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  Friction heating systemThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080093471. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]This invention relates to a heating system for a building or other structure. [0002]One common way to heat a structure, such as a building, involves combusting a fossil fuel like natural gas or oil. However, these resources are limited. It is becoming increasingly desirable to use electricity as an alternative to these high priced fuels. [0003]A need therefore exists to replace existing combustion heaters with heaters that can use electricity to generate heat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]The present invention uses friction to generate heat rather than a combustion process. The heating system has a heater with a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is moveable relative to the second surface to thereby generate frictional heat between the two surfaces. To distribute this heat, an air intake brings air to be warmed by the heater into the system. The heater warms the air through frictional heat. Air is then passed out of the system through an air outlet. Both the air intake and air outlet may be installed into existing ductwork of a structure, such as a building, to permit easy replacement of combustion heating systems with the inventive system. In this way, a renewable energy source, such as electricity, may be used to generate heat with existing heating and ventilation ductwork in place. Further, this system produces heat without odor or hazardous fumes. [0005]The first surface of the heater can be a different material than the second surface. The first surface may also have a lower thermal conductivity than the second surface. A drive, such as a motor, is used to move one surface relative to the other surface. The two surfaces may be curved and concentric and, in fact, form nested cylinders, which may be rotated by the drive. A third surface may be formed within the nested cylinders to define an air passage that extends through the cylinders so as to permit air to be passed through the interior of the cylinders. This air passage helps distribute heat generated by the two surfaces. [0006]The first surface and the second surface, which generate the frictional heat, may be spaced from each other to create a gap. Alternatively, the surfaces may be in contact with each other. Frictional heat is generated in both instances. [0007]A blower may be used to drive air from the heater between the air intake and the air outlet. The blower may be activated when a predetermined temperature is reached so as to conserve energy. The air inlet and air outlet may be incorporated into existing heating and ventilation ductwork on a structure, such as a building. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008]The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the inventive heating system, illustrating heater, drive and blower. [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a coupling of the drive for the heater of FIG. 1. [0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating a first surface and a second surface of a heating element. [0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of the cross-section of FIG. 3, illustrating the first surface and the second surface as well as a gap between surfaces. [0013]FIG. 5 illustrates another version of the heater according to the invention, illustrating an air passage. [0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIG. 5, illustrating a first surface, second surface and a third surface, the third surface forming the air passage. [0015]FIG. 7 illustrates another coupling for a heater. [0016]FIG. 8 illustrates another version of a heater, illustrating a first surface and a second surface. [0017]FIG. 9 illustrates another version of the invention, showing a heating element with a first surface and a second surface in contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates the inventive heating system 10. Heating system 10 has air intake 14 and air outlet 18. Air intake 14 may be part of or connectable to building ductwork 20 that is commonly found in a structure, such as a residential or commercial building. Air outlet 18 is also likewise part of or connectable to building ductwork 20. In contrast to existing heating systems, heating system 10 has heater 24 that generates heat through friction. In this way, fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas, need not be consumed to generate heat to be supplied to a structure, such as a building. [0019]Heater 24 is driven by drive 42, which is powered by power source 26, such as an electrical outlet. Drive 42 may be a high speed electrical motor. In addition, heating system 10 may also have blower 58 driven by motor 60, such as another electrical motor powered by power source 26. [0020]According to the invention, heating system 10 receives air through air intake 14, which may have air filter 15, as shown. Air passes over heater 24 because it is driven by blower 58, which draws air through air intake 14 and then expels the heated air out of air outlet 18 into building ductwork 20. FIG. 1 illustrates heating system 10 as a portable self-contained unit, which could also be sized to be a space heater. One of ordinary skill can adjust the scale of the system to accommodate the heating needs of any structure. Heating system 10 may be easily integrated into existing building ductwork 20. Continue reading... Full patent description for Friction heating system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Friction heating system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Friction heating system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mixing valve Next Patent Application: Rail fixing device Industry Class: Heating systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Friction heating system patent info. 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