Heater and Heating System

Abstract

A heater and heating system for installation adjacent a valve to control temperature near the valve is disclosed. In an example, the heating system includes a housing having a heating chamber formed therein, the heating chamber configured to retain a heating fluid. The heating system also includes an electric heating element disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber. The heating system also includes a connection to attach the heating chamber to the valve.

1 . A heater, comprising:
 a heating chamber;   a heating element disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber;   a connection to attach the heating chamber to a valve.   
     
     
         2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the heating chamber is configured to retain a heating fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is an electric heating element. 
     
     
         4 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a bore formed through a housing. 
     
     
         5 . The heater of  claim 4 , wherein the heating chamber at least partially surrounds the bore formed within the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat in thermal contact with the heating chamber, the thermostat to control operation of the heating element. 
     
     
         7 . The heater of  claim 6 , further comprising a temperature-controlled circuit breaker provided through a distal surface into thermal communication with the heating chamber, wherein the circuit breaker is configured to arrest operation of the heating element in response to detecting a threshold temperature of heating fluid within the heating chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the connection includes a spin collar. 
     
     
         9 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the connection is configured to attach to a railroad tanker car. 
     
     
         10 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the connection includes a first flange and a second flange. 
     
     
         11 . The heater as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second flanges further comprise a plurality of fastener through-bores, the first flange configured to mount to a conduit, and the second flange configured to mount to a valve. 
     
     
         12 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronics cover removably coupled with the housing to seal and protect the heating element and other electronics from a surrounding environment. 
     
     
         13 . A heating system for installation adjacent a valve to control temperature near the valve, comprising:
 a housing having a heating chamber formed therein, the heating chamber configured to retain a heating fluid;   an electric heating element disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber;   a connection to attach the heating chamber to the valve.   
     
     
         14 . The heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a bore formed through a housing, the bore providing passage for a fluid through the housing, and wherein the heating chamber at least partially surrounds the bore to maintain a predetermined temperature or temperature range of the fluid adjacent the valve. 
     
     
         15 . The heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a thermostat in thermal contact with the heating chamber, the thermostat to control operation of the heating element. 
     
     
         16 . The heating system of  claim 15 , further comprising a temperature-controlled circuit breaker provided through a distal surface into thermal communication with the heating chamber, wherein the circuit breaker is configured to arrest operation of the heating element in response to detecting a threshold temperature of heating fluid within the heating chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a first flange and a second flange, wherein the first and second flanges further comprise a plurality of fastener through-bores, the first flange configured to mount to a conduit, and the second flange configured to mount to a valve. 
     
     
         18 . The heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the connection includes a spin collar to attach to a railroad tanker car. 
     
     
         19 . A method of heating a valve, comprising:
 providing a housing having an interior and an exterior defined between proximal and distal open ends;   providing a first flange to mount the housing to a conduit;   providing a second flange to mount the housing to the valve;   providing a heating element to maintain a predetermined temperature or temperature range within the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising heating a fluid in the housing adjacent the valve to prevent freezing of the valve.