Modular heat exchanger
First Claim
1. A modular heating component, comprising:
- (a) a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough;
(b) a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough and mated to said first molded section, said first and second molded sections mated to define an enclosed area between said molded sections, said first and second openings aligned to form a fluid-tight passage through said modular heating component; and
(c) an electrical resistance heating material secured between said first and second molded sections in said enclosed area, said electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions, wherein said modular heating component is defined by a top and bottom surfaces and at least one of said first or second molded sections is shaped to define at least a part of a fluid collection area on said top or bottom surface of said modular heating component.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular fluid heating apparatus may be assembled from a plurality of modular heating components. Each modular heating component includes a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough and a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough. The molded sections are mated and define an enclosed area between the molded sections. The first and second openings are aligned to form a fluid tight passage through the modular heating component. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections in the enclosed area. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material fastened to the first surface of the supporting substrate. The resistance heating material forms a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions fixed to a pair of electrical connectors. The modular heating components are sealably mated to define a fluid collection area between adjacent modular heating components where a passage of a first modular heating component provides and inlet to the collection area for a fluid and a passage of a second modular component provides an outlet from the collection area. The passages are misaligned 180° to direct the fluid passing through the fluid heating apparatus into at least a portion of the collection area as the fluid passes from the inlet to the outlet of the collection area.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A modular heating component, comprising:
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(a) a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough;
(b) a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough and mated to said first molded section, said first and second molded sections mated to define an enclosed area between said molded sections, said first and second openings aligned to form a fluid-tight passage through said modular heating component; and
(c) an electrical resistance heating material secured between said first and second molded sections in said enclosed area, said electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions, wherein said modular heating component is defined by a top and bottom surfaces and at least one of said first or second molded sections is shaped to define at least a part of a fluid collection area on said top or bottom surface of said modular heating component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A stack of modular heating components comprising:
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a plurality of modular heating components, each of said modular heating components comprising;
(a) a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough;
(b) a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough and mated to said first molded section, said first and second molded sections mated to define an enclosed area between said molded sections, said first and second openings aligned to form a fluid-tight passage through said modular heating component;
(c) an electrical resistance heating material secured between said first and second molded sections in said enclosed area, said electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions; and
(d) a pair of electrical connectors fixed to said terminal end portions, wherein said modular heating components are sealably mated to define a fluid collection area between adjacent modular heating components, a passage of a first modular heating component providing an inlet into said collection area and a passage of a second modular heating component providing an outlet from said collection area, said passages directing a fluid passing through said stack into at least a portion of said collection area as said fluid passes from said inlet to said outlet of said collection area. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A modualr fluid heating apparatus, comprising:
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an assembly of modular heating components comprising;
a plurality of modular heating components, each of said modular heating components comprising;
(a) a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough;
(b) a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough and mated to said first molded section, said first and second molded sections mated to define an enclosed area between said molded sections, said first and second openings aligned to form a fluid tight passage through said modular heating component; and
(c) a resistance heating element secured between said first and second molded sections in said enclosed area, said resistance heating element comprising;
(i) a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon;
(ii) an electrical resistance heating material fastened to said first surface of said supporting substrate, said resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions; and
(iii) a pair of electrical connectors fixed to said terminal end portions, said modular heating components sealably mated to define a fluid collection area between adjacent modular heating components, a passage of a first modular heating component providing an inlet into said collection area and a passage of a second modular heating component providing an outlet from said collection area, said passages being misaligned to direct a fluid passing through said assembly into at least a portion of said collection area as said fluid passes from said inlet to said outlet of said collection area;
a plurality of electrical conductors coupled to said electrical connectors;
an input cap sealably affixed to a first end of said assembly, said input cap defining an input passage to said assembly; and
an output cap sealably affixed to a second end of said assembly, said output cap defining an output passage from said assembly. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification