Vehicle Or Vehicle Component Patents (Class 219/202)
  • Patent number: 8417416
    Abstract: An electric auxiliary heating unit for a motor vehicle reliably avoids temperature overshoots of the heated air, especially during acceleration phases of the vehicle. The temperature of adjustment the discharged hot air is adjusted in dependence upon the vehicle speed. This is preferably done via a stored characteristic field via which a plurality of vehicle parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the opening condition of the convertible top, the outside temperature, etc., can easily be taken into account. The temperature of the incoming air can also be derived from temperature values which are already available in the vehicle. This heating can preferably be used locally in the vehicle, e.g. in the vehicle seat or in the rear of the passenger compartment. Temperature fluctuations in the heated air can be avoided reliably and easily even in the case of dynamically varying operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Zeven, Ulrich Mundt
  • Patent number: 8410401
    Abstract: A powertrain/driveline warm-up system includes a vehicle controller, an electrical power source interfacing with the vehicle controller, at least one heater interfacing with the vehicle controller and at least a portion of a vehicle powertrain provided in thermal contact with the at least one heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Thomas, John Edward Brevick
  • Publication number: 20130068747
    Abstract: Systems to apply heat to an aircraft surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, heaters are embedded in a composite structure of an aircraft. In one embodiment, a composite aircraft structure comprises a base comprising a plurality of resin impregnated plies, a heating layer adjacent the base, wherein the heating layer comprises at least one heater, an adhesive layer adjacent the heating layer, a lightning protection layer adjacent the heating layer, and an exterior surface layer adjacent the lightning protection layer. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Armatorio, Richard J. Loftis, Daniel A. Burch, Justin Nuyda, Roland J. Olivier, Yared Shenkoru
  • Publication number: 20130068748
    Abstract: A heater comprising: at least one carrier comprising: a first electrically functional layer disposed on the carrier; a second electrically functional layer disposed on the carrier and in contact with the first electrically functional layer; and one or more electrical conductors connected to the first electrically functional layers for applying power to the heater; wherein the heater includes one or more of the following features: (1) heating around the through holes in the heater (2) variable widths of the electrically functional layers so that the current density in the heating regions is constant; (3) multiple discrete carriers that are electrically connected; and (4) split buss bars that provide an equal current density around the through holes and to the heating regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130068749
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical device for melting snow and ice that has accumulated on the surface of a vehicle. During inclement weather, snow, sleet, rain or hail accumulate on all exposed surfaces of the automobile, in particular on the flat surfaces, such as on the roof, the hood, the trunk, or a truck bed of a vehicle. These areas of snow coverage are relatively large and significantly high off the ground, presenting a challenge to clean in terms of time and effort. Frequently, the owners of the vehicles need to use their automobiles early in the morning, when snow or ice that has accumulated over night is at its hardest. Since it is unsafe, and sometimes unlawful, to operate a vehicle that has not been properly snow dusted and deiced, cleaning must be effectuated before a vehicle can be driven on the roads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: John Thompson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8395097
    Abstract: An electrical heating device, includes a housing in which at least one heat generating element with at least one PTC element and electrical strip conductors abutting oppositely situated lateral faces of the PTC element and a plurality of heat dissipating elements arranged in parallel layers are accommodated. The heat dissipating elements are held abutted on oppositely situated sides of the heat generating element, with the intermediate positioning of an electrical insulation. In order to be capable of improved high voltage operation, at least one conducting element electrically connects together a plurality of heat dissipating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Holger Reiss
  • Patent number: 8395089
    Abstract: An electrical heating device, which includes a housing, in which at least one heat generating element with at least one PTC element and electrical strip conductors abutting oppositely situated lateral faces of the PTC element and a plurality of heat dissipating elements arranged in parallel layers are accommodated, which are held abutted on oppositely situated sides of the heat generating element. An electrical heating device according to the invention and which fulfils the practical requirements, in particular with high voltage operation in an improved manner has at least one heat dissipating element which is situated, with the intermediate positioning of an electrically insulating layer, on the assigned heat generating element and can be electrically connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Holger Reiss
  • Patent number: 8395088
    Abstract: A heat generating element for heating air in an electric auxiliary heater of a motor vehicle includes at least one PTC heating element and an insulating housing surrounding the PTC heating element as well as electric strip conductors lying against the PTC heating element at opposite sides. The housing is embodied in two parts with a housing shell element and a shell counter element which are lying against each other with the interposition of a sealing strip and sealingly surround the at least one PTC heating element. The present invention further relates to an electric auxiliary heater for a motor vehicle with a layer composition held in a frame, comprising the at least one heat generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Franz Bohlender
  • Patent number: 8395087
    Abstract: A heat-generating element includes at least one PTC heating element and an insulating housing enclosing the PTC heating element, as well as electric conductors whose inner surfaces are in contact with opposed sides of the PTC heating element. The respective outer surfaces of the electric conductors are covered by an insulating layer comprising at least two interconnected plastic sheets and fixedly connected to the housing. In another aspect, a heating device includes a plurality of heat-generating elements can comprise at least one PTC element and electric conductors that contact opposed lateral surfaces of the PTC element, and heat-emitting elements arranged in parallel layers in contact with opposed sides of the heat-generating element. The heating device has heat-emitting elements which are in contact with opposed sides of the heat-generating element via an interposed insulating layer comprising at least two interconnected plastic sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 8389910
    Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiper with an inductively heatable portion, and an induction heating device including an induction work coil which is configured to be placed near the wiper to inductively heat the inductively heatable portion. The inductively heatable portion may be in the wiper blade, the wiper arm which supports the blade, or both. The induction work coil may be placed on or near the windshield or other surface which is cleaned by the wiper and may heat the wiper regardless of its position or only when the wiper is at a specific location such as its retracted “rest” position. The wiper assembly may also include a temperature sensor for sensing a current temperature of the wiper and control circuitry associated with the induction heating device for controlling operation of the work coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Bourke, III, Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 8381348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm/wiper blade connection between a wiper blade (3, 3a, 3b) and a wiper arm (1) of a windscreen wiper installation for vehicles, comprising a wiper blade adapter (4) which is mounted on the wiper blade for detachably fastening the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The wiper blade is designed as a flat wiper blade and comprises at least one nozzle opening (11.1, 12.1) and/or at least one spray or distribution channel (11, 12) having nozzle openings for applying a cleaning or washing liquid to a vehicle screen on at least one wiper blade longitudinal side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Bruno Egner-Walter, Michael Schauble
  • Patent number: 8383996
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrical cartridge heater (1) with supply cable (7), wherein the cartridge heater (1) comprises a metal jacket (2), in which at least one electrical conductor (3) is arranged in an insulated fashion, which conductor is connected with a metal terminal pin (6) protruding from the jacket (2), wherein the supply cable (7) is exposed at an end region, is enclosed in the exposed region by a housing, wherein the housing encloses a contact bush (10) fixed at the free end of the supply cable (7), into which contact bush the terminal pin (6) can be inserted or is inserted, wherein finally the housing is connected or can be connected immediately detachably with the cartridge heater (1), which while keeping the advantage of the easy exchangeability of the cartridge heater without supply cable, secures a simplified manufacture, a safe assembly and a high tightness against environmental influences such as hydraulic oil, splash or surge water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hotset Heizpatronen U. Zubehoer GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Woelper, André Dunse
  • Publication number: 20130043231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric heater apparatus including a switch control part for controlling a switching part according to a control command of an air-conditioner controlling part; the switching part switched according to a switching control signal of the switch control part for supplying electric power of the power supply part from a heating part; and the heating part for receiving the electric power of the switching part and generating heat, wherein the switching part includes a plurality of switching modules set to control an output load of the heating part, and the switch control part operates one or more switching modules in serial order according to a target heating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Seungsik Won, Jungki Lee, Jungwon Cho, Youngkee Baek
  • Publication number: 20130043230
    Abstract: A cigar lighter has a heating element and a movable knob biased by a spring. The heating element has a first electrical terminal in contact with a first contact element disposed around the perimeter of the heating element and a second centrally located terminal in contact with a centrally disposed fastener. A bimetal element is in contact with the second terminal of the heating element and has two engaging clips. A movable contact moves with the knob and has a first position wherein it does not engage the clips and the heating element is unenergized and a second position wherein it engages the clips to energize the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald Schwarzbach, Roger Higgott, Anthony D'Aquila
  • Publication number: 20130026151
    Abstract: Provided is a heat-transfer-medium heating apparatus including: a first heat-transfer-medium circulating box and a second heat-transfer-medium circulating box, which are attached to each other in a fluid-tight manner, in which heat-transfer-medium circulating paths are formed therein in close contact with both surfaces of a PTC heater; an electrical-component cooling wall member that is provided in, for example, the first heat-transfer-medium circulating box so as to be located adjacent to the heat-transfer-medium circulating path; and an electrical component that is fixed on the electrical-component cooling wall member, wherein a protruding portion is formed on the surface at the heat-transfer-medium circulating path side of the electrical-component cooling wall member so as to be positioned at exactly behind an installation position of the electrical component and to extend towards the heat-transfer-medium circulating path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
  • Patent number: 8362400
    Abstract: A ceramic joining unit, ceramic heater and gas sensor, the ceramic joining unit including: a ceramic base member; an electrode pad provided on a surface of the ceramic base member; a coupling terminal; and a joining portion, wherein the electrode pad includes: a first layer in contact with the ceramic base member; and a second layer laminated on a surface of the first layer and in contact with the joining portion, wherein each of the first and second layers contains a ceramic material as a main component, a content of the ceramic material in the first layer is greater than that of the second layer, and a contour of the first layer is located outside of a contour of the second layer at an entire periphery of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuo Sakurai, Tomohiro Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 8362406
    Abstract: An electric heater, comprises a heating block held in a housing and including parallel layers of heat-emitting and heat generating elements. A grid arrangement covers the respective frame apertures in the housing and reinforces the housing. First struts of the grid arrangement, extending at right angles with respect to the layers, are assigned to the housing, and second struts extending parallel with respect to the layers are defined by the heating block. Moreover, a heat generating element of an electric heater, comprises a position frame made of an insulating material and defining receptacles arranged side by side each for at least one PTC heating element. The receptacles are arranged between conductor paths against which the PTC heating elements are placed in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Michael Zeyen, Rainer Wuenstel, Detlef Stephan
  • Patent number: 8362399
    Abstract: A windshield heater for heating the bottom section of a vehicle windshield includes a heating element located proximate the windshield selectively energized by direct current from the electrical circuit of the vehicle. The heater may be a heating element directly adhered to the windshield. Alternatively, the heater may include a sleeve enveloping the length of the heating element and a corresponding length of compressible material to lodge the heater between the windshield and the adjacent section of a dashboard to place the heating element proximate the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: W. John Seaborn
  • Patent number: 8362398
    Abstract: A vehicle radiant heating control system is provided that comprises a radiant heating element, a power source and a controller. The power source is operatively connected to the radiant heating element. The controller operatively controls the radiant heating element and the power source. The controller operates the radiant heating element by intermittently supplying power generated by the power source to the radiant heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Heiden, Randall Johnson
  • Patent number: 8344288
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a heating element. The heating element is affixed behind and in thermal communication with the mirror element of the assembly. The heating element includes a plurality of heating zones that operate in alternation according to a pre-determined time-sequence. A peripheral area of the mirror element is heated up to at least as high a temperature as an inner area of the mirror element. Switching the heating zones on and off so as to have only one heating zone on at a time is determined by a controlling circuitry at least a portion of which may be separated from the assembly and disposed in a different part of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Door, Craig R. Myers
  • Publication number: 20120325794
    Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior mirror assembly includes a heater pad disposed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes a first connector that electrically connects with the transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at the second surface of the front substrate, and a second connector that electrically connects with the metallic electrically conductive coating disposed at the third surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes third and fourth connectors that provide, at least in part, electrical conductive connection with a heating element. The connectors are part of a unitary multi-pin connector that is configured to connect with a corresponding wire harness connector to provide electrical power to the heating element and to the transparent electrically conductive coating and the metallic electrically conductive coating of the reflective element when the exterior minor assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald C. Byers, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20120325793
    Abstract: A heating accessory system for a vehicle comprising: a heating unit, where said heating unit is placed in a duct of an existing heating system; a power inverter/transformer, where the power inverter/transformer supplies power to the heating unit; and a power source, where the power source sends power to the power inverter/transformer. The heating unit may include a series of wired coils wrapped with insulating materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 8338755
    Abstract: An on-vehicle heater according to the invention includes: a heating body unit including a heater element; an electrode member overlapped in contact with the heater element; an insulating sheet enveloping the heater element and the electrode member; and a tube housing the heater element and the electrode member enveloped in the insulating sheet; a radiator unit stacked on the heating body unit; and a cap mounted on an end portion of the heating body unit, the electrode member having a terminal portion being led out of the tube from an end opening of the tube, bent to pass through the cap, and led out of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Koshiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8334480
    Abstract: An electrically heated towel rack including two parallel retractable arms (1,1?) and an electric heating board (2) is provided. Each of the retractable arms has a fixed portion (12) and a retractable portion (14). A connecting member (11) is disposed at one end of the fixed portion (12) for connecting the fixed portion (12) and a wall (3). The electric heating board (2) is rotatably disposed between the two retractable arms (1,1?) and supported by two support members (13), the support members (13) being respectively disposed on inner sides of the retractable portions (14) of the two retractable arms (1,1?). The electric heating board (2) can be an electric glass board. The distance between the electric heating board (2) and the wall (3) can be adjusted by pushing or pulling the retractable portions (14). Alternatively, the electric heating board (2) can be rotated to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Materials Enterprises Company Limited
    Inventor: Wing Yiu Yeung
  • Patent number: 8327496
    Abstract: A wiper blade is provided capable of wiping a windshield of a vehicle in a suitable operating condition even in a cold winter season. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip configured to contact and wipe a glass surface of the windshield, a frame coupled to the wiper strip, an adapter disposed at a center of the frame and configured to be joined to the wiper arm, and a heating unit attached to the frame to heat the wiper blade. The heating unit includes a power source and a heating element heated by power supplied from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: ADM21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 8322574
    Abstract: A drinking water dispensing system for automobiles and associated method preferable includes a reservoir; an egress spout, a pump; temperature adjusting mechanism; a user interface; a thermodynamic conduit including first and second valves; cooling elements; heating elements and first and second insulating layers. The first and second passageways are coaxially oriented along the conduit and cooperate with the cooling/heating elements such that cold/hot water streams are independently transferred to the egress spout while maximizing/minimizing heat transfer losses. Separate water streams are passed through the first/second passageways by selectively toggling the first/second plurality of valves between open and closed positions upon receiving instructions signals from the user interface. Such a system provides users with a readily available source of hot/cold water for drinking while traveling, without requiring the use of separate water-transfer conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Larry K. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8324532
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear window and a defroster assembly including heating lines extending across the rear window. A protective barrier at least partially covers the heating lines. The protective barrier includes a film that provides a barrier between the heating lines and sulfur gases generated by components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Sterling, Corey B. Sargent, Mark T. Bacchus, Scott M. Ankeny
  • Patent number: 8320214
    Abstract: A device for deflecting acoustic waves for an object in a liquid environment includes a heating grid and a cooling grid. The heating grid is positioned about the object and increases the temperature in the liquid environment. The cooling grid is positioned about the object to cool the liquid environment outside the heating grid. Jointly, these grids establish a temperature gradient in the liquid environment that is capable of bending acoustic waves in the environment. The cooling grid and heating grid can be established through mechanical, electrical or chemical methods. Alternatively, the required temperature gradient can be established by a heating grid alone in a moving vehicle wherein the heating grid is continuously in contact with undisturbed water at the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Anthony A. Ruffa, John F. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8319158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electric heating device, comprising a housing in which a heating block is held with the pretensioning force of at least one spring element located approximately at the same level as the heating block in its post assembly position and which defines opposite housing apertures between which the heating block is exposed, wherein the heating block is introduced into a housing part and the heating block is enclosed in the housing by another housing part. The spring element is brought into its assembled position and pretensioned when the housing is being closed to enclose the heating block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Michael Zeyen, Rainer Wuenstel, Detlef Stephan
  • Publication number: 20120292298
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery heater includes a housing having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A heating element is positioned within the housing and includes a helical coil portion positioned between parallel and axially extending end portions. The end portions extend outside of the housing. A thermistor is positioned in the housing to output a signal indicative of a temperature of a coolant in heat transfer relation with an electric vehicle battery. The heating element is energized when the signal represents a coolant temperature being less than a predetermined lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: PHILIP J. FLEURY, DARRELL VAN MOL
  • Patent number: 8314363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle heating system comprising a heater (1) that has a heater core (2), through which a fluid flow to be heated can flow and which comprises a plurality of heating elements, and a top part (6) which is placed on the heater core (2) and forms a receptacle for a plug-in connector (10), and comprising a plug-in connector (10) that fits the top part and is used to connect the heater (1) to the electrical system of a motor vehicle, wherein the plug-in connector (10) includes a plurality of contacts, which are situated in a row, for contacting contacts (7) of the heater (1). According to the invention, the plug-in connector (10) includes a plurality of housings (12), each of which encloses one or two contacts of the plug-in connector (10), wherein the housings (12) are interconnected by mechanical adapter elements (13) which enable adjacent housings (12) to be moved toward one another or away from one another to adapt to the position of the contacts (7) of the heater (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Doerrie
  • Publication number: 20120279951
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a battery heating circuit, comprising a plurality of switch units 1, a switching control module 100, a damping component R1, an energy storage circuit, and a polarity inversion unit 101, wherein: the energy storage circuit is connected with the battery, and comprises a current storage component L1 and a plurality of charge storage components C1; the plurality of charge storage components C1 are connected with the plurality of switch units 1 in series in one-to-one correspondence to form a plurality of branches; the plurality of branches is connected in parallel with each other and then connected with the current storage component L1 and damping component R1 in series; the switching control module 100 is connected with the switch units 1, and is configured to control ON/OFF of the switch units 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenhui XU, Yaochuan HAN, Wei FENG, Qinyao YANG, Wenjin XIA, Shibin MA, Xianyin LI
  • Publication number: 20120274286
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a traction battery during a driving start phase of an electric vehicle. A driving start point in time at which the driving start phase begins is provided. A temperature of the traction battery is detected. This temperature is compared with a minimum operating temperature, and the traction battery is heated if the comparison reveals that the temperature of the traction battery is below the minimum operating temperature. The heating takes place with a temperature increase which provides a temperature of the traction battery at the driving start point in time, which is no lower than the minimum operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Aumayer, Jan Lichtermann
  • Patent number: 8299401
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using induction heating to solder an item of hardware to a glass substrate, wherein the glass substrate; preferably, is a vehicle window, the substrate and bonded item(s) of hardware forming a vehicle window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120267354
    Abstract: A radiant heating system for vehicular use which is attached to an interior member of a passenger compartment, has a heating means for generating radiant heat, a protective member which is arranged at a passenger compartment side from the heating means and which prevents a driver from contacting the heating means, and supporting members which support the protective member, wherein the front surface of the protective member is provided with a plurality of projecting members, the supporting members are provided so as to form an air space at an opposite side of the protective member from the compartment side, the protective member flexes when the driver pushes against one of the projecting members, projecting members which adjoin the pushed member tilt to the pushed member side, and the distances between the front ends of the pushed projecting member and the adjoining projecting members become smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Asami Okamoto, Manabu Maeda, Koji Ota
  • Publication number: 20120267355
    Abstract: The electric heating system, in particular for a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, is provided with a heating module. The heating module is provided with an electrically insulating, heat conducting ceramic substrate which has a heating zone and a control zone which are spaced apart from one another. The heating module comprises an electrical resistance heating element which is arranged on the ceramic substrate, in the heating zone thereof, and which is embodied as a resistance heating conductor which is mounted on the ceramic substrate. Further, the heating module comprises a transistor for controlling the current through the resistance heating conductor, wherein the transistor and other optionally present electrical components and conductor tracks are arranged in the control zone on the ceramic substrate. The heating module is provided with a first cooling element which is thermally coupled to the heating zone of the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Trapp, Hans-Dieter Röhling
  • Patent number: 8292230
    Abstract: A device for detecting and eliminating a layer of ice formed on the surface of an aircraft structure or a liquid that has infiltrated inside of a structure and/or into the material of the structure. The device includes at least one pair of subnetworks of conductive elements, each subnetwork including at least one series of conductive elements, the aforementioned subnetworks being arranged in such a way that the interfitting between the conductive elements of the first subnetwork and the conductive elements of the second subnetwork forms a network of capacitive sensors, said the aforementioned conductive elements being embedded in an insulating material, each subnetwork of conductive elements being incorporated into a flexible substrate so that the entire assembly forms a flexible covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Marie-Anne DeSmet
  • Publication number: 20120261397
    Abstract: A method and system for heating a vehicle battery, such as the type used for vehicle propulsion in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Depending on the battery chemistry involved, such batteries may not perform well in extremely cold environments. For instance, a lithium-ion battery can exhibit a high internal resistance when the battery is extremely cold, which in turn can negatively affect the available power or other capabilities of the battery. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system take advantage of the high internal resistance in a cold vehicle battery by purposely cycling electrical current in and/or out of the battery so that heat is created. This heat warms up the vehicle battery and thereby improves its overall performance and capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Ian L. Hanna, Brian J. Koch
  • Patent number: 8288688
    Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body is formed with at least one wound stack of sheet-metal foils. A first end of the stack is connected to an electrical terminal and a second end is connected to an electrical ground. The stack has a plurality of sheet-metal foils which are in electrical contact with one another and which are at least partially structured and determine, in the direction of the structures, a height of the stack. The stack has at least one curvature with a small radius of curvature and a relatively large radius of curvature. A curvature section including the at least one curvature has at least one zone with increased electrical resistance starting from the small radius of curvature and extending over part of the height of the stack. A motor vehicle having at least one honeycomb body, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Jörg-Roman Konieczny, Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 8283608
    Abstract: Method for heating at least one component of an SCR system using several resistive heating elements, according to which these heating elements are fed in parallel by a current source and according to which a current sensor is placed in series with the current source and all the resistors, which are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Volodia Naydenov, Nicolas Duret
  • Publication number: 20120234815
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a seat heater for a seat is provided. The method includes determining a timer value by a heated seat control module. The timer value is based on at least a current heater setting of the seat heater. The method includes sending the timer value to a timer. The timer counts down from the timer value and sends a timer expired signal to the heated seat control module if the amount of time indicated by the timer value has expired. The method includes determining a modified heater setting if the heated seat control module receives the time expired signal. The modified heater setting indicates a reduced level of heat provided to the seat heater. The method includes sending a notification signal to a signal generation module. The notification signal includes the modified heater setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Willey, Diane K. McQueen
  • Patent number: 8269145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a heating element in a motor vehicle by pulse width modulation, wherein fluctuations in the supply voltage are compensated for by adapting the duty cycle so as to achieve a desired heating output. According to the invention, during a voltage pulse the voltage that is present at the heating element and/or the current flowing through the heating element are measured at specified intervals, and the measured values or values determined therefrom are added to calculate a sum value, which rises with the energy that is fed into the heating element by the voltage pulse, and the voltage pulse is ended at the latest when the sum value has reached a target value. The invention furthermore relates to a glow plug controller for carrying out the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Blanc, Andreas Bleil
  • Publication number: 20120228277
    Abstract: A vehicle seat heater 10, which is to be fitted to a vehicle seat 50 and which includes a base seat 12 and a heater wire 14 laid in the base seat 12, has a reinforcing seat 18 attached in a side portion 10b placed in a seat side portion 50c of the vehicle seat 50. Edges of the reinforcing seat 18 have portions 18a extending in back-and-forth directions of the side portion 10b and opposing each other at least on a front side of the side portion 10b, where a laying area for the heater wire 14 is provided between the opposing portions 18a. Thus, disconnections of the heater wire 14 can be suppressed in the side portions 10b of the vehicle seat heater 10 placed in the seat side portions 50c of the vehicle seat 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Abe, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Kazuaki Hioki, Masanori Nishikawa, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Publication number: 20120217232
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interior lining for vehicles and aircraft having a carrier and a heating layer and an upper layer, wherein the at least one heating layer is arranged between the carrier and the upper layer, and the heating layer and the upper layer are directly or indirectly interconnected, and to a method for producing such an interior lining, wherein at least one heating layer is pre-laminated onto an upper layer to form a layer composite, and the layer composite is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto a carrier, or alternatively, in order to produce such an interior lining, a heating layer is pre-laminated onto a carrier to form a carrier/layer composite, and an upper layer is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto the carrier/layer composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Volker Hermann, Michael Ewert
  • Patent number: 8253071
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flat heating element (20), in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor (25). According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors (25) is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Publication number: 20120193338
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus for removing ice and snow from the exterior top surface of the roof of a vehicle comprises at least one electrical heating element disposed against, and in direct contact with, the interior bottom surface of the roof. The heating element may be installed by the vehicle manufacturer or may be retrofit, and in the case of an automobile having a roof liner, the heating element is disposed below and in contact with the roof, but above the liner. Current to the heating element may be controlled by the vehicle's rear window defogger switch, through a relay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Nancy A. Sullivan, Nicholas Minicucci, JR., Frank Holtham, JR., Donald R. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120193339
    Abstract: In a heating-medium heating unit equipped with a first heating-medium circulation box and a second heating-medium circulation box which are in close contact with both surfaces of a PTC heater, in which heating-medium circulation passages are formed in the interior, and which are joined to each other in a liquidtight manner, wherein joining surfaces are sealed with liquid gaskets, the heating-medium circulation passages are provided with joining-surface cooling channels that cool the joining surface which is sealed with a liquid gasket and on which the heat from the PTC heater acts. The joining-surface cooling channels are provided at positions closer to the joining surface than to the PTC heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20120175358
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an oil or transmission pan with a removable drain plug bolt and threaded opening or any type of tank or reservoir, containing a liquid to be heated, which utilizes a bolt and threaded opening as a drain site. An apparatus consisting of a machined heater body containing a heating element, a temperature sensor, and power cord. This apparatus, when installed in said opening and energized, heats oil in an oil pan, transmission fluid in a transmission pan, or any type of tank or reservoir containing a liquid to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Marvin Lee Davidson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8217316
    Abstract: A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet having walls defining an interior heating chamber. Sensors are attached to an exterior surface of the walls. Heating pad subassemblies are attached to the exterior surface of the walls with each heating pad subassemblies located adjacent a corresponding sensor. The heating pad subassemblies include a pad having an attachment face coupled to the exterior surface of the walls and a heating element coupled to the pad. A controller is in electrical communication with the heating elements and the sensors. This controller is configured to independently monitor temperate measurements from each of the sensors and to independently control each of the heating elements. The heating pad subassemblies are positionable on the exterior side of the plurality of walls and the heating system compensates for load variations across the interior heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hansen, Adam Van Essen, Terence T. Smith, Praveen Rai
  • Patent number: 8217306
    Abstract: A conventional vehicle lighting device entails a problem on appearance. A vehicle lighting device of the present invention is provided with a wire heater, an extension portion, and a power-feeding portion. An adhesive part is provided at a part of one face of an extension film of the extension portion. Of such one face of the extension film of the extension portion, a letterpress printed-film pattern of a rough portion is provided in a range excluding the adhesive part. As a result, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention provides an ability to reliably prevent an extension film of the extension portion from sticking to a lamp lens by means of the letterpress printed-film pattern of the rough portion; prevent an appearance failure or abnormality exerted by the sticking of the extension film of the extension portion to the lamp lens; and improve its appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotoka Inoue, Katsuhiro Murahashi, Hiroto Tokunaga