Reservoir fluid heating devices and methods of heating
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heater assembly for a fluid reservoir, the heater assembly comprising:
- an outer housing coupled to a fluid reservoir opening;
an inner tubular member disposed within the outer housing, the inner tubular member having a central passageway therethrough, a lengthwise portion of the central passageway having a larger diameter than the fluid reservoir opening;
wherein an annulus is formed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member; and
a heating device coupled to a lower end of the outer housing and having heating elements which extend upwardly into the central passageway of the inner tubular member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heater assembly for a fluid reservoir includes an outer housing coupled to a flange on the fluid reservoir, an inner tubular member disposed within the outer housing, the inner tubular member having a central passageway therethrough, wherein an annulus is formed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member, and a heating device coupled to a lower end of the outer housing and having heating elements which extend upwardly into the central passageway of the inner tubular member.
13 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A heater assembly for a fluid reservoir, the heater assembly comprising:
-
an outer housing coupled to a fluid reservoir opening; an inner tubular member disposed within the outer housing, the inner tubular member having a central passageway therethrough, a lengthwise portion of the central passageway having a larger diameter than the fluid reservoir opening; wherein an annulus is formed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member; and a heating device coupled to a lower end of the outer housing and having heating elements which extend upwardly into the central passageway of the inner tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A heat exchanger comprising:
-
a fluid reservoir; and a heater assembly coupled to an opening in the fluid reservoir, the heater assembly including; an outer housing; an inner tubular member disposed within the outer housing, the inner tubular member having a central passageway therethrough, a lengthwise portion of the central passageway having a larger diameter than the opening; wherein an annulus is formed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member; and a heating device coupled to a lower end of the outer housing and having heating elements which extend upwardly into the central passageway of the inner tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of heating water in a fluid reservoir, the method comprising:
-
coupling a heater assembly to an opening of the fluid reservoir, the heater assembly including; an outer housing; an inner tubular member disposed within the outer housing, the inner tubular member having a central passageway therethrough, a lengthwise portion of the central passageway having a larger diameter than the opening; wherein an annulus is formed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member; and a heating device coupled to a lower end of the outer housing and having heating elements which extend upwardly into the central passageway of the inner tubular member; heating water present in the central passageway of the inner tubular member, wherein heated water exits from an upper end of the inner tubular member; and circulating unheated water from the fluid reservoir downward through the annulus and into the central passageway of the inner tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification