Patent ID: 6011245
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: F24V,F28D,H05B

Abstract:
A permanent magnet eddy current heat generator apparatus for heating a fluid, comprising:a thermally insulated working fluid reservoir containing a working fluid having a working fluid inlet and working fluid outlet;an enlongate stationary ferrous metal tube in said working fluid reservoir having a side wall with an inside surface sealed from said working fluid in said reservoir and an exterior surface surrounded by said working fluid in said reservoir in heat exchange relation;an elongate permanent magnet rotatably mounted concentrically inside said ferrous metal tube to generate an eddy current in said side wall upon rotation and thereby generate heat in said ferrous metal tube which is transferred to the surrounding working fluid in said reservoir;an elongate working fluid heat pipe having a side wall with a first end connected in fluid communication with said working fluid outlet and a second end connected in fluid communication with said reservoir inlet whereby said working fluid is conducted in a closed loop from said reservoir, through said heat pipe, back into said reservoir, and around said exterior surface of said ferrous metal tube;a motor having a shaft connected with said elongate permanent magnet for rotating said elongate permanent magnet, said motor and said motor shaft electrically and magnetically insulated from said working fluid and said elongate permanent magnet; andpump means driven by said motor shaft and connected in fluid communication between said working fluid reservoir outlet and said heat pipe to conduct said working fluid from said reservoir, through said heat pipe, back into said reservoir, and around the exterior surface of said ferrous metal tube; whereinsaid heat pipe is placed in heat exchange relation in a second fluid to be heated and the heat of said working fluid conducted through said heat pipe is transferred through said heat pipe side wall to heat said second fluid.