Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides a gas heater including: a structure that defines a gas flow path having an upstream portion and a downstream portion; a first heating element positioned at least partially in the upstream portion of the flow path and having a first heating element maximum temperature capability; and a second heating element positioned downstream of the first heating element in the downstream portion of the flow path. The second heating element has a resistance that varies with temperature according to a second-heating-element-temperature-dependent resistivity rate.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24H 3/04 - Air heaters with forced circulation the air being in direct contact with the heating medium, e.g. electric heating element
• H05B 3/12 - Heating elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides an electric heater including: a resistive heating element; a current transformer positioned around a portion of the resistive heating element or a lead thereto, the current transformer adapted and configured to produce a secondary induced current proportional to a primary current flowing through the resistive heating element; and a controller communicatively coupled to the resistive heating element and the current transformer. The controller is programmed to either: (i): detect a deviation between the secondary induced current and a reference value; and in response to the deviation, generate an alert; or (ii) communicate to a remote server programmed to detect a deviation between the secondary induced current and a reference value.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64D 15/12 - De-icing or preventing icing on exterior surfaces of aircraft by electric heating
• G01R 19/32 - Compensating for temperature change
• H05B 1/02 - Automatic switching arrangements specially adapted to heating apparatus
• H05B 3/00 - Ohmic-resistance heating

Abstract

A support insulator for an open coil electric heater includes an insulator body having at least one coil support portion and plate attachment slots. The support insulator has an arm extending from the insulator body, the arm having a slot on an end thereof. Depending on the mounting of the support insulator, the slot can receive a resistance wire as a portion of a coil break-turn, a wire as part of a coil section, a part of a lead wire, or a part of a run of resistance wire that is not a coil break-turn or coil section.

IPC Classes  ?

• H05B 3/06 - Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or with holders
• H05B 3/16 - Heating elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor the conductor being mounted on an insulating base
• H05B 3/32 - Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater non-flexible heating conductor mounted on insulators on a metallic frame

Abstract

A heater with an optical sensor for over-temperature protection. The heater includes a heating element and a sensor assembly including a coupler and an optical sensor. Wavelengths emanating from the heating element passes directly through the coupler to the optical sensor. The optical sensor provides an over-temperature feedback signal for limiting power to the heating element to avoid an over-temperature condition for the heating element.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24H 9/20 - Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• G01P 5/12 - Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft by measuring thermal variables using variation of resistance of a heated conductor
• G01K 7/01 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using semiconducting elements having PN junctions