Patent ID: 7339144
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: H05B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A magnetic heater, comprising: a drive shaft; one or more conductor assemblies, each conductor assembly comprising a pair of substantially parallel conductor plates defining a fluid space there between, the fluid space in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet adapted to allow the flow of fluid through the fluid space, at least one of the conductor plates comprise an electrically conductive material adapted to enable induced eddy-currents within the at least one conductor plate when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux; and one or more magnet assemblies each comprising a plurality of magnets, each magnet assembly in opposing, facing arrangement spaced apart a predetermined distance from a respective conductor assembly, aligned along an axis about the drive shaft, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the magnets in close proximity to the conductor assembly, each magnet assembly coupled to the drive shaft adapted such that the magnet assembly rotates relative to the conductor assembly when the drive shaft is caused to rotate, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to induce eddy currents in the conductor assembly when moved relative thereto, wherein the fluid space is adapted to provide heat transfer from the conductor plates to the fluid as the conductor plates are heated during operation, wherein adjacent magnets have opposite polarity.