# US 8,785,825 B2 · Support structure for heating element coil > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,785,825 B2 - Document ID: US8785825B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/168,662 - Filed: 2011-06-24 - Published: 2011-12-29 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-25 - Assignees: Sandvik Thermal Process, Inc. - Applicants: Kevin B. Peck - Inventors: Kevin B. Peck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8785825B2 ## CPC - H05B 3/66: Supports or mountings for heaters on or in the wall or roof - Y10T 29/49083: Heater type - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Spacer for a vertical support structure of a heating element coil includes a mating feature including complimentary components on first opposing sides of the spacer, a cavity, open to second opposing sides of the spacer, and an extension offset from an axis intersecting the mating features, the extension including a pocket sized to fit an individual loop of the heating element coil. The spacer can be incorporated into a support structure for a heating element coil interlocking adjacent loops of the coil so that they are retained in a collinear and concentric arrangement while allowing the loops of the coil to move freely inward and outward from the central axis in unison. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support structure for a heating element coil interlocking adjacent loops of the coil so that they are retained in a collinear and concentric arrangement while allowing the loops of the coil to move freely inward and outward from the central axis in unison, the support structure comprising: a plurality of vertical support column assemblies, each positioned around a circumference of the heating element coil, wherein each vertical support column assembly includes a plurality of individual spacers having a pitch, at least a portion of the vertical support column assembly residing at least partially inside a vertical channel of a stationary rail, wherein adjacent spacers include cooperating mating features and cooperating pocket forming features, the pocket forming features forming a pocket to enclose a loop of the coil, and wherein the vertical support column assembly moves slideably within the vertical channel in an axial direction parallel to the centerline and in a radial direction perpendicular to the centerline while cooperation of mating features on adjacent spacers are maintained. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical channel is an integral part of the heating element insulation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The support structure according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the vertical channel limits an outward movement of the vertical support column assemblies. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical channel consists in part or in whole of a separate component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The support structure according to claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the vertical channel limits an outward movement of the vertical support column assemblies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The support structure according to claim 4, wherein the vertical channel is positioned by a recess in a column support component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The support structure according to claim 6, wherein the column support component incorporates a means to restrict movement of the vertical support column assemblies to an axis intersecting the central vertical axis of the heating element coil. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The support structure according to claim 7, wherein the column support component limits an inward movement of the vertical support column assemblies. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical support column assemblies are supported by a column support component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The support structure according to claim 9, wherein the column support component incorporates a means to restrict movement of the vertical support column assemblies to an axis intersecting the central vertical axis of the heating element coil. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the column support component limits an inward movement of the vertical support column assemblies. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the spacer residing within the vertical channel is of a different width than the rest of the spacer and is captured by the channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the spacer residing within the vertical channel is of a different width than the rest of the spacer and is symmetrically captured by the channel. ### Claim 14 A spacer for a vertical support structure of a heating element coil, comprising: a mating feature including complimentary components on first opposing sides of the spacer; a cavity, open to second opposing sides of the spacer; and an extension offset from an axis intersecting the mating features, the extension including a pocket sized to fit an individual loop of the heating element coil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The spacer according to claim 14, wherein the cavity is positioned between the complimentary components. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The spacer according to claim 14, wherein the complimentary components are a protrusion and a recess. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The spacer according to claim 14, wherein a portion of the spacer opposing the extension is of a different width than the rest of the spacer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The spacer according to claim 17, wherein the portion of the spacer having a different width is adapted for capture by a channel of a support structure for a heating element coil. ### Claim 19 A method of controlling a position relative to a center position of a heating element coil upon heating, the method comprising: mounting individual loops of a heating element coil in a column of vertically stacked spacers, wherein an increase in a length of the heating element coil upon heating is accommodated by a radially outward movement of the spacers relative to the center position while cooperation of mating features on adjacent spacers are maintained. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the radially outward movement of the spacers maintains the concentricity of the individual loops of the heating element coil. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the radially outward movement of the spacers maintains a collinearity, a concentricity and a centering of the heating element coil. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the spacer includes: the mating features including complimentary components on first opposing sides of the spacer; a cavity, open to second opposing sides of the spacer, and an extension offset from an axis intersecting the mating features, the extension including a pocket sized to fit an individual loop of the heating element coil. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, wherein the spacer includes a portion opposing the extension having a different width than the rest of the spacer, and the method includes capturing the portion in a channel of a support structure for a heating element coil. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized relative to a cross-section of the coil to allow movement of the loops of the coil relative to the pocket. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the cooperating mating features include a positive locking feature. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the positive locking feature is a dove tail connection.