Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes example techniques for a flexible heater system to automatically configure itself to operate over different input supply voltages. The flexible heater system may include a flexible heater that includes a first heater element and a second heater element. The flexible heater system may also include a switch circuit that may automatically couple the first heater element and the second heater element in a first configuration when an input supply voltage is at a first voltage level. The switch circuit may also automatically couple the first heater element and the second heater element in a second configuration when the input supply voltage is at a second voltage level.

Abstract: A heater control device having at least two PTC heaters having PTC elements includes switching units which are provided so as to correspond to the PTC heaters and which switch an energized state and a non-energized state of the PTC elements by being turned ON and OFF, pattern information which defines state combination patterns of the energized state and the non-energized state of the PTC elements with respect to a required power value for the heater unit, and a ratio controlling unit which when the required power for the heater unit is at an intermediate value of the required power values defined in the pattern information, controls a ratio of the energized state to the non-energized state of the PTC elements based on a ratio of ON time to OFF time for which an average power within a certain period matches the required power.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the operation of an electric heating element which is used for heating activated carbon of an activated carbon filter and/or air which is guided through the activated carbon for the regeneration thereof. The heating element has a PTC-characteristic (positive temperature coefficient characteristic). The strength of a current flow through the heating element in a heating phase selected for the operational testing is measured at a point in time or over a time period and is used for the operational testing, in that at least one measured current flow value is compared with a corresponding current flow value to be anticipated during defect-free operation of the heating element, and the heating element is considered to be defective in the event of a deviation which exceeds a predetermined measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power delivered to cookware by a power control system that comprises a heating control user interface that is set by the user to a particular heating control user interface set point within an operating range. A controller derives from the heating control user interface set point a desired cookware temperature set point, and, over at least a first portion of the operating range that encompasses the boiling range, also derives from the heating control user interface set point a maximum limit of power that can be delivered to the cookware to maintain the cookware at the desired cookware temperature set point. The maximum power limit varies monotonically over the first portion of the operating range.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of heaters of a heating system is disclosed. The method may generally include generating control commands for turning on the plurality of heaters during a time period, determining which electrical phase is powering each heater of the plurality of heaters and staggering execution of the control commands across the time period for two or more of the heaters powered by the same electrical phase.

Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for remotely detonating explosives. According to the present disclosure, the device includes: a heat source in the form of an electric generator for generating a thermal infrared signal, capable of producing two heating zones and mounted in a casing; and a mobile supporting structure bearing the casing at the front and connected to a vehicle at the rear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preheating a pressed material mat (14) spread on an endlessly and continuously circulating molding band (6) during manufacture of wood material boards, wherein microwaves from one or both press surface sides are beamed into the pressed material mat (14) to preheat the pressed material mat (14) and the pressed material mat (14) is compacted and hardened by application of pressure and heat after transfer to a continuously operating press (1). The invention consists of microwaves in a frequency range of 2400-2500 MHz being used to heat the pressed material mat (14), wherein the microwaves for each press surface side are generated from 20 to 300 microwave generators (26) with magnetrons (20) of a respective output of 3 to 50 kW.

Abstract: An electric heater is provided that includes at least two groups of heating elements which change their temperature by electrical power consumption, comprising a control unit with two switch arrangements such that the first switch arrangement includes at least two power switches for switching the at least two groups of heating elements in a High-side connection and such that the second power switch arrangement includes at least two switches for switching the at least two groups of heating elements in a Low-side connection.

Abstract: A heater control device includes a temperature detector that detects a temperature of a heated object heated by a heater; an alternating-current power supply for applying an alternating current voltage to the heater; a turn-on ratio decision unit that determines a turn-on ratio of the heater based on the temperature and a target temperature; a turn-on pattern decision unit that determines a partial turn-on pattern, as the turn-on pattern of the heater, which is a pattern of a turn-on ratio higher than the determined turn-on ratio in terms of a control-period, and to which a partial turn-on instead of a full turn-on is allocated on a half-wavelength basis of the alternating current voltage within the control period based on the turn-on ratio of the heater; and a turn-on controller that controls turn-on of the heater based on the determined turn-on pattern.

Abstract: A liquid heating system includes an electric current controller, a first container, and a second container. The first container includes a first liquid and a first electric heating system. The second container includes a second liquid and a second electric heating system. The electric current controller is connected to the first electric heating system and to the second electric heating system. The electric current controller is configured to automatically alternate between providing electric current to the first electric heating system and to the second electric heating system such that when the electric current controller is providing the current to the first electric heating system the electric current controller provides no electric current to the second electric heating system and when the electric current controller is providing the current to the second electric heating system the electric current controller provides no electric current to the first electric heating system.

Abstract: A hot water heater and method that includes power consumption reporting to enable consumers to better understand and control the energy usage and/or efficiency of the hot water heater. Monitoring energy consumption of an electric hot water heater having at least one electrical load that is selectively activated by a controller of the hot water heater includes sensing the amount of time the at least one electrical load is activated multiplying the amount of time by a known value corresponding to a power rating of the electrical load to determine energy consumed, and displaying on a display device an indicator corresponding to the energy consumed.

Abstract: An electrical load balanced heating system and method. The load balanced heating system and method is configured to facilitate smooth electrical operation as well as energy savings. The system is configured to group the heating elements based on load characteristics of the heating elements and turn the groups on and off sequentially in a matter that promote efficient and smooth operations.

Abstract: A technology to control temperature of a large substrate to be heated. A temperature sensing device is disposed lateral to a region where a radiation heater faces a substrate to be heated inside a heating chamber. A heating device has the heating chamber, the radiation heater, a power-supply device, a substrate-holding device, a control device, and the temperature sensing device. A control program is built into the control device, according to which the power-supply device controls the power applied to the radiation heater to generate heat such that the temperature of the temperature measurement substrate detected by a thermocouple of the temperature sensing device becomes a set temperature. Furthermore, a circulation passage is disposed in close contact with the temperature-sensing device, and with a coolant flowing through the circulation passage, the temperature of the temperature measurement substrate can be cooled from the set temperature to an initial temperature.

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 dryer control method includes: a first dry step of drying a dry item with strong hot wind while tumbling a drum in which the dry item is placed; and a second dry step of drying the dry item with mild hot wind while tumbling the drum. Because the dry process is repeatedly performed on the dry item according to a proposed dry algorithm, the dry item made of wool fiber can be prevented from being shrunken or creased in the dry process.

Abstract: A heater control structure for an ice protection system is disclosed that includes a first multi-role logic block having a first scheduler to schedule the operation of an array of heaters and a first controller to control a first group of heaters within the array of heaters, wherein the first scheduler communicates with a first private data bus and the first controller communicates with a second private data bus, and wherein the first scheduler and the first controller communicate with one another over a first pair of inter-channel data busses.

Abstract: An electric heating apparatus includes a power module, an electric heating unit, and a switching unit. The power module is adapted to be electrically connected to a battery for outputting electric energy. The electric heating unit includes multiple electric heating components electrically connected to the power module tor receiving and converting the electric energy into thermal energy. The switching unit is electrically connected between the power module and the electric heating unit, and is operable to control electrical connection between the power module and each of the electric heating components. Accordingly, the electric heating unit generates the thermal energy with a constant output power.

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.

Abstract: An electrothermal transfer device includes a substrate, a plurality of electrothermal components and a heating circuit. The electrothermal components are disposed on a surface of the substrate and arranged in a pattern. The heating circuit is electrically connected to the electrothermal components. In an electrothermal transfer method, at first, a transfer substrate is disposed on a workpiece substrate. Then, the electrothermal transfer device is disposed on the transfer substrate so that the electrothermal components contact with the transfer substrate. Thereafter, the heating circuit is used to heat the electrothermal transfer components so that the transfer substrate is heated to be transferred to the workpiece substrate. The electrothermal transfer device and the electrothermal transfer method can reduce cost.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive strength exhibiting unit including: a thermal head including heat-generating elements aligned in a row, for heating the pressure-sensitive adhesive label from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side to cause each of the heat-generating elements to form a bore in the functional layer; a platen roller for conveying the pressure-sensitive adhesive label while sandwiching the pressure-sensitive adhesive label between the thermal head and the platen roller; and a control part for applying heat energy to each of the heat-generating elements independently, wherein when the control part continuously forms perforation lines in which a plurality of the bores are aligned in a row by repeating the application of heat energy, the control part applies high heat energy, whose energy amount is higher than an energy amount of heat energy applied to the heat-generating elements during formation of a previous perforation line, to the heat-generating elements to form the perforation line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment on an object to-be-processed by a heater, which can inhibit variation in thermal histories among the objects to-be-processed. The heat treatment apparatus includes, among others, a correction part to correct a power control signal output from an adjusting unit so that a conduction rate of an AC voltage applied to a heater is decreased. Specifically, the correction is performed based on a value obtained by multiplying a first correction value with a second correction value, where the first correction value is generated according to a ratio of the voltage detection value of AC power source to a predetermined reference voltage, and the second correction value is generated according to a ratio of the resistance value of the heater to a predetermined reference resistance value.

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: A fire detection switch for use in a fire detection circuit of a aircraft engine, having: a first resistor and a second resistor disposed in series between a common terminal and an alarm terminal; and a thermally-sensitive element having a different resistance at low temperature than at high temperature, the thermally-sensitive element disposed in series with the second resistor and in parallel with the first resistor.

Abstract: A light emitting type heat treatment apparatus includes relatively low rated power density filament lamps and relatively high rated power density filament lamps, in which a heat treatment including a temperature raising heat process for raising a work piece quickly to a predetermined heat treatment temperature by light emitted from the filament lamps, and a constant temperature heating process succeeding the temperature raising heating process in which the work piece is heated while the predetermined heat treatment temperature is maintained, and a control unit which controls lighting state of the filament lamps so that while at least filament lamps with relatively high rated power density are lighted in the temperature raising heating process, in the constant temperature heating process, only filament lamps with relatively low rated power density are lighted.

Abstract: In the present invention, temperature drop amounts of heating plate regions when the substrate is mounted on a heating plate are detected to detect a warped state of the substrate. From the temperature drop amounts of the heating plate regions, correction values for set temperatures of the heating plate regions are calculated. The calculation of the correction values for the set temperatures of the heating plate regions is performed by estimating steady temperatures within the substrate to be heat-processed on the heating plate from the temperature drop amounts of the heating plate regions using a correlation obtained in advance. From the estimated steady temperatures within the substrate and the temperature drop amounts of the heating regions, the correction values for the set temperatures of the heating plate regions are calculated. Based on the correction values for the set temperatures, the set temperatures of the heating plate regions are changed.

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.

Abstract: A method and computer program for the control of the heat treatment of batches of metal workpieces for increasing the degree of automation of industrial furnace plants presumes an identical batch layout, an identical treatment program, and an identical article geometry of metal workpieces and relates it to a model batch, which has been run using batch thermoelements. The model batch becomes the foundation for a new batch. Through the assumption of program parameters of the actually run process of the model batch into the program of the new batch to be run, new batch thermoelements are not required for the new batch to be run.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and method of operating the same is disclosed. The method includes energizing each of a first heating element, a second heating element, and a third heating element to a maximum power level to supply heat to a separately controlled cooking area, maintaining the second heating element at the maximum power level after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, and selectively energizing the first heating element and the third heating element to the maximum power level after the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a plurality of heaters that form a contiguous cooking zone, a power supply for the plurality of heaters with a differentiator that differentiates between a first positive heating power for a first of the plurality of heaters and a second positive heating power for a second of the plurality of heaters in a differentiated heating mode.

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.

Abstract: This invention discloses an electronic device with a heating protection circuit and a heating protection method thereof. The electronic device includes a control module, a heating protection circuit, a heating switch module, and a heating module. The control module provides a first control signal and a second control signal via a plurality of control pins, respectively. The heating protection circuit generates a third control signal according to the first control signal and the second control signal. The heating switch module controls the heating module whether to heat according to the third control signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating or cooling discrete, linearly conveyed substrates having a gap between a trailing edge of a first substrate and a leading edge of a following substrate in a conveyance direction. The system includes a chamber, and a conveyor operably configured within the chamber to move the substrates through at a conveyance rate. A plurality of individually controlled temperature control units, for example heating or cooling units, are disposed linearly within the chamber along the conveyance direction. A controller is in communication with the temperature control units and is configured to cycle output of the temperature control units from a steady-state temperature output as a function of the spatial position of the conveyed substrates within the chamber relative to the temperature control units so as to decrease temperature variances in the substrates caused by movement of the substrates through the chamber.

Abstract: In the present invention, temperature drop amounts of heating plate regions when the substrate is mounted on a heating plate are detected to detect a warped state of the substrate. From the temperature drop amounts of the heating plate regions, correction values for set temperatures of the heating plate regions are calculated. The calculation of the correction values for the set temperatures of the heating plate regions is performed by estimating steady temperatures within the substrate to be heat-processed on the heating plate from the temperature drop amounts of the heating plate regions using a correlation obtained in advance. From the estimated steady temperatures within the substrate and the temperature drop amounts of the heating regions, the correction values for the set temperatures of the heating plate regions are calculated. Based on the correction values for the set temperatures, the set temperatures of the heating plate regions are changed.

Abstract: A pulse modulating heating system provides connection to a step heating system having a main heating controller configured for connection to a heat sensor and step heating relays connected to respective step heating element and for activating, during a heating cycle, a required quantity of mechanical relays and step heating elements to generate a required amount of heat. The pulse modulating heating system has inputs, one for each step heating relay, connectable to the main heating controller for detecting the relays activated during the cycle, i.e. the required quantity of relays. The pulse modulating system, based on the required quantity of step relays detected, activates a pulse heating element for a quantity of pulses relative to a maximum quantity of pulses for the cycle that is proportional to the required quantity of step relays relative the total number of step heating relays to generate the required amount of heat.

Abstract: A water heater power control device is provided, wherein the control device includes a device outlet adapted to receive an electric plug of a water heater and a timer in communication with the device outlet. The control device may further comprise an electric plug adapted to plug into a wall outlet and provide power to the device outlet and the timer. In particular aspects of the present invention, the device outlet is changeable between an on state and an off state in response to commands from the timer.

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 thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.

Abstract: A thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.

Abstract: In an embodiment an apparatus for coating a substrate comprises: an array of plasma arcs; a first plurality of reagent manifolds located upstream of the array of plasma arcs and a second plurality of reagent manifolds located downstream of the array of plasma arcs, each manifold having at least one orifice through which a reagent is ejected into a plasma jet issuing from a respective plasma arc; and a controller which modulates the flow of reagent to each manifold according to the contours of the substrate and to the substrate position relative to the plasma arcs and the manifolds.

Abstract: A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity.

Abstract: An energy savings water heater is described. The water heater is controlled by an energy savings algorithm that uses one or more of a variable setpoint differential, a variable setback threshold, additional setback thresholds, and an adjustable minimal setpoint to improve the operation of an energy efficient water heater. Additionally or alternatively, a different setback control algorithm may be used that obtains additional data to adjust the setpoint. As a result, the operating cost of the water heater is reduced, while minimizing user complaints of cold water.

Abstract: An electric trace tube bundle characterized by an internal branched circuit or circuits wherein power to the branched circuit or circuits is supplied via leads contained within a tubular jacket surrounding an insulation layer and an inner core containing one or more process tubes and the heater circuits. Such an arrangement allows the power connection to the heater circuits to be made at a proximal end of the bundle, thereby eliminating the need to cut through the jacket to make branched circuit power connections at a location remote from the proximal end of the bundle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for effectuating temperature control in roller grill assembly. Some embodiments provide a roller grill assembly which provides enhanced measurement by utilizing temperature probes located in convective air streams generated in the roller tube. Certain embodiments also provide an improved method for maintaining of a food product temperature by utilizing an intermediate holding mode. Finally, certain embodiments provide improved current control by limiting the number of heating circuits of a food heater that may be simultaneously enabled such that the current draw does not exceed a maximum current draw.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the field of outerwear, and more particularly to a heat management system configured to provide heat to one or more predetermined regions or zones, such as the upper or lower body, torso, chest, back, neck, arms, shoulders, wrists/cuffs, hands, fingers, feet, toes, and the like. In various embodiments, these heating zones may be controlled by an actuator switch and control electronics that may allow individual heating zones to be actuated alone or in combination, and in some embodiments, in a predetermined sequence. Some embodiments of the actuator switch may include color-coded lighting elements that may indicate the current temperature, zone activation, heating program, and the like.

Abstract: A electric oven is provided that includes a body, a cooking chamber located within the body for receiving food, the cooking chamber having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a rear surface joining the upper surface to the lower surface, at least one of a convection heater located at the rear surface of the cooking chamber and a bake heater located at the lower surface of the cooking chamber, and at least two broil heaters located at the upper surface of the cooking chamber, each of the at least two broil heaters being individually operable. Methods for preheating the electric oven are also provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that is designed to be connected to an electrical power supply. The system comprises a plurality of electric load component comprising stages for cooperatively producing an output (Tout), each stage in a first subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a first load and each stage in a second subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a second load, the first load being larger than the second load. The system has a controller for controlling the electrical load components. The controller is designed to estimate voltage variations on the electrical power supply from the switching frequencies of the respective electrical load components during a predefined time frame.