Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling the temperature of one or more substances passing through one or more microfluidics channels in an analysis device is set forth. The apparatus includes a heating unit having first and second surfaces. The first surface of the heating unit is constructed so that it is at least partially exposed for cooling of the heating unit. The apparatus also includes a thermally conductive medium that is disposed proximate the second surface of the heating unit. The one or more microfluidics channels are disposed in the thermally conductive medium. In one embodiment, the one or more microfluidics channels are in the form of a plurality of capillary columns, such as those used in instruments for capillary electrophoresis. Each capillary column is substantially surrounded by the material forming the thermally conductive medium.

Abstract: A heating system has been incorporated into the commercial space fixture of a plastic chair mat to provide a space-saving heating system. The material for the plastic mat is chosen based on its thermal and electrical properties to provide necessary safety and support convenience for occupied rolling office chairs. Materials include vinyl, acrylic, and polyethylene. The heating elements are placed into the body of the plastic material, which is connected to conventional electrical elements, such as power source, GFIs, thermostats, and safety shut offs, outside the plastic mat. Other more complicated electronics, such as an anti-static mechanism, may be included as needed by the environment.

Abstract: An electric heating structure of a domestic appliance includes at least one first electric heating track (23) having a positive temperature coefficient and at least one additional electric heating track (27, 28). A control structure (22, 25, 29) is provided for controlling electric power supply to said first and additional heating tracks (23, 27, 28) and is sensitive to the heating of said at least one first heating track (23) for switching on said at least one additional electric heating track (27, 28) in parallel and in addition to said at least one first heating track (23) when said at least one first heating track (23) has been heated to at least a predetermined extent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plate warming apparatus for use in keeping food warm in a restaurant. The invention has four primary components: a serving plate; a heater assembly; a plate adapter for coupling the plate and heater assembly; and a base fixture that enables the adapter to be selectively coupled to the heater assembly. These elements allow the heater assembly to heat the underside of a serving plate and, thereby, keep food warm as it is delivered to and consumed at a user's table. The invention allows the heater assembly to be uncoupled from the underside of the plate and recharged as necessary for reuse on other serving plates.

Abstract: A heatable article, e.g. a heatable windshield, having a generally trapezoidal shape has a conductive member, e.g. a conductive coating, between and in contact with a pair of spaced bus bars having different lengths. Selected portions of the coating between the bus bars are segmented to reduce the difference in watt density between the coatings at the bus bars when current moves through the coating. In one non-limiting embodiment, the width of the segments at the longer bus bar is less than the width of the segments at the longer bus bar. With this configuration, the watt density at the bottom of the windshield is increased to more efficiently remove ice and snow. In another non-limiting embodiment, the coating has a communication window to pass frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g. RF frequencies, to obtain information from within the vehicle.

Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug for self-igniting internal combustion engines has an electrical heating element which projects into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and a current feed-through for providing a heating current for the heating element through an opening in the combustion chamber. A switch is positioned in the region of the current feed-through, and the heating current may be controlled by the opening and closing of the switch.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for detecting the contact between hands and a steering wheel, which assures that the driver of a vehicle has his hands on the steering wheel.

Abstract: One or more heating elements comprise a heating element. One or more elongated beams comprise an elongated beam. The heating element is coupled with the elongated beam and induces a time-varying thermal gradient in the elongated beam to cause one or more oscillations of one or more of the one or more elongated beams.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity, an electric heating element and a rapid cook heating system both of which being operable on either one of first and second supply voltages, and a controller including a memory module having stored therein first and second control algorithms. The controller will operate the cooking appliance based on one of the first or second control algorithm depending upon whether the cooking appliance is connected to the first or second supply voltages respectively. Preferably, the appliance includes a sensor for signaling the controller as to the presence of either the first or second supply voltage. In the alternative, the appliance can be manually set for use with a particular voltage supply.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods for forming electrically conductive heated dielectric panels are provided. The panels are utilized for warming objects and/or insuring unobstructed viewing through the panels by removing moisture. The methods include depositing electrically conductive metal bus bars onto the dielectric panel, onto which panel a conductive coating has previously been disposed. The conductive metal bus bars are deposited onto the coated dielectric panel through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus, in combination with an oxyacetylene or a plasma device. A metallic tab, which extends from the panel peripheral edge, is brought into electrical contact with each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity.

Abstract: Electrically resistive heating element, with metal strip electrodes secured thereto, and with electrical wires secured to said metal strip electrodes, is encapsulated with thermoset-molding compound.

Abstract: A system and method for introducing medical devices within vasculature that incorporates a dual lumen introducer allowing a plurality of guidewires to be introduced without entanglement. The introducer further includes slits formed in the dual lumen introducer and a dilator or an inner member with grooves that facilitate easy removal of the introducer and dilator from vasculature. The dual lumen introducer maintains separation between guidewires. The slits in the dual lumen introducer and the dilator grooves allow removal from the guidewires by slipping the device off the guidewires without retracting them the entire guidewire length. A peel-away sheath protects the vasculature from the guidewires, prevents the dilator from slipping off the guidewires, and maintains access to an expanded vessel for the introduction of medical devices.

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.

Abstract: The cooking unit has a glass-ceramic panel (1) providing a cooking surface, which is made of transparent colorless glass-ceramic bulk material or a glass panel made of pre-stressed transparent colorless glass material. Radiant heating elements (3) are provided under the glass or glass-ceramic panel, which heat respective cooking zones. The glass or glass-ceramic panel has a full surface decorative coating (7) on its upper side, which makes dirt and usage marks less conspicuous, and an IR permeable coating (6) having a solid or plain color, preferably bisque-like, on its underside. The IR permeable coating having the solid or plain color prevents an observer from viewing the internal components of the cooking unit that are under the cooking panel from above it.

Abstract: A vapor flow controller apparatus for delivery of chemical reagent vapors from a liquid phase source material is provided which includes a source container containing the liquid phase source material, a pump to transport the liquid phase source material to a vaporizor module, the pump having a flow rate controller, and the vaporizer module having a source material inlet, a carrier gas inlet, and a vaporized gas outlet. The vaporizer module converts the liquid phase source material to a vapor. The vapor flow controller apparatus further includes a source material conduit for passage of the liquid phase source material from the source container to the source material inlet of the vaporizer module. The vapor flow controller apparatus further includes a carrier gas container containing a carrier gas and having a carrier gas outlet conduit controlled by a mass flow controller.

Abstract: The input/output system of the present invention includes a sheet-like input/output unit that includes wiring and a connection box that is attached to an edge of the sheet-like input/output unit. The connection box includes a housing that is attached so as to sandwich the sheet-like input/output unit and internally encloses a circuit board that is connected to the wiring. The housing includes a slit through which the sheet-like input/output unit passes and whose upper and lower edges are curved and means for fixing the sheet-like input/output unit that is disposed inside to the slit. Since the means for fixing the sheet-like input/output unit is disposed inside to the slit, the edges of the slit are narrow but formed with large radii of curvature, so that the sheet-like input/output unit is not folded over at the slit part. The slit can also be sealed by attaching packing to the edge of the slit.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a variety of clothes is disclosed. The apparatus is an elastic band with a plurality of internal heating elements that is incorporated into various items of clothing, with a user having the capability of turning on the elastic band to different heating levels. The elastic band is heated by at least one battery located within an incorporated battery compartment.

Abstract: A temperature-measuring device for a microwave oven, which is capable of easily measuring the temperature of an object outside of a cooking cavity of the microwave oven, as well as the temperature of food inside of the cooking cavity. The microwave oven includes a control unit which controls an entire cooking operation of the microwave oven, and a temperature-measuring device having a variable-length wire which is electrically connected to the control unit at its one end. The temperature measuring device further includes a temperature sensing probe connected to the other end of the variable-length wire, and a rotating member which winds the variable-length wire therearound. The rotating member is electrically connected to the control unit.

Abstract: An upper heat roller with an external heat source and a lower heat roller with an internal heat source are arranged with a paper transport path therebetween, in such a manner as to be pressed against each other. The lower heat roller is heated sufficiently, thereby supplying a paper sheet with sufficient heat when the paper sheet is transported through a contact region between the upper and lower heat rollers to be heated.