Abstract: An electric heating device includes a conductive pipe having an interior and at least one end portion, one or more heating elements disposed in the conductive pipe, one or more power connectors extending into the interior of the conductive pipe to be electrically connected to the one or more heating elements, a ground connector contacting the at least one end portion of the conductive pipe to be electrically connected to the conductive pipe, and a first member enclosing the at least one end portion of the conductive pipe, the one or more power connectors, and the ground connector.

Abstract: A subsea direct electric heating system has a subsea pipeline which has an electrically conducting pipeline material, and a first piggyback cable extending along a portion of the subsea pipeline, electrically connected in series with the subsea pipeline. The system further comprises a topside AC power supply and a power feeder cable which extends from the topside AC power supply to a subsea location. The power feeder cable feeds electric power to the first piggyback cable and the pipeline, resulting in a heating of the pipeline. In order to improve power conditions in the system, the arrangement for reducing the reactive component of the power comprises the power feeder cable, the power feeder cable having a distributed capacitance which is sufficient, in the absence of a capacitor, to result in a power factor of an electric circuit comprising the power feeder cable, the subsea pipeline and the piggyback cable in the range 0.9 to 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising an end-fitting and an unbonded flexible pipe having a length and a longitudinal axis, said flexible pipe comprising, from the inside and out, an internal armour layer, an internal pressure sheath, at least one external armour layer and an outer sheath, the first end of the unbonded flexible pipe being terminated in the end-fitting, and the end-fitting comprising means for connecting the internal armour layer to an external electrical power source. The means comprise connection points to the internal armour layer in the unbonded flexible pipe and connection points to the electrical power source wherein the connection points for the electrical power source are mounted in a housing adapted to an outer surface-part of the end-fitting.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a climate control system of an electrified vehicle by shutting off refrigerant flow to a rear portion of a heat pump subsystem in response to a defrost request.

Abstract: An improved vaporizer for vaporizing a process fluid is provided. The vaporizer may be assembled from stacked plates and may include one or more plenums with a relatively large wall-area-to-cross-sectional-flow-area ratio. The vaporizer may be equipped with one or more heating elements configured to heat the plenums above the vaporization temperature of the precursor. At least some of the plenums may be heated above the vaporization temperature, but below the Leidenfrost temperature, of the precursor. Multiple stacked plate arrangements may be ganged together in series to achieve complete vaporization, if necessary. The vaporizers may be easily disassembleable for cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: A heating system to heat a main heating circulation comprises an electric heater, a control head, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a plurality of tubes. The electric heater is adapted to heat a primary heating liquid by applying an electric current directly to the primary heating liquid. The control head is adapted to determine a temperature and a pressure of the primary heating liquid. The heat exchanger comprises a first liquid passage for the primary heating liquid and a second liquid passage for a secondary heating liquid in the main heating circulation. The second liquid passage is in thermal contact with the first liquid passage to heat the secondary heating liquid while cooling the primary heating liquid. The tubes connect the electric heater, the control bead, the heat exchanger and the pump to define a circulation for the primary heating liquid. The pump is adapted to pump the primary heating liquid such that heat is transferred from the heater via the heat exchanger into said the heating circulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a line for transporting a hydrocarbon. The line includes a hollow inner tube extending in a longitudinal direction for transporting the fluid in the inner tube and having an electrically insulating outer surface. A heating layer is arranged on the inner tube and comprises carbon fibers embedded in a polymer material. A heat insulation layer is arranged around the heating layer. An outer tube is arranged around the heat insulation layer. The outer tube is designed to resist an outer pressure at least higher than 100 bar. Spacing means hold the outer tube at a distance from the inner tube in a fixed manner. Power supply means feed an electric current to the heating layer in order to heat the inner tube.

Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a rigid member having a gap, a liquefier tube operably disposed in the gap, one or more heater assemblies disposed in the gap in contact with the liquefier tube, and configured to heat the liquefier tube in a zone-by-zone manner, preferably one or more thermal resistors disposed in the gap between the rigid member and the heater assemblies, and preferably one or more sensors configured to operably measure pressure within the liquefier tube. The one or more heater assemblies may be operated to provide dynamic heat flow control.

Abstract: A direct electric heating (DEH) system for heating a subsea pipeline is provided. The DEH system includes a subsea power cable adapted to be coupled to a three phase electric power source. The DEH system further includes two or more subsea DEH modules. Each subsea module of the two or more subsea DEH modules is provided for heating a different pipeline section of the subsea pipeline.

Abstract: A water delivery system is provided, comprising at least one faucet device with a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one faucet device, a tankless heater device for heating water, a hot water line having a first portion running from an outlet of the tankless heater device to the at least one faucet device and having a second portion running from the at least one faucet device to an inlet of the tankless heater device, and a circulatory pump arranged in the second portion of the hot water line, wherein the circulatory pump has a prefixed first performance level and a prefixed second performance level, wherein the first performance level causes a finite water flow in the hot water line which is below an operation threshold value of the tankless heater device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device for an automobile that comprises at least one first part (1a) made of a heat-conducting material, a liquid flow path (10a) integrally formed in said first part (1a) for enabling a flow of liquid between an inlet and an outlet (12a), and a heating means (14) thermally coupled with said part (1a) and capable of heating said part (1a) so that the liquid flowing through said flow path can absorb the heat of said part (1a). According to the invention, the first part includes a planar bottom wall (15a) extending in a plane parallel to the flow path (10a), and the electric heating means includes a plurality of flat stones (14) having a positive temperature coefficient and arranged as a matrix in the same plane in parallel and in contact with the bottom wall (15a) as well as two electrodes in the form of two planar surfaces, each arranged in parallel and in contact with the corresponding surfaces of the flat stones of the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus heats fluids. A number of lithium-ion cells are positioned within a housing. A first connector is positioned on a first end of the housing and opperably connected to the number of lithium-ion cells. The first connector is configured to receive electrical power from a power source. A second connector is positioned on a second end of the housing and opperably connected to the number of lithium-ion cells. A heating element has a tube for transferring fluid. The heating element is configured to connect to the second connector. A controller is positioned within the housing and opperably connected to the number of lithium-ion cells and the second connector. The controller is configured to monitor a rate at which the electrical power is received by the heating element and limit an amount of the electrical power received by the heating element when the rate reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an impedance heat transfer fluid heating system in association with a parabolic trough solar concentrator are provided. The system includes an intermediate terminal connector that electrically interconnects a receiver tube of the parabolic trough solar concentrator to a power supply. The intermediate terminal connector can include a pair of plates running parallel to the receiver tube. The system additionally includes a pair of end terminal connectors. Each end terminal connector features a receiver tube plate having an aperture that completely surrounds the receiver tube assembly pipe. The end terminal connectors can additionally include a terminal connector extension that is at an angle to the receiver tube plate. A current return conductor extends between an end terminal connector and the power supply. The current return conductor is supported by the collector frame or structure and/or a receiver tube support structure.

Abstract: A device for welding plastic sheets using of hot gas heated in a tubular conduit through which an electric current flows. The device has at least one gas inlet and several gas outlet openings the electrical resistance of which changes depending on the temperature. At least one metal strip is electrically connected to the tubular conduit in the segment of the tubular conduit which is provided with the gas outlet openings in order to influence the temperature differences of the hot gas flows exiting the individual gas outlet openings. The segment of the tubular conduit provided with the gas outlet openings is located between two gas inlet openings which are arranged at an axial distance. At least one metal strip is attached in the central area of this segment of the tubular conduit.

Abstract: A refrigerant heating apparatus is provided. The refrigerant heating apparatus includes a refrigerant pipe in which a refrigerant flows and a heating unit that is provided on an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe. The heating unit includes a plurality of electrodes that are provided at an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and are spaced from each other and a plurality of carbon nanotube heating elements that are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of carbon nanotube heating elements are heated by an applied power, and are disposed to be spaced from each other.

Abstract: In a power supply arrangement for supplying electrical power to the pipeline, the power supply arrangement for direct electrical heating of a pipeline system has basically a three phase transformer, a symmetrization unit, and a compensation unit. The three phase transformer is adapted to support a single phase load connected between a first and a second phase of the transformer. The transformer has at least one first tap changer at a high voltage side of the transformer. The symmetrization unit has a first capacitor connected between the first phase and a third phase of the transformer and an inductor connected between the second phase and the third phase of the transformer. The compensation unit has a second capacitor connected between the first phase and the second phase of the transformer. The first tap changer, the first capacitor, the second capacitor and the inductor are adapted to be varied on-load.

Abstract: A flow heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with a tube arrangement including at least one tube (105, 106, 205, 206, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406) for passing through a fluid to be heated or a plurality of fluids to be heated, and with a heater with a metal jacket, especially with a tubular heating body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502), in which the tubes (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406, 505) surround the heater. At least in partial areas of the heater, wall sections (113, 114, 213, 214, 311, 312, 313, 411, 412, 413, 513) of the tube arrangement (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406), which wall sections face the heater, are adapted to an outer contour of the heater, which heater may or may not include a heat transport tube (117, 317, 517), so that the wall sections are in flush contact with sections of this outer contour. The tube arrangement (105, 106, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, 404, 405, 406, 505) is connected together and/or with the heater by a connection device.

Abstract: A conduit (51) for a condensate removal pump is disclosed comprising a tubular member (47) having a profiled rim (53, 54) at a distal end, profiled such that only a portion of the rim lies in a plane located at the extreme distal end of the tubular member perpendicular to the axis of the tubular. A resilient membrane (52) which has a slit extends across the interior of the tubular member and is arranged to open, to allow water to pass, when water is drawn through the conduit. A combined sensor and suction tube assembly (50) is also disclosed comprising a tube (55), a self heating thermistor (56) coupled to the tube, and a relay means (69) to relay an operational parameter of the self heating thermistor, indicative of the presence of water, to a condensate removal pump. The combined sensor and suction tube assembly is sized to fit within a pipe having an inner diameter of 20 mm.

Abstract: A superheated-steam heating nozzle is provided that includes: first-fourth steam pipes concentrically disposed from inside to outside; an outlet connection is provided to the outlet side of the superheated-steam heating nozzle and receives steam from the first steam pipe; a blow-out nozzle is connected to the outlet connection; multiple electric heaters disposed in the gap between the second steam pipe and the third steam pipe and whose sealed sections at the tips traverse a temperature-rise-prevention section and protrude towards the superheated-steam heating nozzle; a first loop-back section on the outlet side connects the gap between the third steam pipe and the fourth steam pipe with the gap between the first steam pipe and the second steam pipe; and a second loop-back section on the inlet side connects the gap between the first steam pipe and the second steam pipe with the inside of the first steam pipe.

Abstract: In one example, a mixing header includes a body that defines a fluid passage having an inlet side and an outlet side. The mixing header also includes a flow conditioning element that is connected to the body and arranged for fluid communication with the fluid passage. The flow conditioning element also includes a plurality of elements each connected to, and extending outwardly from, a hub.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating apparatus. In the heating apparatus, carbon nanotube heating elements for heating fluid flowing through a flow channel in a heating chamber are disposed at a heat transfer part. The contact area of the carbon nanotube heating elements and the heat transfer part is 50% or more of the contact area of the heat transfer part and the fluid. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently heat the fluid.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a ceramic heater including a plurality of ceramic plates having a plate shape, and a housing including an inlet hole and an outlet hole, the housing in which the ceramic heater is installed. The ceramic plates are disposed vertically in the housing in a parallel manner and the outlet hole is disposed in an upper portion of the housing, such that when a fluid flows through a flow path formed along the ceramic plates, bubbles, generated by the fluid heated by the ceramic plates, ascend toward edges of the ceramic plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating system for a liquid conveyor system, particularly for a urea supply system of a catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one first heater (4) for defrosting a liquid, and at least one filter heater (14) for heating a filter (5) for liquid filtering, wherein the filter heater (14) is formed by a heating section—designed as a resistance heating element—of an electrical connecting line (12) of the first heater (4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus of a hot drink machine comprising a conduit pipe extended from a reservoir and connected to an internal heating assembly, a conduit pipe connected between an outlet of the internal heating assembly and a sprinkler outlet on an entrance of a brewing container, a gate for controlling hot water provided on conduit pipe adjacent to sprinkler outlet; characterized in that: said internal heating assembly comprises an electric heating liner surrounding an outer circumference of a stainless steel pipe, and an aluminum material die casted to encompass the electric heating liner on the outer circumference of the stainless steel pipe; whereby heat from said electric heating liner is uniformly distributed on the stainless steel pipe via said aluminum material encompassed said outer circumference thereof such that heat is uniformly transmitted to raw water in said internal heating assembly to increase a heating efficiency thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus integrated with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon thermal sensor as a proximity switch sensor in air/oil Lubricators is disclosed in the present invention. The present invention relates to mass flow sensing and measurement for both gas and liquid phase and relates to air/oil lubrication process for multi-point lubrication machine. The invented apparatus is utilized as an alarm device to prevent mechanical system failures caused by the discontinuity of oil lubrication. The MEMS silicon thermal sensor is distinguished with a variety of advantages of small size, low power consumption, high reliability and high accuracy. In addition to the above benefits, the most significant and critical advantage is its fast response time of less than 20 msec, which makes the proximity switch control become viable for preventing equipment damage from oil lubricants discontinuity.

Abstract: This pipe assembly comprises a pipe (2) having an internal duct (4) for the fluid and an electrical wire (6) longer than the pipe (2). The pipe (2) comprises: one or more groove(s) (8, 10) along the pipe (2); at least one lip (11, 12, 13, 14) which extends parallel to a groove (8, 10) and which can be deformed; between a configuration in which the electrical wire (6) can be introduced into the groove (8, 10); and a secondary configuration in which a lip (11, 12, 13, 14) covers the groove (8, 10). The pipe assembly also comprises means for keeping the or each lip (11, 12, 13, 14) in the secondary configuration.

Abstract: A piping for an SCR circuit of a motor vehicle comprising a pipe to feed a solution comprising urea, an electrical resistor surrounding the pipe to heat the solution containing urea, and a layer of a material having a flexural stiffness higher than that of the pipe, in which the layer is tubular and houses at least partially the electrical resistor and the pipe.

Abstract: In one example, a mixing header includes a body that defines a fluid passage having an inlet side and an outlet side. The mixing header also includes a flow conditioning element that is connected to the body and arranged for fluid communication with the fluid passage. The flow conditioning element also includes a plurality of elements each connected to, and extending outwardly from, a hub.

Abstract: A smooth-bore plastic tubing with an outer helical support bead is resistant to collapse and incorporates plural conductors disposed outside of the tubing bore and insulated both from ambient and from one another. The conductors may have a desired relatively high thermal conductivity to tidal air flow within the tubing, while also having a comparatively high thermal resistance to ambient. The conductors may be electrical conductors, or may include fiber optic conductors as well in the same tubing structure. A method for making the tubing includes extruding a molten thermoplastic ribbon. The plastic ribbon is wrapped to form a tubular body, and a grooved plateau portion is wrapped upon the tubular body. At least one conductor is embedded in the groove of the plateau portion.

Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.

Abstract: A heatable medium pipe having at least one pipe connector and heating element, wherein the heating element has a few wires, in particular two wires, and said wires extend continuously along the medium pipe and along the at least one pipe connector.

Abstract: A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.

Abstract: An inter-axial inline fluid heater is presented. The inter-axial inline fluid heater includes an outer retaining sheath defining a first area, and an interior flow tube disposed within the outer sheath and capable of having fluid flow therethrough. Further, the inter-axial inline fluid heater includes a resistance wire disposed between the interior flow tube and the outer retaining sheath, the resistance wire capable of producing heat for heating a fluid passing through the interior flow tube when power is applied to the resistance wire. Also includes is a dielectric heat transfer material disposed between the interior flow tube and the outer retaining sheath and surrounding at least a portion of the resistance wire.

Abstract: A microwave oven cabinet is ergonomic designed to provide for both stacking and jigsaw-type back-to-back interlining of multiple units of the microwave ovens. In particular, the cabinet configuration advantageously establishes a reduced footprint, ergonomically designed microwave oven which can be effectively employed in various fields, including fast food chains wherein multiple such ovens may need to be functionally positioned in a limited area, while still being easily accessible.

Abstract: A device for purifying exhaust gases of a vehicle by selective catalytic reduction including a heated piping. The heated piping comprises a fluid conveying pipe including a thermoplastic elastomer, a heating element arranged inside the conveying pipe, and an anti-abrasive layer. Preferably, the conveying pipe is made of a polyolefinic matrix based thermoplastic elastomer in which it is intimately dispersed a dynamically vulcanized and EPDM based elastomeric phase.

Abstract: A well bore fluid is heated to prevent paraffin build-up or lower the viscosity of asphaltenic crude in the production line by an electrical heating element lowered into a pre-determined subterranean location. The heating element is controlled by a control unit that is connected to a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, which detects temperature and pressure in the vicinity of the heating element and modifies an electric power source to deliver sufficient electric power to the electric heating element to keep the paraffin or other alkanes in a liquefied state. By modifications, the same heater can be used to generate steam in a well bore for the same purposes or to heat oil in a tank battery to prevent solidification of high molecular weight constituents in the crude.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a ceramic heater including a plurality of ceramic plates having a plate shape, and a housing including an inlet hole and an outlet hole, the housing in which the ceramic heater is installed. The ceramic plates are disposed vertically in the housing in a parallel manner and the outlet hole is disposed in an upper portion of the housing, such that when a fluid flows through a flow path formed along the ceramic plates, bubbles, generated by the fluid heated by the ceramic plates, ascend toward edges of the ceramic plates.

Abstract: An automotive water heater having application to a windshield of an automobile, which is able to produce hot water that can be sprinkled on the windshield to melt accumulated snow and frost, in which a water heater is mainly structured from a laminated assembled heating unit side joined to a heat conducting surface of an exchange bed. Heat quantity produced by the heating unit forms a heat balance function, which transfers the heat to the exchange bed, and water flow paths are defined interior of the exchange bed. The face joining of the laminated heating units is used to facilitate maintenance of component members and allow changing of the number of heating units assembled to the exchange bed, thereby providing choice to accommodate different power requirements.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that is designed to be connected to an electrical power supply. The system comprises a plurality of electric load component comprising stages for cooperatively producing an output (Tout), each stage in a first subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a first load and each stage in a second subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a second load, the first load being larger than the second load. The system has a controller for controlling the electrical load components. The controller is designed to estimate voltage variations on the electrical power supply from the switching frequencies of the respective electrical load components during a predefined time frame.

Abstract: A water heater including a water inlet line having an inlet opening that introduces cold water to a tank, a water outlet line having an outlet opening that withdraws heated water from the tank, and a heating element. The water heater further includes a control circuit. The heating element can be an electrical resistance heating element, a gas heating element, or a combination thereof. In one construction, the gas heating element includes a first combustive section and a second combustive section separately controlled from the first combustive section.

Abstract: A heating system for a fluid pipe system in which at least one electric heating element (RL) is assigned to at least one fluid line, said heating element, in order to apply a predetermined heating output to the fluid line, being provided with an electric operating voltage (UB) that is reduced compared to the supply voltage (U).

Abstract: A flow heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) with a metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801), with at least one tube (103, 104, 203, 204, 303, 304, 403, 503, 603, 604, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810) for passing through a fluid to be heated is mounted and preferably pressed, at least in some sections, into the metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801). At least one tubular heating body (102, 202, 209, 210, 302, 402, 409, 410, 502, 602, 702, 703, 704) that is arranged outside the tube interior space, is mounted in and preferably pressed into, the metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801) at least in some sections. The at least one tubular heating body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802) is surrounded by the one tube or by a plurality of the tubes (103, 104, 203, 204, 303, 304, 403, 503, 603, 604, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810) for passing through a fluid to be heated.

Abstract: A portable, low profile electric radiant heater has an elongated heating element. A plurality of thermistors are disposed proximate to and along the length of the elongated heating element, spaced at substantially equal intervals. A microcontroller switches a reference resistor in series with a charging capacitor to determine a reference timer value. The microcontroller switches banks of multiple thermistors in series with the charging capacitor to determine associated timer values. The microcontroller calculates thermistor resistance values using the reference timer, reference resistor, and thermistor timer values. A lookup table is employed to determine a temperature value associated with the thermistor resistance value. This serves as the sensed temperature of the associated bank of thermistors. A plurality of tip-over switches are provided. One tip-over switch is disposed between the microcontroller and the heating element.

Abstract: A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the overall efficiency of the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device for an automobile that comprises at least one first part (1a) made of a heat-conducting material, a liquid flow path (10a) integrally formed in said first part (1a) for enabling a flow of liquid between an inlet and an outlet (12a), and a heating means (14) thermally coupled with said part (1a) and capable of heating said part (1a) so that the liquid flowing through said flow path can absorb the heat of said part (1a). According to the invention, the first part includes a planar bottom wall (15a) extending in a plane parallel to the flow path (10a), and the electric heating means includes a plurality of flat stones (14) having a positive temperature coefficient and arranged as a matrix in the same plane in parallel and in contact with the bottom wall (15a) as well as two electrodes in the form of two planar surfaces, each arranged in parallel and in contact with the corresponding surfaces of the flat stones of the matrix.

Abstract: Cabling for a motor vehicle includes at least one fluid hose, a first cable for heating the fluid hose and at least one electrical connector for connecting the cable to an electrical supply, and at least one hose connector for connecting the fluid hose to a cooperating connector means. The hose connector may be provided with an electrically heated device arranged to heat at least part of the hose connector.

Abstract: A smooth-bore plastic tubing with helical support bead is resistant to collapse and incorporates plural electrical conductors outside of the tubing bore and insulated from ambient, and from one another. The conductors may have a desired relatively high thermal conductivity to tidal air flow within the tubing, while also having a comparatively high thermal resistance to ambient. A method for making the tubing includes extruding a molten thermoplastic ribbon with an elevated plateau portion defining plural conductor-receiving grooves. The plastic ribbon is wrapped to form a tube and plural conductors are embedded in the grooves of the plateau portion. A molten thermoplastic bead is then applied atop the plateau portion providing a smooth-bore unitary flexible tubing structure with both inside and outside surfaces which are substantially free of crevices or recesses which could retain soil or bacteria.

Abstract: A heat trace assembly is provided that includes a heat trace section, an insulation jacket surrounding the heat trace section, and a plurality of standoffs disposed between the heat trace section and the insulation jacket. A corresponding plurality of passageways are formed between the heat trace section and the insulation jacket and between the plurality of standoffs. The standoffs can be a part of the insulation jacket and/or the heat trace section, and the standoffs can furthermore be integrally formed with or separately attached to the insulation jacket and/or the heat trace section.

Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus has a fluid flow path from an inlet to an outlet, with multiple heating sections positioned along the flow path. Each heating section is at least one pair of electrodes between which an electric current is passed through the fluid to resistively heat the fluid during its passage along the flow path. At least one of the heating sections has a segmented electrode made up of a plurality of electrically separable segments. This allows an effective active area of the segmented electrode to be controlled by selectively activating the segments. A controller determines a required voltage and current to be delivered to the fluid by each heating section, and allows for input conductivity as well as variations in fluid conductivity with temperature. The controller activates selected segments of the segmented electrode to effect delivery of desired current and voltage by the segmented electrode to the fluid.