US 12,169,078 B2
Modular heating system
Chris Hayden, Shelton, CT (US); Eric Jurczyszak, Berlin, CT (US); and Jeff Hankins, Southbury, CT (US)
Assigned to Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by EEMAX, INC., Waterbury, CT (US)
Filed on Jan. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/247,640.
Application 16/247,640 is a continuation of application No. 13/943,495, filed on Jul. 16, 2013, granted, now 10,222,091.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/740,653, filed on Dec. 21, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/672,336, filed on Jul. 17, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2019/0145656 A1, May 16, 2019
Int. Cl. F24H 1/10 (2022.01); B23P 19/00 (2006.01); F24H 9/1818 (2022.01); F24H 9/20 (2022.01)
CPC F24H 1/102 (2013.01) [B23P 19/00 (2013.01); F24H 1/103 (2013.01); F24H 9/1818 (2013.01); F24H 9/2028 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heating unit comprising:
a first manifold having at least one outlet, wherein the first manifold is an upper manifold;
a second manifold separate and distinct from the first manifold, the second manifold fluidly connected to the first manifold and having at least one inlet, wherein the second manifold is a middle manifold;
a third manifold separate and distinct from the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein the third manifold is a lower manifold and the third manifold is fluidly connected to the first manifold and the second manifold, wherein the first manifold, the second manifold, and the third manifold are arranged with the second manifold disposed between the first manifold and the third manifold, to form a flow path such that fluid is configured to enter the heating unit via the inlet of the second manifold and exit the heating unit via the outlet of the first manifold by sequentially flowing through the second manifold, the third manifold, and the first manifold; and
a heating system that extends from the third manifold to the second manifold by passing through the first manifold, the heating system having an inner tube and an outer tube disposed in a concentric arrangement;
wherein the heating system comprises an electrical resistance heating element connected to the inner tube, the electrical resistance heating element disposed within the outer tube and along an outer surface of the inner tube such that the fluid is heated as the fluid flows in both the first direction over the electrical resistance heating element and the second direction through the interior of the inner tube; and
wherein the electrical resistance heating element is electrically coupled to a termination connector that is disposed adjacent to an upper end of the heating unit, and wherein current flows through the termination connector to the electrical resistance heating element.