With Heat Storage Or Transfer Means (vanes) Patents (Class 219/530)
  • Patent number: 7709770
    Abstract: A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: HTTP—Hypothermia Therapy Ltd.
    Inventor: David Bikhovsky
  • Publication number: 20100089895
    Abstract: Apparatus for housing electronic components comprising a heated enclosure comprising a bottom, a top, three sides, a substantially open front and a heating element for transmitting heat to enclosure surfaces. Perforations are located in the heated enclosure to facilitate the passage of air from one side of the heated enclosure to the other. A plenum is connected to the perforations, the plenum being configured to transmit air between the outside and inside of the heated enclosure. Completing the apparatus as control electronics comprising a power source and temperature monitoring and feedback circuitry, and insulation covering a heated portion of the heated enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Myles E. Brown, John C. Pizzichemi, Florence L. Lopez, Robert B. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7618588
    Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microfluidic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Wah (Phil) Lin, Bob Yuan
  • Patent number: 7576306
    Abstract: An electric heating element with radiant tube comprising a radiation pipe (1) and an electric heating element (2, 3) contained in said pipe, wherein the heating element has legs that run to and fro in the pipe, and wherein the heating element is connected at one end of the pipe close to a furnace wall with electric power outlets through which electric current is fed to the element, wherein the element is supported in the pipe by ceramic discs (9) that are provided with through-penetrating holes through which the legs of the elements extend, and wherein two elements (2, 3) are disposed sequentially in said radiation pipe along its long axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Thomas Lewin
  • Patent number: 7560663
    Abstract: An electric heating module for heating air flow, in particular in vehicles, is provided by the invention having at least one PTC heating element 10 and at least one adjacent heat dissipating area 13, through which air can flow, with heat conducting ribs being in an effective contact to the PTC heating element 10 as well as the PTC heating element 10 and the heat conducting ribs 13, combined by a frame 1 to form a module. The invention is characterized in that the heat dissipating area is embodied circular, in particular round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: MicroHellix GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Schehr
  • Publication number: 20090139983
    Abstract: The invention describes a heating apparatus comprising at least one heater (9) in which one or more electric heating elements (11) are arranged, and at least one heat transmitter (1), which is connected with the at least one heater (9), comprises heat transmitter surfaces and is formed from an extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in which the at least one heater (9) is fitted, in which at least part of the walls (6, 22, 22a) of the extruded profile (1a), which are not in contact with a heating element (11), is provided with openings through which a gaseous or liquid medium can flow through the extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in transverse direction to the direction of extrusion (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Luppold, Alexander Dauth, Hans-Peter Etzkorn, Rolf Merte, Frank Bartmann, Stefan Brosig, Norbert Ernst, Stephan Dick, Christian Dorrie
  • Publication number: 20090127251
    Abstract: The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: David Naylor, Thomas Caterina
  • Patent number: 7491912
    Abstract: A portable food delivery container includes a food storage compartment, a control compartment, and a temperature control source. A control compartment lies adjacent to and in thermal conductivity with the food storage compartment. A modular removable temperature control source is disposed within the control compartment, where the temperature control source effects transfer of thermal energy between the food storage compartment and the control compartment to maintain the food storage compartment at a temperature other than the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Check Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Check
  • Patent number: 7482557
    Abstract: A radiator element for an air heating device, and a corresponding heating device and manufacturing method are provided which reveal improved assembly properties. The radiator element comprises at least one lamella element and one radiator sheet, wherein the radiator sheet comprises on at least two edges projections for attaching the lamella element onto the radiator sheet. The projections may be folded for attaching the lamella element. For facilitating the bending process, a notch along the edge is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventor: David Clemens
  • Publication number: 20080290086
    Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating buckets or barrels. The heating unit includes a first pliable cover layer and a second pliable cover layer. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers and configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The heating unit further includes a thermal insulation layer. The heating unit includes a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. The heating unit further includes one or more fasteners allowing the heating unit to be wrapped around a bucket or barrel and secured by the one or more fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Powerblanket LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Caterina, David Naylor
  • Patent number: 7439473
    Abstract: A method of supporting vertically hanging electrical resistance elements for heating furnaces or ovens in industrial operations. Each resistance element includes current-conducting legs that extend downward and upward a number of times, and the element includes along its length a number of ceramic discs that are provided with through-holes through which respective element legs extend. The upper part of the element merges with terminals that are connected to a source of electric current. The element is supported by at least one of the uppermost ceramic discs, wherein the uppermost ceramic disc supporting the element is placed in the insulation of the furnace roof above the underside of the roof. The legs of the element are short circuited at a location slightly or somewhat beneath the underside of the furnace roof with the aid of short circuiting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Thomas Lewin
  • Publication number: 20080135536
    Abstract: An electric heating system, in particular an auxiliary heating system in automobiles, with below characteristics: The heating system has several heating rods (1), arranged side-by-side The heating rods (1) are connected to each other by means of alike metal plates (4) that are slid onto the heating rods (1) the heating rods (1) have for this purpose a series of slotted holes (3) that extend in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4) the slotted holes (3) have longitudinal edges, facing each other, that clamp the heating rods (1) between them; at least one part of the slotted holes (3) in each metal plate (4) is longer by more than the manufacturing tolerance, than the width of the heating rods (1) measured in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Jurgen Kochems, Michael Edgar Luppold, Rolf Merte
  • Patent number: 7361868
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrical heating device, especially for motor vehicles, including a closed frame (2) which include rails (3, 4) and cross rails (5, 6), heating elements (7) which include elements made of electrically conductive plastic layers (18) having PCT effect, which are arranged between contact plates (15, 16), heat-conducting secondary surface elements (8) that can be overflown by air and at least one electrically conductive spring element (9), wherein the heating elements (7) and the secondary surface elements (8) are alternatingly arranged next to one another and are braced against each other by the rails (3, 4) and a spring element (9) placed centrally which replaces the secondary surface element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Behr France S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Jürgen Otto, Michel Brun, Yannik Laumonnerie, Grégory Lucas, Pascal Miss, Mathieu Mougey, Christophe Schmittheisler
  • Patent number: 7335855
    Abstract: An electric PCB heating component for a heating electric component is coupleable to an electronic circuit board. The PCB heating component includes a fastening element, a heating element for generating thermal energy, and a heating body. The heating body emits thermal energy via a heat radiating surface. For a low cost PCB heating component, the heating element is a PTC heating element. A plurality of heating projections of the heating element cooperate to form a relatively large heat radiating surface such that thermal energy can be emitted in a substantially directional mode. The heating projections can be convection or radiation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich von der Lühe, William Muirhead
  • Patent number: 7332693
    Abstract: Functional elements, particularly PTC heating elements, are braced in a hollow reception means, such as a profile tube. The reception means have two at least partly concave top wall areas facing one anther and flat sides of the functional elements and in this way permits a bracing of the functional elements, in that side walls of the reception means, extending substantially perpendicular to the concave top wall areas, are subject to the action of a pressing pressure. In the free space areas defined by the concave top walls can be fitted ends of attachment parts, such as metal lamellas, which are clamped in the same operation, according to the invention, during the bracing of the functional elements. This makes it possible in a simple manner to manufacture assembled devices, particularly electric heating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG, Beru AG
    Inventor: Andreas Hamburger
  • Patent number: 7326885
    Abstract: A hotplate with a stainless steel top plate to support a vessel. The stainless steel top plate has an upper surface with a substantially centrally located depression having a depth and area generally sufficient to absorb upward crowning of the top plate when heated. A heating unit is in a heat transfer relation with the stainless steel top plate, and a base unit is connected to the heating plate assembly; however, the base unit is not fastened directly to the stainless steel top plate, so that the stainless steel top plate can expand more uniformly when heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Barnstead/Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Lockwood, Peter Riniker, James R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7309141
    Abstract: The invention is a system that provides a means to using passing air to turn on an electronically powered device that is removably attached to an exterior portion of a vehicle as the vehicle travels betweens two locations. The invention is also embodied as a device that provides a means to turn on an incandescent light bulb that illuminates an ornament that is attached to an automobile window using passing air caused a moving automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: ResetOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Allan Scott, Denny Pak-kei Wong
  • Patent number: 7288748
    Abstract: PTC electrical heating devices are disclosed which are suitable to vaporize air treatment chemicals from an impregnated slab, such as insect repellents. In one form an electrical contact to a PTC heater element is provided with a bowl-shaped contact head to reduce the risk of edges of the contact cracking the heater element. In other forms peg and recess structures interact with apertures on a heat transfer plate to facilitate assembly of the parts of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Raechell Maria Thuot
  • Patent number: 7282678
    Abstract: An electric heating module includes an electric heater (10), a heat pipe (20) having an evaporating section (22) thermally attached to the electric heater and a condensing section (24), and at least one heat radiator (30, 40) thermally attached to the condensing section. The electric heater includes a pair of electrode plates (12, 14) and a heating element (16) sandwiched between and electrically connecting the electrode plates. An insulation frame (19) encloses the electrode plates therein for electrically insulating the electric heater from the heat radiator. For the non-linear PTC heating element, the electric heater can rapidly heat up to and stay at a desired stable temperature. The heat pipe can transfer heat from the electric heater to the heat radiator rapidly and timely by phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Nien Tung, Chuen-Shu Hou, Chih-Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 7244913
    Abstract: A temperature regulator regulates a temperature of a microchemical chip that has chemical reaction sections. The temperature regulator includes a temperature measuring unit and a thermoelectric element corresponding to each chemical reaction section. The temperature regulator further includes a heat conductor, a heat exchanging unit, and a temperature controlling unit that controls electric current to be applied to the thermoelectric element based on a temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Murakami, Shigeru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7189943
    Abstract: A heated motorcycle handgrip is securable to a motorcycle handlebar and includes a grip housing that has a first end adapted to receive the handlebar, and a second end opposite the first end. The grip housing includes a heating element that is operable to provide a heat output, and a heater control dial is coupled to the second end of the handgrip to control the heat output of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Richlen
  • Patent number: 7164103
    Abstract: An electrical resistance heating element having a glow zone and two power supply terminals. The glow zone of the element is tubular. A tubular union is provided between each of the power supply terminals and a respective end of the glow zone, wherein the inner diameter of the union is smaller than the inner diameter of the glow zone. A transition region extends between each union and a respective glow zone end and has a progressively decreasing wall thickness in the direction from the union toward the glow zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Jan Andersson, Emil Eriksson, Jörgen Sahlström
  • Patent number: 7148453
    Abstract: An overheating protection system for a control unit includes an interrupter element, which, in its initial position defined with respect to a circuit board, electrically connects the opposite facing ends of at least one track on the circuit board, and an actuating element which is activated with the overheating of the transistor, and which on actuation against the interrupter element takes effect and releases it at least so far from the tract that the electrical connection is interrupted. A preassembled actuating unit for the interrupter element of the overheating protection is comprises an accommodation housing, in which an actuating element is accommodated and which can be brought into interaction with the interrupter element and which is held releasably by a one-piece latching element formed on the accommodation housing under pretension. An electrical heating device with a control unit protected against overheating is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Zeyen, Michael Niederer, Günter Uhl
  • Patent number: 7131815
    Abstract: A vane provided with at least one spindle, the at least one spindle configured to engage in operation with a support such that in operation the vane pivots about the at least one spindle. The vane is further provided with an electrically operable heater which is communicable with an electrical supply via an electrical connection node located in the at least one spindle. The electrical connection node comprises a female portion and a corresponding male portion. The support is defined by a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Peter Allford, Gary Olds
  • Patent number: 7132627
    Abstract: Heating device having an electric heating body arranged within an accumulator block. The electric heating body includes an insulated flat resister. The accumulator block is structured and arranged to store calories. The heating device is adapted for use in a heating apparatus. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Bernard Peyronny
  • Patent number: 7120353
    Abstract: A portable compact sauna wherein a user's body is warmed to sweating primarily by direct absorption of infrared radiation. Broad infrared radiation emitters or sources are placed around the inside of a narrow cabinet so as to be in close proximity to various parts of a seated user. Fins spaced apart less than finger-width on the emitters protect the user from contact with elevated temperatures in the emitters. The emitters, which lend themselves to easy cleaning, are heated by electric infrared heaters having a unique design which eliminates extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (ELF) normally generated by AC energized electrical heater elements, to provide low extremely-low frequency EMF saunas able to utilize conventional-commercial electrical-energy sources. The emitters protect the heaters. Power wires for the heaters are arranged for low ELF EMF emission, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Bernarr C. Schaeffer, James Schaeffer, Wayne Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7102102
    Abstract: A heater assembly heats media substrate in a printing system prior to imprinting a desired image on the substrate. A plate member engages the substrate and communicates thermal energy thereto for the heating. A laminar assembly is adhered to the plate member and includes a trace pattern for converting electrical energy to the thermal energy. A thermal storage member is interposed between the plate member and the trace pattern for distributing thermal energy throughout the thermal storage member. Two thermal fuses are serially connected, one at each end of the trace pattern and disposed relative to the thermal storage member for detecting an undesired temperature increase in the laminar assembly sufficient for opening the fuses and electrically isolating the heater assembly against a consequential thermal run-away causing insulation degradation and an electrical short between the trace pattern and the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Amin M. Godil, Larry E. Hindman
  • Patent number: 7098426
    Abstract: An electric heating device is adapted to be used in particular as an auxiliary electric heating for motor vehicles. The heating device comprises a plurality of PTC heating elements arranged in a plane of said heating device. The PTC heating elements are in electric contact with contact sheets for supplying current thereto and in thermal contact with radiator elements for transferring the heat produced to an air current to be heated. According to the present invention, the PTC heating elements arranged in this plane are adapted to be controlled separately in at least two groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Catern GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Maurice Clauss, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 7098429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly for a heating or air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle, comprising several flat pipes which are arranged parallel to each other and are penetrated by a heat-transmitting medium. An electrically operated heating element (114) which is mounted once the heat exchanger has been soldered is assigned to at least one part of the flat pipes as an additional heating device. Said heating element (114) is fixed to the heat exchanger by means of a holding element (115The inventive heat exchanger is characterized by the fact that each heating element (114) is mounted in front of the corresponding flat pipe and parallel thereto by means of the holding element (125) which also runs parallel to the flat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-H. Angermann, Roland Burk, Herbert Damsohn, Markus Watzlawski
  • Patent number: 7078654
    Abstract: A heater device for hair curlers has an upper hood and a lower casing forming a disposing space for hair curlers. A disposing seat is installed inside the disposing space and multiple heater supports having the same number as the hair curlers are installed on the disposing seat. A heater part is installed on the heater supports. The heater part has a heater element coupled to an external power source and generating heat, and multiple heat-conducting elements overlaying the heater element to receive the heat from the heater element and to increase heat-conducting area. The hair curlers hood the heat-conducting elements in order to achieve a rapid and uniform heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Samson Tsen
  • Patent number: 7034254
    Abstract: A heated delivery system for pizza and the like including a thermally insulated receptacle, an electrical resistance heating unit having a heat storing shell molded from thermosetting resin, and an electrical resistance heating member within the shell, the member having the capacity of being heated and maintained at a desired temperature. The heating member may be silicone rubber containing resistance heating elements, and its temperature may be regulated by a suitable temperature control, such as a thermostat or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Grabowski, Rao Atreyapurapu
  • Patent number: 7012225
    Abstract: Electric heating apparatus and manufacturing method for an electric heating apparatus, wherein prefabricated constructional units are used. The prefabricated constructional units consist of PTC heating elements fastened to contact sheets by means of a lacquer. This simplifies production and enhances protection against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Kurt Walz
  • Patent number: 7005617
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally cycling samples of a biological material including a thermal block assembly including a plurality of sample holders for receiving samples of biological material; a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly, the heat sink transferring heat away from the thermal block assembly to ambient air in contact with the heat sink; a first heat source thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly to provide heat to the thermal block assembly; and a second heat source thermally coupled to the first heat source and configured to provide heat to a portion of the first heat source. The arrangement of the heat sink, first heat source and second heat source can provide substantial temperature uniformity among the plurality of sample holders. The invention also includes a method for thermally cycling samples of biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Stratagene California
    Inventor: Larry Richard Brown
  • Patent number: 6998586
    Abstract: The present invention provides heating equipment of a treated substance designed so as to be equipped with any foil of a metallic material or non metallic material for heating the treated substance, and a heating mechanism for heating the foil to a temperature where a far infrared ray is radiated, and to heat the treated substance by the far infrared ray radiated from the foil. The heating efficiency in heating the treated substance by the far infrared ray can be made higher than conventional heating equipment. Meanwhile, the present invention has been found on the basis of experimental results where heating tests of water are performed with using the foil and wire of an aluminum material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 6914217
    Abstract: The invention is a device for heating a seat (3) comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1) which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2), a detector unit (6) in connection to the heating element (2) connected to the control unit (1) with current (I) being fed when the measured temperature value falls below a predetermined desired value (TB). The invention is characterized in that the detector unit (6) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (7) on or in the vicinity of the heating element (2) with at least one further temperature sensor (8) at a predetermined distance from the heating element (2). By means of the invention a more even heating of the seat is obtained with an increased comfort for a person sitting in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Tommy Fristedt
  • Patent number: 6911631
    Abstract: The device concerns among other things a plate heat exchanger having at least one pile of plate elements, each of which plate elements has a central heat transferring part and an edge part (15) surrounding this part, the heat transferring parts of the plate elements delimiting flow spaces between one another for at least one heat exchanging fluid (F1) and every plate element being of a double wall construction and having two heat transferring plates (1, 5; 2, 6; 3, 7; 4, 8) with a space therebetween. At least one layer element (16) is present in the space between the heat transferring plates (1,5; 2,6; 3,7; 4, 8) in at least one of the plate elements, every layer element (16) having at least one electrical connected resistive layer making electrical heating of the layer element (16) possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Mats Nilsson, Hedbys Göran
  • Patent number: 6909073
    Abstract: An integrated device based upon semiconductor technology, in particular a chemical microreactor, including a semiconductor body having a high-temperature operating portion and a low temperature operating portion. The semiconductor body is provided with a thermal-insulation device including a dissipator element arranged between the high-temperature operating portion and the low-temperature operating portion. The dissipator includes a membrane connecting the high-temperature operating portion and the low-temperature operating portion, and a plurality of diaphragms that extend substantially orthogonal to the membrane and are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Manlio Gennaro Torchia, Ubaldo Mastromatteo
  • Patent number: 6878905
    Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Stratagene California
    Inventors: Larry R. Brown, William D. Brumley, Kenneth J. Zajac
  • Patent number: 6875962
    Abstract: An electric heating system for motor vehicles including one or several electric heating elements; a control circuit provided for controlling the power dissipated by the heating elements; the control circuit including one or several power semiconductors arranged on a circuit board; the circuit board is by means of a solid matter connection connected by the side facing away from the power semiconductors to a metal plate intended to be mass potential; the metal plate being electrically insulated from conductor paths located on the underside of the circuit board and intended to carry a voltage in relation to the ground potential; the control circuit being arranged in a housing. One or several heat sinks are provided outside the housing. The metal plate is connected with the heat sinks arranged outside the housing by thermally conductive connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Günther Uhl, Steffen Geiger, Thomas Alban, Thomas Giffels, Dirk Wenske, Andreas Hamburger, Mike Riether
  • Patent number: 6847017
    Abstract: The electric heating arrangement (1) has a tubular housing (2) in which is provided at least one PTC heating element (20) and at least one pair of metallic heat dissipators (9) between which the at least one heating element (20) is clamped and which for this purpose each comprise a base portion (10) facing the at least one heating element and one or two curved legs (15) projecting from said base portion, which adapt themselves resiliently to the inner surface of the surrounding wall of the housing (2). The invention provides that the legs (15) taper toward their free ends and/or that the base portion (10) is thicker than the legs (15) projecting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventors: Roland Starck, Franz Flick, Frank Kamy
  • Publication number: 20040178189
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric heating unit which is housed in a calorie accumulator block. The invention comprises an accumulator block (2) which is made from light alloy, cast iron, ceramic or another material. Said block houses a flat resistor (1) which is disposed between two high-temperature insulating sheets (6, 7) and which comprises a dished resistive plate or a tape wound on a flat insulating support. In general terms, the invention relates to the industrial and commercial field for the production and distribution of basic and auxiliary heating devices that are intended for all types of locations, such as dwellings, houses, offices, shops and other private or professional locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Peyronny
  • Patent number: 6770854
    Abstract: Electric blankets and methods and systems for making electric blankets are provided. Certain electric blanket embodiments include a laminated scrim blanket with a heating element embedded therein. Other embodiments provide an electric blanket formed from conductive fibers. Another embodiment includes a central circuit that controls the position of electricity to an electric blanket responsively to temperature rate of change. A further embodiment includes a machine for inserting a heating element within passageways of a blanket shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Inotec Incorporated
    Inventor: Barry P. Keane
  • Patent number: 6747251
    Abstract: A heating system for a hand-held glue gun has a low-mass melting chamber, high-power resistance heating element, and thermostat (24). The heating element is arranged between the chamber and thermostat (24), so that the thermostat's (24) response to the heating element mirrors that of the load in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Adhesive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Belanger
  • Patent number: 6730878
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material has a heater having a heat generating resistor, an electrically conductive substrate, an intermediate insulating layer formed between the resistor and the substrate and two surface insulating layers provided on substantially entire areas of both surfaces of the substrate. The surface insulating layer on that surface side of the substrate which is opposed to the recording material is higher in heat conductivity than the surface insulating layer on the opposite surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahide Hirai
  • Patent number: 6730883
    Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Stratagene
    Inventors: Larry R. Brown, William D. Brumley, Kenneth J. Zajac
  • Patent number: 6727479
    Abstract: An integrated device based upon semiconductor technology, in particular a chemical microreactor, including a semiconductor body having a high-temperature operating portion and a low-temperature operating portion. The semiconductor body is provided with a thermal-insulation device including a dissipator element arranged between the high-temperature operating portion and the low-temperature operating portion. The dissipator includes a membrane connecting the high-temperature operating portion and the low-temperature operating portion, and a plurality of diaphragms that extend substantially orthogonal to the membrane and are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Manlio Gennaro Torchia, Ubaldo Mastromatteo
  • Patent number: 6724985
    Abstract: A hot water heating apparatus for an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle has a compact heat source apparatus not requiring a wide space for setting. A communication pipe, in which water as a heat medium flows, and an electric heater are embedded in a heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement to form a flat-shaped heat conductor. A heat source apparatus is constructed by stacking multiple flat-shaped heat conductors while the communication pipes are connected to each other in series. Further, the communication pipe and the electric heater are embedded in the heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement, and the communication pipes are connected in series. Therefore, water flowing in the communication pipes is rapidly heated, and heating efficiency is extremely high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Corona Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Matsunaga, Yuji Takeo, Kenichi Hasegawa, Susumu Kazama, Yoshihiko Adachi
  • Patent number: 6677555
    Abstract: An optical device module using an integral heat transfer module. The heat transfer module has an integrally formed heat source and a temperature sensor for reading temperature. A heat transfer path is simplified in packaging the optical device module, so that the optical device can avoid performance degradation due to nonuniform temperature distribution. The amount power consumption can be reduced and excellent workability can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh-Dal Kwon, Sun-Tae Jung, Tae-Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 6657169
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally cycling samples of a biological material including a thermal block assembly including a plurality of sample holders for receiving samples of biological material; a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly, the heat sink transferring heat away from the thermal block assembly to ambient air in contact with the heat sink; a first heat source thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly to provide heat to the thermal block assembly; and a second heat source thermally coupled to the first heat source and configured to provide heat to a portion of the first heat source. The arrangement of the heat sink, first heat source and second heat source can provide substantial temperature uniformity among the plurality of sample holders. The invention also includes a method for thermally cycling samples of biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Stratagene
    Inventor: Larry Richard Brown
  • Patent number: 6646232
    Abstract: An infant-support heater assembly having a heater element a radiator associated with the heater element and a sensing element in contact with at least a portion of the radiator. The sensing element is separate from the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Richards, Robert M. McDonough