Patents Examined by Leonid M Fastovsky
  • Patent number: 7378614
    Abstract: A heat rod assembly for preheating internal air of a vehicle by using heat generated from a positive temperature coefficient (PCT) device and a pre-heater for vehicles including the same, in which components of the heat rod assembly and the pre-heater are grouped as module units so that a width and a volume of the heat rod assembly or the pre-heater can be variously formed so that the heat rod assembly or the pre-heater is adaptable for various kinds of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Woory Industrial Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7358460
    Abstract: An autonomous deployment system is herein for functional utilization in the physical placement and deployment of a heating or thermal mat(s). The system is designed to enhance human productivity and ease deployment of the prior art thermal radiating or generating devices for the removal and or inhibition of accumulation of snow and ice. The deployment system as can be designed to operate autonomously with automatic controls and sensors to control both the thermal system and the technology of controlling a deployment system. The system is well suited to autonomously deploy and retract rolled membranes and or flexible materials out over a flat or sloped surface area. The inherent flexibility of the mat allows it to traverse gently curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: William H. Hoffman, Sandra R. Ruhl
  • Patent number: 7241980
    Abstract: A control method for a microwave oven equipped with a tray installed in a cooking chamber to rotate a popcorn bag while having a popcorn cooking mode to cook popcorn. During cooking, rotation of the tray is temporarily stopped near the point of time when the popcorn bag is increased in size to a maximum size. Accordingly, problems caused by the fact that the popcorn bag comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the cooking chamber so that it cannot rotate are solved. The popcorn cooking mode is an operation mode to cook a popcorn product with corn grains packed in the popcorn bag in a state in which it is folded at least one time. The rotation of the tray is temporarily stopped near the point of time when the popcorn bag is estimated to achieve its maximum length as a folded portion of the popcorn bag is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 7223940
    Abstract: An electrically heatable transparency has at least one substrate, a first bus bar spaced from a second bus bar, and a conductive coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first and second bus bars are in electrical contact with the coating. At least one of the bus bars has an end region in electrical contact with the coating. The end region is tapered such that the coating is of substantially uniform thickness on the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Voeltzel, Bruce A. Bartrug, James J. Finley, Allen R. Hawk, Lewis R. Palka, Frank J. Pazul, John A. Winter
  • Patent number: 7214210
    Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing an intravenous drug in a vial to a patient includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike and a chamber. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. A valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Lee Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 7211772
    Abstract: A patterned foil sheet heating element has a first discrete region patterned with a first plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a first sheet resistivity. It also has a second discrete region patterned with a second plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a second sheet resistivity. At least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the first discrete region are in electrical continuity with at least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the second discrete region, and the first discrete region and the second discrete region both adjoin a first junction strip of the foil heating element. An electrothermal heating assembly may be formed using such a patterned foil sheet sandwiched between two layers of material which may be thermally conductive and electrical insulative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carpino, II, James A. Mullen
  • Patent number: 7196295
    Abstract: A heater system is provided with a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source. Furthermore, a heater system using a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller for a specific application of a hot runner nozzle in an injection molding system is provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Fennewald, William A. McDowell, III, Kevin Ptasienski, Louis P. Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7193192
    Abstract: A temperature-responsive device (14) is provided for an electric heater (2). The heater (2) is located behind a heatable surface and comprises a dish-like support (6) having therein at least one electric heating element (12) having first and second terminal regions, (12A, 12B). An electrical component (18), having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature, is supported inside the heater (2) by an elongate member (16). The elongate member (16) is secured to the heater (2) and extends at least partially across the heater (2). An electrically insulating carrier member (30) is secured to the elongate member (16) at a location externally of the periphery of the heater (2). The carrier member (30) has first and second side edges (32, 38) at opposite sides of the elongate member (16) and is provided with first and second electrically conductive elements (34, 40) accessible at the opposite side edges (32, 38) for electrical connection to the first and second terminal regions (12A, 12B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Lamb
  • Patent number: 7193182
    Abstract: A heating plug for an electric cigar lighter, in particular for a cigar lighter equipping a motor vehicle, has a plug body designed to be inserted axially in a complementary female socket body equipped with electrical connection terminals. A push button is mounted so as to be able to move axially with respect to the plug body, between a neutral position and a pushed-in position in which it causes closure of an electrical circuit for supplying electrical current to a heating element arranged in the plug. The heating element has a lighting face which is accessible from the outside of the plug when the plug is removed from the socket body. The lighting face of the element is roughly parallel to the insertion axis of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Valco Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Can, Patrick Refouni, Pascal Thibaut
  • 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: 7186951
    Abstract: Sensor structure of a flow body protruding into a current for carrying out measurements of flow states, containing a structural part (1) with at least two measuring orifices (5), to which transfer lines (7) are coupled, which guide the flow medium from the measuring orifices (5) to a pressure converter system (13) for the purpose of determining the flow states. The outer shell (3) of the structural part (1) contains two areas (21, 22), which are arranged behind each other viewed in the direction of flow, wherein the first area (21) has greater thermal conductivity than the second area (22). Within the first area (21) heating elements (31) are arranged on the structural part (1), and are connected with a temperature control circuit with the temperature on the surface of the first area (21) as a control variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Zippold, Horst Odebrecht, Roland Lang, Ronald Gerbig, Heinz Meister, Manfred Palik, Hermann Wandel
  • Patent number: 7186952
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically heatable glazing panel comprising a substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating layer which is adapted to be electrically heatable and is divided into a plurality of zones, some heatable and some non-heatable. The glazing panel according to the invention is preferably a side window which may be used for de-misting or de-icing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Glaverbel
    Inventors: Etienne Degand, Christope Meerman, Eddy Catot
  • Patent number: 7186958
    Abstract: There is an apparatus having a housing, a heating element, a heating element switch, a heating chamber, a heating chamber cover, and a controller. The housing is handheld. The heating element is disposed within the housing. The heating element switch may be electrically coupled with the heating element. The heating chamber is disposed within the housing. The heating chamber cover may be adapted to at least partially eject the heating chamber from the housing when the heating chamber cover is displaced relative to the housing. The controller is electrically coupled with the heating element switch. The controller is adapted to control a transfer of energy to the heating element. The controller may be adapted to prevent the transfer of energy to the heating element if the heating chamber cover is not in a closed position relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Zhao Wei, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7180033
    Abstract: An electric blanket or pad arrangement has a flexible pad (10) upon which a heating element (12) is mounted, the heating element (12) being connected, by a two core cable (16), to a control circuit (18), the heating element (12) including a dual element region (20) having a first, inner conductor (26), a second outer conductor (30), an inner insulating material layer (28) provided between the first and second conductors (26, 30), and an outer insulating material layer (32) encasing the second conductor (30), the inner insulating material layer (28) having a lower melting point than the outer insulating material layer (30), and a connecting element (22) having at least a third conductor (36) providing a series electrical connection between the first and second conductors (26, 30) at one end (12a) of the dual element region (20) of the heating element (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Imetec SpA
    Inventor: Arturo Morgandi
  • Patent number: 7176417
    Abstract: A resistive heater having a doped ceramic heating element embedded either partially or completely within a matrix of undoped ceramic material. The ceramic may be silicon carbide, and the dopant may be nitrogen. Many of the advantages of the present heater stern from the fact that the materials used for the heating elements and the matrix material surrounding those elements have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. In one embodiment, the heater is a monolithic plate that is compact, strong, robust, and low in thermal mass, allowing it to respond quickly to power input variations. The resistive heater may be used in many of the reactors and processing chambers used to fabricate integrated circuits, such as those that deposit epitaxial films, and carry out rapid thermal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian E. Johnsgard, Daniel L. Messineo, David E. Sallows
  • Patent number: 7170033
    Abstract: A heating mat employs electrical resistance foils to provide a uniform heat. In embodiments of the invention applicable for providing heat to individuals, the mat provides this uniform heat at a comfortable temperature. The heating mat structure comprises protective layers surrounding the heating element to provide a durable structure that is suitable for industrial and commercial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Arthur Kaesler
  • Patent number: 7141762
    Abstract: Information handling system peripherals that use a heating element are protected from catastrophic failure due to overheating by a thermal failsafe associated with the heating element that fails the heating element if excessive temperatures are reached. For instance, the failsafe releases the vacuum from a heating element bulb so that the application of power to the filament of the heating element bulb oxidizes the filament resulting in failure of the filament and ceasing of generation of heat. The failsafe includes a melting agent, such as wax or solder, which seals an opening in the bulb unless a thermal runaway temperature is reached in excess of a desired operating temperature. Alternatively, the failsafe includes an expanding agent, such as a ceramic or a liquid-filled bubble, which releases the vacuum by fracturing an opening in the bulb at the thermal runaway temperature. The thermal runaway temperature is selected to induce failure before catastrophic overheating of the peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wayne Iltis, Donald Guthan
  • 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: 7118584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methodology of and apparatus for accurately positioning devices for performing endoscopic cannulation, papillotomy and sphincterotomy and similar procedures. The sphincterotome with a steerable or adjustable distal segment of the present invention allows the physician to control the position of the distal tip of the device independently of the endoscope and adjust for inconsistencies in the device and the anatomy. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a threaded portion of a cable assembly cooperates with a torque transmission element and a cog to enable the operator to rotate a cutting wire into a desired position relative to the catheter. Alternate embodiments allow the operator to fix the depth of a needle knife while allowing, if desired, accurate rotational positioning of the associated catheter. Threaded stabilizing elements, pivot elements and a steering wire may be used together or individually to accomplish these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Griego, Yem Chin
  • Patent number: 7091450
    Abstract: A grip heater has a tubular insulator that is designed to slip over a handlebar and has two interposed pairs of helical recesses. Each pair of helical recesses is formed by two parallel helical grooves and accommodates a heating element; the heating elements can have different resistances to provide differing degrees of heat when selectively connected to a voltage source. Preferably, the pairs of recesses overlap such that the heating elements reside in alternating grooves and cross over each other. The heating elements can be connected to a common ground to allow replacement of existing three-wire grip heaters. When a common ground is employed, the heating elements are preferably isolated where they cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: James M. Hollander