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Pre-heating contiguous in-line water heaterRelated Patent Categories: Electric Resistance Heating Devices, Specific Application:, Continuous Flow Type Fluid Heater, Heated Line Section With Heating Element Internal Of Flow Path, Plural Heated Line Sections (e.g., Series Or Parallel, Etc.)Pre-heating contiguous in-line water heater description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060222351, Pre-heating contiguous in-line water heater. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The instant application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/365,072, filed Feb. 12, 2003, U.S. provisional application Nos. 60/526,352 and 60/526,333, both filed on Dec. 2, 2003. The instant disclosure generally concerns water heaters. Specifically, the instant disclosure concerns pre-heating, in-line water heaters. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Background [0002] In-line water heaters (sometimes referred to as on-demand water heaters) are designed to heat a continuous supply of input water only when hot water is demanded by a user. This is in contrast to typical storage tank water heaters which keep, on the average, 30-70 gallons of water heated and ready for use 24 hours a day. Opening a hot water faucet triggers one or more heating units (typically, either electric or gas) to heat the water as it flows through the in-line water heater. The water takes a circuitous path through tubing in the in-line water heater so the heating units of the in-line heater have an opportunity to heat the water sufficiently. With in-line water heaters, there is never a shortage of hot water since there is never a tank to deplete. In addition, since there is no tank to heat continuously, there is a significant energy savings. [0003] A conventional in-line water heater comprises a water input to allow water from the plumbing system to enter the water heater, a water output to distribute hot water for use, and a series of transit channels, or heating chambers, to direct the water through the in-line water heater. In many cases, these heating chambers are arranged in a baffle like arrangement which requires the water to travel an extended distance in the in-line water heater. These systems also comprise a means for flow detection which is triggered when hot water is demanded from the system. The means for flow detection may be a device known in the art or one described herein. The flow detection device may be linked to a control circuit or means for control. The flow detection device signals the means for control that water is flowing through the system. The means for control then triggers one or more heating units (typically, either electric or gas) to heat the water as it flows through the in-line water heater. [0004] In many cases the means for flow detection and the means for control form an energy saving device, limiting the heating of water to times when water is flowing through the system. A number of flow detection devices have been described. They include pressure responsive controllers, mechanical distributing systems responsive to differences in pressure, or complex electromagnetic devices. However, the art is lacking a simple, economical flow detection device that is specifically designed for use with liquid handling systems, such as water heaters. [0005] The present disclosure describes an in-line water heater comprising one or more of several unique elements which result in a more efficient water heater than was heretofore appreciated in the field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the in-line water heater. [0007] FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of the in-line water heater illustrated in FIG. 1. [0008] FIG. 3 shows a top view illustrating the internal arrangement of one embodiment of the in line-water heater illustrated in FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 4 shows a top view illustrating the internal arrangement of an alternate embodiment of the in line-water heater. [0010] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the in-line water heater. [0011] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the in-line water heater of the present disclosure illustrating a single, continuous transit channel. [0012] FIG. 7 shows another alternate embodiment of the in-line water heater illustrating pre-heating of the input water. [0013] FIG. 8A shows one embodiment of an enclosure for the in-line water heater and its components. [0014] FIG. 8B shows an additional view of one embodiment of an enclosure for the in-line water heater and its components. [0015] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the flow detection device described herein. [0016] FIG. 10A shows a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the flow detection device in the off state. [0017] FIG. 10B shows a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the flow detection device in the on state. [0018] FIG. 10C shows a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the flow detection device in the on state. [0019] FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of the design of a chip of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] The present disclosure describes a pre-heating, contiguous in-line water heater. The in-line water heater described comprises a number of unique components (each of which may be used alone or in various combinations), such as, but not limited to, a passive heating means, an improved flow detection device and an improved power transformer unit. A means for control for controlling the in-line water heater and encasement for the in-line water heater are also described. Continue reading about Pre-heating contiguous in-line water heater... Full patent description for Pre-heating contiguous in-line water heater Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Pre-heating contiguous in-line water 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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