Patent ID: 6522834
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A liquid heater comprising:first, second, and third electrodes each having an electrically conducting surface; a heating passage defined, at least in part, by the electrically conducting surfaces a first opening configured to receive liquid into the heating passage, the heating passage comprising: a first passage portion extending between the first and second electrodes for directing liquid flowing therethrough in a longitudinal direction in electrical contact with the electrically conducting surfaces for generating heat in the liquid, wherein the second electrode is laterally disposed between the first and third electrodes with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a second passage portion disposed in fluid communication in series with the first passage portion and extending between the second and third electrodes for electrically contacting any liquid flowing therethrough with the electrically conducting surfaces, a liquid inlet disposed upstream of the first and second passage portions and configured for receiving a liquid into the passage, a liquid outlet disposed downstream of the first and second passage portions and configured for outletting the liquid from the passage; and an electrical power supplier configured to supply an electrical voltage across pairs of the electrically conducting surfaces that are disposed to electrically contact the liquid in the passage portions such that an electric current flows between the electrically conducting surfaces of each pair and through the liquid in the first and second passage portions such that the liquid therein generates heat.