Fluid heater

A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising:

• a thermally conductive mass;
• a continuous labyrinthian 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;
• and
• at least one heating element thermally mounted in the thermally conductive mass and substantially enveloped by the first and second flow path portions, the heating means imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass so that fluid flowing through the first and second flow path portions absorbs heat from the thermally conductive mass.

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 apparatus including:
• a thermally conductive mass having an inlet and an outlet;
• a continuous labyrinthian fluid flow path formed in the mass between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid flow path substantially enveloping the heating means to absorb heat from the thermally conductive mass as fluid flows through the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet.