Electric fluid heater

Abstract

The invention is directed to an electric resistance heating element for heating flowing media. It is the object of the invention to provide an arrangement for electric resistance heating elements which can be implemented using simple technology and by which high power densities can be achieved at the same time. In an electric fluid heater comprising ceramic material or polymer composite material with a plurality of channels through which the medium to be heated flows, the above-stated object is met according to the invention in that the fluid heater comprises at least one heating element which is provided with at least one channel, in that the heating element has electrode surfaces on opposite outer surfaces so that there is a flow of current between the electrode surfaces substantially transverse to the direction of the channels, and in that at least one of the two electrode surfaces of the heating element has a connection surface which is arranged on the adjoining outer surface of the heating element.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . An electric fluid heater comprising: 
 ceramic material or polymer composite material;    said fluid heater further comprising at least one heating element;    each heating element being provided with at least one channel through which the medium to be heated flows;    each heating element having electrode surfaces on opposite outer surfaces so that there is a flow of current between the electrode surfaces substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channels; and    at least one electrode surface of each heating element having a connection surface which is arranged on the adjoining outer surface of the heating element.    
   
   
       9 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating elements are constructed as flat prismatic bodies, each having a plurality of parallel channels whose longitudinal axes lie in a plane.  
   
   
       10 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating elements are arranged successively, each heating element being rotated by 180° around the surface normal of the electrode surfaces, and the connection surfaces are connected to the positive pole or negative pole of the voltage supply via electric leads by clamping, soldering or gluing.  
   
   
       11 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating elements are arranged successively, each heating element being rotated by 180° around the surface normal of the electrode surfaces, and the connection surfaces are connected to the phase terminal and neutral terminal of an AC voltage source via electric leads by clamping, soldering or gluing.  
   
   
       12 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating elements comprise a material having a positive temperature coefficient of the electric resistance in a preselectable temperature interval.  
   
   
       13 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating element comprises semiconducting barium titanate ceramic with a positive temperature coefficient of the electric resistance.  
   
   
       14 . The electric fluid heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating element comprises a polymer composite material with a positive temperature coefficient of the electric resistance.