Continuous Flow Type Fluid Heater Patents (Class 392/465)
  • Patent number: 6236809
    Abstract: An intravenous fluid heater is provided that is dimensioned so as to be wearable adjacent a patient's intravenous fluid infusion situs. In one embodiment, the heater includes a heat exchanger for defining a flow path through the heater for fluid to be infused via the infusion situs. At least one controllable heating element is provided for heating the fluid in the flow path by heat conduction thereto through the heat exchanger. Sensors are included for sensing respective temperatures of entering and exiting fluids of the flow path. A controller controls, based upon the temperatures of the exiting fluids, heating of the fluid in the flow path by the heating element so as to cause the fluid in the flow path to be substantially uniformly heated to a desired infusion temperature prior to exiting the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Belmont Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: David Cassidy, Russell Hart
  • Patent number: 6205292
    Abstract: A fluid heater has a fluid pipe through which a fluid flows. A radiant heating element is enclosed in a quartz mantle. The fluid pipe is concentrically arranged about the quartz mantle. A first temperature sensor is positioned at a section of the outer circumference of the fluid pipe opposite the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: STEAG MicroTech GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Pokorny, Andreas Steinrücke
  • Patent number: 6169273
    Abstract: A dynamic recirculation system for heating and storing emulsified fuel oil includes: a recirculative heater provided on a feed pipe for feeding emulsified fuel oil into a daily storage tank, and a feedback pipe connected to an outlet pipe of the tank for directing a returning oil streamflow to be heated and warmed by the recirculatvie heater at a predetermined optimum temperature for recirculating and storing the warm emulsified fuel oil for preventing overheating of the emulsified fuel oil and preventing separation of water from emulsified fuel oil, thereby maintaining a stable homogeneous emulsified fuel oil for a better combustion in a furnace or boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Fueltec Energy Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jen-Lian Liou
  • Patent number: 6148147
    Abstract: A heated resin supply hose for supplying molten resin in a molding process, such as a RTM process, includes a removable inner core tube or conduit that can be readily removed from reusable supply hose components after each injection cycle to make a molded article. The reusable hose components include a core-receiving conduit for slidably receiving the core conduit and a heating element on the core-receiving conduit as well as additional hose component layers. The used core conduit having residual resin therein is removed from the core-receiving conduit and replaced by a new core conduit that is inserted in the core-receiving conduit in making another molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Mike D. Durham
  • Patent number: 6080973
    Abstract: An electric water heater is provided which includes a polymeric body having an elongated hollow and an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the hollow for flowing water to pass therethrough. An electrical resistance heater having a heating element of a material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance is disposed in the hollow of the polymeric body and in heat transfer communication with water flowing through the hollow. An electrical source supplies electrical power to the heating element to generate heat. A controller senses current flow through the heating element and determines a resistance related value, such as current or resistance of the heating element. The controller also determines a first derivative of the resistance related value over time, and determines a second derivative of the resistance related value over time, and controls power supply to the heating element as a function of the first and second derivatives and/or absolute resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sherwood-Templeton Coal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlisle Thweatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6061499
    Abstract: An insulated composite hot water heater is disclosed. The heater comprises an inner plastic pressure vessel for storing and heating water. The pressure vessel has an access opening provided with a removable closure plate. A heat exchanger unit is provided within said pressure vessel and retained therein by the closure plate. An outer housing surrounds the inner plastic pressure vessel and a thermal insulating material is interposed between the vessel and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Structural North America
    Inventor: James C. Hlebovy
  • Patent number: 5966502
    Abstract: A removable device for melting and preventing the accumulation of ice and snow on walkway and driveways is disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of interconnected pads of various lengths and widths which are heated to a temperature which is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of ice and snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Clearpath, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Pearce
  • Patent number: 5874050
    Abstract: A device for sterilizing a air within a structure, the device having a housing structured to permit air to freely flow therethrough, a base structure coupled with the housing to maintain a bottom of the housing a distance above an underlying surface so as to not obstruct air flowing into the housing, and at least one ceramic heating bundle disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Carlos J. D. Matias
  • Patent number: 5816474
    Abstract: The linear motor pump for a wave soldering apparatus comprises in accordance with the invention several pumping channels arranged substantially parallel to each other and separate from each other. It includes preferably a multiply segmented stator. Each stator segment has one pumping channel allocated to same. By means of this a homogeneous pumping performance i.e. homogeneous pumping pressure distribution over a practically arbitrary width is achieved, which leads to a homogeneous solder wave. By the arrangement of the pumping channels and the design of the stator in accordance with the invention a turbulent whirling of the solder is made practically impossible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kirsten AG
    Inventor: Karl Flury
  • Patent number: 5805856
    Abstract: A heating system includes an electric heater having coupled thereto a temperature controller and a power activation relay switch coupled to the temperature controller and a meter system coupled to a power terminal on the electric heater to provide an interruptible supplemental heating system for use in residential or commercial buildings. The heating system provides electrically generated heat to supplement a primary heating system which generates heat using fuel oil, fuel gas such as natural gas, propane gas, or other fossil fuels. The electric heater can be an electric resistance heater coupled in series with a primary furnace powered by fossil fuel. When the electric resistance heater is activated, the heat contributed by the heater reduces the required heat output of the primary furnace by a corresponding amount of thermal energy. In one embodiment, an electric utility provides electric power to the electric resistance heater at a reduced cost on an as available, fully interruptible basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Jeffrey H. Hanson
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5570452
    Abstract: A heater for fluids has a main housing part which is provided with flow channels for a fluid to be heated. The main housing part is surrounded by an auxiliary housing part, and the housing parts cooperate to define a compartment which is capable of containing sparks, flames and explosions. The compartment communicates with the atmosphere via one or more gaps too narrow to be penetrated by sparks and flames. The compartment further communicates with a chamber which is provided in the auxiliary housing part for switching elements. A heating foil is adhesively secured to one surface of the compartment so as to lie flat against such surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verfahrenstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kuhn, Norbert Buchholz, Reiner Schulte
  • Patent number: 5544276
    Abstract: A miniature gas chromatograph with thermostatically-controlled heating of its component parts which contact and conduct the sample to the analytical column. The microvalve assembly of the gas chromatograph is heated by passing a thermostatically-controlled electrical current through a metallic conductor formed on a surface of the microvalve assembly. The tubing which conducts sample from the gas chromatograph sample inlet to the microvalve assembly is heated by passing a thermostatically-controlled electrical current directly through the tubing or through a metal layer formed around the tubing. The sample inlet fitting is heated by a wire heater element wrapped around it. Each heater has an associated temperature sensor for controlling the amount of heating to maintain a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Microsensors Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Loux, R. Sjhon Minners, Paul H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5544275
    Abstract: An integrated heated conduit includes an inner conduit through which a fluid may be transferred. The inner conduit may also serve as a first electrical conductor, or an insulator may be provided on the outer surface of the conduit and a first electrical conductor may then be formed about the outer surface of this insulator. A polymeric, self-regulating heating element is provided on the outer surface of the first conductor. A second conductor is provided about the outer surface of the heating element to complete a current path across the heating element. The entire assembly may optionally be sheathed in an electrically and/or thermally insulating outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Ebbing, Peter G. Panagas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5504306
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling a water delivery system utilizing an instant flow tankless water heater. It includes a programmable microprocessor with support circuitry to achieve control of the outlet temperature of a varying flow rate and varying inlet temperature stream. The system senses a water outlet temperature and controls AC power through an on/off mechanism to regulate power to heating elements embedded in the water stream. The capabilities of the heating elements are improved through the application of using a microprocessor to perform a proportional (P), integrating (I) and derivative (D) calculation. The calculations are used to determine the operating characteristics of the heating system and to control the heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Chronomite Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Russell, David Kramer, Bill Graves
  • Patent number: 5455887
    Abstract: A coffee-maker is provided which comprises a first supply voltage terminal (10) and a second supply voltage terminal (11), a heating element (12), a first switching element (13), and a second switching element (14), which heating element (12), first switching element (13) and second switching element (14) are serially coupled between the first supply voltage terminal (10) and the second supply voltage terminal (11), the first switching element (13) being adapted to set the heating element (12) to a first keep-warm temperature and the second switching element (14) being adapted to set the heating element (12) to a second keep-warm temperature. For an improved control to set the heating element (12) to the first and the second keep-warm temperature, the second switching element (14) is adapted to set the heating element (12) to the second keep-warm temperature depending upon a time needed to establish the first keep-warm temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Nicolaas M. F. Dam
  • Patent number: 5390277
    Abstract: This invention relates to the control of the temperature of heated fluid flow through a so-called single pass electrical heater. Specifically, a controller and accompanying flow circuit including a flow through single pass electrical heater is disclosed which provides for heating of water upon initiation of flow. A two stage control protocol is utilized for routing current under precise control to the heater element. In the first protocol utilized at start up to a control temperature limit slightly below the temperature set point, phase angle of current turn on with zero crossing current turn off control a 220 volt current to the single pass heater element. Once the control temperature is achieved, incremental adjustment of phase angle thereafter occurs with rapid asymptotical approach of the output temperature of the flowing water to a preselected temperature "set point" occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Andermac, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Van Wagner, John Stapleton, Mohammed R. Hay, Allan W. Byers
  • Patent number: 5367607
    Abstract: An espresso coffee making system includes an unpressurized boiler vessel with an electric heating element arranged outside the boiler vessel for heating water in the boiler vessel for delivery to a perforated filter holder of the espresso coffee maker. A tube is provided between the electric heating element and the boiler vessel that is in thermal contact with both the heating element and the boiler vessel. A valve allows water from the boiler vessel to be recirculated by a pump through the tube to generate steam, without overheating the water contained in the boiler vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Hufnagl, Stefan Schamberg, Gerhard Schafer, Roland Muller, Manfred Klawuhn
  • Patent number: 5250032
    Abstract: A heater 10 for warming blood, plasma and other solutions flowing through an intravenous tube prior to its entry into a patient. The heater has a housing that has an elongated channel 17 which extends from one end of the housing to the other and which is sized to receive and releasably hold in intimate contact an elongated portion of an intravenous tube. The channel is formed with an elongated slot 18 against which is mounted a heating element H controlled by a control circuit 30 and powered by batteries B. The control circuit may energize the heating element continuously or cyclically with a regulated pulse width modulator U1 in response to sensed temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: SpectraLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip R. Carter, Jr., Byron L. Boylston
  • Patent number: 5125069
    Abstract: Apparatus for changing the temperature of an infusible liquid from a first temperature to a second predetermined temperature. The apparatus includes a receiver assembly for changing the temperature of the liquid. The apparatus also includes a cartridge to be received in the assembly and which defines an enclosed passageway for movement of the fluid. The cartridge has a first end, a second end, a liquid inlet disposed adjacent the first end, a liquid output disposed adjacent the second end, and a first wall extending between the ends and made of a material having good heat transfer properties. The assembly includes a thermoelectric heat pump, and a slot is provided for releasably receiving the cartridge so that the heat pump engages the wall of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Netherlands Health Sciences
    Inventor: Matthew O'Boyle
  • Patent number: 5109472
    Abstract: A water heater (10) overcomes the disadvantage of complicated structure in the prior art and can effectively prevent water in the tank from flowing back into main supply outside the tank, remove impurities in hot water to improve water quality, assure effective and safe operation of the water heater and prolong its service life through the use of a simple ventilating member (20) having small holes (26) preventing water from flowing back, a guiding pipe (24) which makes water swirl, a downwardly projecting periphery (14) of the bottom of the tank, a sand collector (16) and a manually operated sand removing valve (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Chun W. Kwok
  • Patent number: 5067170
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiko Nagashima, Takanobu Serizawa
  • Patent number: 5007238
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement by which harmful or noxious substances such as NOx or SOx may be evaporated from a gas heated pump system. The deletion of the substances is provided by heating a portion of the exhaust system in which the substances would collect. The heating evaporates the substances before they can be emitted to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Seko