FLUID CIRCULATION CONDUIT

• US 20110240267A1
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Mediterraneenne Des Cafes
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Mediterraneenne Des Cafes
• Inventors: Blanc, Jean-Pierre, Goering, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 10,088,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/109.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/542 Continuous-flow heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/12 by creating turbulence, e.g. by stirring, by increasing the force of circulation F28F13/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A fluid circulation conduit 1 for use as a heating device in electrical household appliances, includes an element for creating turbulence in the fluid circulating in its inner volume 2. Application of the device is to electrical household appliances equipped with a heating device.

Claims

1. Device for heating the fluid in a household appliance comprising at least one fluid circulation conduit (1), characterized in that conduit (1) comprises means for creating turbulence in the fluid circulating in the inner volume (2) of the conduit (1).

2. Device according to claim 1 in which the means for creating the turbulence include surfaces in relief on the inner wall of conduit (1).

3. Device according to claim 2 in which the surfaces in relief comprise projections (5) towards inner volume (2) of conduit (1).

4. Device according to the claim 3 in which surface projections (5) include studs.

5. Device according to claim 4 in which the studs are chosen with cylindrical, truncated or pyramidal shape.

6. Device according to claim 2 in which the surfaces in relief comprise recessed surfaces (6) in the inner wall of conduit (1).

7. Device according to claim 2 in which the surfaces in relief comprise sectional variations of conduit (1).

8. Device according to the claim 7 in which the change of section includes variations in width and/or depth.

9. Device according to claim 7 in which the change of section includes a succession of sections with different shapes.

10. Device according to claim 7 in which conduit (1) comprises at least two zones (17, 18), one of zones (17) being wider and less deep than the other zone (18).

11. Device according to claim 10 in which zones (17, 18) have a rectangular section.

12. Device according to claim 10 in which two zones (17, 18) are connected by a transitional section providing width and depth transition.

13. Device according to claim 12 in which the transitional section comprises a transitional zone in width (19) and a transitional zone in depth (20).

14. Device according to claim 2 in which the surfaces in relief are regularly spaced along conduit (1).

15. Device according to claim 2 in which the surfaces in relief have inclined sides (9).

16. Device according to claim 15 in which inclined sides (9) have an inclination of between 20 and 60°

.

17. Device according to claim 2 in which the inner wall has a heat exchange part (4) able to co-act with the heating means and in which surfaces in relief are formed outside the heat exchange part (4).

18. Device (1) according to the claim 17 in which at least a part of the surfaces in relief is configured to deviate the fluid in the direction of heat exchange part (4).

19. Device according to claim 17 in which heat exchange part (4) is in the form of a plate (13) equipped with a thick film resistance on its outer face (15).

20. Device according to claim 19 in which conduit (1) is formed by the assembly of parts comprising a base hollowed out to form a conduit channel and a cover formed by plate (13).

21. Device according to claim 1 in which conduit (1) has an overall serpentine form with bends (21).

22. Device according to claim 1 constituting a heating device for use on a machine for making drinks by infusion.

23. Device according to claim 22 in which the section of conduit (1) is less than 10 mm².

24. Device according to claim 23 in which the section of conduit (1) lies between 3 and 6 mm².