Heating unit for warming fluid conduits

Abstract

A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.

1 . A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit, the heating unit comprising:
 opposing first and second cover layers, at least one of the first and second cover layers forming a sealing flap;   an electrical heating element disposed between the first and second cover layers, the electrical heating element comprising:
 a heat generating element; and 
 a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy; 
   a thermal insulation layer positioned between the electrical heating element and the first cover layer;   a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element, the receiving power connector configured to couple to an electrical power source; and   one or more fasteners disposed in the first or second pliable cover layers to enable the heating unit to be wrapped around a fluid conduit and secured by the one or more fasteners;   wherein the heating unit is sized to cover substantially the entire outer wall circumference and at least a portion of a length of the fluid conduit.   
   
   
       2 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading element comprises graphite. 
   
   
       3 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading element is thermally isotropic in one plane. 
   
   
       4 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , further comprising an outgoing electrical connector electrically coupled to the receiving power connector, the outgoing electrical connector being configured to couple to receiving power connectors of other heating units. 
   
   
       5 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the electrical heating element is attached to the second cover layer with an adhesive. 
   
   
       6 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading element is attached to the heat generating element with an adhesive. 
   
   
       7 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation layer is attached to the second side of the electrical heating element with an adhesive. 
   
   
       8 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fasteners comprise grommets, snaps, zippers, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit comprises a thermostat configured to regulate an operating temperature of the heating unit. 
   
   
       10 . The heating unit of  claim 9 , wherein the thermostat is set at a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The heating unit of  claim 9 , wherein the thermostat is user adjustable. 
   
   
       12 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit comprises a timer configured to control when the heating unit supplies heat energy. 
   
   
       13 . A method of heating a fluid conduit, the method comprising:
 wrapping an electrical heating unit around a fluid conduit, wherein the heating unit comprises:
 a heat generating element; 
 a carbon heat spreading element thermally coupled to the heat generating element; and 
 a thermal insulation layer attached to the heat spreading element with an adhesive, the thermal insulation layer being adapted to direct heat toward the fluid conduit; 
   wrapping a sealing flap around opposing sides of the electrical heating unit, wherein the sealing flap extends along the length of the heating unit; and   securing the electrical heating unit around the fluid conduit with one or more fasteners.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the insulation layers comprise closed cell foam. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising thermally and electrically connecting to the heating element a thermostat configured to regulate an operating temperature of the heating element. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising manually setting the thermostat to a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising electrically connecting a timer configured to control when the heating unit supplies heat energy. 
   
   
       18 . A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit, the heating unit comprising:
 a first cover layer and a second cover layer associated with one another to form an envelope with an interior portion;   an electrical heating element disposed within the interior portion of the envelope formed by the first and second cover layers, the electrical heating element comprising:
 a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy; and 
 a heat spreading element attached to the heat generating element with an adhesive, the heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy; 
   a thermal insulation layer disposed within the envelope formed by the first and second cover layers, wherein a first side of the thermal insulation layer is attached to a first side of the electrical heating element with an adhesive, and wherein a second side of the thermal insulation layer is positioned adjacent an interior surface of the first cover layer;   a sealing flap that extends along a length of the heating unit;   a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element, the receiving power connector configured to couple to an electrical power source; and   one or more fasteners configured to secure the heating unit around the fluid conduit; and   wherein the heating unit is sized to cover substantially the entire outer wall circumference and at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit.   
   
   
       19 . The heating unit of  claim 18 , wherein the heat spreading element comprises graphite. 
   
   
       20 . The heating unit of  claim 18 , wherein the heating unit is adapted to maintain the fluid conduit within a predetermined temperature range.