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Fluid heater control apparatus and method with overtemperature protection

  • US 6,839,509 B2
  • Filed: 02/28/2003
  • Issued: 01/04/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of heating fluid in a vehicle surface wash fluid discharge apparatus comprising the steps of:

  • providing fluid in an enclosure;

    providing a plurality of heating elements for imparting thermal energy to the fluid;

    controlling at least two of the heating elements independent of each other;

    activating certain ones of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid to rapidly increase the fluid temperature;

    monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and

    at a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature, activating certain ones of the heating elements to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid to the preset maximum discharge temperature to minimize overshoot of the fluid temperature above the maximum discharge temperature.

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