Abstract: An apparatus (10) supports an electrical heating element (H) which is mounted in an oven (O). When supplied with electricity, the element heats the oven to cook food. During an operating cycle, the heating element expands and contracts along its length. The apparatus comprises a support bar (12) including an elongate plate (16) and bracketry (14) for mounting the plate to an inner wall (T) of the oven. The support bar extends orthogonally of a longitudinal axis of the heating element when the heating element is installed. The plate has spaced openings (18), each of which is sized for a length of the heating element to be fitted in an opening. Each opening comprises a slot one end of which extends into the body of the plate for a portion of the plate to cover the slot. The other end of the slot is open to receive the heating element, the portion of the heating element received in each slot being fitted into the covered end of the slot.

Abstract: A heating element (10) for a cook top or the like has a predetermined heating profile by which the temperature of the heating element is rapidly increased from room temperature to a cooking temperature because of an initially high level of power dissipation in the element when a current is applied to the element. As a result of the high level of power dissipation, as the temperature of the element rises toward the cooking temperature, the power dissipation level falls to a predetermined level at which it subsequently remains. A first heating element material (12) has a first predetermined set of heating characteristics, and a second heating element material (14) has a second and different predetermined set of characteristics. When the materials are combined together to form the heating element, the element incorporates therein heating characteristics by which a desired heating profile is achieved; i.e., the rapid initial temperature increase and accompanying decrease in power dissipation.

Abstract: A deodorizing element (10) for use in a refrigerator (1). The element acts to remove food odors from the air circulating through the refrigerator which has a refrigeration system (5) by which air is circulated throughout a food storage compartment (2-4). The deodorizing element comprises a metal rod (14) at each end of which are electrical connections (16a, 16b) for connecting the heating element into an electrical circuit by which current is drawn through the rod. A layer (24) of a coating material is formed on the outer surface of the rod. This coating material is an odor absorbing material which is activated by the heat generated when current flows through the heating rod. The heating rod is mounted in an air circulation path of the refrigeration system by which air flowing through the system is drawn over the heating element and odors in the air are absorbed by the coating material.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heater (12) has an elongate electrical heating coil (C) with a plurality of convolutions (C1, C2). An electrical insulator (10) supports the convolutions and includes an insulator body (18) mountable to a support frame (19). A generally circular projection (20) extends from one side of the body and is integrally formed therewith. A generally arcuate section (26, 28) of the projection, on opposite sides of the projection, is spaced from an adjacent surface (30, 32) of the body. A notch (34, 36) is formed by the respective surfaces of the body and the projection for respective coil convolutions (C1, C2) to be received in the respective notches. The upper end (42, 44) of the faces (38, 40) of the projection are tapered outwardly from the top of the projection to facilitate coil installation. A shoulder (30s, 32s) formed on the insulator body adjacent each notch helps retain the coil convolutions in the notches.

Abstract: A spider bracket (10) supporting an electrical heating element (H) having respective ends (E1, E2) connected in an electrical circuit. The spider bracket has a plurality of arms (12-18) supporting the heating element. These ends are affixed to an electrical wiring support bracket (20) which includes a bracket arm (22) attached to a spider arm (12) and extending therefrom. A holding fixture (24) connects to the bracket arm and includes separate apertures (26, 28) through which each of which a respective end of the heating element is inserted. The fixture also includes a separate, spaced slot (30) in which one of the heating element ends is also inserted. Each aperture has a circumferential rim (26r, 28r) projecting outwardly from the fixture and extending circumferentially about the aperture. The rims is deformable, by staking or swaging, for a portion of the rim to be pressed into contact with an end of the heating element. This affixes the end of the heating element to the wiring support bracket.

Abstract: A combined heating element and thermostat for use in a water heater. An electrical heating element includes a U-shaped rod having first and second legs, the first leg being longer than the second. A plug fits in a sidewall of the heater. The rod is installed in the plug. The outer end of the legs are inserted in the plug. A thermostat is also mounted in the plug. An electrical terminal is attached to the plug and includes a first terminal contacting the outer end of the first leg of the rod. A second terminal contacts the other leg of the rod. A switch connects and disconnects the second terminal with the second leg of the rod. The switch is movable by the thermostat and includes a bumper element. The thermostat moves the bumper to disconnect the rod leg from the terminal when the water is heated to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Electrical heating apparatus (10) is used in an electric stove (R) having a glass/ceramic cooking surface (S). A pan (12) is mounted adjacent an underside of the cooking surface. An electrical heating element (20) installed in the pan heats a defined area (A) of the cooking surface when electrical current is applied to the element. A sensor (34) installed in direct contact with the cooking surface senses the temperature of the cooking area. A control unit (42), to which an output of the sensor is supplied, is responsive to the output to control current flow to the heating element. This allows the apparatus to respond to temperature changes at the cooking area to insure food is properly cooked.

Abstract: In a metallic sheathed electric heating element assembly having a resistance element, a sheath surrounding the resistance element, pulverulent electrically insulating material within the sheath and surrounding the resistance element, the insulating material being tightly compacted and extending within the sheath short of an open end thereof, and a terminal pin electrically and mechanically connected to an end of the resistance element within the compass of the sheath, the terminal pin is made in two parts, an inner part to which the resistance element is connected, and an outer part spaced from the inner part, and a thermal switch or cut off electrically connected to and in series between the inner and outer parts of the pin within the sheath but spaced toward the open end from the compacted insulating material, the thermal switch being in good thermal contact with the inner part of the terminal pin.

Abstract: A water heater with a plastic tank is provided with an electric immersion heating element assembly having a mounting plug in which is mounted a sheathed heating element having two generally parallel legs and a bight portion. A well projects from the mounting plug along and substantially parallel to the legs in heat exchange relation therewith and contains a thermal cutoff adapted to be electrically connected in series with the first end of a two-ended electric resistance element in the sheathed heating element. A thermally conductive bridge mechanically and thermally connects the legs of the sheathed heating element to the well. The legs of the sheathed heating element are bent back upon themselves and a bracket, connected to the two reaches of at least one leg, permits relative axial movement but prevents lateral movement of the reaches of the legs with respect to one another. The mounting plug is made of solid copper or copper alloy, as is the sheath and well.