RESERVOIR FLUID HEATING DEVICES AND METHODS OF HEATING

• US 20140105585A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Penton, John David
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 392/455
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/202 with resistances
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/1818 Arrangement or mounting of electric heating means

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.

Claims

9-1. The method of claim 17, further comprising circulating unheated water into the central passageway as heated water leaves the central passageway.

12. A heat exchanger comprising:

a fluid reservoir; and

a heater assembly coupled to 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;

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. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the outer housing of the heater assembly is coupled to a flange of the fluid reservoir.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 12, further comprising at least one support clip being disposed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member, which supports a lower end of the inner tubular member.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the heating device is an immersion heater.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein an inlet to the annulus is adjacent to an exit from the central passageway of the inner tubular member.

17. A method of heating water in a fluid reservoir, the method comprising:

coupling a heater assembly to 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;

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.

1. A heater assembly for a fluid reservoir, the heater assembly comprising:

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.

2. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one support clip being disposed between the outer housing and the inner tubular member, which supports a lower end of the inner tubular member.

3. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one support clip is fastened to an inner diameter of the outer housing.

4. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one support clip comprises a lip on which a lower end of the inner tubular member rests.

5. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heating elements have a heated length of up to about 10 inches.

6. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer housing comprises an enlarged region having an inner diameter of between about 3 inches and 5 inches.

7. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner tubular member comprises an enlarged lower end having an outer diameter of between about 2 and 4 inches.

8. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heating device is an immersion heater.

9. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein an inlet to the annulus is adjacent to an exit from the central passageway of the inner tubular member.

10. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is in a heat exchanger.

11. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide member disposed between an upper tubular section of the inner tubular member and the outer housing.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising actuating the heating device and transferring heat from heating elements to fluid in the central passageway of the inner tubular member.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising heating fluid in the central passageway at least about 5 degrees above an ambient temperature.