Fluid heater with compressible cover freeze protection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
- a thermally conductive mass;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass;
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the thermally conductive mass so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass;
the fluid flow path having an open portion opening to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass;
fluid expansion means, disposed over the open portion of the fluid flow path in the thermally conductive mass for reversibly allowing expansion of fluid in the fluid flow path when the fluid undergoes a phase change to a solid state; and
means for fixing the peripheral edge of the fluid expansion means to the thermally conductive mass.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid heater apparatus supplies heat to wash fluid via a flow path in a thermally conductive body. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive body for imparting heat to the body. Fluid in a flow path in the thermal body enveloping the heat source absorbs heat from the body. A fluid expansion member is fixed to the mass over the open ends of the fluid flow path in the thermal body. The fluid expansion member is formed of a compressible foam material having shape memory. The fluid expansion member is sealingly joinable by fasteners to the thermal body through bores formed in the peripheral edge of the member.
-
Citations
63 Claims
-
1. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
-
a thermally conductive mass;
heating means, thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass;
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid flow path coupled in heat transfer relation to the thermally conductive mass so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass;
the fluid flow path having an open portion opening to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass;
fluid expansion means, disposed over the open portion of the fluid flow path in the thermally conductive mass for reversibly allowing expansion of fluid in the fluid flow path when the fluid undergoes a phase change to a solid state; and
means for fixing the peripheral edge of the fluid expansion means to the thermally conductive mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 35, 36)
-
-
25. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:
-
a thermally conductive mass;
a fluid flow path formed of a first flow path portion extending across one surface of the thermally conductive mass and a second flow path portion extending across an opposed surface of the thermally conductive mass, the first and second flow path portions disposed in fluid flow communication through the thermally conductive mass, the fluid flow path defined by open-ended channels formed in the thermally conductive mass, the open-ends of the channels facing outward from the thermally conductive mass;
at least one heating element thermically mounted in the thermally conductive mass and substantially contacted by the mass, the heating element imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass so that fluid in the first and second flow path portions absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass;
control means, for activating the at least one heating element; and
fluid expansion means, coupled to the mass, for reversibly allowing expansion of fluid in the fluid flow path when the fluid undergoes a phase change to a solid state. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
-
44. A vehicle window wash apparatus comprises:
-
a fluid source for supplying wash fluid;
a fluid discharge device fluidically coupled to the fluid source for discharging fluid from the reservoir;
a heater means disposed in fluid flow communication between the fluid source and the fluid discharge device; and
a controller, coupled to the heater means, for supplying power to the heater means;
the heater means including;
a fluid flow path formed in the mass between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid flow path substantially enveloping the heating means so that fluid in the fluid flow path absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass;
a thermally conductive mass having an inlet and an outlet;
at least one heating element thermally mounted in the thermally conductive mass and substantially contacted by the mass, the heating means imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass so that fluid in the first and second flow path portions absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass;
control means, connected to the heating element, for activating the heating element, the fluid flow path having an open end opening to the exterior of the thermally conductive mass;
a housing carrying the thermally conductive mass in an interior cavity;
fluid expansion means, fixed to the mass, for reversibly allowing expansion of fluid in the fluid flow path when the fluid undergoes a phase change to a solid state. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
-
Specification