Abstract: A tankless electric water heater system including a heating chamber having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a heating element connected to the heating chamber, a first temperature sensor disposed near the first end of the heating chamber, a second temperature sensor disposed near the second end of the heating chamber, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow of water and disposed near the heating chamber, and a controller connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the flow sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to have a set point temperature, to detect temperature and flow data from the first and second temperature sensors, and the flow sensor, and to provide as output a power setting to the heating element.

Abstract: A high-pressure vessel includes a liner, an outer layer, a ferrule, and a seal member. The liner has a cylindrical shape, and is made of a first resin. The outer layer is joined to an outer peripheral surface of the liner, and is made of a second resin having a linear expansion coefficient that is lower than a linear expansion coefficient of the first resin. The ferrule is made of metal, is at least partly disposed radially inward of an inner peripheral surface of the liner, and is configured to provide communication between an internal space of the high-pressure vessel and an outside of the high-pressure vessel. The seal member is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the liner and the ferrule, and is configured to seal a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the liner and the ferrule.

Abstract: A washing machine including: a cabinet; a tub mounted inside the cabinet to receive washing water; a rotating drum mounted inside the tub to load laundry therein; and an injection unit to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum. The injection unit includes: a plurality of nozzles spaced away from each other to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum at different positions; and a connector configured to include a plurality of passages so that a flow path of washing water diverges into the plurality of nozzles. Washing water may be injected by the spaced nozzles over a wide area inside the drum.

Abstract: A heater for solvents and flammable fluids having a heater core, an hermetically sealed electrical chamber, and a housing cap. The heater core includes a process fluid tube, a heating element, and a thermal well, all enclosed within a cast aluminum billet. The heating element, the process fluid tube, and the thermal well are all thermally associated with one another. The electrical chamber is embedded in a first end of the cast aluminum billet. Electrodes from the heating element extend into the electrical chamber and are connected to electrical wires. The electrical chamber is filled with a non-conducting epoxy that covers and encloses the electrical connections. The housing cap is sealingly disposed on the first end of the cast aluminum billet covering the electrical chamber.

Abstract: A column oven includes a main unit, an auxiliary unit, an outside sensor, an internal sensor, a temperature range holding section for holding a plurality of temperature ranges, a temperature range specifying portion for specifying the temperature range to which the outside temperature belongs, a temperature control program holding section for holding a temperature control program for a control method of the main unit and the auxiliary unit in each temperature range in such a way that outputs of the main unit and the auxiliary unit are continuous in the temperature ranges that are adjacent to each other, a control method setting portion for setting a control method of the main unit and the auxiliary unit based on the temperature range specified and the temperature control program, and a temperature control portion for controlling the main unit and the auxiliary unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.

Abstract: A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser.

Abstract: A steam-generating-device configured to generate steam that is passed through a conduit and a nozzle into a container of a laundry appliance that is configured to receive laundry. The steam-generating device includes a tank with an interior space and a heating element. Water is admitted into the tank through an inlet opening, and an outlet opening is provided for water and/or steam. A bulkhead extends up from a bottom of the tank between the outlet opening and the interior space. The bulkhead has an upper edge forming at least one opening so as to provide a passage for the steam between the interior space and the outlet opening. The upper edge protrudes above a storage water level of the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device, in particular for household application, mainly, for preparing hot beverages comprising a body provided with a liquid flow channel which comprises a liquid inlet and outlet and is connected to at least one electrical heating body whose feeding is controlled by switching means connected to control means.

Abstract: Heating device having a substantially flat heating element with specifically selected physical parameters is provided for heating an object to a required temperature. The physical parameters are selected such as to, at a given power and at a selected voltage supply to the heating element, provide as low as desired temperature gradient between the temperature of the outer surface of the heating element through which beat is dissipated and the required temperature of the object. Heating devices of the invention may be implemented in domestic heaters, in food cooking devices, in medical devices, etc. Also provided is a method for designing heating elements for use in such devices.

Abstract: In a water heater, an outer casing includes a hollow flue tube that extends vertically from an inner periphery of a bottom wall thereof, and an outer surrounding wall that extends uprightly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall and that cooperates with the flue tube to confine a receiving space. A heat-conducting unit is mounted inside the receiving space so as to configure the receiving space with isolated first and second chambers. The first chamber is filled with a thermal superconductor material. The second chamber is adapted for holding water therein. The heat-conducting unit includes a plurality of interconnected upright tubular members that cooperate with the outer casing to confine the first chamber therein. The second chamber is disposed externally of the tubular members. A heat-generating source is mounted below the outer casing for heating the water inside the second chamber.

Abstract: Heating device having a substantially flat heating element with specifically selected physical parameters is provided for heating an object to a required temperature. The physical parameters are selected such as to, at a given power and at a selected voltage supply to the heating element, provide as low as desired temperature gradient between the temperature of the outer surface of the heating element through which beat is dissipated and the required temperature of the object. Heating devices of the invention may be implemented in domestic heaters, in food cooking devices, in medical devices, etc. Also provided is a method for designing heating elements for use in such devices.

Abstract: Heating device having a substantially flat heating element with specifically selected physical parameters is provided for heating an object to a required temperature. The physical parameters are selected such as to, at a given power and at a selected voltage supply to the heating element, provide as low as desired temperature gradient between the temperature of the outer surface of the heating element through which heat is dissipated and the required temperature of the object. Heating devices of the invention may be implemented in domestic heaters, in food cooking devices, in medical devices, etc. Also provided is a method for designing heating elements for use in such devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the interior surface of a defined volume, such as the interior of a pipe or tank, to control the viscosity of a liquid contained within that volume. In the method, a laminated composite heater element, impermeable to water, is disposed on the surface of the receptacle, and is energized at prescribed intervals and temperatures effective to heat the interior surface of the volume.

Abstract: A boiler for an espresso coffee maker comprises a metallic body (12) comprising a cover (15) with a peripheral flange (16) and a cup (18) connected in sealed fashion to the cover (15). A downwardly-extending water supply tube (26) extends through the cover. An electric heating resistance (24) is provided. A vertical water outlet conduit (32) opens through the bottom of the cup (18), and a valve (39) is disposed in the conduit (32) and opens only when a certain pressure threshold is reached. The peripheral flange (16) of the cover (15) of the body (12) is shaped as a gutter (22) in which is positioned in intimate thermal connection the electric heating resistance (24).

Abstract: A kettle which includes a vessel that provides a chamber for holding water, a pouring spout for dispensing water from the chamber, and a handle for lifting and tilting the vessel during pouring, also includes an electric heating element in the form of a conductive track of a thick film printed circuit on a metal substrate that forms a heated portion of the vessel, the electric heating element being located externally of the chamber.

Abstract: A dual tank water heating system has an exterior tank which surrounds an interior tank. Water in the exterior tank is maintained at a prescribed temperature by heating elements located beneath the outer tank. Water in the interior tank is heated by water in the exterior tank and, when necessary, may be heated by a secondary heating element located beneath the interior tank. Water in the exterior tank may be used for general residential and commercial purposes and water in the interior tank is pumped through radiators for hydronic heating. Under moderate weather conditions, all heat is provided to the radiators through water in the interior tank which has been heated by water in the exterior tank. Under particularly cold circumstances, the secondary heating element is used to boost the heating ability of the system.

Abstract: A boiler for the production of steam and/or hot water has a principal enclosure limited by a watertight wall for containing water, a bottom water extraction outlet,a water supply inlet, an upper steam outlet and a level detector controlling the water level in the enclosure. Electric immersion heating elements are provided in the enclosure for heating the water to generate steam. At least one section of the enclosure wall adjacent the water level on which scale deposits are likely to form is deformable by flexion and is stressed by time-varying deformations of the wall produced by variations of water and/or steam pressure in the enclosure which causes the film of scale deposited on the inner surface of the at least one deformable section to break up and become detached so that they fall to the bottom of the enclosure for easy elimination by drainage of the water from the enclosure through the bottom water extraction outlet.

Abstract: A system for electrically heating a volume of windshield cleaning fluid in a motor vehicle includes a metallic vessel connected between a windshield fluid reservoir and a nozzle for spraying the windshield with the fluid. The vessel has a metal heater wall heated by PTC thermistors thereon and provided with a plurality of metal heat exchange pins extending into an internal chamber in the vessel through which the fluid flows to be heated. A control circuit is provided and includes an electronic timer circuit for controlling the length of time the thermistors are energized to heat the fluid in accordance with the prevailing ambient temperature, an engine speed sensor including a pulse stretching circuit for preventing energization of the thermistors if the engine of the vehicle is not running, and a differential input circuit for simplifying the attachment of the system to a standard windshield cleaning fluid pump.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled laboratory heating apparatus consisting of a flexible electrical heater wrapped around the exterior surface of a conventional glass or metal beaker and permanently encased within a rubber molding forming an insulating ring around it. The heater is electrically connected to a power source through an integrated-circuit temperature control panel. A thermistor is mounted against the outside surface of the beaker within the rubber molding and is connected to the control panel to regulate the flow of current through the electrical heater to reach and maintain the temperature set by the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the current through the heater is automatically regulated to optimize the time required to heat the liquid in the beaker to the desired temperature and to then deliver trickle currents, as needed, to minimize fluctuations from the set-point.

Abstract: A liquid detector for thin-walled tanks Operating in a zero gravity environment (e.g., outer space). The liquid detector includes a small heater, such as a 1-watt patch heater, and two thermistors positioned on either side of the heater and diametrically opposed to each other. The heater and two thermistors are located on the outside of a propellant tank of, for example, a satellite. One of the thermistors is positioned directly over a region where a propellant management device retains liquid. The other thermistor is spaced apart from the region, while the heater is proximate to the region. In operation, the heater is activated for a short period of time and the change in temperature at each of the two thermistors is observed. The temperature of a thermistor located over a spot having liquid propellant in contact with the tank wall will increase less than the temperature of the thermistor located at a spot where no liquid propellant is present.

Abstract: An electric water warming system generally comprises a cylindrical first water storage tank to be installed in a vertical fashion, a water feed pipe connected to a bottom portion of the first water storage tank for feeding water therein, and a hot water flow-out pipe connected to a top portion of the water storage tank for flowing out hot water therefrom. A temperature of hot water stored in the water storage tank is detected by a detecting device at a plurality of levels thereof and a water feed side and a water flow-out side are connected through a circulation pipe. A second water storage tank is incorporated in the circulation pipe and a heater is disposed in the second water storage tank. A temperature of the hot water in the second tank is detected by another detecting device disposed at an outlet portion of the second water tank. A circulation pump is incorporated in the circulation pipe at a portion upstream of the second water storage tank.

Abstract: An aquarium heating system utilizes a conductive coating on an aquarium glass viewing window to heat the aquarium water. The conductive coating is transparent and is disposed on the surface of at least one viewing window. A voltage is supplied to the conductive coating under control of a power supply which operates to maintain the water at a constant temperature.