대표
청구항
▼
We claim: 1. A magnetic heater, comprising: a drive shaft having an axis; one or more conductor assemblies comprising an electrically conductive material adapted to enable inductive heating within the conductor assembly when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, the one or more conductor assemblies are adapted to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft between a first, disengaged position and a second engaged position; one or more magnet assemblies comprising one or more magnets, each magnet assembly aligned along the axis ...
We claim: 1. A magnetic heater, comprising: a drive shaft having an axis; one or more conductor assemblies comprising an electrically conductive material adapted to enable inductive heating within the conductor assembly when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, the one or more conductor assemblies are adapted to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft between a first, disengaged position and a second engaged position; one or more magnet assemblies comprising one or more magnets, each magnet assembly aligned along the axis about the drive shaft, wherein each magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the one or more magnets in close proximity to the conductor assembly, each magnet assembly coupled to the drive shaft adapted such that the magnet assembly rotates relative to the conductor assembly when the drive shaft is caused to rotate, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to provide time-varying magnetic flux to the conductor assembly when moved relative thereto; and means for translating the one or more conductor assemblies transversely with respect to and on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft between the first, disengaged position and the second engaged position, into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with the magnet assemblies and therefore into and out of magnetic engagement therein. 2. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a first half-conductor assembly and a second half-conductor assembly in opposing relationship to each other, the first and second half-conductor assemblies adapted to translate transversely with respect to and on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft towards and away from each other and into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with respective magnet assemblies. 3. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a slot extending from an edge to about a center of the conductor assembly, the slot adapted to accept the drive shaft therein, each conductor adapted to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft towards and away from each other and into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with respective magnet assemblies, disposing the drive shaft within the slot. 4. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a pair of conductor plates defining a fluid space there between, the fluid space in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet adapted to allow the flow of fluid through the fluid space, at least one of the conductor plates comprise an electrically conductive material adapted to enable induced eddy-currents within the at least one conductor plate when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, wherein the fluid space is adapted to provide heat transfer from the conductor plates to the fluid as the conductor plates are heated during operation. 5. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnet assemblies comprises a first, second, third, and fourth magnet assembly defining a magnet unit, the magnet assemblies being spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance defining magnet assembly spaces, wherein the one or more conductor assemblies comprises a first conductor assembly comprising a pair of first half-conductor assemblies, a second conductor assembly comprising a pair of second half-conductor assemblies, and a third conductor assembly comprising a pair of third half-conductor assemblies, wherein a first half-conductor unit comprises one half-conductor assembly of each pair of half-conductor assemblies coupled together in spaced-apart, parallel arrangement and a second half-conductor unit comprises the other half-conductor assembly of each pair of half-conductor assemblies coupled together in spaced-apart, parallel arrangement, the first and second half-conductor units adapted to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft between a first, disengaged position and a second engaged position, the first, second, and third conductor assemblies, and the first, second, third, and fourth magnet assemblies are spaced apart a predetermined distance defining conductor assembly spaces and magnet assembly spaces, respectively, such that in the engaged position, each of the first, second, and third conductor assemblies are positioned in alternating, interleaved arrangement within the magnet assembly spaces between the first, second, third, and fourth magnet assemblies. 6. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein the conductor assemblies comprise a plurality of slotted wheels on an upper side and a lower side of the conductor assemblies; the magnetic heater further comprising two pairs of parallel upper tracks and parallel lower tracks, the upper and lower tracks substantially parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper tracks located on one side of the axis of the drive shaft and the lower tracks are located on the opposite side of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper and lower tracks adapted to slidingly receive and guide the slotted wheels in translation along a portion of the length of the tracks such that the conductor assemblies may translate substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. 7. The magnetic heater of claim 5, wherein the first and second half-conductor units comprise a plurality of slotted wheels on an upper side and a lower side of the first and second half-conductor units; the magnetic heater further comprising two pairs of parallel upper tracks and parallel lower tracks, the upper and lower tracks substantially parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper tracks located on one side of the axis of the drive shaft and the lower tracks are located on the opposite side of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper and lower tracks adapted to slidingly receive and guide the slotted wheels in translation along a portion of the length of the tracks such that the first and second half-conductor units may translate substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft towards and away from each other. 8. The magnetic heater of claim 7, further comprising a drive means comprising: a motor; a screw drive shaft; and at least one screw-drive engagement element, the screw drive shaft comprises a first shaft half having threads of a first direction and a second shaft half having threads of an opposite second direction, the screw drive shaft located parallel to the tracks and perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft such that the first and second shaft halves are on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft, the motor adapted to rotate the screw drive shaft in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, each screw-drive engagement element coupled to one of the first and second half-conductor units and engaged with one of the first and second shaft halves, the screw-drive shaft threadably engaged with the screw-drive engagement elements and adapted such that when the screw-drive shaft is rotated in a first direction, the first and second half-conductor units are driven towards each other and towards the drive shaft, and when rotated in a second, opposite direction, the first and second half-conductor units are driven away from each other and away from the drive shaft. 9. The magnetic heater of claim 7, wherein the first and second half-conductor units are driven independently of each other by two drive means. 10. The magnetic heater of claim 8, wherein the length of the upper and lower tracks and thus the distance of travel of the first and second half-conductor units is predetermined to cover a range of travel such that at a first position, disengaged position, the first and second half-conductor units are positioned away from the magnet assembly, wherein they are substantially not magnetically engaged therewith, to a second, engaged position, wherein the first and second half-conductor units are interleaved with the magnet assembly, where they are substantially magnetically engaged therewith. 11. The magnetic heater of claim 5, wherein each of the half-conductor assemblies further comprise a half-circular aperture about an edge adapted to accommodate the drive shaft therein and not interfere therewith when the first and second half-conductor units are in the engaged position. 12. The magnetic heater of claim 1, wherein each magnet assembly comprises: a magnet plate in the form of a substantially circular disk, a plurality of magnet pockets disposed on a side of the magnet plate and at a predetermined distance adjacent a magnet plate peripheral edge, the plurality of magnet pockets adapted to at least partially receive at least one magnet therein; at least one magnet at least partially disposed within each magnet pocket; and at least one retainer plate coupled to the magnet plate coupling the magnet within the magnet pocket. 13. A magnetic heater, comprising: a drive shaft having an axis; one or more conductor assemblies comprising an electrically conductive material adapted to enable inductive heating within the conductor assembly when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, the one or more conductor assemblies are adapted to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft between a first, disengaged position and a second engaged position; one or more magnet assemblies comprising one or more magnets, each magnet assembly aligned along the axis about the drive shaft, wherein each magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the one or more magnets in close proximity to the conductor assembly, each magnet assembly coupled to the drive shaft adapted such that the magnet assembly rotates relative to the conductor assembly when the drive shaft is caused to rotate, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to provide time-varying magnetic flux to the conductor assembly when moved relative thereto, the one or more conductor assemblies operable to move transversely with respect to and on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft between the first, disengaged position and the second engaged position, into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with the magnet assemblies and therefore into and out of magnetic engagement therein. 14. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a first half-conductor assembly and a second half-conductor assembly in opposing relationship to each other, the first and second half-conductor assemblies operable to translate transversely with respect to and on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft towards and away from each other and into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with respective magnet assemblies. 15. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a slot extending from an edge to about a center of the conductor assembly, the slot adapted to accept the drive shaft therein, each conductor operable to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft towards and away from each other and into and out of opposing, spaced apart facing relationship with respective magnet assemblies, disposing the drive shaft within the slot. 16. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein each conductor assembly comprises a pair of conductor plates defining a fluid space there between, the fluid space in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet so as to allow the flow of fluid through the fluid space, at least one of the conductor plates comprise an electrically conductive material adapted to enable induced eddy-currents within the at least one conductor plate when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, wherein the fluid space is adapted to provide heat transfer from the conductor plates to the fluid as the conductor plates are heated during operation. 17. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein the one or more magnet assemblies comprises a first, second, third, and fourth magnet assembly defining a magnet unit, the magnet assemblies being spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance defining magnet assembly spaces, wherein the one or more conductor assemblies comprises a first conductor assembly comprising a pair of first half-conductor assemblies, a second conductor assembly comprising a pair of second half-conductor assemblies, and a third conductor assembly comprising a pair of third half-conductor assemblies, wherein a first half-conductor unit comprises one half-conductor assembly of each pair of half-conductor assemblies coupled together in spaced-apart, parallel arrangement and a second half-conductor unit comprises the other half-conductor assembly of each pair of half-conductor assemblies coupled together in spaced-apart, parallel arrangement, the first and second half-conductor units operable to translate transversely with respect to the axis of the drive shaft between a first, disengaged position and a second engaged position, the first, second, and third conductor assemblies, and the first, second, third, and fourth magnet assemblies are spaced apart a predetermined distance defining conductor assembly spaces and magnet assembly spaces, respectively, such that in the engaged position, each of the first, second, and third conductor assemblies are positioned in alternating, interleaved arrangement within the magnet assembly spaces between the first, second, third, and fourth magnet assemblies. 18. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein the conductor assemblies comprise a plurality of slotted wheels on an upper side and a lower side of the conductor assemblies, the magnetic heater further comprising two pairs of parallel upper tracks and parallel lower tracks, the upper and lower tracks being substantially parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper tracks located on one side of the axis of the drive shaft and the lower tracks are located on the opposite side of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper and lower tracks slidingly receive and guide the slotted wheels in translation along a portion of the length of the tracks such that the conductor assemblies translate substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. 19. The magnetic heater of claim 17, wherein the first and second half-conductor units comprise a plurality of slotted wheels on an upper side and a lower side of the first and second half-conductor units, the magnetic heater further comprising two pairs of parallel upper tracks and parallel lower tracks, the upper and lower tracks are substantially parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper tracks are located on one side of the axis of the drive shaft and the lower tracks are located on the opposite side of the axis of the drive shaft, the upper and lower tracks slidingly receive and guide the slotted wheels in translation along a portion of the length of the tracks such that the first and second half-conductor units translate substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft towards and away from each other. 20. The magnetic heater of claim 19, further comprising a drive means comprising: a motor; a screw drive shaft; and at least one screw-drive engagement element, the screw drive shaft comprises a first shaft half having threads of a first direction and a second shaft half having threads of an opposite second direction, the screw drive shaft located parallel to the tracks and perpendicular to the orientation of the axis of the drive shaft such that the first and second shaft halves are on opposite sides of the axis of the drive shaft, the motor adapted to rotate the screw drive shaft in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, each screw-drive engagement element coupled to one of the first and second half-conductor units and engaged with one of the first and second shaft halves, the screw-drive shaft is operably threadably engaged with the screw-drive engagement elements such that when the screw-drive shaft is rotated in a first direction, the first and second half-conductor units are driven towards each other and towards the drive shaft, and when rotated in a second, opposite direction, the first and second half-conductor units are driven away from each other and away from the drive shaft. 21. The magnetic heater of claim 19, wherein the first and second half-conductor units are driven independently of each other by two drive means. 22. The magnetic heater of claim 20, wherein the length of the upper and lower tracks and thus the distance of travel of the first and second half-conductor units is predetermined to cover a range of travel such that at a first, disengaged position, the first and second half-conductor units are positioned away from the magnet assembly, wherein they are substantially not magnetically engaged therewith, to a second, engaged position, wherein the first and second half-conductor units are interleaved with the magnet assembly, where they are substantially magnetically engaged therewith. 23. The magnetic heater of claim 17, wherein each of the half-conductor assemblies further comprise a half-circular aperture about an edge adapted to accommodate the drive shaft therein and not interfere therewith when the first and second half-conductor units are in the engaged position. 24. The magnetic heater of claim 13, wherein each magnet assembly comprises: a magnet plate in the form of a substantially circular disk, a plurality of magnet pockets disposed on a side of the magnet plate and at a predetermined distance adjacent a magnet plate peripheral edge, the plurality of magnet pockets adapted to at least partially receive at least one magnet therein, at least one magnet at least partially disposed within each magnet pocket; and at least one retainer plate coupled to the magnet plate coupling the magnet within the magnet pocket.
