Abstract: The present invention provides a device that provides relief for lower back pain and corrects bad posture. The back brace device comprises a plurality of belts having a rear side, a front side, and a first end removably securable to a second end. The rear side of at least one of the belts has an inflatable bladder that is controlled by an air pump. The device further comprises having a heating element and a vibration mechanism that can be turned on or off as desired by the user. The present invention is used by placing the belt around the waist of the user and securing the first and second ends to one another via one or more suitable fasteners. The bladder is then inflated in order to provide support to the back of the user.

Abstract: A sterilizer for sterilizing medical instruments, the sterilizer having a pressurizable chamber having an opening communicating therewith. A door is provided for closing and sealing the opening to the chamber. A sterilant inlet and a sterilant outlet communicate with the chamber. A container holds medical instruments to be sterilized. The container is comprised of a tray and a lid dimensioned to rest on the tray. The tray and lid define an interior area for holding medical instruments. The tray has connection means for connecting the sterilant inlet to the interior area of the tray when the tray is inserted in the chamber, and the lid is movable from the tray when pressurized sterilant is introduced into the cavity.

Abstract: A processing tool includes a chamber configured to receive a wafer, the chamber having a sidewall and a sidewall heating source configured to heat the sidewall of the chamber. The processing tool further includes a first heating source configured to provide energy to an interior of the chamber through a top surface of the chamber and a second heating source configured to provide energy to the interior of the chamber through a bottom surface of the chamber. The sidewall heating source is separate from the first heating source and the second heating source.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes one or more first heating elements, the one or more first heating elements being characterized by a positive temperature coefficient; and one or more second heating elements, the one or more second heating elements comprising resistance wire elements. The one or more second heating elements are positioned in proximity to the one or more first heating elements such that at least one of the one or more second heating elements is configured to, upon being powered on, pre-heat at least one of the one or more first heating elements before the at least one first heating element is powered on.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other. During a simmer or low heat mode of the cooktop appliance, the first heating zone is operated during a first portion of a time interval, and the second heating zone is operated during a second portion of the time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining heating element and water heater status based on galvanic current are provided. An exemplary water heater includes a tank for holding a volume of water and an anode rod extending into the water. The anode rod has a core made of a conductive material. The water heater also includes at least one heating element configured to heat the water when energized. The water heater includes a current measurement circuit configured to generate a feedback signal describing a galvanic current flowing from the core of the anode rod to an electrical ground. The water heater also includes a controller configured to receive the feedback signal from the current measurement circuit and to control one or more operations of the water heater based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A method for heating a composite material area to be repaired includes placing a primary heating pad on the area to be repaired, and placing one or more satellite heating pads on the periphery of the primary pad in a manner that the satellite heating pads are adjacent to the edges of the primary pad.

Abstract: A heating appliance includes a heating structure having a lower surface and a flat upper surface for supporting and imparting heat into an object, such a pot or pan used to cook food. The heating structure includes an array of heating elements arranged on the lower surface of the heating structure in an m×n array having m columns and n rows. Each element is thermally coupled to a region of the structure for heating its respective region of the structure independently of other regions of the structure associated with the other heating elements.

Abstract: A control unit can select a large-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is large, and a small-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is small. When a temperature is increased or decreased, the control unit can select the small-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C5 whose number is small, heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C5. When a temperature is stabilized, the control unit can select the large-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from the temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C10 whose number is large, the heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C10.

Abstract: A heater assembly used in connection with a diesel emissions fluid tank in a vehicle, the heater assembly including a first heater connectable to an alternating current power supply; a second heater connectable to a direct current power supply within the vehicle; wherein the first heater is adapted to operate at a higher power than the second heater; wherein the first heater is closer to the tank than the second heater; a temperature sensor in sensing communication with the tank and adapted to provide a tank temperature; a control circuit connected to the second heater and the vehicle power supply, wherein the temperature sensor communicates the tank temperature to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit selectively activates the second heater to obtain a desired tank temperature.

Abstract: The Autonomous Rechargeable Heated Child's Mat is totally portable and forms an integrated yet detachable part of the child's pushchair, buggy or pram (or similar conveyance). Rechargeable embedded power cells power the system for over 4 hours at a full heat output. The system is fully controllable from the parent or operator's mobile telephone or tablet device via bidirectional wireless communication. Simply seat or lay the child in the pushchair, buggy or pram (or similar conveyance) as normal. Using a dedicated application on the mobile device the child will quickly and safely be warmed to a controlled temperature as set by the parent or operator. The longest of excursions can now be made with the child in complete comfort and warmth. A powerful, intelligent and safe mobile heating system that is simple to operate and control wirelessly with simplicity.

Abstract: A dryer circuit includes a main circuit and a connection controller. The dryer circuit includes a power unit, a first and second heating units, a first and a second switches, a motor having a fan installed, a resistor, a first diode, and a second diode. The first and the second heating units are coupled to ground respectively through the first and the second switches. The resistor is coupled between the first heating unit and the motor. The first diode is coupled between the second heating unit and the motor. The second diode is coupled between the first heating unit and the motor and in series with the resistor. The connection controller controls the first and the second switches on or off for adjusting the power supplied to the motor, and the first and the second heating units at the same time.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes one or more first heating elements, the one or more first heating elements being characterized by a positive temperature coefficient; and one or more second heating elements, the one or more second heating elements comprising resistance wire elements. The one or more second heating elements are positioned in proximity to the one or more first heating elements such that at least one of the one or more second heating elements is configured to, upon being powered on, pre-heat at least one of the one or more first heating elements before the at least one first heating element is powered on.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a heating element in which a heating value for each region is controlled or a heating element in which the heating value for each region is controlled and which is inconspicuous, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: An exemplary method is directed to powering heaters in a substrate support assembly on which a semiconductor substrate is supported. The support assembly has an array of heaters powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to a power supply and at least two of the heaters and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heaters, and a switching device which independently connects each one of the heaters to one of the power supply lines and one of the power return lines so as to provide time-averaged power to each of the heaters by time divisional multiplexing of switches of the switching device. The method includes supplying power to each of the heaters sequentially using a time-domain multiplexing scheme.

Abstract: A method of managing electrical power storage can include remotely controlling operation of one of a plurality of water heating units included in a single water heater, separately from controlling a remainder of the plurality of the water heating units, at a customer location in response to a remotely transmitted indication.

Abstract: Kitchen appliance comprising one or more electrical and/or electromechanical devices, a frontal surface adapted, once the kitchen appliance is installed, to be faced by a user, a lateral surface substantially perpendicular to the frontal surface, the lateral surface being provided with a touch-sensitive control device adapted to operate the one or more electrical and/or electromechanical devices of the same kitchen appliance and/or of one or more further kitchen appliances.

Abstract: A method for heating a composite material area to be repaired includes placing a primary heating pad on the area to be repaired, and placing one or more satellite heating pads on the periphery of the primary pad in a manner that the satellite heating pads are adjacent to the edges of the primary pad.

Abstract: A layered heater is provided that comprises at least one resistive layer defining a circuit configuration, the circuit configuration comprising at least one resistive trace oriented relative to a heating target and comprising a material having temperature coefficient characteristics such that the resistive trace provides power commensurate with demands of the heating target. In one form, resistive traces of the resistive layer are a PTC material having a relatively high TCR and are oriented approximately perpendicular to a primary heating direction. In another form, resistive traces of the resistive layer are an NTC material having a relatively high BETA coefficient and are oriented approximately parallel to a primary heating direction.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: This invention provides a capillary electrophoresis device in which capillaries are thermally regulated on a thermally responsive electrical path attached to an electrically insulating circuit board. This invention also provides an optical scanner useful for scanning an array of capillaries. A laser, optical detector and optical selector are in an arrangement that allows the optical detector to selectively detect an optical signal from any one or more of the plurality of electrophoresis capillaries.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a cooktop including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas. A first heating element and a second heating element are positioned below one of the separately controlled cooking areas. A control switch is electrically coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element and is operable to selectively energize the first heating element with single-phase AC power and selectively energize the second heating element with two-phase AC power.

Abstract: An electrical heating apparatus includes a stationary housing having a lower base portion, an upper control portion, and a column portion extending from and rigidly connecting the base and control portions. The base and control portions define first and second parallel and horizontally spaced-apart vertical housing axes, and the control portion includes control circuitry and first and second direction controllers. First and second heating units each include a radiant heating element and a reflector, the heating elements adapted upon energization to radiate heat, and the reflector disposed and adapted to reflect the radiated heat from the heating unit. The heating units each engage the base and control portions of the housing, is engaged by one of the direction controller, and has a pivot axis disposed coaxial with and pivotable about one of the housing axes.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprises a plurality of cells, a plurality of heating elements, and a controller for independently controlling the plurality of heating elements. The heat transfer system is capable of maintaining a fluid temperature within a predetermined range. A second pump pumps fluid through a heat exchanger in operative relationship with the blower upon a call for heat.

Abstract: A control unit can select a large-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is large, and a small-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is small. When a temperature is increased or decreased, the control unit can select the small-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C5 whose number is small, heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C5. When a temperature is stabilized, the control unit can select the large-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from the temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C10 whose number is large, the heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C10.

Abstract: A dryer circuit includes a main circuit and a connection controller. The dryer circuit includes a power unit, a first and second heating units, a first and a second switches, a motor having a fan installed, a resistor, a first diode, and a second diode. The first and the second heating units are coupled to ground respectively through the first and the second switches. The resistor is coupled between the first heating unit and the motor. The first diode is coupled between the second heating unit and the motor. The second diode is coupled between the first heating unit and the motor and in series with the resistor. The connection controller controls the first and the second switches on or off for adjusting the power supplied to the motor, and the first and the second heating units at the same time.

Abstract: A beverage brewer (10) with a temperature selectable dispense system having an on-demand hot water heating chamber assembly (30) with a hot water chamber body (86) having a volume substantially less than the volume of beverage brewed during a single brew cycle, a heating element (98) to quickly and substantially alter the water temperature in the chamber body during a single brew cycle and a microprocessor controller (38) for controlling the heating element in response to temperature sensors (40, 42). The controller (38) controls the brewer (10) to brew different types of beverages, with dispense water at different preselected temperatures in response to a manually actuatable switch (72, 74, 76 and 78). The temperature of the dispense water may also be changed from a hotter temperature at the beginning of a brew cycle to a lower temperature during an end portion of the same brew cycle.

Abstract: A warming apparatus for warming a container having outer walls, the apparatus including a warmer body, at least one container holder, open at both ends, defined in the body, the container holder including holder walls adapted and configured to cradle a portion of the outer walls of a container for releasably holding that portion of the outer walls, and at least one heating element disposed in the warmer body adjacent the container holder.

Abstract: Regulator assembly (3) which comprises a housing (5) for accommodating at least two regulators (6), wherein the housing (5) has receptacles (8) formed therein, into which the regulators (6) can be inserted from an open side (9) of the housing (5), where each receptacle (8) has associated thereto retaining elements (10), which are positioned to elastically engage side faces of the regulator (6) to be inserted into the receptacle (8), so that the regulator (6) is positioned and/or fixed in the receptacle (8).

Abstract: A heating system and a method of controlling the heating system are provided. When a heating unit and a switch are turned on and off repeatedly by the predetermined number of times or more, only some of heaters of the heating unit are turned on, thereby increasing service life of the heating unit and the switch.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, and a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate. Also included is one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature, and a thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support. The thermal insulator includes a non-uniform spatial variation of the heat transfer coefficient (W/m2-K) through the thermal insulator between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling infrared radiation (IR) sources of a sauna including tuning IR wavelength-ranges and radiated power-levels of IR sources, and directing IR to locations on a user's body. In one illustrative embodiment, a sauna may be provided having adjustable heat sources to emit IR at any wavelength resulting in a desirable radiation treatment for the sauna user. In another illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR sources in a sauna.

Abstract: A flow-through heating system (1) is described, comprising: a flow tube (11); a plurality of at least two heating elements (12A, 12B, 12C), each heating element being connected in series with a corresponding controllable switch (23 A, 23B, 23C); a control unit (30) having control outputs (33A, 33B, 33C) coupled to said controllable switches; the control unit (30) being designed to generate control signals (Sa, Sb, Sc) for opening and closing the controllable switches such that said heating system is operated at a required power (Pr) less than the power capacity (Ptot) of said heating system by operating precisely one of said heating elements at reduced power while the remaining heating elements are either operated at full power or at zero power.

Abstract: A heating device for a beverage-making machine has at least one water pump for supplying water to a first continuous-flow heater for generating hot water and to a second continuous-flow heater for generating steam. The first continuous-flow heater is switched over, if required, to steam generation and be connected up to the second continuous-flow heater. The second continuous-flow heater can also be switched over, if required, to hot-water generation and to be connected up to the first continuous-flow heater. A control means which is provided for controlling the switchover operations and the connections between the continuous-flow heaters, and is configured depending upon entries input into an operating unit and relating to the previous operating state of the heating device. In comparison with conventional appliances, the configuration envisaged for the heating device also makes it possible to provide relatively large quantities of hot water or steam in a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooktop heating system that include a first cooktop heating element, a second cooktop heating element, and an interface device. The system also includes a controller for selectively associating the interface device with any one or both of the first cooktop heating element and the second cooktop heating element. In another aspect, the system includes at least one cooktop heating element, a potentiometer, and controller arrangement operatively connected between the potentiometer and the at least one cooktop heating element to determine heating of the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the input provided by the potentiometer and control power provision to the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the determination.

Abstract: Among other things, light that carries information about cooking is directed in a first direction towards a redirection element and, at the redirection element, the light is redirected to be visible to a person cooking.

Abstract: Hinge (4) comprising at least one housing (6) formed in a first panel (2), and at least one rod (7) integral with a second panel (3) and rotationally mounted in the housing (6). According to the invention, the rod (7) is movable from a retracted position in which it is prevented from moving into the housing (6) when the two panels (2, 3) are in a correct mutual position, and a control element (9) movable from a release position to a locking position and adapted to cooperate with the rod (7) with the result that said rod is in the retracted and hinged positions when the control element (9) is in the release and locking positions, respectively.

Abstract: A heat processing apparatus comprises: a reaction vessel; a heating unit disposed in the reaction vessel and configured to heat the processing region; a temperature detection part configured to detect a temperature of the processing region; and a control part configured to control the heating unit by a PID control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving the conventional high-speed cooking oven based on a combination of hot air impingement and microwave heating by providing a time-dependent spatial variation in the net air impingement and/or net microwave energy applied to the food product in the oven. This is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and microwave efficiencies in a high-speed cooking oven, thereby enabling the oven to deliver an optimal cooking efficiency in comparison to the conventional high-speed cooking oven. In addition, under the present invention, the cooking efficiency may be further optimized by dimensioning the nozzles for hot air impingement to tighten impingement plumes, subject to the space constraint of the oven's cooking chamber, and dimensioning the cooking chamber of the oven in integer multiples of the wavelength of the microwave energy to match the microwave load.

Abstract: A heating device includes a case having a plurality of openings and a plurality of slits are defined in bars of the case so that a plurality of heating boards are engaged with the slits of the case at an equal distance. A power control device is connected to the case and includes a power line having a plurality of male connectors. Each heating board includes a heating layer sandwiched between two isolation plates. Two wires are connected to the heating layer and each wire has female connectors, which are connected with the male connectors of the power line. The heating layers of the heating boards dispense heat evenly from the openings of the case.

Abstract: A heating system for a cooking appliance includes a first upper heating element and a second upper heating element positioned within a cooking cavity defined by a cabinet of the cooking appliance. The cooking cavity is configured to support a food item therein during a cooking process. Each of the first upper heating element and the second upper heating element is positioned with respect to an upper portion of the food item. A lower heating element is positioned within the cooking cavity. The lower heating element is positioned with respect to a bottom portion of the food item. A controller is operatively coupled to the lower heating element and the first and second upper heating elements. The controller is configured to asynchronously energize the first upper heating element and the second upper heating element to heat the upper portion of the food item.

Abstract: An electric cooking appliance is provided. The electric cooking appliance includes a plurality of surface heating elements and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor an operational status of a corresponding surface heating element. The electric cooking appliance also includes a first cooking unit, a second cooking unit and an electronic control to facilitate sharing power between the first cooking unit and the second cooking unit based on the operational status of the plurality of surface heating elements.

Abstract: A range for heating foods having a body comprising a top surface, a first chamber located within the range, a second chamber located within the range, multiple heating elements arranged on the top surface for cooking food, an upper and lower heating element arranged within the first chamber, a warming element arranged within the second chamber, a control system further having a central processor for controlling the operation of the range, and an operator interface operatively connected to the central processor.

Abstract: A radiant heater includes a radiant heat source and a reflector to direct the bulk of the heat generated by the radiant source in one direction. The shape of the reflector determines the radiant pattern of the heater, and generally defocuses the output to provide a diffuse heat pattern that is substantially free of hot spots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric warmer for heating a container by means of a heat transfer medium. The warmer comprises a jar into which the container can be inserted for heating, and an electric heating device comprising at least one resistance heating element for heating the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A portable dryer includes a housing, a motor installed with a fan inside the housing, a power unit for supplying electric power to the portable dryer, a switch electrically connected to the power unit, and a plurality heating filaments electrically connected to the power unit for generating heat. Power of the motor is related to power of the heating filaments.

Abstract: A portable dryer includes a housing, a motor installed with a fan inside the housing, a power unit for supplying electric power to the portable dryer, a switch electrically connected to the power unit, and four heating filaments electrically connected to the power unit for generating heat. Power of the motor is related to power of the heating filaments.