supplier and a heating passage configured to receive unheated liquid. The heating passage is defined by a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the electrical power supplier. The unheated liquid received into the heating passage generates heat when an electric current flows through the liquid and between the first and second electrodes. The liquid heater is utilized in beverage product dispensers and heated liquid food product dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: James Peter Herrick, Sudhir Sastry, Gene Frank Clyde, Elaine Regina Wedral
  • Patent number: 5636317
    Abstract: Electroheating apparatus and methods utilize a dielectric structure defining a conduit course of relatively small cross-sectional area and electrode surfaces of relatively large area so that the electrical current density in a region of the conduit remote from the electrodes is substantially higher than the current density at the electrode surfaces themselves. The system uses relatively high electrical resistance and relatively high voltages to provide substantial heating effect with low total currents. Foods such as liquid egg can be pasteurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: David Reznik
  • Patent number: 5586213
    Abstract: Ionic contact is established and maintained between electrodes and soil in ohmic heating of a subsurface formation for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. A compressed, dry sponge is wrapped around an electrode, which is then inserted into a bore hole. A conductive liquid is added to the bore hole, causing the sponge to swell, creating a stable and substantial interface for the flow of heating currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: IIT Research Institute
    Inventors: Jack E. Bridges, Guggilam C. Sresty, Harsh Dev, Richard Jambor
  • Patent number: 5440667
    Abstract: An ohmic heater comprises at least two electrodes contained within a vessel such that the electrodes lie along the length of the vessel. The vessel has inlet and outlet ports in the top and bottom through which a fluid to be heated flows, passing through the vessel along the length of the vessel. The electrodes are equally spaced about the axis of the vessel and when in use, are each connected to a single phase of a power supply, such that the total voltage at any point in time at the electrodes is near or at a neutral potential of the electric power supply. Electrically conductive guard rings are positioned around the inner periphery of the inlet and outlet ports of the vessel and are connected to the neutral potential of the electric power supply by electrical connectors. A leakage current monitor is interposed between guard rings and the neutral potential to enable current leakage from said heater to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Electricity Association Technology Limited
    Inventors: David P. Simpson, Robert Stirling