Method and apparatus utilizing a porous vitreous carbon body particularly for fluid heating
First Claim
1. An electrical resistance element which comprises:
- (a) a body of rigid interconnected multi-directional continuous strands of heat treated vitreous carbon forming a rigid porous three dimensional skeletal structure with current conductive paths between at least two regions of the body; and
(b) at least two electrical connector means attached to the regions so that an electrical current can be distributed through the body said body having been heat treated to at least about 1800°
in a non reactive atmosphere.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A body of a specially prepared, porous vitreous carbon which does not crack or substantially change in electrical resistance with time when heated to elevated temperatures in air and which is used in a method or apparatus to heat a fluid stream flowing in the pores of the body as a result of natural convection or pumping of the fluid is described. The body is composed of electrically conductive rigid, interconnected and multidirectional continuous strands of vitreous carbon forming a rigid porous, three dimensional skeletal structure. The body as an electrical resistance element has current conductive paths between at least two regions; is shaped to provide particular cross-sections along the conductive paths; and has electrical connector means attached at the regions of the body so that current can be distributed through the body. The electrical resistance element is particularly useful as a heating element for air flowing through the pores in electrically powered room space heaters, hair dryers, hand dryers and the like and can also function as a self-cooling resistor. In a like manner, electromagnetic energy is used to heat a body of the porous vitreous carbon so as to heat a fluid stream flowing through the pores.
59 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An electrical resistance element which comprises:
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(a) a body of rigid interconnected multi-directional continuous strands of heat treated vitreous carbon forming a rigid porous three dimensional skeletal structure with current conductive paths between at least two regions of the body; and (b) at least two electrical connector means attached to the regions so that an electrical current can be distributed through the body said body having been heat treated to at least about 1800°
in a non reactive atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical resistance element which comprises:
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(a) a body of rigid interconnected multi-directional continuous strands of heat treated vitreous carbon forming porous three dimensional skeletal structure with current conductive paths between at least two regions of the body; and (b) at least two electrical connector means attached to the regions so that an electrical current can be distributed through the body, (c) said resistance element is so structured that it can withstand sustained heating in air to about 350°
C. without cracking or significant electrical resistance change measured at room temperature. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification