Fluid heater control apparatus and method with overtemperature protection
First Claim
1. A method of heating fluid comprising the steps of:
- providing fluid in an enclosure;
providing a plurality of heating elements for imparting thermal energy to the fluid;
control means for controlling at least two of the heating elements independent of each other;
activating at least one of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid;
monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and
at a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature, deactivating the at least one heating element and providing at least one of the heating elements in an activated state to elevate the temperature of the fluid to the preset maximum discharge temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid heater apparatus has fluid discharge temperature control to prevent temperature overshoot. A plurality of heater elements are employed and at least certain of the heater elements are independently controllable. At least one of the heater elements is employed as a “finishing” heater element, with the other heating elements deactivated to enable the “finishing” heater element to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from a first temperature reached by activation all or most of the heater elements to the predetermined discharge temperature. One of more of the heater elements may have a different power output than the other heater elements.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of heating fluid comprising the steps of:
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providing fluid in an enclosure;
providing a plurality of heating elements for imparting thermal energy to the fluid;
control means for controlling at least two of the heating elements independent of each other;
activating at least one of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid;
monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and
at a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature, deactivating the at least one heating element and providing at least one of the heating elements in an activated state to elevate the temperature of the fluid to the preset maximum discharge temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
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6. An apparatus for heating fluid comprising:
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means for providing fluid in an enclosure;
a plurality of heating elements for imparting thermal energy to the fluid;
means for controlling at least two of the heating elements independent of each other;
means for activating at least one of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid;
means for monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and
means, responsive to the temperature monitoring means at a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature, for deactivating the at least one heating element and providing at least one other of the heating elements in an activated state to elevate the temperature of the fluid to the preset maximum discharge temperature.
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8. An apparatus for heating fluid comprising:
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an enclosing having a fluid flow path therethrough for receiving fluid;
a plurality of heater elements thermally coupled to the enclosure for imparting thermal energy to the enclosure and fluid in the enclosure; and
control means for controlling the plurality of heater elements, with at least two of the heater elements being controlled independent of each other; and
whereinthe control means includes means for activation at least of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body to a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature and activating at least one other heating element to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from the first temperature to the preset maximum discharge temperature. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A fluid heater apparatus for cleaning a vehicle surface comprising:
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an enclosure;
a fluid flow path extending through the enclosure for receiving cleaning fluid;
a plurality of heater elements thermally coupled to the enclosure for imparting thermal energy to the enclosure and the fluid in the enclosure;
control means for controlling the plurality of heater elements, with at least two of the heater elements being controlled independent of each other; and
whereinthe control means includes means for activation at least of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body to a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature and activating at least one other heating element to elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from the first temperature to the preset maximum discharge temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification