Patent ID: 6912357
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: B05B,B60S,F24H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A heater apparatus for heating fluid, the heater apparatus comprising: a thermally conductive mass defining a thermal energy store; heating means, thermally coupled to and substantially enveloped by the thermally conductive mass, for imparting heat to the thermally conductive mass; fins thermally coupled to the thermally conductive mass and coacting with each other and the mass to define a continuous labyrinthian fluid flow path so that heat from the heating means migrates to and is in stored the thermally conductive mass and migrates from the thermally conductive mass to the fluid whereon heat is absorbed by fluid in the fluid flow path; and the fluid flow path including 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, and defining alternating regions of laminar and turbulent fluid flow as the fluid flows through the first and second flow path portions.