Patents Examined by Vinod Patel
  • Patent number: 7250586
    Abstract: A surface heating system consists of a support and a heating layer that contains an electrically conductive plastic. The heating layer is formed by a flexible film. A heatable object made as such a surface heating system. A method for producing a surface heating system, where a heating layer containing an electrically conductive plastic bonded to a support, and where the heating layer is formed by initially applying an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material onto the support and then hardening the plastic material on the support. Alternatively, the method produces a surface heating system with a heating layer of an electrically conductive plastic is bonded to a support. The heating layer is produced from an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material, and then arranged on the support. Another alternative of the method consists of bonding a heating layer with an electrically conductive plastic to a support. A fabric is produced as the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Braincom AG
    Inventors: Stephan Diemer, Michael Diemer
  • Patent number: 7247816
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating roller that is heated by heating units, a main power supply that supplies power from an external power supply to the main heating unit, and an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to the auxiliary heating unit. The auxiliary power supply further includes a mass capacitor of multiple capacitor cells, which are charged by the external power supply. The connection mode of the capacitor cells is changed at least at the time of electric discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kishi, Eriko Konno
  • Patent number: 7241974
    Abstract: A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming includes a sensing unit and a heating element. The sensing unit is configured to detect a change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity. The heating element is configured to heat the fluid. The sensing unit operates to deactivate the heating element when the sensing unit detects the change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley
  • Patent number: 7232976
    Abstract: A mouse pad includes a body with planar top and bottom surfaces and a cavity intercalated therebetween that extends between opposed body ends. A rotatable flange has a dome shape for fitting within a user's palm. The flange is offset from a center of the body, has a bottom section conjoined to the body top surface, and is seated adjacent to a proximal body edge. The flange has a top section rotatably conjoined to the bottom section. The bottom section has a greater diameter than the top section for effectively. A mechanism is included for heating the flange that is connected to the flange top section and includes a controller conjoined to the body. A mechanism is included for oscillating the flange so that the flange tilts side-to-side and against a bottom surface of an operator wrist. The heating mechanism and the oscillating mechanism are independently and simultaneously operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Dino A. Catalano
  • Patent number: 7230213
    Abstract: The modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection in an outdoor environment, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: David Naylor
  • Patent number: 7230206
    Abstract: A battery operated heated jacket, with removable body and sleeves and hood, the jacket with a removable liner, the liner further detachable from itself at the attachment of the sleeves and the hood, the attachment comprised of quick connects, the jacket comprised of a pocket containing a control box, the box containing a microprocessor, power source, heating controls, and media player, the hood comprised of earphones communicating with the media player, a detachable wire connecting the media player to the headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Josphlynn Randall
  • Patent number: 7230205
    Abstract: In some instances, ice can form on the surface of a compressor airfoil. If the ice dislodges, it can impact and damage other compressor components. Aspects of the invention relate to systems for detecting the presence of ice or water on a compressor vane during engine operation. A ceramic insulating coating can be deposited on a portion of the surface of the vane. A heater and a thermocouple can be provided near the outermost surface of the coating such that the thermocouple can sense heat from the heater. The heater and the thermocouple can be provided within the coating. The presence of water film and/or ice on the coating surface can be detected by taking a thermocouple measurement following a heater pulse. The presence of a water film or ice results in a delay in the temperature rise detected by the thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Twerdochlib
  • Patent number: 7220943
    Abstract: This invention relates to RV stand offs or breaks and in particular, but not exclusively not to stand offs which are suitable for use in plasma generating apparatus. A stand off 14 includes a resistive or insulating cylinder 15, through which gas feeds are drilled and a close coupled helically wound combination, generally indicated at 16. This combination 16 comprises an RF conductive tube 17 in the form of a braided cable; a thermocouple 18 having twisted pair supply cables 19 and a heater element 20 in the form of a cable loop or pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Aviza Technology Limted
    Inventor: Paul Bennett
  • Patent number: 7214908
    Abstract: In an integrated glow plug and pressure sensor having a passage leading to the pressure sensor, a porous filter is inserted in the passage. The porous filter provides a four-fold improvement in pressure measurement by (1) acting as a trap for combustion deposits, (2) burning combustion deposits when the glow plug heater is on, (3) acting as a heat shield for reducing thermal shock error of the pressure sensor, and (4) damping acoustic high frequency ringing associated with the pressure passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Marek T. Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 7214906
    Abstract: An apparatus for the independent control of the amount of heat produced by a right and a left side heated hand grip includes a control panel with various input buttons and a pair of LEDS that each indicates a relative power setting of one of the heated hand grips. A microprocessor receives input instructions from the input buttons and provides a first pulsed DC output having a desired duty cycle to one of the heated hand grips and a second pulsed DC output having either the same or a different duty cycle to a remaining one of the heated hand grips, thereby controlling the amount of heat produced by each respective heated hand grip. This improves comfort. Reverse polarity protection, a return to previous power settings, including a remembrance of a differential between the two heated hand grips, and automatic shutoff when battery voltage reaches a predetermined value are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: K Brent Hansen, Michael Rodney Pollard
  • Patent number: 7211768
    Abstract: A heating line pattern structure of a defogger comprising a meander shape heating line portion is provided, in which the local temperature rise of a glass panel may be suppressed and which has a good outward appearance. Two lateral heating lines each having a thick width are provided under the meander shape heating line portion. Tow lateral heating lines are connected to each lateral heating line under the meander shape heating line portion through a vertical heating line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yamashita, Kazuhisa Ono
  • Patent number: 7208705
    Abstract: A heater bracket assembly for securing a heater case in a dryer is disclosed. The heater bracket assembly includes a supporting part secured to a bottom end of the heater case for supporting the heater case, a fixing part secured to a base plate of the dryer, and a connecting part connecting the supporting part and the fixing part, wherein the supporting part comprises a first extension member extended therefrom which engages with an aperture provided to the bottom end of the heater case such that the supporting part is initially secured to the heater case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Gi Hwang, Jung Woo Seo
  • Patent number: 7205510
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaun Howick
  • Patent number: 7205505
    Abstract: A system for recognizing the occupancy of a seat, containing elements made of electrically conducting synthetic material, especially strips made of electrically conductive polyurethane. A seat equipped with the system. A method for recognizing seat occupancy whereby an alteration in resistance of the electrically conductive material occurring in a change of weight is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Braincom AG
    Inventors: Michael Diemer, Stefan Diemer
  • Patent number: 7205511
    Abstract: A combined heater and heat diffuser for fitting to an injection nozzle (10) for moulding plastics materials, where the nozzle comprises a tubular metal core (12) with an injection duct (14) and a cylindrical lateral surface (13). The heater and heat diffuser includes a resistor (40) housed in a channel-shaped seat (32) formed in a cylindrical internal surface (30d) of a heat diffuser (30) made of a metal material of a tubular shape for fitting around the core (12) of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Piero Enrietti
  • Patent number: 7205509
    Abstract: An apparatus for both heating and serving food has both an interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly and a heat exchange assembly coupled to at least a portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly. A head portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly is at least one of a scoop, a fork, a ladle and a knife. The interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly serving assembly is heated by the heat exchange assembly, facilitating serving the food in contact with the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly. A head portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly is at least one of a scoop, a fork, a ladle and a knife. A stand holds the apparatus and disperses heat to mitigate excess temperature build-up while the apparatus is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: N. Kay Goulet
  • Patent number: 7205504
    Abstract: An interlayer composite includes a plastic sheet having a predetermined outer shape and a major surface; a pair of bus bars, and an adhesive layer securing the bus bars directly on the major surface of the plastic sheet in a fixed relationship to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bartrug, Allen R. Hawk, Robert N. Pinchok, James H. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7202445
    Abstract: To provide a door mirror heater for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle or the like on which a high voltage battery is mounted, a door mirror heater compliant to a high voltage battery having a heat generating circuit provided with a PTC layer corresponding to a heating element and electrodes for applying a current to the PTC layer is structured such that an initial resistance value of the heat generating circuit is set between 20 and 200 ?, more preferably between 50 and 100 ?, a lower limit value of a PTC characteristic R100° C./R25° C. is set to 10, more preferably, to 50, and a rubber is added to a main material polymer of the PTC layer, and a metal oxide is added as a filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7202444
    Abstract: A heating device includes a conductive layer on an electrically insulated substrate. The substrate and conductive layer have a plurality of cross-like apertures therethrough. The conductive layer includes busses and traces extending from the busses, the traces surrounding the apertures. A resistive or thermistor layer is provided over the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Edward F. Bulgajewski
  • Patent number: 7202446
    Abstract: A hair cutting apparatus comprising: an elongate element (260) heated to a temperature capable of cutting hair; a vibrating structure (200), on which said elongate element (260) is mounted; and a housing (106) in which the vibrating structure (200) is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Radiancy Inc.
    Inventors: Pinchas Shalev, Zion Azar