Thermally Responsive Patents (Class 219/494)
  • Patent number: 8406932
    Abstract: An embodiment of a spa control system includes a heater, a pump for circulating water through the pump, one or more sensors for monitoring temperature, and an electronic controller coupled to the heater, pump and sensor(s) for controlling the heater and pump based on the rate of change in temperature at the sensor(s). A method of controlling a heater in a spa with a spa control system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrell P. Hollaway
  • Patent number: 8405006
    Abstract: A device for heating a biological sample, the device having a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip. A sample chamber, or other medium to be heated, is positioned adjacent the heating source, wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and a sensor positioned inside, at, or near the sample chamber. The microcontroller supplies a load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source, and the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source. The device may also support different heating profiles that are software and/or hardware selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Albert Staab
  • Patent number: 8399812
    Abstract: A cooking and storage system comprises a refrigeration device, a cooking device and controller for controlling the cooking device, and the refrigeration device provides to the controller temperature information relating to the temperature within the refrigeration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Merrychef Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Thorneywork, Andrew Brown, David Crayfourd
  • Publication number: 20130055902
    Abstract: The device (2) comprises: a first water heater (9), having at least a first water duct (45) and at least a first heating member (43); and a second water heater (23), having at least a second water duct (55). The first water heater (9) and the second water heater (23) are in thermal connection the one to the other one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Giovanni Berto, Massimo Baldo, Marco Santini
  • Publication number: 20130058637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a first subassembly comprising an insert. The insert comprises a body having a blind passage formed axially in the body, a plurality of nozzles formed therein, and a first plurality of heat exchange elements disposed within the body. The heat exchanger also comprises a second subassembly comprising a sleeve and a second plurality of heat exchange elements disposed within the sleeve, wherein the insert is sealably engaged inside the sleeve and the insert and the sleeve cooperatively define a thin gap, and wherein each of the plurality of nozzles are disposed radially between the blind passage and the thin gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Tao Hou, Son T. Nguyen, Kenric T. Choi, Anh N. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130055661
    Abstract: A heating system for use with roofing shingles, the heating system including a flexible grounding layer having a transverse dimension that is no greater than substantially equal to a transverse dimension of the roofing shingles, a flexible heater laminated to the flexible grounding layer, wherein the flexible heater includes a substrate, a conductive resistive ink pattern disposed on the substrate, wherein the ink pattern generates heat when electricity passes through the ink pattern, wherein the heating system includes a nailing portion that extends longitudinally along one side of the heating system, the nailing portion of the heating system having a transverse dimension that is at least substantially equal to a transverse dimension of a nailing portion of the roofing shingles, wherein the flexible heater is disposed on the flexible grounding layer such that the ink pattern is disposed outside of the nailing portion of the heating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Calorique, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eugene B. McGillycuddy
  • Patent number: 8392027
    Abstract: A spa control system that measures the flow of water through the heater and accurately reports water temperature in the spa using only one solid-state sensor in the heater. The rate of flow is determined by energizing the pump, with the heater still de-energized, and observing the rate in which the moving water cools the inside of the heater. If there is no circulation of water through the heater, the temperature of the sensor will continue to rise from the energy applied when the heater was briefly energized. This rise will be quite significant and a clear indication of a flow problem. If the flow is found to be adequate, the heater will be energized for a normal period of time. The sensor is now carefully monitored for a sudden increase in temperature, which would indicate loss of a normal flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrell P. Hollaway
  • Patent number: 8388901
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for heating and sensing the temperature of a chemical reaction chamber without direct physical contact between a heating device and the reaction chamber, or between a temperature sensor and the reaction chamber. A plurality of chemical reaction chambers can simultaneously or sequentially be heated independently and monitored separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: John S. Shigeura, Janice G. Shigeura
  • Publication number: 20130048624
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshinori Sato, Kazuo Tani, Norimitsu Sanbongi
  • Publication number: 20130048625
    Abstract: A method of estimating a temperature of a material being heated is described. The method may comprise supplying electrical power to a heating element in dependence on a measured temperature, calculating a rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time, comparing the calculated rate with a plurality of known values in order to determine the value of a parameter relating to thermal properties of the material being heated, and calculating an estimated temperature based on the determined value of said parameter. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise detecting a drop in temperature of the material being heated, by detecting a change in the calculated rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Sladecek, Michael Tolk
  • Publication number: 20130048623
    Abstract: A housing may generally include a test cell being enclosed and having at least one test cell wall and one sealable opening and has a cell central axis defined along the center line of the length of the test cell, a thermal element in thermal communication with the test cell, and an insulation, at least a portion of the insulation being disposed about the test cell and the thermal element. An apparatus may generally include a housing, a drive connection, and a shaft operably connected to the test cell and extending parallel to the cell central axis from the test cell through the insulation to the drive connection to which the shaft is operably connected. A modular system may include at least one apparatus and a frame that houses at least a portion of the housing, and a driving mechanism operably connected to the drive connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Kenneth Heidt Matthews, Ketan Chimanlal Bhaidasna
  • Patent number: 8383993
    Abstract: A temperature control device is disclosed that includes a heating wire being connected to an alternating current power source though a SCR, a sensing wire being disposed parallel to the heating wire, a thermo-sensitive resin insulating the heating wire and the sensing wire from each other and changing its impedance according to a change in temperature, and a temperature sensing unit outputting a temperature control signal to turn the SCR on or off according to a change in electric current flowing through the thermo-sensitive resin, in which the SCR is turned on or off by a sensing unit diode. The heating wire is heated by a heating current that flows in a heating cycle only, in which a forward voltage is formed in the SCR, and the sensing wire conducts a sensing current that flows in a sensing cycle only, in which a reverse voltage is formed in the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bokuk Electronics
    Inventors: Min-Ja Kim, Byung-Dong Kim, Chang-kyu Moon, Jung-Moo Kim
  • Patent number: 8383992
    Abstract: A controllable heating pad, having a heating conductor embedded in the heating pad, a sensing conductor embedded in the heating pad, a resistive material providing a distributed electrical path between the heating conductor and the sensing conductor, a first current sensor to sense a current in the heating conductor and a second current sensor to sense a current in the sensing conductor. A method of controlling a temperature of a heating pad, including the steps of: warming the heating pad to at least a first predetermined temperature by use of an adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch, measuring currents through an NTC material or a combination of a PTC material and an NTC material; and maintaining a temperature of the heating pad to within a predetermined temperature range by use of the adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kaz USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijing Wang, Rumao Zhong, Hechuang Duan
  • Publication number: 20130043234
    Abstract: A heating device and a temperature control device are provided. The heating device includes a heating element, and a heat conducting film disposed on the surface of the heating element, wherein the heat conducting film has a surface area that is larger than the contact area between the heat conducting film and the heating element. The heat conducting film is used for uniformly conducting heat generated by the heating element. Therefore, the existing non-uniform heating and slow heat dissipation problems for the heating element having a large surface area can be solved. Furthermore, because the metallic heat conducting film has good heat conduction, the heat can be quickly spread over a larger area to prevent localized overheating and damage to the heating element itself or the electrical product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Ming-Wei TSAI, Min-Lang Huang
  • Patent number: 8378272
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Shigetomi, Tsutomu Fukunaga, Yasuhiro Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130037534
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling temperatures of objects to be heated in a heating unit by adjusting a heating rate of each of a plurality of heating elements, based on temperature detection values detected at a plurality of temperature detection elements, wherein the plurality of temperature detection elements are positioned at different positions and the plurality of heating elements are positioned at different positions. The method includes estimating a temperature of each of the plurality of temperature detection elements by using a first estimation algorithm when one of the plurality of temperature detection elements is broken, based on the temperature detection values of the temperature detection elements excluding the broken temperature detection element, and controlling the temperatures of the objects to be heated based on the estimated temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Koji YOSHII, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Wenling Wang, Takanori Saito
  • Publication number: 20130037533
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic device including a temperature measuring part measuring a temperature of a heat generation source generating heat caused by power consumption or of a portion inside a housing that varies in temperature due to heat generation of the heat generation source; and an ambient temperature calculating part calculating a temperature by use of a predetermined relational formula that differs according to a model based on a difference between a first temperature measured by the temperature measuring part after the elapse of a first predetermined period of time from the start of constant power consumption by the heat generation source and a second temperature measured by the temperature measuring part further after the elapse of a second predetermined period of time as an ambient temperature of an environment in which the housing is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kimiyasu NAMEKAWA, Akihiro EGAWA
  • Patent number: 8372683
    Abstract: An RTP heating system and an RTP heating method, which can heat a photovoltaic-device intermediate product having a glass substrate, a Mo layer, and a light absorption layer in formation. The RTP heating system is composed of a chamber; a support member located in the chamber; a heating element mounted in the chamber for emitting infrared rays for heating; and a plurality of temperature sensors and a temperature control device for sensing and controlling thermal sources from the heating element and the support member. The infrared rays can be mostly reflected off the Mo layer to apply less direct heating to the glass substrate. Accordingly, the upper and lower surfaces of the photovoltaic-device intermediate product can be heated under different temperatures separately to prevent the glass substrate below the photovoltaic-device intermediate product from softening and deformation and to allow production of the light absorption layer on the Mo layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ADPV Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shiezen Steven Huang
  • Patent number: 8367984
    Abstract: A water heater comprises a body defining a chamber for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the chamber for flowing water therethrough and one or more power consuming features/functions including a heater for heating the water within the chamber. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the water heater in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, John Joseph Roetker, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson
  • Publication number: 20130020310
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system for monitoring and controlling at least one thermal regulation system (TRS), where the monitoring and control system includes a thermal sensor for sensing temperature in the TRS; a controller, operatively associated with the TRS and the thermal sensor, where the controller receives data from the thermal sensor including temperature measurements thereof and analyzes the data for allowing disconnecting TRS from its power supply once the temperature in the TRS, sensed by the sensor, reaches at least one predefined threshold; and a breaking mechanism, operatively associated with the controller, including at least one circuit breaker for allowing disconnecting the TRS from its power supply when identifying an electrical overload or once disconnected by the controller operatively associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Sasson Yuval Hacham
  • Publication number: 20130016959
    Abstract: A radiant heating system comprising a substantially hollow housing having detachable baffle plates internally positioned within the housing. The housing has an inlet and outlet for a flow of coolant to enter into and leave the housing, and a top plate sealing the upper surface of the housing has openings defined therein for insertion of heating elements to project into the housing and be in direct contact with the coolant to heat it. The inlet and the outlet are interconnected with piping to form a closed fluid flow circuit. Two or more baffle plates are used to increase turbulence of the coolant within the housing as it flows through, and temporarily keep coolant in the housing longer to heat it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Publication number: 20130015548
    Abstract: To provide an integrated circuit with functionality under environment with temperature lower than a working condition, the integrated circuit is designed to include a heating element incorporated with signal pins on a carrier, such as a lead frame, that supports a chip die and controlled by a heating control unit to increase temperature of the chip die. The heating control unit provides voltage for the heating element when a detecting unit detects that the temperature of the chip die falls below a predetermined temperature and a power control unit provide operation power for the chip die when the temperature of the chip die detected by the detecting unit reaches or falls above the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Hsieh-Chun Chen, Tsang-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20130015176
    Abstract: A heater includes at least one heating element having a resistance that varies non-linearly with respect to a temperature of the heating element. The heating element includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and a fourth surface extending between the first and second surfaces, opposite the third surface. The heating element has a height defined between the first and second surfaces, and a width defined between the third and fourth surfaces, and wherein the width is less than the height. The heater also includes at least one electrode coupled to the first surface and configured to generate an electric field across the heating element and cause a current to flow through the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Christopher Twiney, Christopher Martin Morter
  • Patent number: 8350195
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the heating of a solution, such as a dialysis solution, to a desired temperature includes heating the solution presented in a bag. The heating is effected with a heater system, which includes a heater, by means of a two-step control. The temperature forming the lower switch-on threshold of the heater and the temperature forming the upper switch-off threshold of the heater vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Patent number: 8334485
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring temperature in a cooking appliance, both of which utilize a circuit for reading an input from a thermal resistive device. By including a processor and an amplifier in the circuit, embodiments reduce the number of processor pins required to modify the amplified input arising from the amplifier. In one embodiment, the processor utilizes a single processor pin, through which is distributed a control output corresponding to the input and modifying the operating parameters of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Ryan Cox, David Lepie, Gregory Francis Gawron, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20120313657
    Abstract: A temperature control unit for an electronic component and a handler apparatus, which are excellent in responsibility during cooling and heating, is obtained. The temperature control unit for an electronic component includes a cooling cycle device having a refrigerant passage circulating through a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator; a thermally conductive block having an outer surface capable of coming in contact with the electronic component that is an object to be temperature-controlled, where an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface is placed opposite to the outer surface so as to be brought in contact with or apart from the evaporator; at least one first heater for heating the thermally conductive block; and a compressed air feeding circuit for feeding compressed air between facing surfaces of the evaporator and the thermally conductive block to part them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8330083
    Abstract: A portable countertop electric oven for cooking food includes: a cooking housing; a power head operative to attach, connect, and/or couple, to the cooking housing, at least a portion of the power head extending into an interior of the cooking housing; a base operative to attach, connect, and/or couple, to the cooking housing; and a first securing element operable to secure the cooking housing to the base. A porting element may be provided, such as a handle formed from a portion of the power head, which may include first and second bulged regions of the power head. At least one of: the cooking housing; the power head and the base, may have a substantially elliptical shape, and may include two bulged portions at respective distal ends. The first securing element may be an attachment clip including a first region operable to engage with the cooking housing and a second region operable to engage with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hearthware, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung S. Moon, Gene H. Kim, Mikale K. Kwon, Eung Y. Choi, Byong G. Choi
  • Patent number: 8330476
    Abstract: A supply voltage management system and method for an integrated circuit (IC) die are provided. The supply voltage management system includes one or more temperature sensing elements located on the IC die and configured to sense temperature of the die and to output a sensed temperature value for the die. A dynamic voltage controller is located on the die and is configured to receive the sensed temperature value for the die and to identify a technology process category of the die. Based on the sensed temperature value and the identified technology process category of the die, the dynamic voltage controller adjusts an output voltage to at least one circuit of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Nancy Chan, Ramesh Senthinathan
  • Patent number: 8324537
    Abstract: An article of composite material includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the application of pressure and heating, in which each material ply is made by a resin matrix reinforced with fiber material. The article includes heating electrical resistance and temperature sensing devices embedded in the composite material, which are respectively placed in at least one interface zone between the material plies and are suitable to allow a temperature control of the article in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfonso Apicella, Michele Iannone, Generoso Iannuzzo, Giovanni Sagnella
  • Patent number: 8319157
    Abstract: Fluid temperature control and sensor calibration is disclosed. In an embodiment, a fluid temperature control unit includes a heater configured to heat a first fluid in a first fluid path, a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the first fluid in the first fluid path, a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a second fluid in a second fluid path, and a controller configured to control the heater on the basis of the temperature sensed by the first sensor and the temperature sensed by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Arjan Hubrecht Josef Anna Martens, Pieter Jacob Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120292304
    Abstract: A device case for a portable electronic device is provided and includes mechanical protection for the device, an active thermal element incorporated within the mechanical protection and a controller to control an operation of the active thermal element, the controller being configured to limit power consumption of the active thermal element and to maintain a predefined internal device temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Burchard, Michael J. Forte, Zamir G. Gonzalez, Jenny S. Li
  • Patent number: 8309874
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid. An inlet conduit coupled to a plurality of distribution nozzles in fluid communication with a channel at the periphery of the apparatus. An insert and a sleeve cooperatively define a thin gap, in fluid communication with the channel, through which the fluid flows. Thermal inserts near the thin gap generate heat flux into or out of the fluid, which exits through an outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Hou, Son T. Nguyen, Kenric Choi, Anh N. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8309893
    Abstract: A heating appliance includes an electric heating element, and a relay for selectively connecting the heating element to a power supply that supplies an alternating electric current to the electric heating element to generate heat. The relay includes an inductive actuator that controls a switching state of the relay, and a switch can interrupt a supply of electric current from a power source to the inductive actuator to adjust the switching state. A flyback path for conducting a decaying electric current includes a selective conductor and a voltage regulator that maintains a flyback voltage across the inductive actuator above a minimum flyback voltage. And a controller transmits a control signal that adjusts the switching state of the relay to cause interruption of the alternating electric current being supplied to the heating element after the alternating electric current being conducted through the relay falls below a peak value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Harris
  • Publication number: 20120279955
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahide TADOKORO, Ryoichi UEMURA, Mitsuteru YANO, Shinichi SHINOZUKA
  • Patent number: 8304698
    Abstract: Whether a temperature of a portion of a die of an integrated circuit device having a central processing device and one or more peripheral components has exceeded a first temperature threshold is determined. In response to determining that the temperature of the portion of the die has exceeded the first temperature threshold, a first thermal reduction process for a first peripheral component of the one or more peripheral components is selected and the first thermal reduction process for the first peripheral component is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Brett A. Tischler
  • Publication number: 20120273479
    Abstract: Provided is a multipurpose heating pad that can be placed atop a chair, mat, or other surface and used or placed below the same and used, and is formed as a standalone heating pad. The pad includes a heating element controlled and operated by a controller that is selectively connectable to an AC or DC power supply, and one of various types of cover materials in which the heating element is entirely enclosed. As the pad can be selectively used with an AC power supply, DC power supply, or a rechargeable power supply as required, it can be effectively used indoors, outdoors, and in moving vehicles. Further, when the inner heating element is formed in sections and the sections are sequentially operated, a significant amount of power is saved due to the heating effects of latent heat, so that the power consumption is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Soo Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8299406
    Abstract: An electronic temperature-sensing probe comprises a shell, a control base plate, a probe and a key group, wherein the control base plate is placed inside the shell; the probe with one end extending outside of the shell and the other end connected to the control base plate electrically is mounted in the shell; the key group with their inner ends connected to control contacts of the control base plate are depressibly mounted on the surface of the shell; the key group comprises a power switch key, temperature-adjusting keys and a high temperature switch key; the control base plate controls the power on/off of the heating element based on the temperature control signals provided by the temperature-adjusting keys and the high temperature switch key and the temperature signal provided by the probe and the switch control signal provided by the power switch key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shaohui Zhou, I.V. Junxiao
  • Publication number: 20120261847
    Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Sirovskiy, James C. Culp
  • Publication number: 20120261402
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes a temperature sensor disposed in a structure at a first depth from a first surface of the structure. A heat flux sensor is also disposed in the structure at substantially the same depth as the first depth. A measurement circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and the heat flux sensor. The measurement circuit calculates a surface temperature of the first surface based on a temperature of the temperature sensor and a heat flow of the heat flux sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Schwerer
  • Publication number: 20120255944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical temperature control for controlling the temperature of surfaces. It is envisaged that the temperature control has at least one heat distribution device which covers at least parts of the surface to be temperature controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Jonathan Yu Zhang, Yand Yanbing Zhang, Fred Fufei Zhang, Beck Hailong Liang
  • Publication number: 20120248089
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat roller control device comprising a high temperature malfunction detection unit configured to receive a temperature value detected by a heat roller temperature sensor; an electrical power control unit configured to cut off, when receiving a high temperature malfunction detection signal, power feeding to a heat roller from an electrical power unit; an analog-to-digital converter configured to periodically convert plural of the temperature values from the heat roller temperature sensor to plural digital temperature values; a temperature value storage unit configured to receive and store the plural digital temperature values from the analog-to-digital converter; a temperature value processing unit configured to read and process the plural digital temperature values stored in the temperature value storage unit; and a high temperature malfunction determination unit configured to receive the processed data, and then based on the processed data, determine whether high temperature malfunction occur
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Dong LIU, Xi XU
  • Patent number: 8278602
    Abstract: A heating element includes a base material and a heater disposed on the base material, which can be deformed to accommodate a part of the heater. A steering wheel equipped with the heating element is free from surface protrusions caused by the heater. Employment of a linear heater reduces connections between the heater and power supply lines, and a high connecting reliability is obtained. The steering wheel includes the heating element and the power lines, and connections between the heating element and the power lines are disposed in the boss portion of the steering wheel. The steering wheel is further provided with a temperature detector, a temperature detector heater and a temperature controller, and the detector and the detector heater are disposed in the boss portion. Thus, a steering wheel with a good grip and a good appearance can be provided at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yoneyama, Naohito Asami, Akira Shiratake, Norio Abe, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8274021
    Abstract: The invention is an integrated temperature regulator that can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technology. The integrated temperature regulator can include a reaction chamber, for example fabricated from PDMS, in which chemical or biochemical reactions of interest can be carried out. The temperature regular can also be used to regulate the temperature of some circuits, e.g. an effective-inductance-change based magnetic particle sensor, to achieve a stable operation performance, such as an improved sensitivity. The integrated temperature regulator includes as subcomponents a temperature sensing circuit that receives a thermal signal from the vicinity of the reaction chamber, a temperature reference circuit, and a temperature control circuit that controls a heater based at least in part on the difference between the sensed temperature and the reference temperature. The various subcomponents can be programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Publication number: 20120234815
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a seat heater for a seat is provided. The method includes determining a timer value by a heated seat control module. The timer value is based on at least a current heater setting of the seat heater. The method includes sending the timer value to a timer. The timer counts down from the timer value and sends a timer expired signal to the heated seat control module if the amount of time indicated by the timer value has expired. The method includes determining a modified heater setting if the heated seat control module receives the time expired signal. The modified heater setting indicates a reduced level of heat provided to the seat heater. The method includes sending a notification signal to a signal generation module. The notification signal includes the modified heater setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Willey, Diane K. McQueen
  • Patent number: 8269145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a heating element in a motor vehicle by pulse width modulation, wherein fluctuations in the supply voltage are compensated for by adapting the duty cycle so as to achieve a desired heating output. According to the invention, during a voltage pulse the voltage that is present at the heating element and/or the current flowing through the heating element are measured at specified intervals, and the measured values or values determined therefrom are added to calculate a sum value, which rises with the energy that is fed into the heating element by the voltage pulse, and the voltage pulse is ended at the latest when the sum value has reached a target value. The invention furthermore relates to a glow plug controller for carrying out the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Blanc, Andreas Bleil
  • Patent number: 8263911
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pegatron Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Wei Yen
  • Patent number: 8258441
    Abstract: Small, low-cost wireless temperature sensors (120) are provided for sensing the temperature of servingware (121). Each temperature sensor preferably includes a substrate (124); at least one sensor element (122) positioned on the substrate; and an adhesive (126) for securing the sensor element to the substrate and for securing the temperature sensor to the servingware so that the sensor element may sense a temperature of the servingware. The temperature sensors may be used in conjunction with a reader/detector (136) operable to generate a magnetic field of magnitude sufficient to cause re-magnetization responses of the temperature sensor element and optional data elements to detect such responses, and to use the detected responses to determine the temperature of the servingware by means of a decoding algorithm. The temperature sensors can be used in closed-loop heating systems capable of controlling the heating of the servingware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 8255091
    Abstract: A temperature control circuit includes a microprocessor, a temperature detecting module, and a heating module. The temperature detecting module includes a thermistor and a first switch. The thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to turn on or off the first switch for outputting a detection signal to the microprocessor. The heating module includes a heater and a second switch. The microprocessor controls the second switch to turn on or off for making the heater works or stop working according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8253072
    Abstract: A data input device includes a heating circuit and a temperature control circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating apparatus, and a relay. When a temperature of the data input device is lower than a determined temperature, a first switch of the data input device is turned off, and a relay of the data input device is turned on, and the heating apparatus heats at least one surface of the data input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Shan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8253078
    Abstract: A temperature control circuit includes a microprocessor, a protection module, a first temperature detecting module, a second temperature detecting module, and a heating module. The first temperature detecting module includes a first thermistor and a first comparator connected to the first thermistor. The first thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to make the first comparator output a first signal to the microprocessor and the protection module. The protection module is operable to control the microprocessor to work or reset according to the first signal. The second temperature detecting module includes a second thermistor and a second comparator connected to the second thermistor. The second thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to make the second comparator output a second signal to the microprocessor. The heating module includes a heater. The microprocessor controls the heater to work or not to work according to the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh