A liquid heater such as a direct electrical resistance liquid heater having multiple flow channels is provided with a temperature-sensing element in the form of a wire extending across numerous channels, preferably all of the channels, near the downstream ends of the channels. The resistance of the wire represents the average temperature of the liquid passing through all of the channels, and hence the temperature of the mixed liquid exiting from the heater. A bubble suppressing structure is provided in the vicinity of the wire.

Pressurized water is introduced into a steam production apparatus and system to produce steam. Electrical power is supplied to the apparatus though spaced apart electrical terminals which, in combination with two insulating elements, form a chamber to heat water introduce into the apparatus and chamber to turn the water into steam. The steam can be used for various purposes including powering of steam turbines for generating electricity, driving machinery, and for providing heat for heating systems. The generated steam can be used for various other purposes.

A magnetic induction thermal heat unit, capable of producing heat by magnetic field, inducing direct agitation and friction, at the molecular level within a ferrous magnetic or semi-magnetic substrate. The substrate is specifically designed to capitalize on storing the heat generated and then transferring the heat generated to a subsequent device that requires or uses heat as its primary energy source. The system can use both a combination of induction heated substrates that are ferrous or magnetic in various configurations. The substrates can also be joined or bonded to non-magnetic or ferrous materials such as aluminum or copper as a conductive heat path to a heat pipe system where a transfer of thermal energy occurs. Additionally, convective and resultant radiant heat from the magnetic induction system can be directed back into the cumulative total of heat energy produced. The major objective ultimately being able to produce a greater degree of efficiency per given watt of electricity beyond what is currently available with current technology.

A flowmeter for measuring flow of a conductive liquid includes a structure (20, 220) defining a flow path, electrodes in the flow path and electrodes (34a, 34b, 234a, 234b) exposed within the flow path. An electrical circuit (40, 240) applies a voltage between the electrodes so that an electrical current flows along a conduction path between the electrodes within a liquid flowing in the flow path. Means such as temperature sensors (56, 58, 256, 258) are provided for determining a value representing a temperature rise in the liquid passing through a sensing region of the flow path which encompasses at least a part of the. A monitoring circuit (60, 207) determines a value representing the flow rate based on the value representing the temperature, rise the voltage and the current. The flowmeter may be incorporated in an ohmic heater and elements of the ohmic heater may serve as elements of the flowmeter.

A heater assembly includes a housing that defines a reservoir, and an electric heater for heating a conductive fluid within the reservoir. The electric heater includes selectable electrodes, arrayed in such a way as to form channels that define a first fluidic path of a fluidic circuit within the reservoir of the heater assembly. The housing supports baffles that form a plurality of channels that define a second fluidic path within the reservoir that communicates with the first fluidic path to form the fluidic circuit. A recirculation pump is provided to pump the fluid through the fluidic circuit in a continuous loop to uniformly heat the fluid within the reservoir.

An ohmic heater has a structure (20) defining a flow path extending in a downstream direction (D), a first pair of electrodes (34a,34b) and a second pair of electrodes (36a,36b). The electrodes of each pair are adjacent one another in the downstream direction but spaced from one another in a direction perpendicular to the downstream direction; the pairs of electrodes are spaced apart from one another in the downstream direction. An electrical circuit (40,42,44,46,48,50) is operative to apply a voltage (i) between the electrodes (34a,34b) of the first pair; or (ii) between the electrodes (36a,36b) of the second pair; or (iii) between at least one electrode (34a) of the first pair and at least one electrode (36b) of the second pair, and may vary the applied voltage. The heater can meet varying conditions such as changes in conductivity of the liquid flowing through the heater.

A heater for heating a conductive liquid includes a two-dimensional array of rod-like electrodes (22, 122, 322, 422, 522) extending parallel to one another, an electrical power supply having a plurality of poles, and power switches to connect different ones of the electrodes to different poles so that current flows between the poles through the liquid. The array desirably includes outer electrodes defining the boundary (24, 424) of the array and inner electrodes disposed within this boundary. The array may have regular or irregular spacings between the electrodes. The array can provide numerous different connection schemes to vary the electrical resistance between the poles and thus vary the heating rate. The array can be arranged to provide substantially equal currents through three poles of a three-phase power supply.

A heater for heating a conductive liquid includes a two-dimensional array of rod-like electrodes (22, 122, 322, 422, 522) extending parallel to one another, an electrical power supply having a plurality of poles, and power switches to connect different ones of the electrodes to different poles so that current flows between the poles through the liquid. The array desirably includes outer electrodes defining the boundary (24, 424) of the array and inner electrodes disposed within this boundary. The array may have regular or irregular spacings between the electrodes. The array can provide numerous different connection schemes to vary the electrical resistance between the poles and thus vary the heating rate. The array can be arranged to provide substantially equal currents through three poles of a three-phase power supply.