Magnetic heater apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A heater apparatus, comprising:
- at least one conductive member; and
at least one magnet disposed proximate said at least one conductive member;
wherein said at least one magnet is adapted to exert a cyclically varying magnetic field on at least a portion of said conductive member so as to heat said conductive member thereby.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for generating heat, in particular for heating a fluid. The apparatus includes a frame, with at least one permanent magnet fixedly mounted to the frame. An electrically conductive member is disposed proximate the permanent magnets. The magnetic field of the magnets upon the conductive member is made to vary cyclically. Typically either the permanent magnets, the conductive member, or both are movable with respect to one another. Relative motion of the conductive member and the magnets causes the magnetic field experienced by the conductive member to vary, which causes it to become hot. The total heat energy generated in the conductive member may exceed the total energy applied to the apparatus to produce the varying magnetic field. The apparatus may include a fluid path proximate the conductive member. Fluid in the fluid path receives heat from the conductive member. The apparatus may also include a mounting member for mounting the conductive member, a drive mechanism for moving the conductive member, and a fluid driver for driving fluid within the fluid path. The method includes the steps of either an electrically conductive member, a permanent magnet proximate the conductive member, or both so as to heat the conductive member. The method may include the step of passing a fluid through a fluid path proximate the conductive member such that the fluid absorbs heat from the conductive member.
40 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A heater apparatus, comprising:
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at least one conductive member; and
at least one magnet disposed proximate said at least one conductive member;
wherein said at least one magnet is adapted to exert a cyclically varying magnetic field on at least a portion of said conductive member so as to heat said conductive member thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A heater, comprising:
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at least one conductive member; and
at least one magnet disposed proximate said at least one conductive member;
wherein said at least one magnet is adapted to exert a cyclically varying magnetic field on at least a portion of said conductive member so as to heat said conductive member thereby; and
a fluid path proximate said conductive member, arranged such that heat generated in said conductive member is absorbable by fluid within said fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A heat driven apparatus, comprising:
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a heater mechanism, comprising;
at least one conductive member; and
at least one magnet disposed proximate said at least one conductive member;
wherein said at least one magnet is adapted to exert a cyclically varying magnetic field on at least a portion of said conductive member so as to heat said conductive member thereby; and
a heat operated mechanism in communication with said heater mechanism, so as to receive heat therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. Method of generating heat, comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least one magnet proximate at least one conductive member; and
cyclically varying a magnetic field applied by said permanent magnet on at least a portion of said conductive member so as to heat said conductive member thereby. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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Specification