Abstract: The invention is directed to an insecticide delivery system for delivering an insecticide to an ambient environment. The insecticide delivery system includes a can having an open end and an interior. A thermally activated insecticide is disposed within the can interior. An electrical heater assembly is disposed adjacent to the can. The heater assembly is configured for increasing a temperature of the can to a temperature whereby the thermally activated insecticide is delivered to the ambient environment. The heater assembly includes a resistance heater wire connected in series with a thermal cut-off device. The resistance heater wire may include a parallel shunt at one or both ends thereof.

Abstract: A heated tray which can be activated to release a frozen liquid from compartments thereof. The tray includes an electrically insulative body having one or more compartments for receiving a liquid to be frozen. The tray also includes an electrically conductive polymer which can be heated by applying a potential across the conductive polymer. The conductive polymer is provided so as to be adjacent each compartment of the insulative body. The tray further includes first and second electrode grids on either side of the conductive polymer, which electrode grids include electrode members that are adjacent each compartment of the insulative body. The first and second electrode grids and the conductive polymer form a circuit which is used to heat the compartments of the insulative body.

Abstract: A heater apparatus includes a substrate, a resistive film formed on a first portion of the substrate, and first and second conductive leads formed on the substrate engaging the resistive film. First and second electrodes are coupled to the first and second conductive leads, respectively. The heater apparatus also includes an overmolded body made of an insulating material formed on the substrate to encapsulate the resistive film, the first and second conductive leads, and a portion of the first and second electrodes in an insulating material. The substrate is formed to include first and second apertures in close proximity to the first and second conductive leads, respectively. The first and second electrodes each include a tab portion extending through the first and second apertures, respectively. The tab portions are deformed so that the tab portion of the first electrode engages the first conductive lead and the tab portion of the second electrode engages the second conductive lead.

Abstract: A heater assembly for electrically heating fuel subsequent to its being sprayed from a fuel injector has a body that receives an end portion of the fuel injector and a heating structure. The heating structure includes a heat sink formed from an electrically and thermally conductive metal or metal alloy having an opening formed therein for receiving fuel sprayed from the nozzle of the fuel injector, one or more integrally formed flats on an exterior surface of the heat sink, and one or more substantially flat heating elements mounted in heat conducting relation to the flats. The substantially flat heating elements may be formed from Positive Temperature Coefficient material. An electric supply is provided for powering the one or more heating elements and a control device is provided for regulating the power supplied from the electric supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an electrical connection from an electrical component to a current carrying device, such as from a lamp or heating element to blade-type power electrodes, includes first and second electrodes positioned a fixed distance apart, an electrical component having first and second leads and being configured to be slidably inserted between the blade electrodes so that the leads engage the electrodes to couple the electrical component thereto, and insulating material for encapsulating a portion of the plug and at least a portion of the electrical component to secure the component to the plug. The first and second electrodes are fixed a predetermined distance apart. The conductive leads of the electrical component are inserted between the first and second electrodes such that the respective leads engage each of the electrodes. At least portions of the electrodes and the component are then encapsulated with an insulated material to secure the electrical component to the electrodes.

Abstract: A flexible elongated resistance heating element of improved uniformity and ease of termination has a continuous strip of resistance wire formed about a flexible elongated strand of insulating material in a generally helical pattern of nonuniform pitch with regions of increased pitch and correspondingly reduced turns density which regions experience little increase in temperature when the element is energized. The pitch of the helical resistance wire pattern varies as it approaches each of the ends of the element to provide a region of increased pitch followed by a region of decreased pitch at each end. Shorting wires may thereby be eliminated. An insulating coating surrounds the resistance wire and strand and electrical terminals are connected by crimping to the regions of decreased pitch of the resistance wire at the ends. The heating element may be bonded to a support member in a serpentine pattern with the cool end regions extending freely from the support member.