US 11,940,078 B2
Modular heater assemblies for use in fluid conduits
Jeremy Ohse, St. Louis, MO (US); and Eric Ellis, Columbia, MO (US)
Assigned to WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed by Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/346,465.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/038,420, filed on Jun. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0388934 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. F16L 53/00 (2018.01); F16L 53/38 (2018.01); F16L 59/02 (2006.01); F16L 59/147 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 53/38 (2018.01) [F16L 59/022 (2013.01); F16L 59/147 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular heater assembly for a fluid conduit system, the modular heater assembly comprising:
a plurality of resistive heaters disposed along conduits of the fluid conduit system;
a plurality of insulation members disposed around each of the plurality of resistive heaters; and
at least one insulation block disposed around a fitting, the fitting configured to join at least two adjacent sections of the conduits of the fluid conduit system and defining an exterior geometric profile, the insulation block comprising:
opposing main surfaces perpendicular to an axial direction of one of the at least two adjacent sections of the conduits,
a central recess defining an internal geometric profile substantially matching the external geometric profile of the fitting, the central recess extending axially in an axial direction of the one of the at least two adjacent sections of the conduits and extending through at least one of the opposing main surfaces; and
a peripheral aperture defining an internal geometric profile substantially matching an external geometric profile of another of the at least two adjacent sections of the conduits, the peripheral aperture being open to the central recess and extending in an axial direction of the another of the at least two adjacent sections of the conduits, wherein the peripheral aperture extends through a sidewall of the insulation block and is axially aligned with the another of the at least two adjacent sections of the conduits.