Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for effectively and controllably vaporizing solid material, in general, and specifically, solid precursor material for chemical phase deposition processes. The apparatus includes a hollow container member, capable of retaining solid material and having a longitudinal axis passing through a substantially open first end, that is reciprocally injected at a controlled rate through a heater capable of vaporizing the solid material so that vaporized material passes through the first end along the longitudinal axis of the container member and into the reaction chamber. Preferably, the apparatus includes a hollow body capable of pressure containment that is in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an rod-shaped injector slidably disposed through the hollow body suitable for injecting the container member through the body and the injector is driven external to the body using a stepper motor.

Abstract: A heating element of an electric heater comprising an envelope, having a mass M.sub.o and a surface with an area S.sub.o, and a heater in the form of an electrically insulated heating wire, said wire being disposed in said envelope and having a mass M.sub.H and a surface with an area S.sub.H. The mass and the surface area of the heating wire and the mass and the surface area of the envelope are related by the relationships0.1<M.sub.H /(.lambda.M.sub.o)<0.3 and0.8<S.sub.H /S.sub.o <0.9where .lambda. denotes the coefficient of heat transfer of the material of the envelope.

Abstract: A screwless bypass for cable signal tap is provided to prevent interruption of a cable signal when the tap cover is removed. The bypass means comprises a flexible spring leaf, compressible collets and end terminals. Contacts are released so that the spring leaf contacts a pair of end terminals to complete a signal path between the ends of the tap.

Abstract: A power humidifier which supplies steam humidity to the air flow of a furnace system. Heater elements within a water reservoir heat the water to create steam supplied to the air flow. The humidifier is controlled by a microprocessor to ensure efficient operation while monitoring operating characteristics to prevent damage to the humidifier. The microprocessor ensures that the reservoir fills properly, the water level does not fall below the heating element, and that the unit does not overheat during operation.

Abstract: A casing seals to the edge of a mirror blank to form an autoclavable unit. An electrically energizable heater element is enclosed within the unit. The element is connected to a plug which extends from the casing and is adapted to engage a socket when the unit nests in a recess in a rack. A transformer is connected to the socket such that the heater is energized to preheat the unit while in the rack. Removal of the unit from the rack disconnects the electric supply, permitting the preheated unit to used without danger of shock. Several units may be preheated simultaneously on a single rack.

Abstract: For producing an electric radiant heater a thin heating resistance material strip is placed upright on an insulator. It has foot portions, which are embedded in the heating conductor material. The foot portions are only connected by thin connecting webs to the heating area and are differently shaped and/or oriented to the corrugated heating conductor strip.

Abstract: A ceramic heater for a DC power source comprising an insulating ceramic sintered body, a heating resistor composed of at least two separate layers of heating resistor made of an inorganic conductive material, leads made of high-melting point metal wires and connected to each end of the layers, and electrodes made of an inorganic conductive material, each formed in a single layer or divided into a plurality of pieces and connected to the leads, the heating resistor, leads and electrodes being embedded in the ceramic sintered body.The present invention further includes six related inventions closely related with one another in regard to the above-mentioned ceramic heater and ceramic glow plugs embodied by using the ceramic heater.

Abstract: An electric heater for arranging beneath a translucent cooking plate includes at least one electrical heating means, such as a ribbon, coil or filament lamp, in a housing comprising a base and a peripheral wall. Light indicator means is supported peripherally on the heater and visible, in operation, through the cooking plate. The light indicator means comprises an elongate light-emitting device at least partially surrounding the heater and arranged to emit light towards the underside of the cooking plate. Mask means is provided overlying the device and integral with the heater, the mask means being of a material substantially opaque to light from the device. The mask means has one or more apertures, different in configuration to the configuration of the device, through which one or more apertures light from the device is visible, viewed through the cooking plate.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: A downdraft cooktop includes an electrical switch having a plurality of cooking rate selections, a vapor withdrawal opening formed in the cooktop adjacent a grill element, a vapor withdrawal duct below and in communication with the withdrawal opening and with a withdrawal fan, an electric motor for driving the withdrawal fan, and a fan control switch for varying rates of operation of the fan. The withdrawal fan is operable for downdraft withdrawal of cooking vapors resulting from operation of the grill element. Grill operation is sensed and during grill operation, the fan control switch is bypassed and the electrical fan motor is operated at a high rate for vapor withdrawal.

Abstract: A battery heating device for delivery thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery includes a battery support plate for supporting the battery, a heatable fluid tube supported underneath the battery support plate for transferring thermal energy from heatable fluid, such as engine coolant, to the battery, and one or more electric heating pads secured to the battery support plate to transfer thermal energy to the battery. The heatable fluid tube preferably is secured to the battery support plate by a continuously distributed, thermally conductive adhesive material, to enhance heat transfer to the battery via the battery support plate. The heatable fluid tube is constructed and disposed to be a non-weight-bearing member, to reduce the likelihood of engine coolant leakage.

Abstract: A device for attachment to a mirror to prevent condensation on the mirror surface including: a pad element having at least one interior chamber and containing a heat retaining liquid such as a gel. Heating means such as an electrical heat element is located in the gel in the chamber of the pad element for heating the gel to a desired temperature; and the pad element is connected to the mirror to heat the mirror to prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the mirror. The device may also include heat sensor, a thermostat, and a timer.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly 10 comprising a seat 12 and a seat back 14 with a fabric cover 16 comprising non-conductive polyester fibers 18 woven together and electrically conductive pure carbon elements 22 woven into the fibers 18 and extending between braided copper strands defining electrodes 20. Each of the conductive elements 22 consists of a single and homogeneous composition of pure carbon to create heat in response to electrical current and presenting a bare surface in contact with the surrounding fibers 18 to emit the heat directly from the bare surface to heat the surrounding enviroment.

Abstract: An electric grill which vaporizes grease and juices and sears the food being cooked. The grill has two sets of heating elements, one located directly beneath the cooking surface and the second located proximate a smoker box. The grease and juices fall from the food located on the cooking surface onto the bottom of the grill which channels the grease and juices into the smoker box. The bottom of the grill also functions as a reflector plate to redirect heat towards the cooking surface. The grease, juices, and, optionally, wood chips may vaporized and smoked by the heating element located proximate the smoker box. A printed circuit board regulates the current passing through the heating elements.

Abstract: A hot water and electricity generator including a casing having a water inlet provided with a float ball valve, an engine arranged within the casing and having an exhaust pipe, a power generator drivingly connected with the engine, a pump drivingly connected with the power generator, a water reservoir disposed above the power generator within the casing and provided with a heat exchanging pipe, a first electric heater electrically connected to the power generator and installed within the water reservoir, an outlet pipe having an end connected with another end of the heat exchanging pipe and another end extending out of the casing, a steam chamber mounted on the water reservoir, and a second electric heater electrically connected to the power generator and installed with the steam chamber, whereby hot water and electricity will be generated as desired.

Abstract: There is provided a safety device for electric stoves and ovens wherein there is provided a sensor for sensing when the stove is heating at a certain rate which could constitute a safety hazard and a sensing means for detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined area proximate the stove. When a certain period of time passes without motion by a person in the predetermined area while the stove is in the predetermined operating condition, power to the stove can be reduced.

Abstract: A pulse injection steam hairsetter which efficiently and safely heats hair curlers prior to use includes a housing that has a base for placement on a supporting surface and defines a recess for a replaceable water canister, the housing also defining a treatment chamber in which a hair curler can be placed and including a pulse steam supply mechanism for supplying pulses of steam to the treatment chamber, and more particularly to internally of a hair curler placed therein. The pulse steam supply mechanism includes an electric heating device for supplying steam to the treatment chamber, a manually operable bellows pump device, and hoses for delivering water from a water canister positioned in the recess to the bellows pump device and from the bellows pump device to the heating device. A one way valve between the bellows pump device and the heating device controls the flow of water in the proper direction. A cover can enclose the treatment chamber and be used to operate the bellows pump device.

Abstract: A cooking device comprising a hot plate with a top surface; a heatable bottom cooking surface bearing a plurality of outwardly-projecting, spring-loaded, food piercing temperature probes of different lengths, configured for injecting into a piece of food such that the temperature of the food surrounding at least one probe may be determined, and wherein the spring-loaded configuration allows the probes to retract into the body of the cooking device when contacting a non-penetrable surface; means for indicating the temperature at the probes' ends; means for controlling the temperature of the bottom cooking surface; and a handle.

Abstract: A multiple hair setting roller heating apparatus includes a telescopic enclosure open at its top and having a heating chamber defined therein and a heating element disposed within the heating chamber. The enclosure is movable telescopically between an extended condition in which the heating chamber has a first volume for containing a first plurality of rollers and a contracted condition in which the heating chamber has a second volume smaller than the first volume for containing a second plurality of rollers smaller than the first plurality of rollers. The telescopic enclosure is adapted to hold a quantity of water such that when the heating element is activated, the water boils producing steam and the rollers disposed within the heating chamber are heated simultaneously and generally evenly.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.