Method of manufacture of a heater band
AssigneeAcra Electric Corporation
InventorMatt N. Hummel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heater band formed of an extruded metal channel member and a heater plate assembly received within a slot extending along the length of the channel. The heater plate assembly and the extrusion are compressed together to provide a heater band having a dense cross section resulting in improved heat transfer characteristics. The heater band in accordance with the present invention has a longer life and higher heating capabilities than heater bands known to the prior art.
Claims12
A method of making a heater band comprising the steps of:
- forming an extruded channel member having a relatively thick cross-section throughout and a T-shaped slot therein defined by inwardly directed flanges;
- forming a heater plate assembly adapted to be received within the slot, said plate assembly formed by securing an electric heating element to a metal plate;
- combining said heater plate assembly with said slot of said channel member so that said heating element is retained within said slot;
- and
- compressing said heater plate assembly and said channel member to provide intimate contact between said heater plate assembly and said channel to thereby form the heater band.
A method of making a heater band comprising the steps of:
- extruding a channel having a base, upstanding side walls, and inturned flanges all of which are relatively thick in cross-section and which thereby form a T-shaped slot within said channel;
- forming a generally rectangular cover plate having a relatively thick cross-section and longitudinal grooves extending inwardly from two corners adjacent one longer surface of said plate, said grooves conforming to the thickness and width of said flanges;
- forming a heater plate assembly by securing an electric heating element to said cover plate;
- combining said heater plate assembly and said channel so that said plate grooves are retained by said channel flanges;
- compressing said flanges to provide intimate contact between said plate, said heating element and said channel base, thereby forming the heater band.
A method of making a heater band comprising the steps of:
- extruding a channel having a relatively thick base, upstanding side walls, and inturned flanges which thereby form a T-shaped slot within said channel;
- forming a cover plate having a central core defined by top and bottom surfaces and two sides and including webs of reduced thickness with respect to said core extending from each side a distance corresponding to the distance said flanges extend from said side walls, the height from said reduced thickness to said top surface corresponding to the thickness of said flanges;
- forming a heater plate assembly by securing an electric heating element to said cover plate and interposing electrical insulation therebetween;
- combining said heater plate assembly in said channel so that said webs are retained by said flanges;
- interposing electrical insulation between said heater plate assembly and said channel base;
- compressing said flanges to provide intimate contact between said plate, said electrical heater, said insulation and said channel base;
- and
- forming the compressed combination into an arcuate shape, thereby forming the heater band.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.