Electric tankless water heater
In various embodiments, the invention provides a system for heating a liquid, such as, for example, water, comprising a plurality of liquid heaters, the inlets and outlets of which are respectively connected in a parallel flow relationship by respective manifolds, and configured to provide liquid having a temperature of greater than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit at a flow rate of greater than about 10 gallons per minute. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering hot liquids, and in particular water, at even higher flow rates and or temperatures, including, but not limited to, flow rates greater than about: (1) 12 gpm; (2) 18 gpm; (3) 20 gpm; and (5) 20 gpm; and/or temperatures of greater than about: (1) 100° F.; (2) 120° F.; (3) 140° F.; and (4) 180° F.
1. A heating element assembly for a tankless liquid heater, comprising:
an electrically conductive termination rod with a base portion defining a securement opening;
a fastener comprising a shank portion for fitting into the securement opening of the termination rod, and a head portion having at least one dimension larger than a respective dimension of the securement opening; and
an electrical resistance heating element comprising a coil having a main portion and an end portion, the end portion of the coil disposed between the head portion of the fastener and the base portion of the termination rod, the end portion of the coil being in electrical contact with the base portion of the termination rod,
wherein a coil axis of the main portion of the coil is substantially perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the fastener.
2. The heating element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is sheathless.
3. The heating element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element provides power dissipation of about 2.4 kilowatts to 10.5 kilowatts.
4. The heating element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is arranged in a substantially U-shaped configuration when installed in the tankless liquid heater.
5. The heating element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a bolt or a screw.
6. The heating element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the termination rod is electrically connected to a power source.
7. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises a Nickel-Chromium alloy wire.
8. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises an Iron-Nickel-Aluminum alloy wire.
9. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises wire having a diameter of about 0.032 inch to 0.0179 inch.
10. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heater element assembly is part of a removable heater cartridge.
11. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is configured for heating liquid with a flow rate of at least about 0.5 gallons per minute.
12. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is configured for heating liquid with a flow rate of at least about 0.5 gallons per minute to a temperature of between about 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
13. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is energized when the flow rate of the liquid reaches about 0.5 gallons per minute.
14. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical resistance heating element is prevented from being energized when the heated liquid exceeds a predefined temperature.
15. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the coil is in electrical contact with both the head and shank portions of the fastener and the base portion of the termination rod.
16. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil axis of the main portion of the coil is substantially parallel to a lengthwise axis of the termination rod.
17. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil axis of the main portion of the coil is substantially aligned with a lengthwise axis of the termination rod.
18. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main portion of the coil extends from the end portion of the coil.
19. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main portion of the coil extends from the end portion of the coil away from the head portion of the fastener.
20. The heater element assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the termination rod is formed to provide a flat surface where the securement opening is defined.