Fluid heater with low porosity thermal mass
First Claim
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1. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
- a low porosity, thermally conductive mass;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass; and
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the heating means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path open to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass.
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Abstract
A fluid heater apparatus and method of making same includes a low porosity material, thermally conductive mass. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive mass for imparting heat to the mass. Fluid in a flow path through the mass absorbs heat from the mass. The thermally conductive mass is molded, cast or extruded from a material which, with the selected forming process, provides a low porosity mass. The mass may be formed of ceramic, aluminum and poltruded carbon. The mass can be cast from a material which is introduced into the casting mold in a semi-solid temperature state.
114 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
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a low porosity, thermally conductive mass;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass; and
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the heating means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path open to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 41, 47)
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8. A heater apparatus of for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
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a thermally conductive mass, the thermally conductive mass formed of an extruded, low porosity material;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass;
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the heating means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path open to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path defined by a plurality of throughbores extending through first and second ends, the plurality of throughbores each having a helical path between opposed first and second ends;
the heater means mounted in the conductive mass concentrically within and surrounding by the plurality of throughbores; and
means for coupling a fluid inlet to one end of each of a plurality of throughbores and a fluid outlet to each of the other ends of the plurality of throughbores to define the fluid flow path as at least one parallel flow path between the inlet and the outlet through the plurality of throughbores.
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9. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
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a thermally conductive mass, the thermally conductive mass formed of an extruded, low porosity material;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass;
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the heating means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path open to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path defined by a plurality of throughbores extending through first and second ends, the thermally conductive mass formed of a plurality of lamina, each lamina carrying an aperture defining a portion of the throughbores and an aperture defining a position of a bore for receiving the heater means therethrough;
the heater means mounted in the thermally conductive mass concentrically within and surrounding by the plurality of throughbores; and
means for coupling a fluid inlet to one end of each of a plurality of throughbores and a fluid outlet to each of the other ends of the plurality of throughbores to define the fluid flow path as at least one parallel flow path between the inlet and the outlet through the plurality of throughbores. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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27. A vehicle widow wash apparatus comprises:
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a fluid source for supplying wash fluid;
a fluid discharge device fluidically coupled to the fluid source for discharging fluid from the reservoir;
a heater means disposed in fluid flow communication between the fluid source and the fluid discharge device;
a controller, coupled to the heater means for supply power to the heater means;
the heater means including;
a low porosity thermally conductive mass having an inlet and an outlet; and
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the heater means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path open to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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28. A method for manufacturing a fluid heater comprising the steps of:
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providing a thermally conductive mass with a low porosity, the mass having at least one fluid flow channel extending therethrough, the fluid flow channel having first and second ends;
mounting heater means in the thermally conductive mass, the heater means supplying heat, when activated, to the thermally conductive mass; and
fluidically coupling a fluid inlet to one end of the fluid flow channel and a fluid outlet to the other end of the fluid flow channel to define a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet wherein fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification