Patent ID: 7308193

Claim:
A fluid heater comprising: a fluid storage tank; a fluid input pipe operably connected to said fluid storage tank; a fluid output pipe operably connected to said fluid storage tank; a power input and mode control unit operably connected to said fluid storage tank; a pressure release valve operably connected to said fluid storage tank; a service drain valve operably connected to said fluid storage tank; a temperature meter operably connected to said fluid storage tank for determining a fluid temperature in said fluid storage tank; an alternating current source connected to said power input; and at least one heating element operably connected to said fluid storage tank comprising: a carbon black body; a first set of metal members having an upper surface and a lower surface encased in said body; an electrical input providing alternating current and having a line side and a load side; a portion of said first set of metal members being physically connected to said line side and the remainder of said plurality of metal members being physically connected to said load side; and electrical current being applied by said electrical input causing current to flow from metal members connected to said line side to metal members connected to said load side; wherein said fluid input pipe comprises: a carbon black body formed into a tube; a second set of one or more metal members having an upper surface and a lower surface fully encased in said body; an electrical input providing alternating current and having a line side and a load side; a portion of said second set of metal members being physically connected to said line side and the remainder of said second set of metal members being physically connected to said load side; and electrical current being applied by said electrical input causing current to flow from metal members connected to said line side to metal members connected to said load side.