Flameless Friction Heater

Abstract

A flameless friction heater is a device for generating both heated air and hydronic heat within a single unit. A friction-generating assembly is positioned within an interior casing that is positioned within an exterior casing. The friction-generating assembly generates heat as a rotor disc is rotated against a friction clamp by a shaft. The rotor disc and the friction clamp are submerged within a quantity of water. A fan circulates air through the exterior casing and the air is heated as the air passes by the interior casing. The air is circulated from a first open end to a second open end of the exterior casing. The device may include a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit that are utilized to transport portions of the quantity of fluid into and out of the interior casing after the quantity of fluid is heated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flameless friction heater comprises:
 an exterior casing;   an interior casing;   a shaft;   a fan;   a friction-generating assembly;   the friction-generating assembly comprises a rotor disc, a friction clamp, and a quantity of fluid;   the shaft rotatably traversing into the exterior casing;   the rotor disc being concentrically mounted to a first end of the shaft;   the friction-generating assembly being positioned within the interior casing;   the friction clamp being pressed against the rotor disc   the friction clamp being fixed within the interior casing;   the rotor disc and the friction clamp being submerged within the quantity of fluid;   the rotor disc and the friction clamp being in thermal contact with the quantity of fluid;   the interior casing being hermetically sealed within the exterior casing;   the fan being rotatably connected to the shaft; and   the fan being positioned external to the interior casing.   
     
     
         2 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 the rotor disc comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; 
 the first surface and the second surface being positioned opposite to each other; 
 the lateral surface being positioned in between the first surface and the second surface; and 
 the friction clamp being pressed against the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral surface. 
 
     
     
         3 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 a control unit; and 
 the control unit being electronically connected to the fan. 
 
     
     
         4 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 3  further comprises:
 a digital display; 
 at least one user input; 
 the digital display and the at least one user input being externally positioned on the exterior casing; and 
 the digital display and the at least one user input being electronically connected to the control unit. 
 
     
     
         5 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 3  further comprises:
 a temperature sensor; 
 the temperature sensor being electronically connected to the control unit; and 
 the temperature sensor being positioned within the interior casing. 
 
     
     
         6 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 the fan being positioned within the exterior casing. 
 
     
     
         7 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 the fan being positioned adjacent to a first open end of the exterior casing; and 
 the interior casing being positioned in between the fan and a second open end of the exterior casing, wherein air is circulated through the exterior casing from the first open end to the second open end. 
 
     
     
         8 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 a first fluid conduit; 
 a second fluid conduit 
 the interior casing comprises an inlet and an outlet; 
 the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit traversing through the interior casing and the exterior casing; 
 the first fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the inlet; and 
 the second fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the outlet. 
 
     
     
         9 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 1  further comprises:
 a friction adjustment switch; and 
 the friction adjustment switch being mechanically coupled to the friction clamp. 
 
     
     
         10 . A flameless friction heater comprises:
 an exterior casing;   an interior casing;   a shaft;   a fan;   a friction-generating assembly;   a first fluid conduit;   a second fluid conduit;   the friction-generating assembly comprises a rotor disc, a friction clamp, and a quantity of fluid;   the interior casing comprises an inlet and an outlet;   the shaft rotatably traversing into the exterior casing;   the rotor disc being concentrically mounted to a first end of the shaft;   the friction-generating assembly being positioned within the interior casing;   the friction clamp being pressed against the rotor disc   the friction clamp being fixed within the interior casing;   the rotor disc and the friction clamp being submerged within the quantity of fluid;   the rotor disc and the friction clamp being in thermal contact with the quantity of fluid;   the interior casing being hermetically sealed within the exterior casing;   the fan being rotatably connected to the shaft;   the fan being positioned external to the interior casing;   the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit traversing through the interior casing and the exterior casing;   the first fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the inlet; and   the second fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 10  further comprises:
 the rotor disc comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; 
 the first surface and the second surface being positioned opposite to each other; 
 the lateral surface being positioned in between the first surface and the second surface; and 
 the friction clamp being pressed against the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral surface. 
 
     
     
         12 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 10  further comprises:
 a control unit; and 
 the control unit being electronically connected to the fan. 
 
     
     
         13 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 12  further comprises:
 a digital display; 
 at least one user input; 
 the digital display and the at least one user input being externally positioned on the exterior casing; and 
 the digital display and the at least one user input being electronically connected to the control unit. 
 
     
     
         14 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 12  further comprises:
 a temperature sensor; 
 the temperature sensor being electronically connected to the control unit; and 
 the temperature sensor being positioned within the interior casing. 
 
     
     
         15 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 10  further comprises:
 the fan being positioned within the exterior casing. 
 
     
     
         16 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 10  further comprises:
 the fan being positioned adjacent to a first open end of the exterior casing; and 
 the interior casing being positioned in between the fan and a second open end of the exterior casing, wherein air is circulated through the exterior casing from the first open end to the second open end. 
 
     
     
         17 . The flameless friction heater as claimed in  claim 10  further comprises:
 a friction adjustment switch; and 
 the friction adjustment switch being mechanically coupled to the friction clamp.