Abstract: A novel spring-loaded device utilizes a linear or rotary measuring sensor to measure distance and control heat using a PID loop or other type of control loop feedback program. The power of the heating element is controlled by a program, which takes distance from the target into consideration when determining output power. For example, if the target distance is 10 mm away the algorithm will apply 100% power until reaching 9 mm, at which point it will lower power to 90%. When the distance is 5 mm from the target, the power level will be 50%, and so on and so forth. The closed loop nature of the system will reduce power automatically using pulse width modulation (PWM) of the input power. This will allow modulation of the power to the heating element on the fly.

Abstract: A novel spring-loaded device utilizes a linear or rotary measuring sensor to measure distance and control heat using a PID loop or other type of control loop feedback program. The power of the heating element is controlled by a program, which takes distance from the target into consideration when determining output power. For example, if the target distance is 10 mm away the algorithm will apply 100% power until reaching 9 mm, at which point it will lower power to 90%. When the distance is 5 mm from the target, the power level will be 50%, and so on and so forth. The closed loop nature of the system will reduce power automatically using pulse width modulation (PWM) of the input power. This will allow modulation of the power to the heating element on the fly.

Abstract: A portable curing system includes a carrying case, a controller located within the carrying case and having a microprocessor, a vacuum pump located within the case and having at least two vacuum ports for connection of vacuum lines, at least two vacuum sensor connectors for receiving leads of vacuum sensors, at least two heater connectors for receiving leads of electrical heaters, and at least two temperature sensor connectors for receiving leads of thermocouples. A display is provided to display information from the controller. A PC port is provided to download data to the controller and to upload data from the controller. A voltage input is operably connected the heater connectors and a voltage detection circuit is operably connected to the voltage input and the heater connectors to prevent providing voltage to the heater connectors when voltage supplied to the voltage input is above a predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A portable curing system includes a carrying case, a controller located within the carrying case and having a microprocessor, a vacuum pump located within the case and having at least two vacuum ports for connection of vacuum lines, at least two vacuum sensor connectors for receiving leads of vacuum sensors, at least two heater connectors for receiving leads of electrical heaters, and at least two temperature sensor connectors for receiving leads of thermocouples. The controller is operably connected to the vacuum pump, the vacuum sensor connectors, the heater connectors, and the temperature sensor connectors. A touch-screen video display is mounted within the carrying case and operably connected to the controller to display information from the controller and input information to the controller. The video display is pivotable between a stowed position and a viewing position.

Abstract: A portable curing system includes a carrying case, a controller located within the carrying case and having a microprocessor, a vacuum pump located within the case and having at least two vacuum ports for connection of vacuum lines, at least two vacuum sensor connectors for receiving leads of vacuum sensors, at least two heater connectors for receiving leads of electrical heaters, and at least two temperature sensor connectors for receiving leads of thermocouples. The controller is operably connected to the vacuum pump, the vacuum sensor connectors, the heater connectors, and the temperature sensor connectors. A touch-screen video display is mounted within the carrying case and operably connected to the controller to display information from the controller and input information to the controller. The video display is pivotable between a stowed position and a viewing position.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes first and second flexible layers and first, second, third, and fourth flexible electrical resistance heating elements connected in series and positioned between the first and second flexible layers. The first, second, third and fourth heating elements form a plurality of heating zones having different watt densities so that heat is non-uniformly produced by the heating zones. In a preferred embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth heating zones are concentric circles and the outer most first heating zone has a watt density higher than the inner most fourth heating zone.