Modular heater system

{
  "publication_number": "US2009179022A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Modular heater system",
  "abstract": "A heater system is provided that includes a hybrid insulation cover that has a first cover disposed around hinged carrier members and heat trace sections, and a second cover operatively engaged with the first cover and adapted for detachable placement around a heating target and its varying geometries. A flexible insulation jacket having a similar construction as the second cover is also provided for use with connector assemblies. Furthermore, a heater system is provided that includes at least one heat trace section encapsulated within adjacent insulating members for use with heating gaslines and pumplines of semiconductor processing systems.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A heater system comprising: a plurality of hinged carrier members, each hinged carrier member defining an inner periphery surface, an outer receiving portion, and end portions; a plurality of heat trace sections disposed within the outer receiving portions of the hinged carrier members, the heat trace sections defining end portions; end fittings disposed proximate the end portions of the hinged carrier members and the end portions of the heat trace sections; a first cover disposed around at least a portion of the hinged carrier members and the heat trace sections, the first cover being secured to the end fittings; and a second cover operatively engaged with the first cover and adapted for detachable placement around at least a portion of the hinged carrier members and the heat trace sections.",
    "2. The heater system according to claim 1, wherein the first cover is rigid and the second cover is flexible.",
    "3. The heater system according to claim 1, wherein the second cover is flexible and comprises a silicone rubber material.",
    "4. The heater system according to claim 1, wherein the second cover further comprises a fastening mechanism to secure the second cover around the hinged carrier members and the heat trace sections.",
    "5. The heater system according to claim 4, wherein the fastening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, Velcro, magnetic elements, lacing, latches, and straps.",
    "6. The heater system according to claim 1, wherein the second cover comprises cutouts to accommodate varying geometries of a heating target.",
    "7. The heater system according to claim 1 further comprising a connector assembly operatively connected to the plurality of heat trace sections, the connector assembly comprising: a fitting heater assembly comprising: a fitting adapter; a heat trace section disposed around the fitting adapter; and an outer casing disposed around the fitting adapter; and an insulation jacket disposed around the fitting heater assembly.",
    "8. The heater system according to claim 7, wherein the insulation jacket is a flexible silicone rubber material.",
    "9. The heater system according to claim 7, wherein the insulation jacket further comprises a fastening mechanism to removably secure the insulation jacket around the fitting heater assembly.",
    "10. A heater system comprising: at least one heat trace section; a first insulating member disposed adjacent the heat trace section; a second insulating member disposed opposite the first insulating member and adjacent the heat trace section, the first and second insulating members being secured to each other and encapsulating the heat trace section.",
    "11. The heater system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second insulating members are a silicone rubber material.",
    "12. The heater system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second insulating members are unitized.",
    "13. A heater system comprising: a thermal insulation jacket comprising a body defining an outer wall and an inner wall, the body comprising at least one pocket disposed along the inner wall; at least one encapsulated heating element disposed within the pocket, the encapsulated heating element comprising: at least one heat trace section; a first insulating member disposed adjacent the heat trace section; a second insulating member disposed opposite the first insulating member and adjacent the heat trace section, the first and second insulating members being secured to each other and encapsulating the heat trace section; and a cover disposed around the thermal insulation jacket.",
    "14. The heater system according to claim 13, wherein the thermal insulation jacket is a preformed silicone rubber material.",
    "15. The heater system according to claim 13, wherein the cover comprises a fastening mechanism to secure the heater system around a heating target.",
    "16. The heater system according to claim 15, wherein the fastening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, Velcro, magnetic elements, lacing, latches, and straps.",
    "17. The heater system according to claim 13, wherein the cover is a silicone rubber material.",
    "18. The heater system according to claim 13, wherein the thermal insulation jacket comprises a longitudinal slit to allow the heater system to be resiliently installed onto and removed from a heating target.",
    "19. The heater system according to claim 13, wherein the thermal insulation jacket comprises a shape commensurate with the heating target.",
    "20. The heater system according to claim 13 further comprising a connector assembly operatively connected to the encapsulated heating element, the connector assembly comprising: a fitting heater assembly comprising: a fitting adapter; a heat trace section disposed around the fitting adapter; and an outer casing disposed around the fitting adapter; and an insulation jacket disposed around the fitting heater assembly.",
    "21. The heater system according to claim 20, wherein the insulation jacket disposed around the shell is a flexible silicone rubber material.",
    "22. The heater system according to claim 20, wherein the insulation jacket further comprises a fastening mechanism to removably secure the insulation jacket around the fitting heater assembly.",
    "23. A heater system comprising: a plurality of hinged carrier members, each hinged carrier member defining an inner periphery surface, an outer receiving portion, and end portions; a plurality of heat trace sections disposed within the outer receiving portions of the hinged carrier members, the heat trace sections defining end portions; end fittings disposed proximate the end portions of the hinged carrier members and the end portions of the heat trace sections; a flexible cover operatively engaged with the end fittings and adapted for detachable placement around at least a portion of the hinged carrier members and the heat trace sections.",
    "24. The heater system according to claim 23, wherein the flexible cover comprises a silicone rubber material.",
    "25. The heater system according to claim 23, wherein the flexible cover further comprises a fastening mechanism to secure the flexible cover around the hinged carrier members and the heat trace sections.",
    "26. The heater system according to claim 25, wherein the fastening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, Velcro, magnetic elements, lacing, latches, and straps.",
    "27. The heater system according to claim 23, wherein the flexible cover comprises cutouts to accommodate varying geometries of a heating target."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "H05B 3/58",
    "F16L 53/38",
    "H05B 2214/03",
    "H05B 3/50",
    "H05B 3/56"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "WATLOW ELECTRIC MFG"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-01-09",
  "publication_date": "2009-07-16",
  "priority_date": "2005-08-09",
  "application_number": "US-35104109-A",
  "family_id": "41818283",
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}