Patent ID: 6885812

Claim:
A system for heating a flow path including at least a solid or vapor source vessel connected by a conduit to a valve, wherein outer cross-sectional dimensions of the flow path vary along a length of the flow path, comprising: at least one tubular adapter comprising hear conductive material for receipt along the length of the flow path, the adapter having varying inner cross-sectional dimensions substantially corresponding to the varying outer cross-sectional dimensions of the flow path and an outer cross-sectional dimension which is substantially constant along a length of the adapter, wherein the substantially constant outer cross-sectional dimensions in combination with the varying inner cross-sectional dimensions of the adapter allows substantially uniform heating of the flow path that is substantially free of cold spots; and at least one tubular heater apparatus for heating the flow path received over the adapter and having an inner dimension which is substantially constant along a length of the heater apparatus and substantial corresponds to the outer dimension of the adapter.