Patent US3930140A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3930140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical heating element and fitting assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A heating element includes an elongated tubular sheath which confines a resistance wire supported by a thermally conductive electrical insulation material which extends to a position flush with the end surface of the sheath. Each end portion of the heating element is supported by a bulkhead fitting which is formed of sheet metal and includes a tubular wall portion having helical convolutions defining external threads. A radial flange portion projects outwardly from the tubular wall portion, and another portion of the fitting firmly engages the outer surface of the sheath. The flush end surfaces of the insulation material and the sheath are spaced inwardly from the end surface of the fitting to define a cavity, and a thermosetting sealant material is disposed within this cavity and the space defined between the outer surface of the sheath and the helical convolutions.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Pease
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:11
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/02; H05B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel, said assembly comprising an elongated tubular sheath having opposite end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a sheet metal tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, each said fitting having a substantially uniform wall thickness and including an outwardly projecting peripheral flange portion integrally connected to a tubular wall portion, said flange portion of each said fitting includes a radially outwardly projecting annular wall integrally connected to a radially inwardly projecting annular wall providing said flange portion with a double wall thickness, said tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a deformed wall configuration forming an outwardly projecting threaded portion around said sheath, each said fitting including a poRtion in radial gripping engagement with the corresponding said end portion of said sheath to form an electrical conductor therewith and for securing said fitting to said end portion of said sheath, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel, said assembly comprising an elongated tubular sheath having opposite end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a sheet metal tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, each said fitting having a substantially uniform wall thickness and including an outwardly projecting peripheral flange portion integrally connected to a tubular wall portion, said flange portion of each said fitting includes a radially outwardly projecting annular wall integrally connected to a radially inwardly projecting annular wall providing said flange portion with a double wall thickness, said tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a deformed wall configuration forming an outwardly projecting threaded portion around said sheath, each said fitting including a poRtion in radial gripping engagement with the corresponding said end portion of said sheath to form an electrical conductor therewith and for securing said fitting to said end portion of said sheath, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each said fitting includes an annular portion projecting generally axially from said radially inwardly projecting annular wall and having said gripping engagement with said sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
A heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel, said assembly comprising an elongated tubular sheath having opposite generally cylindrical end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a sheet metal tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, each said fitting having a substantially uniform wall thickness and including an outwardly projecting peripheral flange portion integrally connected to a tubular wall portion, said tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a deformed convoluted wall configuration forming an outwardly projecting threaded portion around said sheath, each said fitting including an inwardly projecting substantially annular neck portion having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
A heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel, said assembly comprising an elongated tubular sheath having opposite generally cylindrical end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a sheet metal tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, each said fitting having a substantially uniform wall thickness and including an outwardly projecting peripheral flange portion integrally connected to a tubular wall portion, said tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a deformed convoluted wall configuration forming an outwardly projecting threaded portion around said sheath, each said fitting including an inwardly projecting substantially annular neck portion having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said tubular wall portion of each said fitting includes said annular neck portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said annular neck portion of each said fitting connects said flange portion to said threaded portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said annular neck portion of each said fitting is in radial gripping engagement with said sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said tubular wall portion of each said fitting includes a smooth cylindrical wall portion extending from said threaded portion, and said annular neck portion connects said cylindrical wall portion to said flange portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said cylindrical wall portion of each said fitting has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said sheath to form an annular space therebetween, and said means forming said liquid-tight seal comprises a sealing material within said annular space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heating element and fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said sheath has an end surface terminating within said tubular wall portion of each said fitting, and said insulator material extends to each said end surface of said sheath and is generally flush therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel and including an elongated tubular sheath having opposite generally cylindrical end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath, the improvement wherein each of said fittings has a suBstantially uniform wall thickness and comprises a drawn sheet metal tubular wall portion, an integral peripherally extending sheet metal flange portion projecting outwardly from said tubular wall portion, said sheet metal tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a corrugated wall configuration in axial cross-section to form an outwardly and inwardly projecting convoluted threaded portion, and said convoluted threaded portion of each said fitting extends around the corresponding said end portion of said sheath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a heating element and fitting assembly for mounting within spaced openings in a wall of a liquid heating vessel and including an elongated tubular sheath having opposite generally cylindrical end portions, an electrical resistance heating element extending longitudinally within said sheath and supported therein by a thermally conductive insulator material, an electrical connector connected to each end of said heating element and projecting through the corresponding said end portion of said sheath, a tubular fitting mounted on each said end portion of said sheath and adapted to extend through the corresponding opening within the wall, and means forming a liquid-tight seal between each said fitting and said sheath, the improvement wherein each of said fittings has a suBstantially uniform wall thickness and comprises a drawn sheet metal tubular wall portion, an integral peripherally extending sheet metal flange portion projecting outwardly from said tubular wall portion, said sheet metal tubular wall portion of each said fitting having a corrugated wall configuration in axial cross-section to form an outwardly and inwardly projecting convoluted threaded portion, and said convoluted threaded portion of each said fitting extends around the corresponding said end portion of said sheath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |