System and method for heating a heat exchanger for frost removal and frost prevention

Abstract

There are provided systems and methods for heating a heat exchanger. A system includes a heat exchanger configured to be placed inside a magnetic field created by a pair of electromagnetic coils. The system further includes the electromagnetic coils configured to control a surface temperature of the heat exchanger by varying an aspect of a magnetic coupling between the heat exchanger and the electromagnetic coils. A method includes placing the heat exchanger inside a magnetic field created by a pair of electromagnetic coils. The method further includes controlling a surface temperature of the heat exchanger by varying an aspect of a magnetic coupling between the heat exchanger and the electromagnetic coils.

1 . A system for heating a heat exchanger, the system comprising:
 a heat exchanger configured to be placed inside a magnetic field created by a pair of electromagnetic coils;   the electromagnetic coils configured to control a surface temperature of the heat exchanger by varying an aspect of a magnetic coupling between the heat exchanger and the electromagnetic coils.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a wire is attached in direct contact to the heat exchanger to increase heat generation by concentrating a high power signal in the wire at an outside surface of the wire. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aspect of the magnetic coupling includes at least one of: an amount of power of the magnetic coupling; an amplitude of the magnetic coupling; a frequency of the magnetic coupling; a phase of the magnetic coupling; and an alignment of the magnetic coupling. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein there is direct contact between wires of the electromagnetic coils and a surface of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a layer of metallic paint is applied to a surface of the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein improving heating of the heat exchanger includes at least one of: improving a depth of an eddy current; improving a resistivity of an eddy current; and improving a magnetic permeability of an eddy current. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a metal implant is inserted inside of the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further including applying a thin layer of an electrical insulator between the metal implant and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a conductive layer is insulated by a layer of insulator and attached to the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a resistance measurement of a heated wire or a conductive material is used as a temperature sensor for temperature control and energy optimization. 
     
     
         11 . A method of heating a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 placing the heat exchanger inside a magnetic field created by a pair of electromagnetic coils;   controlling a surface temperature of the heat exchanger by varying an aspect of a magnetic coupling between the heat exchanger and the electromagnetic coils.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a wire is attached in direct contact to the heat exchanger to increase heat generation by concentrating a high power signal in the wire at an outside surface of the wire. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the aspect of the magnetic coupling includes at least one of: an amount of power of the magnetic coupling; an amplitude of the magnetic coupling; a frequency of the magnetic coupling; a phase of the magnetic coupling; and an alignment of the magnetic coupling. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein there is direct contact between wires of the electromagnetic coils and a surface of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a layer of metallic paint is applied to a surface of the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein improving heating of the heat exchanger includes at least one of: improving a depth of an eddy current; improving a resistivity of an eddy current; and improving a magnetic permeability of an eddy current. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a metal implant is inserted inside of the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further including applying a thin layer of an electrical insulator between the metal implant and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a conductive layer is insulated by a layer of insulator and attached to the heat exchanger to improve heating of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a resistance measurement of a heated wire or a conductive material is used as a temperature sensor for temperature control and energy optimization.