Patent ID: 7065293
Filing Date: 2006-06-20
Classification: A47L,F24H,H05B

Abstract:
1. A heater for fluids, comprising: a housing made of a non-metallic material and having a generally tubular construction forming an internal cavity and defining a first end and a second end having an enlarged opening, the housing including a first pair of openings forming an inlet and an outlet adjacent the first end, each of which are in fluid communication with the internal cavity, the housing including an end sidewall closing off the second end, the end sidewall having first and second access openings therethrough, the housing further including an integral divider wall extending from the end sidewall between the first and second access openings and across the cavity to divide the cavity into first and second portions adjacent the first end, the divider wall having an edge spaced from the second end to form a gap fluidly connecting the first and second portions of the cavity; an elongated electrical heating element having a titanium outer surface, the heating element disposed within the cavity for heating fluid flowing through the cavity, the heating element having a generally circular cross-sectional shape and having a pair of leg portions extending on opposite sides of the divider wall and defining a maximum width, the heating element including an intermediate portion connecting the leg portions and extending through the gap adjacent the edge of the divider wall and having electrical connectors at opposite ends of the electrical heating element extending through the first and second access openings in the end sidewall of the housing; a cap member sealingly secured to the housing and closing off the enlarged opening at the second end, and wherein: the enlarged opening has a dimension that is at least about as large as the maximum width of the electrical heating element to permit placement of the electrical heating element in the cavity substantially without deforming the electrical heating element.