With Heating Unit Mounting Or Attaching Means Patents (Class 219/536)
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Patent number: 7154072Abstract: An open coil resistance heater assembly is made for universal mounting between left and right hand installations in an appliance or other equipment. The heater assembly has its coils arranged symmetrically about a bisecting plane of the heater assembly and/or a center line of its terminal assembly aligned with the bisecting plane. The symmetrical coil arrangement and/or bisected terminal assembly allow the heater to be used in right hand or left hand installations.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: James L. Sherrill, H. Keith Howard
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Patent number: 7149416Abstract: A heater for a washer-dryer includes a duct in which heating elements for heating the air flowing through the duct are disposed. A device for increasing the airflow in the area of a heating element is provided in the duct to improve the transportation of heat away from the heating element. The airflow device can be one or more projections on a wall of the duct extending into the duct and can be disposed upstream of the heating element with respect to a flow direction of the air, adjacent the heating element, and/or downstream of the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Thomas Nawrot, Bert Peters, Andreas Ziemann
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Patent number: 7104706Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device having at least a first heating element 102 for heating at least one protective sleeve 105, 602 arranged around at least a first uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. Said sleeve 105, 602 being arranged to shrink when exposed to heat to form a protecting member tightly enclosing said uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. The at least first heating element is flexible, and arranged to take at least a first open state and a second substantially closed state. Said first open state is suitable for inserting and removing said protecting sleeve and fiber into and out off said heating device. Said heating element, in said second state, substantially surrounds said sleeve to form an enclosure around said sleeve, so that said heating element radiates heat around substantially the complete circumference of said sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Dag Bergstrsöm, Hans Johansson, Moshen Janbakhsh, Torsten Lund
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Patent number: 7105782Abstract: An electrothermal article including a fabric member defining an inner space. A connector is disposed outwardly of the inner space in the fabric member and has conductive first and second terminals. A plurality of elongated flat heating elements is disposed in the inner space in the fabric member. Each of the elongated flat heating elements has first and second end portions. The first end portions of the elongated flat heating elements are grouped into a first bundle and are connected electrically to the first terminal of the connector. The second end portions of the elongated flat heating elements are grouped into a second bundle and are connected electrically to the second terminal of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Inventor: Steven Yue
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Patent number: 7075043Abstract: An open coil resistance heater uses one or more standoffs to engage and support the generally straight or uncoiled run of bare or insulated wire that is part of the resistance wire of the heater. The standoff has slots, which are sized to engage the bare or insulated wires for support purposes, and is removably mountable to the heater frame for supporting the run of uncoiled wire.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: H. Keith Howard, James L. Sherrill
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Patent number: 7067773Abstract: A food warming is provided with a partially open housing having an open side extending along a longitudinal length of the housing. A heating element is also provided, extending along the longitudinal length of the housing. A support member is disposed to maintain a position of the heating element at the open side of the housing. Thermally insulative material disposed within the housing insulates a surface of the housing from heat generated by the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: BSI Properties, Inc.Inventor: Chuck DeWitt
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Patent number: 7064301Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric heater, which electrically and mechanically protects heating means from the outside, increases heating value and thermal conductivity by increasing contact efficiency among components, and improves assembly efficiency and productivity. The electric heater includes: a plurality of radiation members, each having a radiation fin and a radiation fin supporting plate surrounding the radiation fin and formed integrally with the radiation fin by brazing; a plurality of flat tubes arranged between the radiation members and having heating means therein for generating heat when electric power is supplied; first and second support frames oppositely arranged at sides of the outermost radiation members for supporting and fixing the radiation members and the flat tubes; and first and second caps for supporting both end portions of the first and second support frames and both end portions of the flat tubes.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Halla Climate Control CorporationInventors: Incheol Han, Kilsang Jang, Dosik Min, Wonhoe Kim
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Patent number: 7060949Abstract: An end seal for a temperature sensing probe. Electrical interface wiring is passed through a restraining element and is operatively coupled to a temperature sensing element or heater element mounted in the sheath. The sheath is formed around the restraining element in a shape that provides a net force inward as temperature variations expand and contract the restraining element.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Wayne Davis, Paul Ribich, Dan Harvey, Nawaz Kasam
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Patent number: 7060950Abstract: The invention provides a linear and/or plane heating element, and a thawing mat, and a hot mat comprising the linear and/or plane heating element that provides necessary heat quantity at low electric power without burning fossil fuel and the like. A heating element is provided produced by coating laminated polyester on a plane painted by paint that adds nickel-indium compound oxide to the upper surface of polyester film to solderlessly connect electrodes to both ends to connect a power supply to the electrodes. The present invention provides a thawing mat and hot mat that entirely and uniformly coat the heating element having high conductivity and heating efficiency by adding nickel-indium compound oxide having high conductivity and heating efficiency to thermally deposit. Thus, maintenance cost and electricity expense can be saved, and both high quality and social cost can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Inventor: Masaaki Harita
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Patent number: 7053336Abstract: A heating element autobalance device includes a fixing mount, a balance device, a heating element, a top cover, a bottom cover and a base, wherein the fixing mount is disposed in the top cover, The balance device is configured atop the fixing mount, and is structured to include large rockers and small rockers, wherein the small rockers are separately configured on another side of each of the large rockers for disposing the heating element thereon, thereby achieving effectiveness and suitability for placing any body to be heated atop the heating element. The heating element penetrates the fixing mount and is fixedly configured atop insulation boards. Upon a body to be heated presses downwards and thereby comes in contact with the heating element, the balance device is thereby actuated, which effectuates clinging of the heating element to the body to be heated, and thus achieves effectiveness of even heating.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventor: Hsien-Kuan Cheng
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Patent number: 7049555Abstract: A sleeve heater has an electrical and generally cylindrical heater coil centered on an axis and shaped to fit over a part to be heated, a radially compressible and generally cylindrical inner sleeve snugly coaxially surrounding the heater coil, and a radially generally inextensible and generally cylindrical outer sleeve fitted coaxially over the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has an inner surface bearing tightly radially inward on the inner sleeve and radially compressing the inner sleeve and the coil inward. The inner sleeve is formed with two or more axially extending and axially oppositely open slots that are angularly equispaced, with alternate slots open axially in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Hotset Heizpatronen U. Zubehor GmbHInventor: Andre Sadowski
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Patent number: 7015428Abstract: A heater formed of multiple layers with at least two envelope layers sealed to each other to form a closed envelope and with at least one of the layers within the sealed envelope layers comprising a gas permeable internal ground member that permit one to heat seal the envelope layers to each other and prevents destruction of the heater if the heater accidentally exceeds a critical operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Longview Research & DevelopmentInventor: Todd A. Kirkman
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Patent number: 7012225Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Franz Bohlender, Kurt Walz
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Patent number: 6917020Abstract: A ceramic heater capable of reducing temperature uniformity at the periphery of through holes such as insertion holes and vacuum suction holes is provided, which protects wafer against thermal shocks and has improved controllability for temperature control parts such as thermocouples and temperature fuse. Further, a ceramic heater capable of uniform resin curing is provided. A heat generation body is disposed on the surface or inside of a ceramic substrate. Further, corners for the insertion holes, the recesses and the vacuum suction holes of the ceramic substrate are chamfered.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasutaka Ito
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Patent number: 6884974Abstract: A mica board open coil resistance heater assembly includes a mica board subassembly of at least one pair of mica boards, a resistance wire wound around the boards, an electrical connection clip secured to each mica board, wherein each end of the resistance wire is connected to a respective clip. A terminal plate subassembly includes a thermostat, a ceramic two-hole terminal block, and bus wires, the bus wires adapted to be attached to a portion of the electrical connection clip to connect the resistance wire to power. The ceramic two-hole terminal is able to receive push on terminals from power conductors.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: H. Keith Howard, Robert Kirby
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Patent number: 6864467Abstract: An electric heater for gaseous media with at least one support plate and at least one helix of corrugated, electric resistance heating wire wound continuously around the support plate and whose turns are held by means of heating wire bend-offs on the longitudinal edges of the support plate is characterized in that the heating wire is positioned in such a way that it only contacts longitudinal narrow sides and/or edges of the longitudinal narrow sides of the support plate, the bending angle being much larger than 40°. This significantly reduces the risk of thermal damage to the heating wire, particularly in the vicinity of the plate edges. As a result of the largely naturally stable design of the heating wire, the heater according to the invention requires no spacers between the support plates and is therefore particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jürgen Stritzinger, Norbert Kern
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Patent number: 6852955Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive composition for cementing together at least one metallized (e.g. aluminized or silvered) surface of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element to at least one metallic (e.g. aluminum) electrode, in the manufacture of PTC thermistor devices which are potentially capable of operating in a working temperature range not less than ?55° C. to +300° C. and for at least 30,000 hours. The composition comprises, as the adhesive component, a curable silicone (e.g. silicone rubber) prepolymer, as well as finely divided silicon carbide and finely-divided silicon, and preferably also a finely-divided metallic powder.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: A.T.C.T. Advanced Thermal Chips Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Gad Golan, Yuly Galperin
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Publication number: 20040182853Abstract: A mica board open coil resistance heater assembly includes a mica board subassembly of at least one pair of mica boards, a resistance wire wound around the boards, an electrical connection clip secured to each mica board, wherein each end of the resistance wire is connected to a respective clip. A terminal plate subassembly includes a thermostat, a ceramic two-hole terminal block, and bus wires, the bus wires adapted to be attached to a portion of the electrical connection clip to connect the resistance wire to power. The ceramic two-hole terminal is able to receive push on terminals from power conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: H. Keith Howard, Robert Kirby
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Patent number: 6770855Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Keith Howard, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike Walker
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Patent number: 6762395Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Chandrakant M. Yagnik, Roy E. Barth, R. Knox Pitzer
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Publication number: 20040112890Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is held by support pins horizontally. A susceptor and a heating plate are moved upwardly so that the semiconductor wafer is transferred from the support pins to the susceptor. At this time, a gas layer is sandwiched between the upper surface of the susceptor and the lower surface of the semiconductor wafer to cause the semiconductor wafer to float over the upper surface of the susceptor for about seventy seconds immediately after the semiconductor wafer is mounted on the upper surface of the susceptor. Then, flash lamps are lit up to perform flash heating while the semiconductor wafer is floating over the upper surface of the susceptor. Even when flashlight irradiation causes rapid thermal expansion of the wafer surface, the semiconductor wafer does not suffer a great stress. This can prevent the semiconductor wafer from breaking.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsufumi Kusuda, Tsutomu Ueyama
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Patent number: 6740852Abstract: An electrical heating facility includes an electrical heating element attached to a base and having two terminals, and a temperature sensing device having two conductors for electrically coupling to the terminals of the electrical heating element and to detect the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensing device may be easily secured to the base with a magnetically secure device by the users, and may also be easily disengaged from the base when the temperature sensing device is hit or collided by people or objects inadvertently.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Inventors: Tsan Kuen Wu, Hui Min Guo
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Patent number: 6737616Abstract: An open coil resistance heating apparatus uses a pair of twisted wires having a particular gauge and pitch as the resistance heating wire. Using the twisted pair of wires in the selected gauge and pitch results in significant cost reductions; less wire is needed to achieve the same heating capacity.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventor: James L. Sherrill
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Patent number: 6737615Abstract: A heat conductor coil for heating a flowing gaseous medium is configured to be attached to a support configuration and has a heat conductor wound in windings following an ascending line of a coil to form the heat conductor coil, wherein the ascending line of the coil defines a circumferential surface of the heat conductor coil. The heat conductor is deflected alternatingly in opposite directions within the circumferential surface of the coil out of the ascending line of the coil. The heat conductor coil is attached to a support plate by securing elements having a securing part for holding a winding of the heat conductor coil and a foot part for attaching the securing element to the support plate. The securing part is a tubular section with a substantially closed mantle surface and receives a winding of the heat conductor coil.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: MicroHellix Systems GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Lange, Ingo Schehr
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Patent number: 6730878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahide Hirai
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Patent number: 6723968Abstract: A conductive metal jumper strap has a plate portion with a pair of connection legs forming a u-shape. The connection legs are adapted to connect to terminals to make an electrical connection between two components of a heating device. The plate portion has a bend in it to allow flexing so that the connection legs can make a jumper connection between terminals where the terminal spacing may vary between heating devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
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Patent number: 6717113Abstract: This invention is a thermal management method for efficient, rapid, controllable and uniform thermal management over a wide temperature range. The method integrates a thermal source, thermal sink and a thermal diffuser. According to the invention, a thermal diffuser is positioned stationary relative to the wafer surface and coupled to a thermal source and a thermal sink, which are also stationary relative to the wafer surface. The thermal sink comprises a heat-carrying media with a controllable temperature. The wafer is heated from a first processing temperature to a second processing temperature during a heating time interval and then cooled to the first processing temperature from the second processing temperature during a cooling time interval. During heating and cooling, the wafer is constantly held in a fixed position. Zonal control of the thermal source and non-uniform flow of the thermal sink enable sensitive mitigation of thermal non-uniformity on a heating surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventor: Dikran S. Babikian
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Patent number: 6703588Abstract: A housing is provided for maintaining a planar lightguide circuit at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range independent of ambient temperature. The housing includes a planar heating arrangement supporting and in thermal contact with the planar lightguide circuit. Also included is a frame assembly having a first surface on which the planar heating arrangement is fixed. The frame assembly has at least one opening through which extends at least one optical fiber coupled to the planar lightguide circuit. An overmold, which is molded around the frame assembly, includes at least one strain relief member through which the optical fiber extends.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Wavesplitter Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George F. Deveau, Francis A. Rotoloni
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Patent number: 6700098Abstract: A system for preventing and clearing gutter ice dams includes a plurality of wire holding assemblies, each assembly having a base for attachment to a gutter and a length-adjustable arm for contact with a roof adjacent the gutter. The arm is rotatably and pivotally mounted to the base. The system includes a PTCR heating cable that is held in a desired position by the wire holding assembly arms. The system includes roof and gutter temperature sensors and a moisture sensor. The heating cable is connected to the control unit, the control having a mode selector switch for controlling operation of the cable. In an automatic mode, the heating cable is energized if a roof temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature and a gutter temperature is less than a predetermined temperature. In a timer mode, the heating cable is energized for a selectable time.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventors: Angela Wyatt, Blair Sutton
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Patent number: 6683285Abstract: Hot-air device with a heating element situated in a stream of air, with a carrier consisting of temperature-resistant material and heating wires located in the air channels, and with at least one metal mount for the carrier, wherein the temperature-resistant material of the carrier comes into at least partial electrical contact with the metal mount, and is connected to a device for interrupting the heating circuit, which, during heating, interrupts the heating circuit when a threshold value is reached owing to the measuring current discharged over the insulating material and the contact element. The direct and very quick measuring principle enables a simple and inexpensive protection of the heating element, as well as control and regulation without additional sensors. It is possible to control or regulate the hot-air temperature of the hot-air device via the measuring current.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Leister Process TechnologiesInventors: Markus Wyss, Bruno von Wyl
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Patent number: 6646232Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: John H. Richards, Robert M. McDonough
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Publication number: 20030192876Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Keith Howard, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike Walker
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Publication number: 20030192877Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
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Patent number: 6624398Abstract: A heater assembly includes a mounting structure, a securement structure, an insulator support structure, a conducting structure having a first portion and a second portion, a terminal structure, and a thermostat structure. The securement structure cooperates with the insulator support structure and the mounting structure to releasably and fixedly secure the insulator support structure to the mounting structure. The terminal structure is coupled to the first portion of the conducting structure, and is used to deliver power to the conducting structure. The thermostat structure is coupled to the second portion of the conducting structure. The insulator support structure is configured to cooperate with both the terminal structure and the thermostat structure to fixedly support the terminal structure or the thermostat structure in position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike D. Walker
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Patent number: 6621056Abstract: A heater assembly includes a housing structure, a support structure, an insulator structure, and a heating structure. The housing structure conveys heat to be produced within the housing structure from a first portion to a second portion of the housing structure. The support structure is releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure. The insulator structure is affixed to the support structure to be releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure. The heating structure is affixed to the insulator structure to be releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure, and to be insulated from at least one of the housing structure and the support structure. The housing structure includes an outer surface having a non-uniform cross section with respect to an axis of the housing structure. The support structure, the insulator structure, and the heating structure are positioned within the housing structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventor: Jimmy Lee Sherrill
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Patent number: 6600141Abstract: A heater assembly includes a mounting assembly, a conducting structure, a thermostat structure, a first terminal structure and a second terminal structure, and an insulator support structure including a terminal receiving opening formed therethrough. The conducting structure and the insulator support structure are releasably and fixedly secured to the mounting assembly. The terminal receiving opening of the insulator support structure cooperates with the first terminal structure to secure the first terminal structure to the mounting assembly. The second terminal structure is releasably and fixedly secured to the mounting assembly. The thermostat structure is connected to the first terminal structure and to the second terminal structure. The first terminal structure is then connected to a power delivering structure to receive power to be used by the heater assembly, and to deliver power, through the thermostat structure, to the conducting structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike D. Walker
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Patent number: 6596974Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Keith Howard, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike Walker
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Patent number: 6593554Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
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Patent number: 6593553Abstract: The present invention provides a heating coil assembly having metal bracket, a support rail, a heating coil, and a plurality of insulating supports. The metal bracket is attached to a terminal block and the support rail. The heating coil is electrically connected to the terminal block. Each insulating support has a hole to receive the support rail. Each insulating support further has a rigid body and a plurality of slots. Each slot is capable of receiving a portion of a coil turn of the heating coil. Each slot has a generally flat bottom and two inwardly projecting sidewalls. Each inwardly projecting sidewall is defined by a hook edge and ramp edge. The present invention further includes a method of assembling such heating coil assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: Charles T. Whitfield
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Patent number: 6593549Abstract: A heater is secured to a cooling device in a reflow oven by a bracket comprising a first portion attached to a supporting structure, such as the cooling device itself, and a second portion extending over the heater. A member, preferably a screw, extends through the second portion of the bracket, against the heater. The first portion of the bracket is preferably attached to the cooling device by a screw. The bracket is preferably a stiff material such as aluminum. In addition, the duty cycle of a plurality of heaters on a plurality of respective cooling devices is controlled by a thermocouple on the cooling device closest to the exit of the reflow oven.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Rodger L. Stevens
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Publication number: 20030102301Abstract: A heater assembly includes a mounting structure, a securement structure, an insulator support structure, a conducting structure having a first portion and a second portion, a terminal structure, and a thermostat structure. The securement structure cooperates with the insulator support structure and the mounting structure to releasably and fixedly secure the insulator support structure to the mounting structure. The terminal structure is coupled to the first portion of the conducting structure, and is used to deliver power to the conducting structure. The thermostat structure is coupled to the second portion of the conducting structure. The insulator support structure is configured to cooperate with both the terminal structure and the thermostat structure to fixedly support the terminal structure or the thermostat structure in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Jimmy L. Sherrill, Ike D. Walker
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Patent number: 6566638Abstract: A convection cooking appliance includes an oven cavity surrounded, at least in part, by an air channel assembly. The appliance includes at least first and second heating units arranged in the air channel assembly, as well as an additional heating unit in the oven cavity. A blower assembly is provided to generate a recirculating flow of air through the air channel assembly and the oven cavity. A microwave generator and a catalyst are also arranged in the air channel assembly. A controller, responsive to operator inputs and signals from a temperature sensor extending into the air channel assembly, regulates the activation/deactivation state of each of the components based on a preprogrammed algorithm. One of the heating units in the air channel assembly is constituted by an open coil heating element, defined by a plurality of rows spaced in the direction of air flow downstream of the blower assembly. The arrangement of the coils functions to straighten the air flow for delivery to the oven cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: John Scott Brown
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Publication number: 20030089701Abstract: A heater assembly includes a housing structure, a support structure, an insulator structure, and a heating structure. The housing structure conveys heat to be produced within the housing structure from a first portion to a second portion of the housing structure. The support structure is releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure. The insulator structure is affixed to the support structure to be releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure. The heating structure is affixed to the insulator structure to be releasably and fixedly secured to the housing structure, and to be insulated from at least one of the housing structure and the support structure. The housing structure includes an outer surface having a non-uniform cross section with respect to an axis of the housing structure. The support structure, the insulator structure, and the heating structure are positioned within the housing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventor: Jimmy Lee Sherrill
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Patent number: 6552306Abstract: A cooking appliance (wok) (10) having a stainless steel bowl (11) to which there is attached a heating base (15). Embedded in the heating base (15) is an electric heating element (17). The bowl (11) is formed of stainless steel and is of an arcuate configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation LimitedInventor: Nicholas Graham Edmonds
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Patent number: 6528773Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave oven including a cavity having a certain area for cooking comprising a flow path formed between a main body and the cavity so as to be connected from a side of the cavity to the upper surface of the cavity, a heater installed on the side of the flow path corresponding to the outer upper surface of the cavity for emitting heat, a discharge hole installed on the upper surface of the cavity corresponding to the lower portion of the heater for discharging the heat of the heater into the cavity, an inlet installed on the lower portion of the side wall of the cavity for making the air inside of the cavity flow in the flow channel, and a circulating fan installed on a certain portion of the flow channel for circulating the air inside of the cavity flown through the inlet to the heater.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yang Kyeong Kim, Jong Gwan Ryu, Sung Jin Han, Wan Soo Kim
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Patent number: 6509554Abstract: A clip for connecting one or two insulators to a rail (preferably a T-bar member) of an electric heater including at least one bendable metal clinching member, where the clip is securable to the rail by bending the clinching member around the rail. Preferably, the clinching member is one or two T-shaped end members disposed on transverse ends of the clip. Opposite end sections of the ridge of the T-shaped end member constitute clinching flaps which, in use, are clinched around a stem of a T-bar of an electric heater.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Tutco, Inc.Inventors: Keith Howard, James Sherrill, Ike Walker
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Publication number: 20020185491Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
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Patent number: 6492628Abstract: A heater supporting structure includes heaters comprising plate-shaped electrical resistance heating elements and power applying portions for energizing the electrical resistance heating elements, mounts for mounting the electrical resistance heating elements, and first insulative supporters and second insulative supporters, the supporters being provided on the mounts with a certain distance and supporting edges of the electrical resistance heating elements, and the electrical resistance heating elements are formed in a shape so as to project toward the mounts and are provided apart from the mounts.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignees: Asahi Glass Company, Limited, Teitokusha Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Maeda, Kimio Kitamura
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Patent number: 6479797Abstract: A snow melting apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises a plurality of heating wires 10, a pair of fixing members 20, 20 and rod-shaped auxiliary fixing members 30. The plurality of heating wires 10 are arranged substantially in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals in a director perpendicular to its axial direction. The fixing members fix and hold the plurality heating wires at end portions thereof. The rod-shaped auxiliary fixing member holds the plurality of heating wires at intermediate positions thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a snow melting apparatus which holds a certain flexing capability, which causes no damage to the joining force between a base layer and a surface layer of a driveway, and which does not fail completely even if the apparatus partially breaks at a single position therealong.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Tigers Polymer CorporationInventors: Kiyoshi Yanagimoto, Motohiro Nishii
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Patent number: 6477323Abstract: A heating vessel for concentration is formed in an elongated one, and a baffle plate is arranged to increase sulfuric acid liquid concentration at an outlet to a high level. The heating vessel for concentration and a heating vessel for distillation are installed so that the respective heating vessels have substantially the same waste sulfuric acid liquid level therein, forming continuous flow of the sulfuric acid liquid without presence of a valve or an intermediate tank in a connecting pipe. The heating vessel for distillation is formed in an elongated one with a baffle plate arranged therein to increase the impurity concentration included in concentrated sulfuric acid liquid at an outlet to a high level.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Asahi Techno Glass CorporationInventors: Kiyohito Koizumi, Hiroshi Osuda, Toru Matoba, Masataka Fukuizumi, Takayuki Sadakata