Gas cylinder warmer with variable wattage self regulating heater

• US 7,015,425 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BriskHeat Corp. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Original Assignee: Bh Thermal Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Daniel R., Dietz, Doug, Neal, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US10/828,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20050109758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385, 219/386, 219/521, 219/528, 219/529, 219/535, 219/537, 219/539, 219/549, 392/441, 392/444, 222/146.5
• US Class Current: 219/386
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/02 Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/06 Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/44 heating conductor arranged within rods or tubes of insulating material

Abstract

A gas cylinder includes a cylindrically-shaped main wall having a liner, a facing and insulation located between the liner and the facing. First and second electric, self-regulating heating elements are positioned between the liner and the insulation. The liner is provided with first and second pockets and the first and second heating elements are located within the pockets. The first heating element has a higher wattage density than the second heating element and the first heating element is located below the second heating element. A sealed conduit enclosure contains a terminal block connecting a power input cable to the first and second heating elements. A planar top wall is located at the top of the main wall and has an opening for passage of a regulator of the gas cylinder.

Claims

1. A gas cylinder warmer comprising, in combination:

first and second layers;

a plurality of electric, self-regulating heating elements positioned between the first and second layers;

wherein a first one of the heating elements produces a higher temperature than a second one of the heating elements;

wherein the heating elements are formed by a self-regulating heating cable; and

wherein the self-regulating heating cable forms a higher watt density at the first one of the heating elements than at the second one of the heating elements.

2. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 1, wherein the first one of the heating elements is located below the second one of the heating elements.

3. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are formed of silicone impregnated cloth.

4. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 1, further comprising insulation located between the heating elements and the second layer.

5. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second layers form a cylindrically-shaped main wall and further comprising a top wall located at the top of the main wall.

6. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 3, wherein the top wall is provided with an opening for passage of a gas cylinder regulator therethrough.

7. A gas cylinder warmer comprising, in combination:

first and second layers;

a plurality of electric, self-regulating heating elements positioned between the first and second layers;

wherein a first one of the heating elements produces a higher temperature than a second one of the heating elements; and

wherein the first layer is provided with a plurality of pockets and the heating elements are located within the pockets.

8. A gas cylinder warmer comprising, in combination:

first and second layers;

a plurality of electric, self-regulating heating elements positioned between the first and second layers;

wherein a first one of the heating elements produces a higher temperature than a second one of the heating elements; and

a gas-tight enclosure containing an electrical connection between a power input cable and the heating elements.

9. A gas cylinder warmer comprising, in combination:

a cylindrically-shaped main wall including a liner, a facing and insulation located between the liner and the facing;

at least one electric, self-regulating heating element positioned between the liner and the insulation; and

a planar top wall located at the top of the main wall and having an opening for passage of a gas cylinder regulator.

10. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 9, wherein there is a first heating element and a second heating element and the first heating element produces a higher temperature than the second heating element.

11. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 10, wherein the first heating element is located below the second heating element.

12. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 9, wherein the heating element is formed by a self-regulating heating cable.

13. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 12, wherein the self-regulating heating cable forms a higher watt density at the first heating element than at the second heating element.

14. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 9, wherein the liner and the facing are formed of silicone impregnated cloth.

15. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 9, wherein the liner is provided with a pocket and the heating element is located within the pocket.

16. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 9, further a gas-tight enclosure containing an electrical connection between a power input cable and the heating element.

17. A gas cylinder warmer comprising, in combination:

a cylindrically-shaped main wall including a liner, a facing, and insulation located between the liner and the facing;

first and second electric, self-regulating heating elements positioned between the liner and the insulation;

wherein the liner is provided with first and second pockets and the first and second heating elements are located within the pockets;

wherein the first heating element has a higher wattage density than the second heating element;

wherein the first heating element is located below the second heating element;

a gas-tight enclosure containing an electrical connection between a power input cable and the first and second heating elements; and

a planar top wall located at the top of the main wall and having an opening for passage of a gas cylinder regulator.

18. The gas cylinder warmer according to claim 17, wherein the first and second heating elements are formed by a self-regulating heating cable and the self-regulating heating cable forms a higher watt density at the first heating element than at the second heating element.