Heating element for water heaters with scale control
US5878192A · kind A · utility
9Cited by
12References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H9/0021
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improvement in electrical elements for a water heater includes a mass attached to the element for reducing the deposition of hard water scale on element surfaces, particularly in the return bend areas. In one embodiment, a flow accelerator tube encloses the element. The flow accelerator tube has an inlet at one end and an outlet at a higher elevation at the opposite end. Water is induced to flow through the tube because of temperature change. In another embodiment, a solid mass with high surface area encloses the return bend areas to increase heat transfer at a lower temperature to reduce scaling and increase element life.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.