US3666916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid heating apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-31
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A fluid is heated as it passes through the tank of an apparatus in which one or more pairs of electrodes are provided. The fluid is heated by a current which flows between the electrodes. At least one electrode of each pair is movable so that the distance between the electrodes can be varied to modulate the current flow in accordance with the quantity of heat to be added to the fluid. Further modulation of the current can be accomplished by placing an electrically insulating shutter between the electrodes. This shutter moves in conjunction with a movable electrode to vary the extent to which it blocks the most direct current path. The electrical power used by the apparatus can be limited to prevent high peak power demands.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W Angelery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:53
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H1/00; F24H1/22; F24H1/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a cylindrical tank in which the fluid can be heated, said tank having an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, a vertical supporting shaft centrally disposed within said tank, a plurality of pairs of electrodes disposed radially about said shaft, at least one electrode of each pair being pivotably movable about said shaft whereby the distance between the two electrodes of a pair can be varied by changing the position of the movable electrode, a plurality of electrically insulating shutters one of which is associated with each pair of electrodes, each shutter being pivotably supported and movable into a position in which it blocks at least a part of the most direct current path between the electrodes of the associated pair to modulate the current flow, and an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of said electrodes and said shutters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a cylindrical tank in which the fluid can be heated, said tank having an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, a vertical supporting shaft centrally disposed within said tank, a plurality of pairs of electrodes disposed radially about said shaft, at least one electrode of each pair being pivotably movable about said shaft whereby the distance between the two electrodes of a pair can be varied by changing the position of the movable electrode, a plurality of electrically insulating shutters one of which is associated with each pair of electrodes, each shutter being pivotably supported and movable into a position in which it blocks at least a part of the most direct current path between the electrodes of the associated pair to modulate the current flow, and an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of said electrodes and said shutters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for biasing the movable electrode of a pair of electrodes toward the position in which it is farthest from the opposite electrode whereby the current is reduced to a minimum in the event of an interruption of the power supply or a malfunction of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means is arranged to cooperate with said control means to cause the apparatus to commence operation with the electrodes of each pair in the position in which they are farthest apart whereby the effects of transient conditions upon the power demands of the apparatus are minimized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a sensing means for sensing the condition of the fluid and demand limiting means for limiting the power demand of the apparatus, said demand limiting means being responsive to the power input to said electrodes and the output of said sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a sensing means for sensing the condition of the fluid, a first demand limiting means for limiting the power demands of the apparatus, said first demand limiting means being responsive to the power input to said electrodes and the output of said sensing means, and a second demand limiting means for limiting the power demands of the apparatus responsive to the output of the first demand limiting means and the power input to other equipment whereby the apparatus is caused to consume electrical power during time periods when it is most optimally available.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wire screens disposed adjacent to said electrodes, said screens being electrically connected to neutral whereby any stray current from said electrodes is prevented from flowing to the walls of the tank and creating a safety hazard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are three pairs of electrodes each of which is arranged to be connected to one phase of a three phase alternating current power supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for connecting said shutters to said pivotable electrodes for movement therewith, thereby blocking the most direct current path and reducing the current flow to a greater extent when said electrodes are relatively far apart.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a tank in which the fluid can be heated, said tank having an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, at least one pair of electrodes disposed within the tank between which a current can be passed to heat the fluid, at least one of the electrodes being movable, an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of the movable electrode, and an electrically insulating shutter pivotably supported within said tank and movable into a position in which it blocks at least part of the most direct current path between the electrodes, the shutter being connected to the movable electrode for cooperative movement therewith so that it blocks a greater portion of the most direct current path when the electrodes are relatively far apart than when the electrodes are relatively close together.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a tank in which the fluid can be heated, said tank having an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, at least one pair of electrodes disposed within the tank between which a current can be passed to heat the fluid, at least one of the electrodes being movable, an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of the movable electrode, and an electrically insulating shutter pivotably supported within said tank and movable into a position in which it blocks at least part of the most direct current path between the electrodes, the shutter being connected to the movable electrode for cooperative movement therewith so that it blocks a greater portion of the most direct current path when the electrodes are relatively far apart than when the electrodes are relatively close together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a means for biasing the electrodes of each pair toward the position in which they are farthest apart whereby the current is reduced to a minimum in the event of an interruption of the power supply or a malfunction of the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said biasing means is arranged to cooperate with said control means to cause the apparatus to commence operation with the electrodes in the position in which they are farthest apart whereby the effects of transient conditions upon the power demands of the apparatus are minimized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control means comprises a sensing means for sensing the condition of the fluid and a demand limiting means for limiting the power demands of the apparatus, said demand limiting means being responsive to the power input to said electrodes and the output of said sensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control means comprises a sensing means for sensing the condition of the fluid as it enters said tank, a first demand limiting means for limiting the power demands of the apparatus, said first demand limiting means being responsive to the power input to said electrodes and the output of said sensing means, and a second demand limiting means for limiting the power demands of the apparatus responsive to the output of said first demand limiting means and the power input to other equipment whereby the apparatus is caused to consume electrical power during time periods when it is most optimally available.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a vertically disposed cylindrical tank in which the fluid can be heated, a vertical supporting shaft centrally disposed within said tank, at least three pairs of electrodes that extend radially from said shaft, at least one electrode of each pair being pivotable about said shaft whereby the distance between the two electrodes of a pair can be varied by moving the pivotable electrode, each pair of electrodes being adapted to be connected to one phase of a three phase power supply, an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of said pivotable electrodes, a sensing means for sensing a condition of the fluid as it enters said tank, a means for biasing the pivotable electrode of each pair toward the position in which it is farthest from the opposite electrode, said biasing means being arranged to cooperate with the control means for causing the apparatus to commence operation with said electrodes in the position in which they are farthest apart whereby the effects of transient conditions upon power demands of the apparatus are minimized, and a demand limiting means for limiting power demands of the apparatus responsive to the output of said sensing means and the power input to the electrodes.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus for electrically heating fluids comprising a vertically disposed cylindrical tank in which the fluid can be heated, a vertical supporting shaft centrally disposed within said tank, at least three pairs of electrodes that extend radially from said shaft, at least one electrode of each pair being pivotable about said shaft whereby the distance between the two electrodes of a pair can be varied by moving the pivotable electrode, each pair of electrodes being adapted to be connected to one phase of a three phase power supply, an electromotive control means responsive to a condition of the fluid for controlling the position of said pivotable electrodes, a sensing means for sensing a condition of the fluid as it enters said tank, a means for biasing the pivotable electrode of each pair toward the position in which it is farthest from the opposite electrode, said biasing means being arranged to cooperate with the control means for causing the apparatus to commence operation with said electrodes in the position in which they are farthest apart whereby the effects of transient conditions upon power demands of the apparatus are minimized, and a demand limiting means for limiting power demands of the apparatus responsive to the output of said sensing means and the power input to the electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one electrically insulating shield is provided which blocks current flow between two electrodes that are not part of the same pair.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of wire screens disposed adjacent to said electrodes, said screens being electrically connected to neutral whereby any stray current from said electrodes is prevented from flowing to the wAlls of the tank and creating a safety hazard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said biasing means comprises springs which are arranged to conduct current to said pivotable electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |