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  Pipe heaterUSPTO Application #: 20070181562Title: Pipe heater Abstract: A heater for heating elongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible material having first and second ends and elongated opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. The strip of material comprises a fiber reinforced elastomeric material having at least a first portion that is set in a spiral. The heater also includes at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of elastomeric material. A thermostat is operably coupled to the heating element, and the thermostat is encapsulated in an elastomeric dielectric material that is bonded to the elastomeric material of the strip to provide a waterproof seal around the thermostat. The heater further includes an electrical power line extending from the thermostat for supplying power to the heater. (end of abstract) Agent: Price Heneveld Cooper Dewitt & Litton, LLP - Grand Rapids, MI, US Inventors: Carlos A. Cardenas, Matthew T. Byrne USPTO Applicaton #: 20070181562 - Class: 219549000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electric Heating, Heating Devices, With Heating Unit Structure, Core, Sheath, Or Support Means For Heating Element, Of Particular Construction Or Material, Flexible The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181562. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/241,529, filed Sep. 30, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various heaters have been developed for heating pipes, tubes, conduits and the like. Pipe heaters may be used to heat a water pipe in a house or building to prevent freezing of water in the pipe when the temperature drops below freezing. Also, such heaters may be utilized to heat various conduits or other lines in aircraft or the like that are exposed to low temperatures at high altitudes. Furthermore, such heaters may be utilized to heat pipes, conduits, or the like that are utilized in chemical processing and refining operations and the like. [0003] A known type of heater for such applications comprises an elongated flat tape-like heating element that is wrapped around the pipe, rod or other such structure that is to be heated. Such heaters may be prone to unwinding from the pipe, and may not maintain solid contact between the heater and the pipe along the length of the heater, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the heater. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] One aspect of the present invention is a heater for heating elongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible dielectric material having first and second ends and elongated opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. The elongated strip of flexible dielectric material also has inner and outer faces defining a thickness therebetween and extending between the opposite side edges. The strip of dielectric material comprises a fiber reinforced dielectric elastomeric material having at least a first portion that is set in a spiral with the inner face facing inwardly, and the outer face facing outwardly. The heater also includes at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of dielectric material. A thermostat is operably coupled to the heating element, and the thermostat is encapsulated in an elastomeric dielectric material that is bonded to the dielectric elastomeric material of the strip of dielectric material. The heater further includes an electrical power line extending from the thermostat for supplying power to the heater. [0005] Another aspect of the present invention is a heater for heating elongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible dielectric material having first and second ends and a first portion having first opposite side edge portions defining a first centerline and a first width therebetween. The elongated strip further defines inner and outer faces extending between the first opposite side edge portions. The first portion of the strip of dielectric material includes a spiral with the inner face facing inwardly and the outer face facing outwardly. The first end defines an end portion having a second side having second side edge portions and defining a second centerline between the second side edge portions. The end portion is angled relative to the first portion, and the first centerline is disposed at an angle of between zero and ninety degrees relative to the second centerline. [0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming a heater for elongated objects. The method includes providing an elongated strip of heat curable elastomeric material, and an elongated mandrel having a smooth, continuous cylindrical outer surface. The elongated strip is wrapped around the mandrel to form a spiral, and the elongated strip is heated to set the elongated strip in a spiral shape. [0007] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heater according to one aspect of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the heater being wrapped on a pipe or the like; [0011] FIG. 4 shows a strip of uncured elastomeric material being wrapped on a mandrel having a smooth cylindrical outer surface; [0012] FIG. 5 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of a mold utilized to encapsulate the thermostat with elastomeric material; [0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heater according to one aspect of the present invention; and [0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heater according to another aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0015] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. [0016] With reference to FIG. 1, a heater 1 according to one aspect of the present invention includes an elongated strip of flexible dielectric material 2 having a first end 7 and a second end 8 and elongated opposite side edges 9 and 10 defining a width W1 (see also FIG. 3) therebetween. The elongated strip 2 defines a thickness T (FIG. 2) between an inner face 11 and an outer face 12. The inner and outer faces 11 and 12 extend between the opposite side edges 9 and 10. As discussed in more detail below, the elongated strip of dielectric material 2 may include a first layer 13 that includes fiberglass reinforcing fibers, and an elastomeric matrix such as a silicone rubber material. The elongated strip 2 may also include a layer 14 of silicone rubber or other suitable elastomeric material that does not include fiber reinforcement. [0017] The elongated strip 2 of flexible dielectric material includes at least a first portion 15 that is set in a spiral with the inner face 11 facing inwardly, and the outer face 12 facing outwardly. At least one elongated electrically conductive heating element such as wire 16 is imbedded in the elongated strip 2 of dielectric material. The wire 16 includes a first portion 16A and a second 16B that are generally parallel to one another, with an end portion 16C interconnecting the wire portions 16A and 16B. The wire portions 16A and 16B are electrically coupled to a thermostat 3 that is encapsulated in a layer of elastomeric material 17. The elastomeric material 17 is similar to the elastomeric material of layers 13, 14, and the elastomeric material 17 tightly bonds to the first layer 13 to form a water-tight seal at the junction 18 where the elastomeric material 17 is bonded to the first layer 13. An electrical power line 4 is operably connected to the thermostat 3, and includes a conventional plug 19 for supplying power to the heater 1. [0018] With reference to FIG. 2, a flexible strap 20 includes hook-and-loop fastening surfaces 21 and 22. A central portion 23 of strap 20 is imbedded in elastomeric material 17 to thereby secure the strap 20 to the elastomeric material 17 and thermostat 3. When the heater 1 is installed on a pipe 25 or the like (FIG. 3), the strap 20 is wrapped around the pipe 25, and securely holds the end 7 of heater 1 in position. [0019] With reference to FIG. 3, the elongated strip 2 defines opposite side edges 9 and 10 defining a width W1, and a first centerline CL1. The end 7 of elongated strip 2 includes an end portion 27 having opposite side edges 28 and 29 that define a width W2 and a second centerline CL2. In the illustrated example, the width W2 is substantially greater than the width W1. More specifically, in the illustrated example the width W1 is about 1.00 inches, and the width W2 is about 1.25 inches. The greater width end portion 27 provides additional space for mounting of thermostat 3, and the narrower width W1 permits closer spacing of the heating wire sections 16A and 16B for each loop of the spiral. In the illustrated example, the angle "A1" between centerline CL1 and centerline CL2 is between 0.degree. and 90.degree., and preferably about 30.degree.. The angle A1 is chosen to generally align the centerline CL2 with the centerline of the spiraled first portion 15 CL3. Because the thermostat 3 is substantially longer than it is wide, the angle of the end portion 27 relative to spiraled first portion 15 permits the end 27 and thermostat 3 to fit closely against the outer surface 26 of pipe 25 or other such item to be heated. In the illustrated example, the angle A2 formed by the spiraled first portion 15 is equal to the angle A1 to thereby align the centerline CL2 of end portion 27 with the centerline CL3 of spiraled first portion 15 and pipe 25. Continue reading... Full patent description for Pipe heater Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Pipe heater 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. 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