Apparatus for rapid heating of liquids

Abstract

Apparatus for rapid heating of a liquid including a heat source, a liquid flowpath defining element defining a liquid heating flowpath therein having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors located within the flowpath, the collection of flexible elongate thermal conductor portions being thermally coupled to the heat source and defining multiple liquid heating passageways through the flowpath whose configurations and cross-sectional dimensions change over time, thereby being resistant to clogging.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for rapid heating of a liquid comprising:
 providing a liquid flowpath defining element including a bore and a heating element recess separate from and spaced from said bore, said bore defining a liquid flowpath therein, having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;   locating a heating element in said heating element recess;   fixing a collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors in the form of intertwined fibers to said liquid flowpath defining element such that said collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors are thermally coupled, via said liquid flowpath defining element, to said heating element, said intertwined fibers defining multiple liquid heating passageways through said liquid flowpath defining element; and   operating said heating element and heating said collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors, by transmitting heat from said heating element to said collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors via said liquid flowpath defining element, while directing liquid, through said liquid flowpath defining element, from said liquid inlet to said liquid outlet, thereby heating said liquid.   
     
     
         19 . Apparatus for rapid heating of a liquid according to  claim 18  wherein said collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors comprises multiple separate conductors mutually arranged in an irregular and mutually displaceable arrangement, which changes in response to liquid flow therepast. 
     
     
         20 . A method for rapid heating of a liquid according to  claim 18  wherein configurations and cross-sectional dimensions of said multiple liquid heating passageways change over time in response to liquid flow therepast. 
     
     
         21 . A method for rapid heating of a liquid according to  claim 18  wherein said liquid flowpath defining element is a thermal conductor and is thermally coupled to said heating element. 
     
     
         22 . A method for rapid heating of a liquid according to  claim 18  wherein said collection of flexible elongate thermal conductors has a dynamic arrangement of interstices in response to liquid flow therepast.