Patent ID: 6144020
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B60H,F02N,F04D,F24V,H05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for generating a fluid flow and for simultaneously heating the fluid, said apparatus comprising: a casing having opposed front and rear walls, the rear wall having a permanent magnet securely mounted therein, the front wall having no magnet and having a fluid inlet formed therein, a rotatable member disposed between the front and rear walls of the casing, the rotatable member including a conductive material spaced slightly from the permanent magnet in the rear wall, the rotatable member being rotatable relative to the casing and being configured for generating a fluid flow through the inlet in the front wall in response to such rotation, and a drive means for rotatably driving the rotatable member relative to the housing and thereby generating movement of the conductive material relative to the permanent magnet, whereby rotation of the rotatable member relative to the housing generates a fluid flow through the inlet and into the housing and whereby slip heat generated by relative movement between the conductive material and the permanent magnet in the rear wall of the casing heats the fluid flowing into the casing by the rotation of the rotatable member.