Electrically heated fluid coupling apparatus

Claim 1

An electrically heated fluid coupling apparatus exposed to severe weather conditions for connecting below the ground a fluid source to an external device for using the fluid comprising: a fluid conduit adapted at its lower end to be connected to a fluid source below the ground surface; a hollow heating conduit extended longitudinally in side-by-side heat exchange contact with said fluid conduit, having a length approximate that of said fluid conduit, said heating conduit having an upper end extended above the upper end of said fluid conduit; an electric resistance heating element disposed within said hollow heating conduit and extending the approximate length thereof, said element having terminals extended outwardly from the upper end of said heating conduit; electric means for electrically connecting said heating element to a source of electric energy, said electric means comprising an elongated hollow tube extended through substantially the length of said heating conduit, and an electrical cable extended through said tube, said tube extended closely adjacent in side-by-side relationship with said fluid conduit from a point below the ground surface and terminating in an open upper end above said fluid conduit upper end, said cable having an end extended outwardly of said tube upper end; an outside casing disposed about said fluid conduit, said heating conduit and said electric, means, said casing having at least one aperture formed therein and having a length at least as coextensive with that of said heating conduit, said one or more apertures being above the ground surface, said casing upper end being open through which sole access can be obtained to the open upper ends of said heating conduit and hollow tube; thermal insulation disposed within said outside casing and substantially filling the space therewithin about said fluid conduit, said heating conduit and said electric means; coupling means within said casing affixed to said fluid conduit and registered with each of said at least one aperture for providing access to the fluid delivery external devices; and top means affixed to the upper end of said casing for closing said upper end, said top means removably secured to the upper end of said casing and cooperating with the upper end thereof to provide an enclosure within which the electrical connection between said electric resistance heating element and said electrical cable can be made.