Patent ID: 6665492
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: F24H

Abstract:
A compressed air heating system for applying heated air to a remote process location for effecting a chemical bonding process employed in assembly and repair, comprising:a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet; an air line for receiving compressed air and applying it to the inlet of said heat exchanger; an in-line air pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure and velocity of the air which feeds the heat exchanger; a manifold positionable at the remote process location; a conduit extending for a substantial distance from the outlet of said heat exchanger to the manifold at the remote process location; said heat exchanger including a plurality of electrical heating elements; a driver for receiving power from a power supply and for applying power to the heat exchanger; a controller connected to the driver for receiving a predetermined process temperature required for effecting the process and for providing the driver with a control signal; a process temperature sensor positionable at the remote process location for measuring temperature of air provided to the remote process location and for providing a process temperature signal to the controller indicative of the temperature of the air provided to the remote process location; and an internal temperature sensor for measuring temperature of air immediately downstream of the heat exchanger and for providing an internal temperature signal to the controller indicative of the temperature of the air immediately downstream of the heat exchanger; the controller generating the control signal responsive to the process and internal temperature signals for changing the amount of heat produced by the heat exchanger for maintaining the predetermined process temperature under conditions responsive to air provided to the remote process location deviating from the predetermined process temperature; and an air pressure gauge located at the output of the heat exchanger for monitoring the pressure of the compressed air; whereby the temperature at the process location may be accurately maintained despite variations in ambient temperature and other factors.