Abstract: Electric heating device comprising an electric radiator (10) for heating the air passing through it, said radiator comprising a casing (12), at least one resistive element mounted in the casing and constituted by at least one zigzag metal strip (22) which is disposed so as to be directly exposed to the air passing through the casing, and a circuit (30) for controlling the electrical supply of the resistive element or elements connected to a power supply. The electric radiator (10) comprises a set of individual heating modules (20) disposed parallel to one another in the casing (12) and so as to be directly exposed to the air passing through the casing, each heating module (20) comprising a pleated or corrugated metal strip (22) and an electronic switch controlled by the control circuit (30) intended to selectively inhibit the electrical supply of the metal strip (22).

Abstract: A system and method for removing wrinkles from the covering material of seats for automobiles and other vehicles. The invention may be implemented in a seat dewrinkling oven that includes front and rear heaters that conform to the shape of the seat being heated. In particular, a front heater may be employed that includes a vertically oriented portion for directing heat at the vertically oriented back portion of a front seat surface and a horizontally oriented portion for directing heat at the horizontally oriented bottom portion of the seat front surface. Preferably medium wavelength infrared heating elements are employed in the heaters to provide better heat penetration and dewrinkling.

Abstract: Personal warming systems and apparatuses for use in hospitals and other settings. In one embodiment, a heating mattress or pad for warming a patient during a hospital procedure can include a heating element positioned between a first foam portion and a second foam portion. The heating element and the foam portions can be at least partially enclosed in a fluid-resistant cover. The heating element can be operably connected to a control unit that allows an operator to select between a plurality of temperature options for the heating pad. In another embodiment, the heating pad can include one or more radiolucent, or at least generally radiolucent, features that will not appreciably obscure x-ray images taken of a patient positioned on the heating pad. In one aspect of this embodiment, the radiolucent features can include one or more of a carbon-based heating element, an optical temperature sensing device, and/or a thermally responsive state-changing device.

Abstract: A fuser includes a fusing roll unit having a fusing roll, a pressurizing roll unit having a pressurizing roll and a coil spring resiliently biasing the pressurizing roll. The units are secured by a pair of engagements. One engagement includes a hook provided at the fusing roll unit and an eye provided at the pressurizing roll unit and capable of guiding and thus moving the units pivotably relative to each other when said hook is engaged therein. The fuser can thus have a simple structure formed of a reduced number of components and enhancing workability and facilitating its fabrication.

Abstract: A flexible heating element for a vehicle seat or the like includes at least one flexible heating resistor element and at least two flexible supply electrodes arranged at a distance from each other and at least partly embedding the heating resistor element between them to form a layered structure. The flexible heating resistor is formed of a material having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect. The layered structure includes a plurality of recesses formed therein defining a plurality of webs, the webs and recesses resulting in a net-like structure.

Abstract: A channeled under floor heating element incorporating channeled areas for accepting heat and sensor wires. The inventive channeled under floor heating element includes an arrangement of seam structures defining channels housing substantially discrete elongate heating and sensing elements arranged in a substantially similar pattern.

Abstract: A device for heating a workpiece located in a primary direction of heating relative to the device, the device comprising a heating element, and a thermal shield adjacent the heating element for inhibiting heat conduction and radiation from the heating element to the workpiece in directions other than the primary direction of heating. In one embodiment, the heating element does not extend beyond the thermal shield in the primary direction of heating.

Abstract: An under floor heating element incorporating a scrim having one or more pairs of heating and/or sensor wires arranged in a continuous pattern such that pair members are disposed in crossing relation to one another. The pair members may be cut and joined to establish electrical connections at defined crossing points to establish feedback loop circuits with a control element.

Abstract: The car power source apparatus is provided with a car driving battery, a heater which heats the driving battery, a control circuit which controls power to the heater, and a temperature sensor to detect battery temperature and issue a detected temperature signal to the control circuit. The control circuit is provided with a timer which stores a warming-time to maintain the driving battery in a warmed-up condition via the heater after the car ignition switch has been turned off. During the warming-time, which is until the timer times-out with the ignition switch turned to the off state, the control circuit controls power to the heater to maintain the driving battery in a warmed-up condition.

Abstract: A warming mattress and mattress pad incorporating an insert layer or sheet with a scrim having one or more pairs of heating and/or sensor wires arranged in a continuous pattern such that pair members are disposed in crossing relation to one another. The pair members may be cut and joined to establish electrical connections at defined crossing points to establish feedback loop circuits with a control element.

Abstract: A mercury-heating device is provided. The device is disposed on a substrate of a planar light source. The heating device includes a patterned electrode and a container. The patterned electrode is formed on the substrate and coupled to an external power source. The container, which covers over the patterned electrode, is a dielectric layer formed on the substrate. The container is used for containing mercury alloy or liquid mercury.

Abstract: A seat heating element and electronic temperature selector is provided for use in a motorcycle or other saddle-type vehicle, driven by an engine as a source of power. A vehicle seat is provided with first and second heating elements, and the temperature selector controls a supply of electric power to the heating elements, to warm up the vehicle seat. The control unit includes first and second electric relays for use in temporarily blocking power from the electric power source to the heating element, for a predetermined interval, upon detection of an accelerated state of the vehicle. The heating element and control system thereof improves acceleration performance of the vehicle, even when using an electric seat heating element, by temporarily interrupting electric power flow to the seat heating element during acceleration.

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 or on a single 240 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker.

Abstract: A system configured to provide food storage, preparation, and delivery in a finished cooked state includes a computer control interface, a freezer/refrigeration module, a food transport mechanism, a heating/cooking module, and a delivery area. The meal system is configured to provide food storage, preparation, and delivery in a finished cooked state. The system may be configured in the form of an independent unit or in the form of a combination of separate modules. The computer control interface, freezer/refrigeration module, food transport mechanism, heating/cooking module, and delivery area may be communicatively interconnected wirelessly or non-wirelessly.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heating cable, including a resistance heating wire having a resistive conductor, an insulation at least partially surrounding said resistive conductor; and an end. A crimp connector is connected to the end. A thermally conductive sleeve at least partially surrounds the end and is positioned between the crimp connector and the insulation.

Abstract: A warming mattress and mattress pad incorporating channeled areas for accepting heat and sensor wires. The inventive mattress and mattress pad includes an arrangement of seam structures defining channels housing substantially discrete elongate heating and sensing elements arranged in a substantially similar pattern within the mattress or mattress pad interior.

Abstract: A heating pad system useable in one embodiment for warming a person on a support structure. In this embodiment, the heating pad system comprises an upper foam pad, a lower foam pad, and a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads. A form-fitting waterproof cover encloses at least a portion of the upper and lower foam pads and the thermal-electric heating element. In one aspect of this embodiment, the heating pad system includes a power unit for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including a control panel having at least one temperature selector, the temperature selector for selecting at least one heating pad temperature.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a plurality of shape-memory actuators, for instance installed on board a motor vehicle, control the electric supply current of each shape-memory elements as a function of one or more parameters referring to environmental conditions, such as environment temperature and temperature of memory-shape actuator, of available supply voltage for motor vehicle battery, of previous actuations, or of previous activation requests of shape-memory actuators.

Abstract: A device for a front-end component part of a motor vehicle, behind which a radar transmitter/receiver is fastened in such a way that the latter is not visible from in front. In winterish surroundings, ice and snow deposits may occur on the front component part, whereby the functionability of the radar sensor may be impaired. It is possible to remove and/or prevent these precipitation deposits on the front component part.

Abstract: An in-line heater for use in semiconductor wet chemical processing comprises a single crystal alumina substrate, a resistive heating element disposed on the single crystal alumina substrate, and a protective layer disposed over the resistive heating element. The single crystal alumina substrate has a moderate coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is substantially equivalent to the CTEs of the resistive heating element and the protective layer. Therefore, cracking between the substrate and the protective layer can be minimized. The in-line heater in accordance with this invention exhibits an excellent corrosion-resistance capability even at high temperature and can carry a wide variety of corrosive chemicals including hydrofluoride solution.