Next generation bare wire water heater
AssigneeEemax, Inc.
InventorsChris HAYDEN, Eric R. JURCZYSZAK, Jeff HANKINS
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
Claims22
A heating unit comprising:
- a tube having a flange and at least one indexed groove located along a length of the tube and forming a continuous recession across an outer surface circumference of the tube, wherein the at least one indexed groove contains a retention device;
- and
- at least one electrical resistance heating element positioned outside the at least one indexed groove and having a first end connected to the tube via the flange and a second end connected to the tube via the retention device.
A method of manufacturing a heating element, comprising:
- providing a tube having a flange and at least one indexed groove along a length of the tube;
- forming the indexed groove as a continuous recession across a circumference of the tube;
- providing a retention clip on the at least one indexed groove;
- and
- positioning at least one electrical resistance heating element outside the at least one indexed groove by connecting a first end of the at least one electrical resistance heating element to the tube via the flange and a second end to the retention clip.
A heating system comprising:
- a tube having a flange and at least one indexed groove located along a length of the tube and forming a continuous recession across an outer surface circumference of the tube, wherein the at least one indexed groove contains a retention device;
- at least one electrical resistance heating element positioned outside the at least one indexed groove and having a first end connected to the tube via the flange and a second end connected to the tube via the retention device;
- and
- a heating chamber that partially encloses the tube thereby creating a flow path therebetween.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.