Abstract: An electrical outlet has a conductive socket well for slidably receiving an electrical plug, the well having a transverse distal end having a center hole; an insulating connector housing adjacent the transverse distal end of the socket well having at least two electrical terminals for connection to an electrical supply; a first of the electrical terminals being coupled to a central fastener and a second of the electrical terminals terminating in a conductive element adjacent the transverse end of the socket well; a fuse member provided between the transverse end of the socket well and the conductive element, the fuse member in series electrical connection between the conductive element and the socket well; the fuse member providing compact integral over-current protection; an insulator disposed at the distal end of the socket well in the socket well, the central fastener holding the socket well, the insulator, the fuse member, insulating connector housing and first and second electrical terminals together as

Abstract: A method for controlling the surface temperature of a glow plug. A heating current flowing through the glow plug and a voltage applied to the glow plug are measured, a temperature-dependent control variable is calculated from measured values of the heating current and the voltage using a first calculation rule, a target value of the control variable is calculated from a target temperature using a second calculation rule, the control variable is compared with the target value and, to minimize any deviation, the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation is changed in accordance with this deviation. A value other than electrical resistance dependent on current and voltage is used as the control variable. The calculation rule in accordance with which this variable is calculated from measured values of current and voltage is provided to carry out the method and is established in each case for a series of glow plugs.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling one or more glowplugs in a compression-ignition engine. The controlling of the glowplug involves the prediction of a glow plug temperature to control a power supply to the glowplug. A supplied power to a glowplug and a combustion chamber temperature is determined. A temperature of the glowplug is predicted and the predicted glowplug temperature is used to control a power supply to the glowplug. The predicted glowplug temperature is derived from a numerical solution of a differential equation for the glowplug temperature. The differential equation is nonlinear in the glowplug temperature.

Abstract: A method is described for setting a temperature of a glow plug, in particular for igniting a fuel/air mixture in an internal combustion engine in which the temperature of the glow plug is set as a function of a resistance of the glow plug with the aid of a control. To prevent temperature overshoots from occurring during the preheating phase of the glow plug, the temperature is controlled with the aid of a predictive model during a preheating phase during which an overvoltage is applied to the glow plug.

Abstract: An electrical socket for powering an electrical/electronic accessory device having an electrical plug that is received in the socket, comprising: an electrically conductive socket well for slidably receiving the electrical plug of the electrical/electronic device; an electrical connector portion disposed distally on the socket well and comprising an insulator fastened to the socket well at a distal end thereof and having at least two electrical terminals for connecting to a vehicle electrical power source; a plurality of first electrical contacts disposed at a distal end of said socket well and extending radially and proximally from the center of said well and being electrically connected to a first of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector portion; a second of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector portion being electrically connected to said socket well; and said plurality of first electrical contacts being adapted to electrically slidably engage with an inner periphery of a

Abstract: A panel for radiant heating and cooling includes a moisture impermeable shell with protrusions extended from a base. Channels between adjacent protrusions frictionally retain a thermal control component such as flexible tubing or an electrical heating element. The protrusions define chambers open at the bottom of the shell. An anchor in each chamber is secured to the top wall and extends downwardly beyond the base. A thermally conductive film is applied to the top surface of the shell. An insulative layer extends downwardly from inside the shell and beyond the base, surrounding the anchors while leaving bottom surfaces of the anchors exposed. The anchors are secured to a floor or substrate by an adhesive to integrally mount the panel. The anchors can receive and frictionally retain axially driven fasteners such as nails and staples, facilitating the attachment of a flooring overlayer integrally with respect to the substrate through the panel.

Abstract: A heating element for metallic plastic injection nozzles with a tubular hollow metal body (2), which surrounds the nozzle body of an injection molding device in a heat-transmitting manner. The hollow body has an outer and/or inner jacket surface with one or more grooves (3, 4), extending in a thread-like manner at least in some sections, with inserted tubular heating body structure (with a heating body or bodies) (5). The heating body structure has electric terminals (6, 7) projecting away from the hollow body (2). In addition, a thermocouple, with a sensor tip (9) is in thermal contact with the material wall (15) of the plastic injection nozzle (17) in an end area of the tube wall, is arranged in a guide groove (4).

Abstract: An arithmetic and control unit is configured to calculate a resistance value of a glow plug on the basis of an energization current of the glow plug and a voltage applied to the glow plug, perform a multiplication of the resistance value and a constant that has been determined beforehand on the basis of an electrical characteristic of the glow plug, input a predetermined heater reference point temperature, calculate an offset with a predetermined offset arithmetic expression from the heater reference point temperature, correct the multiplication result with that offset, and take the correction result as an estimated temperature of a tip of the glow plug.

Abstract: A protective handle sheath including a body adapted to wrap about the existing appliance handle, a heat-activated anti-bacterial agent impregnated within the body, and first and second hook and loop strips attached to oppositely situated first and second longitudinal edges of the body respectively. The first and second hook and loop strips generate heat when engaged with each other such that the heat is transferred through the body and thereby transforms the anti-bacterial agent from an inactive state to an active state. In this manner, the anti-bacterial agent is released out from an interior of the body and thereby adapted to directly contact an outer surface of the existing appliance handle. Conversely, the anti-bacterial agent automatically returns to an inactive state when the first hook and loop strip is separated from the second hook and loop strip. Thus, the inactive anti-bacterial agent is absorbed into the interior of the body.

Abstract: An improved ignitor plug for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber and a smart fuel supply system for ignitor plug applications.

Abstract: A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.

Abstract: An improved ignitor plug for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber and a smart fuel supply system for ignitor plug applications.

Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug, in particular for starting a self-igniting internal combustion engine, including a glow element having a tip that projects into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, the glow element including a glow tube. Disposed inside the glow tube is a glow filament, which has a specific electric cold resistance in the range of between 0.2 to 1.0 ??m, the specific electric resistance increasing as the temperature rises. Furthermore, a device for detecting the temperature of a sheathed-element glow plug and a method for detecting the temperature of a sheathed-element glow plug, the resistance of the glow filament during operation being detected and the temperature at the tip of the glow tube being determined from the resistance.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter for a vehicle includes a socket electrically connected to a vehicle battery; and a plug, removably disposed in the socket. The plug includes a push button and an outer housing. The push button is slidable within the outer housing, and includes a heating element. The outer housing includes a plug holder that surrounds the push button. The lighter also includes a handle on the plug holder for extraction of the plug from the socket. The plug holder may include a rim that interferes with the socket to act as a stopper. The handle may be hinged to the plug holder, and rotatable between a first, usable position, and a second, rest position, at which it is seated against the rim.

Abstract: A glow plug assembly is disclosed having a plug body for mounting the assembly into an engine. A sheath extends from the plug body and has a distal tip portion spaced from the plug body. A first heating element having a fixed resistance is disposed within the sheath and extends from the plug body into the tip portion. A second heating element having a variable resistance is located next adjacent the tip portion separated from the plug body by the first heating element and connected in series with the first heating element. A terminal extends outwardly from the plug body and a power supply is connected to the terminal. A controller between the power supply and the terminal intermittently applies voltage to the terminal for a predetermined time period to maintain an operating temperature. A sensor senses a combined resistance of the first heating element and the second heating element to maintain the combined resistance with the controller by intermittently applying the voltage.

Abstract: Method for heating an electrical heating element, for example, a glow plug for an internal combustion engine, from an initial temperature to the operating temperature. In order to prevent the heating element from overheating in cases where the initial temperature is higher than a set temperature that is normally taken as a basis, the actual initial temperature of the heating element is first determined, and an amount of electrical power depending on the level of the determined initial temperature is supplied to the heating element. In this way, the supplied amount of electrical power is reduced at higher initial temperatures, thus preventing the heating element from becoming overheated to a temperature at which damage can occur.

Abstract: A method in which a temperature gradient is generated across a “gradient” block, and an apparatus comprising a block across which a temperature gradient can be generated. By setting up such a gradient, multiple reaction mixtures held in wells on the gradient block can be simultaneously run at temperatures which differ only slightly, thereby permitting an optimum temperature for the reaction to be quickly identified. In a preferred embodiment the gradient block is integrated into a thermal cycler used for nucleic acid amplification reactions.

Abstract: An electrical plug-like connector, in particular a socket or cigar(ette) lighter in motor vehicles having a sleeve-like guide part for axially accepting a cigar(ette) lighter or a connector plug of an electrical device. A first fixed contact is arranged in the sleeve base region on an insulation carrier. The fixed first contact is acted upon by a counter contact, and the electrically conductive guide part forms a second fixed contact that acts upon other counter contacts. Thermal overload protection is also provided. Parallel to the thermal overload protection and at a distance from the insulation carrier, a sheet metal insert is provided, extending in the sleeve base section. On the underside of the sheet metal insert, an electrically-conductive bimetal-switch spring is fixed such that such that in the non-operative condition the bimetal switch spring acts upon the first fixed contact or upon a side contact connected with the side contact.

Abstract: A power source supplier usable in an automobile includes a body, a power supply terminal connected to a rear end of the body and able to insert in a cigarette lighter socket in an automobile. A tail base is fixed on a front side of the body, and a coupling member fixed on an end surface of t he tail base and having an intermediate hollow space for another components to couple with therein. Any other components having the size and specifications as the coupling member can be applied to couple with the couple member so that a user can choose one of them.

Abstract: Ignition cables which contain a layer of a melt-extruded conductive polymer. The conductive polymer is preferably the sole current-carrying component of the cable. The polymeric component in the conductive polymer is a fluoropolymer, preferably a vinylidene fluoride copolymer having a crystallinity index of 10 to 23% and/or a DSC heat of melting of 4.7 to 9.5 J/g. Preferably, the sole conductive filler in the conductive polymer is a carbon black.

Abstract: An electric cigar lighter includes a receptacle for receiving and energizing an igniting unit of an automatic electric cigar lighter, the receptacle having a pair of circuits having respectively a grounding contact and a polarizing contact both of which are engageable with the igniting unit to carry current thereto, and a heat-responsive device comprising a solid state positive temperature coefficient resistor disposed in series in one of the circuits, the resistor being adapted to receive heat from the igniting unit for limiting the current in the one circuit when the resistor attains a predetermined high temperature.

Abstract: A glow plug for a diesel engine includes a heat generating coil, a control coil, a sheath, an electrode rod, and a housing. The heat generating coil serves as a heater element. The control coil is connected in series with the heat generating coil and serves as a controller for controlling power supply to the heat generating coil. The control coil has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance larger than that of the heat generating coil. The sheath accommodates the heat generating coil and the control coil to be embedded in a heat-resistant insulating powder. The sheath has an elongated small-diameter portion on a distal end side thereof and a large-diameter portion on a rear end side thereof. The heat generating coil is connected to an inner wall of a distal end of the small-diameter portion of the sheath. The electrode rod has a distal end portion to which one end of the control coil is connected.

Abstract: A cigar lighter, especially for a motor vehicle, includes a lighter body, or power socket comprising a body sleeve, which carries insulating rings, a two-fingered clip, and power supply tongues, all of which are assembled to the base portion of the lighter body sleeve by a fastening member. The cigar lighter is equipped with a device for protection against overheating. The second power supply tongue is insulated from the base of the lighter body sleeve. The second power supply tongue is connected electrically to the base through the protective device, which is a safety fuse. The second insulating ring is so configured as to contain the fuse inside it. The fastening member fastens the fuse carrier to the base of the lighter body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring temperature and current in a gas ignition chamber by monitoring temperature in the gas ignition chamber, monitoring current flowing through first and second ignitors housed in the gas ignition chamber, comparing the temperature of the gas ignition chamber to a predetermined temperature, comparing the current flowing through the first ignitor to a first predetermined current, comparing the current flowing through the second ignitor to a second predetermined current, inactivating the first ignitor and activating the second ignitor whenever the current through the first ignitor becomes less than the first predetermined current, and sounding an audible alarm whenever the current through said second ignitor becomes less than the second predetermined current or whenever the temperature is below the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The electric cigarette lighter combines the handling advantages of rotating operation with the contacting advantages of pressing operation. A shaft is rotationally fixed to a rotary knob but axially slidable with respect thereto. A heater body affixed to the shaft is brought from an initial position to an operating position through a rotating movement of the rotary knob and a superimposed rotary thrust movement of the shaft. The heater body is automatically returned from the operating position to to the initial position through likewise superimposed rotary thrust spring forces of one or two restoring springs.

Abstract: A car-borne electric cigar lighter includes a receptacle having a spring contact for receiving the heater element of the lighter for energization. A pair of spaced electrially conductive connecting plates form part of the electrical circuit to the spring contact. A circuit breakable electrically conductive spacer including a heat resistant, form-retaining resilient plate of an electrically insulating rubber, e.g., silicone rubber, penetrated between opposite surfaces with a thermally fusible, electrically conductive portion made from a low melting point metal, e.g., tin foils, to be in contact with the two connecting plates on both sides of the spacer forms an electrical connection between the plates through the tin foils. In case of overheating, the tin foils are melted down to open the electric circuit to the spring contact without losing the mechanical integrity of the spacer to serve as an insulator between the connecting plates.

Abstract: An electric contact holder base for electric lighters or other gadgets for motor vehicles is provided with a thermic protection against overheating that allows its reutilization. The base has a substantially cylindrical body, permanently fixed in the passenger's cabin and carries electric contacts for the gadget that is inserted in said cylindrical body. At least a bimetallic spring acts as a holding element of the lighter in the cylindrical body during the resting phase of the same. A bimetallic lamina is the thermic protection device against overheating; this is a separated element, connected at one end with an electric contact, while the other end is facing the wall of the cylindrical body and folded back towards its bottom.

Abstract: A cigar or cigarette lighter, particularly for mounting on the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, is effective to light the cigar or cigarette when a control knob is moved within a cylindrical casing, the control knob being connected to a metal rod which is provided at its inner end with a movable contact engageable with a fixed contact to energize an electrical heating resistance element within a hot plate, the cigar or cigarette being lighted when placed against the heating plate on energizing the heating resistance element to incandescence. A bimetal safety contact is insulatingly fitted on a threaded stem below the hot plate, the threaded stem also carrying the hot plate at its inner end and feeds electric power thereto. The bimetal safety contact expands under prolonged heat action to establish a contact to the cylindrical casing which is grounded thereby producing a short circuit which blows a fuse in the instrument panel to interrupt the feed of electrical power to the lighter.

Abstract: There is described a lighter for ovens, open hearths and similar, which comprises a holder the one end of which on the one hand is extended with a support from fire-proof non-conducting material wherein an incandescent resistor is supported, which resistor may be engaged directly with the solid fuel to be lighted, such as wood or coal, and the other end of which on the other hand, is provided with a handle which is connectable to an electric power source.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric cigar lighter for use, for example in vehicles, having a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes an elongated fuse member having a fuse and a tube for covering the fuse. The tube has a melting point slightly lower than that of the fuse. Therefore, when the fuse melts and separates in two parts upon overheating of a heating element carried by an igniting of the lighter, the separated ends of the fuse are wrapped by the separated ends of the tube. Thus, even if the separated ends of the fuse member contact some portions of the lighter placed adjacent to the fuse member or other members, a short circuit can be prevented.

Abstract: An electric cigar lighter, such as used in a motor vehicle, has a bimetallic switch in the form of a snap disk positioned within a socket. When using commercial appliance plugs with such a snap disk, the diameter of the socket does not need to be enlarged compared to conventional sockets. Contact bounce and contact interruptions are prevented. These advantages are achieved by placing the contact disk and a contact part on an adjustment ring inserted with a sliding fit into a tubular member located within the socket. A control knob for the lighter fits into a plug sleeve within the socket. A spring spider on the control knob locks onto an annular bulge on the plug sleeve provides a pressure point for quickly switching the heating element to the on-position.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter, particularly for mounting on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, having a control knob mounted for sliding movement within a cylindrical casing and acting through a spring upon a control rod extending up to and in engagement with a pivotally mounted contact plate for energizing and deenergizing a hot plate adapted to light a cigarette when it is placed with its end thereagainst. A bimetal tongue is secured adjacent the hot plate and grips one edge of said pivotally mounted contact plate in the operative position thereof to release it when the bimetal tongue gets hot and thereby deenergize the hot plate.The cigarette is held in a removable insert in the control knob. When the insert is removed, the lighter can be used for lighting cigars. The cylindrical casing is surrounded by spring means for attachment of the lighter in a hole in the dashboard.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter with a built-in battery checker for use in automobiles which comprises two parts, one being a heater part in which a movable body provided with a heater at the tip of a push nob is mounted slidably in reciprocal front and rear directions to a holder and the other being a basal part into which the heater part is detachably inserted in such manner that when the push nob is pushed to bring the heater into contact with an electrode plate connected to a battery, the heater can be heated by electric current sent from the battery so as to enable the heater part to be pulled out from the basal part, characterized in that the push nob is provided inside with a variable illumination means in which brightness of the illumination is diminished according to increase in the degree of consumption of the battery and a standard illumination means for comparison in brightness with the variable illumination means.

Abstract: The bimetallic clamping member of a cigar lighter socket is expanded and lengthened to completely disengage the burner cup when the cigar lighter is pressed fully into its socket. An insulating coating on a stop member ensures that no electrical circuit is established through the burner while the cigar lighter remains pressed.

Abstract: A quick-acting electric cigar lighter employing a bimetallic disk constituting an electric switching member. The disk is secured in place by a mounting stud, utilizing a welding procedure. The welding does not adversely effect the functioning of the switch due to the provision of a central offset portion in the disk, which tends to relieve stresses on the weld, preventing any failure at that location. The lighter is activated by pushing the igniting unit inward to bring the heating element cup into physical contact with the bimetallic disk. Over-stressing of the bimetallic disk is prevented by mounting the same in a recessed insulating block which has lands that are engaged by the cup after a pre-determined amount of actuation of the plug has occurred. An effective, long-life contact between the cup and the disk is had by the use of special metals which co-act to minimize pitting, deterioration, etc., one metal comprising aluminum which cooperates with other metals such as copper or silver.

Abstract: An electric cigar lighter for automobiles and the like, comprising a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and an ignitor plug receivable in the socket. The plug comprises a manually operable part, and carries a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a normally-closed heat-responsive switch that is disposed in the holder device. The socket, in addition to its grounding circuit, has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the circuit through the heating element when the manually operable part is depressed. The holder device also carries a bimetallic member which is engageable with one of the parts of the switch. The member normally occupies a closed-circuit position wherein it is separated from the one switch part.

Abstract: A manual electric cigar lighter for automobiles and the like, comprising a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and a unique ignitor plug receivable in the socket. Disposed at the inner end of the plug is a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a heat-responsive switch that is also carried by the plug. The socket in addition to its grounding circuit has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to close the circuit through the heating element. The plug comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed, thereby to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, engageable with one of the switch parts and always normally lying in a closed-circuit position when cold.

Abstract: An electrical cigar lighter for automotive vehicles is provided with a socket assembly and a plug assembly including a heater element adapted to be electrically heated when the plug assembly is in a connected position within the socket assembly. Electrical circuitry is provided within the socket assembly to effect electrical heating of the heater element. A bimetallic switch including a snap disc for making and breaking contact with the electrical circuitry in response to the temperature of the heating element is also provided in the socket assembly. A dish-shaped contact member formed as part of the heater element of the plug assembly operates to place the heater element in circuit with the electrical circuitry of the socket assembly.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter, and especially a cigar lighter igniting unit as used for automobiles and the like. The cigar lighter has a holder which presents an outwardly facing socket, and embraces a unique ignitor plug that is received and stored in the socket. At its inner end the plug has a heating element for electrical connection in the circuit of a heat-responsive switch which is also carried by the plug. The latter comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, being engageable with one of the switch parts and normally having a circuit-opening position wherein it maintains the one switch part separated from the other. The member is shifted to a closed-circuit position when the plug is actuated. In both positions it receives radiant heat when the heating element is incandescent.

Abstract: An automatic electric cigar lighter, particularly a cigar lighter igniting unit for automobiles and the like. The cigar lighter comprises a holder device presenting an outwardly facing socket, and a unique ignitor plug receivable in the socket. Disposed at the inner end of the plug is a heating element which is electrically connected in circuit with a heat-responsive switch that is also carried by the plug. The socket in addition to its grounding circuit has a "hot" contact which is engageable with a cooperable contact on the plug to effect the circuit through the heating element. The plug comprises a manually operable part by which the heat-responsive switch can be closed, thereby to complete the heating circuit through the element. A bimetallic member is also carried by the plug, engageable with one of the switch parts and normally lying in a circuit-opening position wherein it maintains the switch parts separated and from which it can be shifted to a closed-circuit position.

Abstract: A glow element arrangement for electric cigarette lighters includes a disk-shaped semiconductor element of predetermined geometric configuration. The element has electrically conductive contacting surfaces for the supply of electrical current. Various arrangements are disclosed for protecting the semiconductor element, for supplying current to the contacting surfaces and for preventing stress from being applied to the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing deleterious overheating of an electrical lighter such as used in motor vehicles provides a short circuit in the electrical power supply circuit to the lighter upon occurrence of a dangerous overheating condition so that a circuit breaker in the circuit is actuated to deenergize the lighter. The safety device includes a pair of electrical contacts on the lighter socket separated by a thermoplastic insulating member in heat exchange relationship with the socket and being composed of a material which has a softening point above the normal operating temperature of the lighter but below the temperature at which thermal damage may occur in the vicinity of the lighter when overheating occurs. One of the contacts is spring biased toward the other and the softening of the insulating member allows the contacts to electrically engage under the force of the spring bias to establish a short circuit for actuating the circuit breaker.

Abstract: The dashboard of the automobile has an opening through which a tubular casing projects behind the dashboard. On the casing is a bell having a tubular extension telescoped on the casing. The bell, its extension and the casing are clamped to the dashboard. A trigger is pivoted to the tubular extension and has a hammer to strike the bell, a trigger finger projecting into the casing, and a spring to bias the hammer against the bell. Slidably and removably mounted in said casing is a push-pull unit comprising a plug telescoped within a sleeve and adopted to be moved forwardly relative to the sleeve to compress a coil compression spring between the plug and sleeve.

Abstract: A quick-acting electric cigar lighter employing a bimetallic disk constituting an electric switching member. The disk is secured in place by a mounting stud, utilizing a welding procedure. The welding does not adversely affect the functioning of the switch due to the provision of a central offset portion in the disk, which tends to relieve stresses on the weld, preventing any failure at that location. The lighter is activated by pushing the igniting unit inward to bring the heating element cup into physical contact with the bimetallic disk. Over-stressing of the bimetallic disk is prevented by mounting the same in a recessed insulating block which has lands that are engaged by the cup after a pre-determined amount of actuation of the plug has occurred. An effective, long-life contact between the cup and the disk is had by the use of special metals which co-act to minimize pitting, deterioration, etc., one metal comprising aluminum which cooperates with other metals such as copper or silver. .Iadd.