Plural Pipes Or Tubes Form Flow Path Patents (Class 392/482)
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Patent number: 9578687Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous-flow heater having a housing, which comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a heater housing, which comprises at least one tubular chamber, in which at least one heating element is arranged. In accordance with this disclosure a plurality of ribs are arranged on a front side and a rear side of the heater housing, said ribs defining, between themselves, flow channel portions for liquid to be heated.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbHInventors: Thomas Giffels, Andreas Nagora, Alexander Dauth, Ralf Wächter
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Patent number: 9538581Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: 417 and 7/8 LLCInventors: David Naylor, Thomas Caterina
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Water delivery system and method for making hot water available in a domestic hot water installation
Patent number: 8934763Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLCInventor: Oliver Laing -
Patent number: 8837925Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sanghun Lee, Beomsoo Seo
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Publication number: 20140209703Abstract: An exemplary plural component heater assembly includes a plurality of heater modules each having a plurality of bores forming at least a first component path and a second component path, and at least one heating element receptacle configured to receive a heating element for heating the first and second component paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: WAGNER SPRAY TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Scott Jerdee, Shawn Cameron Johnson
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Patent number: 8744252Abstract: The invention includes a tankless liquid heater that employs a series of chambers, each having a plurality of heating tubes, with heating elements positioned thereon, and a control unit comprising a switch, controller, and power distributor to control the flow and heating of liquid in the system. In one embodiment, the control unit takes input from a liquid flow sensor that monitors the passage of liquid through the system, a temperature sensor adapted to monitor liquid temperature, and a current leakage sensor adapted to monitor the current leakage in the system. In response to these sensors, the control controller actuates the relay between an closed position, which allows current from the power distributor to pass to a plurality of heating elements, and an open position, which prevents the current from flowing from the power distributer to the plurality of heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventors: John Snyder, Hoang Mai, Phillip B. Pham, Jennifer L. Pham
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Patent number: 8712227Abstract: Fluid conduit segments are provided that include, but are not limited to integrated heating systems for protection against freezing. To this effect PTC-fabric heating elements are provided that are integrated in the fluid conduit segments and that in the negative temperature range include, but are not limited to a PTC-temperature-dependent resistance. The heating system thus provides a higher output in the negative temperature range and a lower output in the positive temperature range, i.e., the heating limits itself until temperature equalization has been reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Juergen Meisiek, Torsten Maulitz
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Patent number: 8699866Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sanghun Lee, Song Choi
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Publication number: 20140079377Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquid heater for rapidly heating a liquid without overheating the liquid. The liquid heater comprises a liquid flow channel having a passage through which liquid flows, a heating part disposed outside the liquid flow channel, a heat reflecting part facing a heat radiating side of the heating part, and a cooling part through which a cooling medium flows adjacent a reverse side of a reflecting surface of the heat reflecting part for cooling the heat reflecting part. Radiant heat not absorbed in the liquid is reflected by the heat reflecting part. The heat reflecting part reflects radiant heat cooled by the cooling part so that the body of the liquid heater and peripheral members are maintained at a temperature not higher than a predetermined temperature to prevent overheating the liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Kurita Water Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Minoru UCHIDA, Haruyoshi Yamakawa, Naoki Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20140050465Abstract: Provided are: a heat medium heating device capable of bringing: flat heat exchange tubes and PTC heaters; and inlet/outlet header parts of the flat heat exchange tubes, into sufficiently close contact with each other, and incorporating these components into a casing; and a vehicular air-conditioning device including the same. In a heat medium heating device, flat heat exchange tubes each including a flat tube part and inlet/outlet header parts and PTC heaters are stacked in layers, and a heat exchange holding member presses the flat heat exchange tubes from one side, whereby the stacked structure is incorporated on an inner bottom surface of a casing. In this configuration, at least uppermost one of the flat heat exchange tubes has one surface pressed by the heat exchange holding member, the one surface being formed into a planar shape in which the flat tube part and the inlet/outlet header parts are flattened.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AUTOMOTIVE THERMAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Kominami, Naoto Kunieda
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Publication number: 20140037277Abstract: A heat medium heating device including flat heat exchange tubes and PTC heaters stacked in a plurality of layers, the heat medium heating device being capable of correctly and accurately detecting the temperature of a circulating heat medium; and a vehicular air-conditioning device including the same. In a heat medium heating device, flat heat exchange tubes each including an inlet header part and an outlet header part and PTC heaters are stacked in a plurality of layers, and are incorporated in a casing including a heat medium inlet path and a heat medium outlet path communicated with the inlet and outlet header parts. In the heat medium heating device thus configured, an inlet temperature sensor and an outlet temperature sensor that detect the temperature of a heat medium are provided around the inlet and outlet header parts of the lowermost flat heat exchange tube in the stacked structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Kominami, Naoto Kunieda
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Publication number: 20140023354Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: EEMAX, INC.Inventors: Jeff HANKINS, Chris Hayden, Eric Jurczyszak
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Publication number: 20140016918Abstract: A device for high efficiency induction heating or direct electrical heating, DEH, of a number, M, M?[1, N of a group of parallel subsea pipelines N, where N?[2, ?, and where a number of conductor cables, W, supplies electrical power from at least one top side power supply to M of the parallel subsea pipelines N, wherein the number of electric conductors, W, from the at least one top side power supply connected to the M pipelines is defined to be in the group W?[N, N+1], where N, W and M are natural numbers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Sinvent ASInventors: Jens Kristian Lervik, Harald Kulbotten
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Patent number: 8541721Abstract: An improved solid heat transfer element composed of an elongate member having a generally cylindrical surface with male vortex generating protrusions is provided. The vortex generating protrusions, which may be referred to as “turbulators,” provide improved heat transfer by convection to a flow of air transverse to the elongate members without substantially increasing the pressure drop in the flow of air passing over the members. Advantageously, a plurality of the heat transfer elements, or of straight portions of a single serpentine heat transfer element, may be arranged in an aligned or staggered array of elements or straight portions. Many advantageous profile shapes of the element and vortex generators are provided, including aerodynamic profile shapes that are symmetrical with respect to a fluid flow to provide low drag and pressure drop. Heat in the element may be generated by means of electrical resistance or absorption of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Inventors: Daniel Moskal, Maurice J. Marongiu
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Publication number: 20130243411Abstract: Provided is a heat medium heating unit comprising a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes, PTC heaters incorporated between flat tube portions, a heat exchanger pressing member that presses from one side the flat tubes and the PTC heaters against the inner surface of a casing, and a control board that is disposed above the heat exchanger pressing member and that controls the PTC heaters. A terminal extending upwards from an electrode plate directly connects to a terminal supports of the control board. On an inner surface of the casing, since a positioning means that engages with the terminal to position the terminal and the plate, the thermal contact resistance between the flat heat exchanger tubes and the PTC heaters is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Automotive Thermal Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Kominami
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Patent number: 8450666Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Inventors: Shun-Chi Yang, Mao-Hsiung Yang, Tsung-Chuan Yang, Fang-Ming Wu, Cheng-Yen Wu
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Publication number: 20130092744Abstract: The heating-medium heating unit is provided with a plurality of flat heat-exchange tubes (17) each having an inlet header (22) and an outlet header (23) at one end or both ends of flat tube portions (20) through which a heating medium is circulated; sealing materials (26) that seal the peripheries of communicating holes (24, 25) of the inlet headers (22) and the outlet headers (23) of the stacked flat heat-exchange tubes (17); PTC heaters assembled between the flat tube portions (20) of the flat heat-exchange tubes (17); and a heat-exchange pressing member (16) that presses the alternately stacked flat heat-exchange tubes (17) and PTC heaters into close contact with each other, wherein a deformation-preventing reinforcing portion (29) is provided around each of the communicating holes (24, 25) in the inlet header (22) and the outlet header (23) of each of the flat heat-exchange tubes (17).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Kominami, Yasunobu Joboji, Naoto Kunieda
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Publication number: 20130064529Abstract: A dynamic double-circuit in-Line heater is disclosed, as well as a machine containing the heater and a method of operating the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventor: Stefan Etter
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Publication number: 20130026151Abstract: Provided is a heat-transfer-medium heating apparatus including: a first heat-transfer-medium circulating box and a second heat-transfer-medium circulating box, which are attached to each other in a fluid-tight manner, in which heat-transfer-medium circulating paths are formed therein in close contact with both surfaces of a PTC heater; an electrical-component cooling wall member that is provided in, for example, the first heat-transfer-medium circulating box so as to be located adjacent to the heat-transfer-medium circulating path; and an electrical component that is fixed on the electrical-component cooling wall member, wherein a protruding portion is formed on the surface at the heat-transfer-medium circulating path side of the electrical-component cooling wall member so as to be positioned at exactly behind an installation position of the electrical component and to extend towards the heat-transfer-medium circulating path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
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Publication number: 20120328274Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Draper Naylor, Thomas Caterina
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Patent number: 8009970Abstract: There is provided a method for electrically energizing and heating a platinum or platinum-alloy composite tube structure having a structure including a first main tube, a second main tube, and a branch tube connecting the first main tube and the second main tube, which prevents a local part of the branch tube from being electrically energized and heated in an excessive or insufficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Sei Nagano, Yasuharu Hirabara, Hajime Itoh
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Publication number: 20110194846Abstract: A fluid heater includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The outer pipe surrounds the periphery of the inner pipe and is located separate from the inner pipe. The fluid heater further includes two sealed elements located apart from each other and between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The inner pipe, the outer pipe and the two sealed elements define a sealed room. A heating module is located in the sealed room.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: JIA-PING WANG, RUI XIE, KAI-LI JIANG, SHOU-SHAN FAN
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Patent number: 7959090Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also has expandable and compressible features and parts for protection against freezing.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: SBR Investments Company LLCInventors: David Shank, John Washeleski, Peter Strom
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Patent number: 7941038Abstract: A hollow tubular body for molten glass in which local-overheating is reduced at the time of conduction heating. The hollow tubular body has a platinum or platinum alloy hollow tube, used for conduction heating, wherein a platinum or platinum alloy ring electrode is joined to the outer circumference of the hollow tube, a lead-out electrode is joined to an outer edge of the ring electrode, and a thick portion is provided in at least the joint portion closest to the lead-out electrode, of the ring electrode and in the vicinity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Hajime Itoh, Sei Nagano, Yasuharu Hirabara
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Publication number: 20100061710Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Gaumer Company, Inc.Inventors: Jack L. McClanahan, Craig S. Tiras
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Patent number: 7637308Abstract: The heating plate (1) has cavities (2), in which electrically heatable heating bodies (3) are disposed. A heat exchange medium circulated by a pump (4) transmits the heat emitted by the heating bodies (3). The heating plate is designed to obtain a uniform temperature distribution using as low a volume of heat exchange medium as possible. To this end, the cavities (2) are elongate and the heating bodies (3) are bar-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Swiss Sustainable Systems AGInventors: Patrick Hofer-Noser, Jürg Zahnd, Christoph Boos
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Patent number: 7147458Abstract: A heater assembly is described for mounting around a fluid flow channel in an injection molding apparatus. In one version, the heater assembly comprises: an inner tube made of a first heat conductive material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, the inner tube having a selected longitudinal length, an inner surface, an outer surface; and a first ring having an inner surface engaged around the outer surface of the inner tube along a short selected length of the longitudinal length of the inner tube. The ring comprises a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The assembly also has a heater mechanism that heats the inner tube to a selected elevated temperature. Alternatively, the ring can be made from a shape memory alloy that causes the ring to reduce in diameter when the ring is heated above a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Mold Hotrunner Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Harald Hans Schmidt
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Patent number: 7088915Abstract: A tankless water heater module is disclosed and includes a casing having a first end, a second end and a plurality of conduits formed therein. A top head manifold is coupled to the first end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. A bottom head manifold is coupled to the second end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. An immersion heating element extends through each port of the top head manifold and into the conduit aligned therewith. A flow path extends through the plurality of conduits, the plurality of conduits coupled in fluid communication by channels between ports of the top head manifold and a channel between ports of the bottom head manifold.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Ion Tankless, Inc.Inventors: William R. Sturm, Joseph M. Sullivan, Thomas J. Shortland, Kevin Hay, Gregg C. Johnson
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Patent number: 7046922Abstract: A tankless water heater module is disclosed and includes a casing having a first end, a second end and a plurality of conduits formed therein. A top head manifold is coupled to the first end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. A bottom head manifold is coupled to the second end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. An immersion heating element extends through each port of the top head manifold and into the conduit aligned therewith. A flow path extends through the plurality of conduits, the plurality of conduits coupled in fluid communication by channels between ports of the top head manifold and a channel between ports of the bottom head manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Ion Tankless, Inc.Inventors: William R. Sturm, Joseph M. Sullivan, Thomas J. Shortland, Kevin Hay, Gregg C. Johnson
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Patent number: 6724985Abstract: A hot water heating apparatus for an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle has a compact heat source apparatus not requiring a wide space for setting. A communication pipe, in which water as a heat medium flows, and an electric heater are embedded in a heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement to form a flat-shaped heat conductor. A heat source apparatus is constructed by stacking multiple flat-shaped heat conductors while the communication pipes are connected to each other in series. Further, the communication pipe and the electric heater are embedded in the heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement, and the communication pipes are connected in series. Therefore, water flowing in the communication pipes is rapidly heated, and heating efficiency is extremely high.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignees: Denso Corporation, Corona CorporationInventors: Ken Matsunaga, Yuji Takeo, Kenichi Hasegawa, Susumu Kazama, Yoshihiko Adachi
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Patent number: 6607608Abstract: A system for stripping an optical fiber includes a source of air and means for generating very short bursts of air. A heater heats the bursts of air to a temperature sufficient to remove the outer coating from an optical fiber, while maintaining the air isolated from the heat source. A single burst of heated air removes the outer coating of an optical fiber, within less than about one second. A series of closely spaced bursts or a prolonged burst of heated air may be used to remove an expanded length of fiber coating. Stripping may include translation of the fiber or the heater or portions thereof. The stripper may be configured to strip several loaded fibers or a single fiber.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Carmine J. Vetrano, Robert G. Wiley, Matthew W. Reed
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Patent number: 6605475Abstract: Apparatus and methods have been developed to deliver automatically a sample to a reaction vessel, an analytical device or any location where sample introduction or deposition is desired. A sample delivery system of the invention generally includes a housing defining a channel, e.g., a capillary, and a volume controller, which is a temperature control device, in thermal communication with the channel. The channel preferably is closed at one end, and contains an opening for introduction of a sample. The closed end of the channel is associated thermally with the temperature control device. The temperature control device heats and cools a thermally expandable fluid in the channel which controls movement of a sample into, within and out of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Perspective Biosystems, Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Taylor, William W. Carson, Xian-Wei Yao
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Patent number: 6477324Abstract: A shower heating device has an undulated tube, a plurality of semiconductor heating elements securely received in the undulated tube, a plurality of pairs of electrical plates each being provided to have one of the semiconductor heating elements sandwiched therebetween and a plurality of pairs of insulation plates each having one of the pairs of the electrical plates received therebetween. With such an arrangement, the water in the undulated tube is able to be heated shortly.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventor: Ming-Hsin Sun
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Publication number: 20020141743Abstract: A supplemental heating system for heating a first fluid such as potable water. The supplemental heating system is configured for use in a recreational vehicle having a primary heating system that also heats the first fluid. The supplemental heating system includes a heating element that heats a second fluid and a heat exchanging component removably fitted into the recreational vehicle and having a first fluid conduit for permitting the first fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component, and a second fluid conduit for permitting the second fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component. Heat from the second fluid is transferred to the first fluid within the heat exchanging component and thereby provides a heating operation of the first fluid independent of the heating system of the recreational vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: James M. Rixen
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Patent number: 6201223Abstract: A humidity regulating unit including a heating element housed inside a covering that has a porous retaining wall through which water does not pass but steam or gas passes. In one embodiment, the covering has several bulges along the circumference of the heating element that protrudes outward from the outer surface of heating element to form several water routes along the outer surface of heating element. The covering and the outer surface of heating element are bonded between adjacent water routes so that the outer surface of heating element is used as part of the wall of the water routes. As a result, the size of heating element does not restrict making the cross section of each water route as small as possible, and even if the covering breaks, the amount of water leaking from the humidity regulating unit is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Respironics, Inc.Inventor: Kazufuku Nitta
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Patent number: 6005228Abstract: A thermally insulated substrate, e.g. a system of pipes, is maintained above a selected minimum temperature by means of one or more electrical heaters, preferably elongate self-regulating heaters. Each heater is successively switched on for a heat-up period and then off for a cool-down period. The durations of these periods are successively determined by reference to the ambient air temperature adjacent the substrate at an earlier time, e.g. at the end of the previous cool-down period. The method is particularly useful for temperature-maintenance systems in which a number of heaters are used to heat a complex system of pipes. The durations of the heat-up and cool-down periods for each heater (or for a group of two or more heaters) are separately determined by means of a single microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Inventors: Michael D. Dickens, Dinesh C. Gupta, Albert J. Highe
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Patent number: 5930458Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid such as ultra-pure de-ionized (UPDI) water is disclosed. The fluid heater includes an intermediate body portion, a bottom end cap assembly secured to one end of the intermediate body portion, and a top end cap assembly secured to the other end of the intermediate body portion. The intermediate body portion includes a number of concentric quartz tubes wherein a first quartz tube is spaced radially inwardly of a second quartz tube to define an inner fluid pathway for heating UPDI water while flowing through the inner fluid pathway. A third quartz tube is spaced radially outwardly of the second quartz tube and radially inwardly of a fourth quartz tube to define an outer annular fluid pathway for further heating the UPDI water received from the inner fluid pathway. A resistive heating element is interposed between the second and third quartz tubes for heating the UPDI water by means of conduction, convection and heat radiation with a heating efficiency approaching 100%.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Lufran IncorporatedInventors: Daryl J. Yane, Howard J. Base, Joseph E. James
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Patent number: 5736314Abstract: Thermo-cycling for biological material is provided by a channel such as a capillary tube extending through a series of temperature control elements. Each temperature control element maintains the adjacent portion of the channel at a desired temperature. Fluid to be processed is introduced into the tube through the inlet and flows, preferably through capillary action, to the outlet. The temperature of the fluid changes as it passes each temperature control element and is thus thermo-cycled through a predetermined sequence of temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: MicroFab Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald J. Hayes, David B. Wallace, Christopher J. Frederickson
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Patent number: 5694515Abstract: A storage fluid heater for heating a fluid, employs a heat storage unit, a heating element thermally coupled to the heat storage unit, and a heat recovery tube thermally coupled to the heat storage unit. The recovery tube is made from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion so that as the average temperature of the heat storage unit near the heat recovery tube increases, the surface area of gaps between the heat recovery tube and the storage unit increases, causing the contact resistance between the heat storage unit and the heat recovery tube to increase. The temperature of the fluid flowing within the heat recovery tube is thereby limited to a predetermined maximum. A structure that relieves excess pressure when the flow of fluid through the tube is stopped has an expansion tank connected to the fluid inlet of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: The University of FloridaInventors: D. Yogi Goswami, Chung K. Hsieh, Chand K. Jotshi, James F. Klausner
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Patent number: 5271086Abstract: A liquid heating apparatus 1 has a flow path 2 surrounded by a quartz glass tube 5 inside a tubular ceramic heater 4 which radiates infrared rays and has a PTC characteristic, and a flow path 3 which is formed between two quartz glass tubes 6, 7 which are disposed outside the tubular ceramics tube 4 in a coaxial manner. The liquid heating apparatus can effectively heat purified water used for manufacturing electronics-related products without contamination of the purified water, and provides a compact size while having a high heat capacity.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.Inventors: Toshihisa Kamiyama, Masanori Kawaguchi, Tetsuo Takehara
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Patent number: 5256844Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation pipe or conduit (10, 20, 30) which preferably is adapted to be installed on the seabed between a permanent or floating off-shore platform (3) and an on-shore terminal (4). The transportation conduit comprises an inner tube or pipe (21, 31) which primarily is constructed for the transmission of gas and/or oil or similar, a plurality of elements (23, 33) provided preferably as a layer outside the pipe (21, 31) and being adapted for transmission of preferably electric power. The elements (23, 33) which preferably might be made of copper or another material of appropriate electric conductivity, is insulated against the outer environment, for example by means of an appropriate thermal insulation material (24, 34). The inner tube (21, 31) might be manufactured from steel or a flexible material of considerable strength, and be surrounded by a corrosion preventing layer (22, 32).Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1991Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignees: Aker Engineering A/S, Standard Telefon og Kabelfabrik A/SInventors: Magne Grosvik, Kjell Ronningen
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Patent number: 5223696Abstract: A steam generator is disclosed for a cooking apparatus, having an intermediate duct admitting discharge water into the lowest central portion of the enclosure of the generator, and connected to a vane pump whose outlet feeds into an outlet duct rising as far as an upper bend then descending as far as an emptying duct. Heating tubes cause vaporization of the water which they contain and the steam escapes through a horizontal upper duct then a steam conduction duct. The generator applies in particular to ovens for cooking food.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Societe Cooperative de Production BouregoisInventor: Raymond Violi
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Patent number: 5138693Abstract: A fluid heater having a fluid chamber with a base wall and an upright sidewall is positioned above a feed chamber having an upper wall. A plurality of identical tubular passage heaters, each having an upper outlet end connected to the fluid chamber base wall and an inlet end connected to the upper wall of the feed chamber, are disposed in at least one lateral protective niche recessed with respect to the fluid chamber upright wall. Return ducts located inwardly of the passage heaters connect the base wall of the fluid chambers to the upper wall of the feed chamber. Thermostatically controlled electric heating elements helically disposed on the passage heaters produce a thermosphonic circulation of fluid from the feed chamber through the passage heaters to the fluid chamber and back to the feed chamber through the return ducts. The heating capacity of the fluid heater can be varied within wide limits by energizing different numbers of passage heaters.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1989Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. FischerInventor: Hermann Knauss
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Patent number: 5095559Abstract: A heating apparatus comprises a closed vessel having thermally conducting walls and containing a gas that is heated by one or more electrical heating elements in the vessel. The vessel is received in a duct through which air is blown. The air is heated by the heat transferred to the vessel walls by the gas in the vessel. Pressure and thermostatic switches in the circuit of the heating element communicate with the gas in the vessel and provide a double-safety, over-temperature power shut-off. The heating apparatus may be used to blow hot air into water in a tub through hoses leading to inlet openings or to an air distribution mat placed in the tub. The bubbles of hot air heat the water and produce strong agitation. A special raft receives the air distribution mat, which heats water in the raft by bubbling hot air through it. The heating apparatus can also be used for space heating, warming and drying towels and clothes, hair drying and grooming animals.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: South Breeze CorporationInventors: Leif Liljegren, Harry J. Scanlan