Heated Fluid Conduits, Systems and Methods

Abstract

A heated fluid conduit has a body with a semi-conductive material disposed therein with an electrical power supply coupled to the conduit to provide a voltage across the conduit and a current therethrough, heating the fluid conduit. A fluid conduit heating system comprises a semiconductive sleeve disposed over a fluid conduit and an electrical power supply coupled to the ends of the sleeve to provide a voltage across the sleeve and a resulting current through the semiconductive sleeve, heating the sleeve and conduit Alternatively, one terminal of the electrical power supply is coupled to each end of the sleeve or conduit, and another terminal of the electrical power supply is coupled to the sleeve or conduit therebetween, to provide parallel heating circuits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 disposing a semi-conductive material in the body of a fluid conduit; and   applying an electrical current across said body of said fluid conduit, heating said fluid conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said semi-conductive material comprises semi-conductive carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said carbon fiber material compromises carbon fiber threads. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said carbon fiber material comprises carbon fiber tensile reinforcement material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conduit is a hose. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conduit is a tube. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tube is a plastic tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing comprises disposing said semi-conductive material in the tube of a hose. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing comprises disposing said semi-conductive material in the cover of a hose. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying of said electrical current comprises:
 coupling a first terminal of an electrical power supply to a first end of said conduit;   coupling a second terminal of said power supply to a second end of said conduit; and   providing a voltage, by said power supply across the terminals.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying of said electrical current comprises:
 coupling a first terminal of an electrical power supply to each end of said conduit;   coupling a second terminal of said power supply to said conduit, between said ends; and   providing a voltage, by said power supply, across the terminals.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising insulating said conduit to retain heat.