Patent · US Expired

Method of making an improved polymeric immersion heating element with skeletal support and optional heat transfer fins

US6432344B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
260References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 4, 1998
Grant dateAug 13, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 4, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05B2203/021
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Electrical resistance heating elements, hot water heaters containing such elements, and methods of preparing such elements are provided. The electrical resistance heating elements of this invention can be disposed through a wall of a tank for heating fluid, such as water. They include a skeletal support frame having a first supporting surface thereon. They also include a resistance wire wound onto the first supporting surface and preferably connected to at least a pair of terminal end portions. The support frame and resistance wire are then hermetically encapsulated and electrically insulated within a thermally-conductive polymeric coating. The skeletal support frame of this invention improves injection molding operations for encapsulating the resistance wire, and can include heat transfer fins for improving thermal conductivity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.