Patents Examined by Mark Paschall
  • Patent number: 9872521
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling an electrical heating element, including maintaining a temperature of the heating element at a target temperature by supplying pulses of electrical current to the heating element; monitoring a duty cycle of the pulses of electrical current; and determining if the duty cycle differs from an expected duty cycle or range of duty cycles, and if so, reducing the target temperature, or stopping the supply of current to the heating element or limiting the duty cycle of the pulses of electrical current supplied to the heating element. As the temperature is maintained at a known target temperature, any variation in the duty cycle or range of duty cycles expected to maintain the target temperature is indicative of abnormal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Robin Farine, Pascal Talon
  • Patent number: 9872946
    Abstract: A temperature-adjusted heater for transfusion includes a clamping member and a temperature-controlled unit. The clamping member defines a through hole, for a transfusion tube pass through and fixed therein. The temperature-controlled unit connecting to power supply, includes a heating member, an adjusting current circuit, and an adjusting button. The heating member is mounted in the clamping member, in communication with the through hole, and firmly against the transfusion tube. The heating member and the adjusting button are in series with the adjusting current circuit, and the adjusting button is operated to change the resistance value of the adjusting current circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHURCON MANUFACTURING (ZHEJIANG) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sherry Chen, Qi Bao
  • Patent number: 9872591
    Abstract: A heated ice scraper assembly includes a scraper that has a handle and a wedge. The handle may be manipulated thereby facilitating the wedge to scrape ice from a window. A blade is coupled to the wedge and the blade may frictionally engage the ice thereby facilitating the ice to be removed from the window. A cover is selectively positioned on the blade. A heating unit is coupled to the scraper and the heating unit is in thermal communication with the blade. The heating unit heats the blade thereby enhancing the scraping ice with the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Scott Casavan
  • Patent number: 9867921
    Abstract: A medical device having a heater with at least one heating element which has mains voltage applied to it by a heating control unit. The heating control unit includes a monitoring arrangement and a switching arrangement. The monitoring arrangement can recognize the zero crossings of the mains voltage, and the switching arrangement can switch the at least one heating element on or off in the zero crossing. The heating control unit controls the power of the heating by switching on and off of one or more half cycles of the mains AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Sven Sebesta, Ulrich Wernicke
  • Patent number: 9872344
    Abstract: An apparatus applies electromagnetic (EM) energy at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element. The apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory that includes instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving information sensed by a detector and determining an energy application schedule based on the information sensed by the detector, the energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying the EM energy at an irregular order of MSEs, and causing application of the EM energy at the plurality of MSEs to the object in the energy application zone via the at least one radiating element, according to the energy application schedule determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Eliezer Gelbart, Itzhak Chaimov, Lior Darshan
  • Patent number: 9867268
    Abstract: In some aspects, nozzles for a plasma arc torch can include a first body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; and a second body disposed about a portion of the first body to complement the first body, the second body defining a set of channels formed on an internal surface shaped to form a set of liquid flow passages between the first body and the second body, the second body at least partially defining at least one inlet and at least one outlet to the set of liquid flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Currier, John Peters, Steve Dunbar
  • Patent number: 9860940
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high performance heater. In an embodiment, the high performance heater comprises a first stackable tray comprising a first alignment pin that insulates a first heating element disposed in the first stackable tray; a second stackable tray comprising a second alignment pin that insulates a second heating element disposed in the second stackable tray, wherein a top of the first alignment pin fits in to a cut out of a bottom of the second alignment pin when the first and second stackable trays are stacked, and wherein the first and second stackable trays comprise one or more materials, an outer diameter and an inner diameter, and wherein an area between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the stackable trays comprises at least one cut out portion that allows expansion of the material(s) when the high performance heater is at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Arsalan Emami
  • Patent number: 9851151
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for controlling the heating of the base within a chemical vapour deposition chamber, which apparatus is applicable to an MOCVD reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED MICRO-FABRICATION EQUIPMENT INC, SHANGHAI
    Inventors: Baoxia Tian, Steven Tianxiao Lee, Yingbin Liu, Quanyong Guo
  • Patent number: 9848655
    Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one heating element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Franck Pourrat, Jean-Pierre Cordey
  • Patent number: 9844103
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking assistance device for providing information that assists cooking using a cooking appliance based on a measurement result of power consumption of the cooking appliance. The cooking assistance device includes a storage unit that stores information that relates to power consumption in cooking, an acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value that relates to power consumption of the cooking appliance, and an output unit that outputs the measurement value and the information that relates to power consumption in cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiko Hirukawa, Ataru Okura, Misuzu Doi
  • Patent number: 9833860
    Abstract: A plasma arc cutting system and method is providing which provides a fixed arc start current until separation occurs between the torch nozzle and electrode. After separation the current is dropped to a low current level for a period of time and then current pulses are provided until a work current is detected in a work piece to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Peters, William T. Matthews, Laurent Majerus
  • Patent number: 9839074
    Abstract: A PBN-coated carbon heater is disclosed in which the carbon base body is anisotropic with respect to thermal expansion coefficient such that the maximum-to-minimum coefficient ratio is 1.02 through 1.50 for temperatures between 50 and 800 degree C.; preferably the carbon base body is also anisotropic with respect to electric resistivity such that the maximum-to-minimum resistivity ratio is greater than 1.04 but not greater than 1.51, and the direction in which the resistivity is maximum coincides the direction of the heater pattern in which the electricity runs the longest distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Kato, Waichi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 9829203
    Abstract: Provided is a self-heated enclosure with carbon fiber. An example system can comprise an enclosure defining an interior chamber. The system can comprise at least one electrically conductive carbon fiber member configured in relation to the enclosure to provide a thermal output to the interior chamber when a voltage is applied to the at least one electrically conductive carbon fiber member. The system can further comprise a power source electrically coupled to the at least one electrically conductive carbon fiber member. The power source can be configured to selectively apply the voltage to the at least one electrically conductive carbon fiber member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
    Inventors: Zhaohui Yang, Benjamin Still
  • Patent number: 9827761
    Abstract: A processing target reforming apparatus includes: a conveying unit that conveys a processing target along a conveyance path; a discharge unit including a plurality of discharge electrodes aligned along the conveyance path, a counter electrode with the conveyance path interposed therebetween, and a power source that applies a voltage waveform to the discharge electrodes; and a control unit that controls the discharge unit such that a phase of the voltage waveform applied to a first discharge electrode of the discharge electrodes at a timing when a certain point of the processing target passes between the first discharge electrode and the counter electrode is shifted with respect to a phase of the voltage waveform applied by the power source to a second discharge electrode of the discharge electrodes at a timing when the certain point of the processing target passes between the second discharge electrode and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Tsubaki, Yoshiyuki Araseki, Akira Saito
  • Patent number: 9831534
    Abstract: A battery heater system for a battery used in cold weather operations and methods for using the battery heater system are described. Embodiments of the battery heater system may incorporate a heater switch with an indicator, a timer circuit, a controller, a voltage meter, a temperature transducer, and a heating element. In some methods of using the device, the battery powers the heating element for a fixed cycle time based on the time to discharge the battery at a cold-soaked temperature. In other methods of using the device, the battery powers the heating element for a varying cycle time as necessary to discharge the battery to a discharge cut-off voltage value. In other methods of using the device, the heating element is operated using a duty cycle that is varied based on the battery temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bernard Beuning, Vernon Weng-Yew Chang
  • Patent number: 9829648
    Abstract: An optical fiber curing oven is used in the termination process of optical fiber cable assemblies to bond an optical fiber to a ferrule. The optical fiber curing oven includes an oven housing and a processor housing. A mounting plate is mounted inside the oven housing and is used to hold a fiber-mounting block. The mounting plate is connected to a fulcrum which allows the mounting plate to be tilted. Angling the mounting plate is useful in some curing applications. The fiber-mounting block attaches to the mounting plate and is used to secure optical fibers during the curing process. A heating element is embedded into the mounting plate and is used to heat the mounting block and cure epoxy that has been applied to an optical fiber. A control unit is included within the processor housing and is used to regulate the curing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Nicholson
  • Patent number: 9821168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device having an oscillator and high voltage transformer connected to a glass-like tube filled with an inert gas or a mixture of inert gasses. The tube is located at the end of a wand having a handle. The output of the transformer is an RF high voltage signal. The output of the transformer is fed to the tube through a high voltage wire, where the signal excites the gas to produce a plasma-like beam. The tube is then applied to a patient's skin to aid in healing and the relief of additional ailments. The field generated by the tube interacts with the cells in the patient to increase transmembrane potential, stimulate ATP production, and inject negative ions and ozone into the surface of the user's skin to combat infection and disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LUMIGENCE LLC
    Inventor: Hardy Mletzko
  • Patent number: 9826574
    Abstract: A thermal system includes a plurality of resistor circuits that define a number of resistor circuits Rn. The thermal system also has a plurality of nodes that connect the plurality of resistor circuits and define a number of nodes Nn. A plurality of power wires are connected to each of the plurality of nodes, and the plurality of power wires define a number of power wires Pn. A plurality of signal wires connect to each of the plurality of nodes to sense the temperature of each of the resistor circuits, and the plurality of signal wires define a number of signal wires Sn. The number of power wires Pn and the number of signal wires Sn is equal to the number of nodes Nn, and the number of resistor circuits Rn is greater than or equal to the number of nodes Nn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob Lindley, Cal Swanson
  • Patent number: 9821399
    Abstract: Provided are a systems and methods for continuously providing a metal wire to a welding torch in the correct orientation with respect to the heat source of the welding torch for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication to provide continuous deposition of metal to the freeform object, especially objects made with titanium or titanium alloy, or nickel or nickel alloy, wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NORSK TITANIUM AS
    Inventors: Brede Vigdal, Hans-Martin Berg Haga, Tom-Erik Falla
  • Patent number: 9820371
    Abstract: A nozzle of a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle is configured to reduce fluid pressure surging in a nozzle plenum. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a proximal end and a distal end. The nozzle plenum is defined between the nozzle body and an electrode of the plasma arc torch. The nozzle includes a nozzle plenum gas inlet located at the proximal end of the nozzle body, a plasma gas exit orifice located at the distal end of the nozzle body, a plasma gas passageway fluidly connecting the nozzle plenum gas inlet to the plasma gas exit orifice, and an isolation chamber fluidly connected to the plasma gas passageway and the nozzle plenum. The isolation chamber is sized to receive a volume of substantially stagnant gas to reduce the fluid pressure surging in the nozzle plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Chevalier