Direct high voltage water heater
US11493233B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B7/15
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A direct high voltage flow-through water heater system transmits high voltage power to a remote ice penetrating robot, converts the power to heat in a very small space, and then uses the heat to melt the ice, providing a path ahead of the robot allowing penetration deeper into a remote ice-covered location, such ice of substantial (e.g., kilometers) thickness, such as, for example, glacial ice caps. High voltage, low current, AC power is passed through a moving conducting fluid, inducing resistive heating in the fluid with 100% efficiency. The exiting fluid is stripped of common mode voltage before exiting. Energy transfer from the electrical source to the fluid is instantaneous and occurs at 100% efficiency. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid heater system operates at standard residential/industrial mains voltages and runs from 220 VAC as other applications of the present invention include the traditional water heater industry as well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.