CPC F28F 9/22 (2013.01) [F28D 7/06 (2013.01); F28D 7/1607 (2013.01); F28D 7/1676 (2013.01); F28F 9/0131 (2013.01); F28F 2009/222 (2013.01); F28F 2009/228 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A heater assembly comprising:
a flow guide defining a continuous geometric helicoid disposed about a longitudinal axis of the heater assembly, the flow guide defining a predetermined pattern of perforations that extend in a longitudinal direction through a first longitudinal length of the geometric helicoid, the longitudinal direction being parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a plurality of electrical resistance heating elements, each electrical resistance heating element extending through its own corresponding set of the perforations,
wherein the geometric helicoid having a first pitch at a first zone along the longitudinal axis and a second pitch at a second zone along the longitudinal axis, the second pitch being different than the first pitch,
wherein the first longitudinal length is less than a full longitudinal length of the geometric helicoid such that the electrical resistance heating elements do not extend through a portion of the geometric helicoid that is farther in the longitudinal direction than the first longitudinal length, wherein the second zone is at least partially farther in the longitudinal direction than the first longitudinal length.
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