Emerson Electric Company

Backer Ehp Inc.

Robert K Cockrell

Ronald R Barnes

Stacy V Springer

Lucas Lee Fowler

Alvin L Slayton

Ronald L Barnes

Richard Tao

Victor Yang

Alvin Slayton

Lucas Fowler

A band heater assembly for heating an object includes a band heater that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the object. The band heater includes a cable and a band. The cable includes a resistive element, a first cable end and a second cable end. The resistive element generates thermal energy based on a current received from a power source. The first cable end and the second cable end are connected to respective ends of the band heater assembly. The band is connected to the cable and transfers a first portion of the thermal energy to an exterior surface of the object. At least a portion of the cable is exposed from the band heater to contact the exterior surface when the band heater assembly is connected to the object.

Band heater systems and assembly methods

An improved construction for a heating element for an appliance is disclosed. A coiled resistance wire extending coaxially along the length of an elongate sheath is surrounded by an electrically insulating, high thermally conductive material that fills the sheath around the wire. The resistance wire is secured to a terminal pin at a connection comprising a connection insert that is securely affixed to the terminal pin, intermediate the terminal pin and resistance wire. The resistance wire is then able to be welded to the connector to provide a superior mechanical connection between a terminal pin and the resistance wire, even though the terminal pin is made from copper. The disclosed construction, therefore, provides good electrical and thermal conductivity and resists the tendency to separate during manufacture.

Heating element for appliance

A screwplug type water heating unit (,) has a body (,) through which ends (,) of a heating element (,) extend. Separate terminal quick connects (,) have tabs (,) which engage the ends of the heating element. Electrical leads (L,L,) which connect with the ends of the heating element are separately engaged in slots (,) of each terminal quick connect by an engagement tab (,) so the heating element is electrically connected in a circuit supplying power to the heating unit. A terminal block (,) attaches to an outer face (,) of the screwplug. The terminal block has openings (,) in it by which the terminal quick connects are installed in the terminal block. The terminal quick connects each have a tab (,) received in a slot (,) formed in the terminal block to attach the terminal quick connects to the terminal block.

Quick connect terminal and terminal block

A screwplug type water heater (10) has a heating element (12) immersible in a water heater tank (T) to heat water (L). Electrical terminals (28) on the outer end of the heater connect the heating element into a heater circuit (H) for a control unit (14). The control unit also includes a sensing circuit (S) for the unit to be responsive to water temperature inputs to turn-on the heater to heat water to a desired temperature and maintain it there. A thermistor (16) provides a temperature input to the control circuit. The thermistor is encapsulated in a bracket (32) mounted in, or integrally formed with, the screwplug to sense water temperature. Terminals (36) on the outer end of the heater allow the thermistor to be connected into the control circuit.

Integral water heater and water temperature sensor

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Vernon, AL, United States of America

Robert K Cockrell