Fluid heater control apparatus and method with overtemperature protection
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid heater apparatus has fluid discharge temperature control to prevent temperature overshoot. A plurality of heater elements are employed and at least certain of the heater elements are independently controllable. At least one of the heater elements is employed as a “finishing” heater element, with the other heating elements deactivated to enable the “finishing” heater element to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from a first temperature reached by activation all or most of the heater elements to the predetermined discharge temperature. One of more of the heater elements may have a different power output than the other heater elements.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of heating fluid in a vehicle surface wash fluid discharge apparatus comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for heating fluid in a vehicle surface wash fluid discharge system comprising:
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means for providing fluid in an enclosure;
a plurality of heating elements for imparting thermal energy to the fluid;
means for controlling at least two of the heating elements independent of each other;
means for activating certain heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid to rapidly increase the fluid temperature;
means for monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and
means, responsive to the temperature monitoring means at a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature, for activating another one other of the heating elements to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid to the preset maximum discharge temperature more slowly to minimize overshoot of the fluid temperature above the maximum discharge temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. An apparatus for heating fluid in a vehicle surface wash fluid discharge system comprising:
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an enclosure having a fluid flow path therethrough for receiving fluid;
a plurality of heater elements thermally coupled to the enclosure for imparting thermal energy to the enclosure and the fluid in the enclosure; and
control means for controlling the plurality of heater elements, with at least two of the heater elements being controlled independent of each other; and
whereinthe control means includes means for activating at least certain of the heating elements for a first time period to impart thermal energy to the fluid to rapidly increase the temperature of the fluid in the body to a first temperature less than a preset maximum discharge fluid temperature and activating certain heating elements to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from the first temperature to the preset maximum discharge temperature to minimize overshoot of the fluid temperature above the maximum discharge temperature. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification