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.

1 . A heater for heating elongated objects, comprising: 
 an elongated strip of flexible dielectric material having first and second ends and a first portion adjacent the first end having first opposite side edge portions defining a first centerline and a first width therebetween, the elongated strip further defining inner and outer faces extending between the first opposite side edge portions, the first portion of the strip of dielectric material comprising a spiral when wrapped about an elongated object to be heated with the inner face facing inwardly and the outer face facing outwardly, the second end defining a second portion having second side edge portions and defining a second centerline between the second side edge portions, wherein the second portion is angled relative to the first portion, and the second centerline is disposed at an angle of between zero and ninety degrees relative to the first centerline;    at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of dielectric material;    a thermostat operably coupled to the heating element; and    an electrical power supply line connected to the thermostat to provide electrical power to the heater.    
   
   
       2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the angle is about thirty degrees.    
   
   
       3 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the dielectric material comprises an elastomer.    
   
   
       4 . The heater of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the elongated strip comprises fiber reinforcing strands imbedded in the elastomer.    
   
   
       5 . The heater of  claim 4 , including: 
 a hook and loop type strap secured to the heater adjacent the first end of the elongated strip of dielectric material.    
   
   
       6 . The heater of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the thermostat is encapsulated in dielectric material.    
   
   
       7 . The heater of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the dielectric material encapsulating the thermostat has substantially the same composition as the dielectric material of the elongated strip.    
   
   
       8 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the dielectric material comprises an elastomeric material; and    a portion of the strap is imbedded into the elastomeric material encapsulating the thermostat.    
   
   
       9 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first width is about 1.00 inch, and the second width is about 1.25 inches.    
   
   
       10 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the spiral defines a primary centerline, and the first centerline is generally parallel to the primary centerline.    
   
   
       11 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least a portion of the elongated strip of dielectric material is preformed in a spiral shape.    
   
   
       12 . A heater for heating elongated objects, comprising: 
 an elongated strip of elastomeric material having first and second ends and a first portion defining a first centerline, the first portion of the elongated strip further defining inner and outer faces, the first portion of the strip of dielectric material comprising a spiral with the inner face facing inwardly and the outer face facing outwardly, the elongated strip of elastomeric material further having a second portion defining a second centerline, wherein the second portion is angled relative to the first portion, and the second centerline is disposed at an angle of between zero and ninety degrees relative to the first centerline;    at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of dielectric material;    a thermostat operably coupled to the heating element; and    an electrical power supply line connected to the thermostat to provide electrical power to the heater.    
   
   
       13 . The heater of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the angle is about thirty degrees.    
   
   
       14 . The heater of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber.    
   
   
       15 . The heater of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the elongated strip comprises fiber reinforcing strands imbedded in the silicone rubber.    
   
   
       16 . The heater of  claim 12 , including: 
 a hook and loop type strap secured to the heater adjacent the second end of the elongated strip of elastomeric material.    
   
   
       17 . The heater of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the first portion of the elongated strip of elastomeric material defines first opposite edge portions that are generally parallel to one another.    
   
   
       18 . The heater of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the second portion of the elongated strip of elastomeric material defines second side edge portions that are parallel to one another.