Electric steam radiator space heating unit

Abstract

An electric steam radiator unit for heating residential and commercial spaces comprises an elongated vertical stack having a cylindrical central bore. The top of the stack communicates with one end of a generally horizontal heat exchange tube slightly downwardly inclined from the stack and having a plurality of heat radiating fins. A downwardly inclined condensate return tube connects the other end of the heat exchange tube to the bottom portion of the stack. The heat exchange tube, stack and condensate tube are joined in series to form a closed fluid circuit. An elongated cylindrical electric heating element disposed concentrically in the central bore extends the length of the stack to define a thin annular vaporization space. A small quantity of vaporizable liquid fills the lower part of the space and is converted to a vapor by action of the heating element. The vapor is superheated as it rises through the vaporization space to the heat exchange tube where it condenses to give up heat to the space being heated. The condensate is returned to the bottom of the stack through the condensate return tube for revaporization. A second heat exchange tube and condensate return tube may be connected to the stack diametrically opposite the first such tubes.