POLYMERIC IMMERSION HEATING ELEMENT WITH SKELETAL SUPPORT

摘要

Electrical resistance heating element, hot water heaters containing such elements, and method of preparing such elements are provided. The electrical resistance heating elements can be disposed through a wall of a tank for heating fluid, such as water. They include a skeletal support frame (70), having a first supporting surface (69), thereon. They also include a resistance wire (66) wound onto the first supporting surface (69) and preferably connected to at least a pair of terminal end portions. The support frame (70) and resistance wire (66) are then hermetically encapsulated and electrically insulated within a thermally conductive polymeric coating (64). The skeletal support frame (70) improves injection molding operations for encapsulating the resistance wire (66), and can include heat transfer fins (62) for improving thermal conductivity.