Abstract: A thermal system includes a base member, a two-phase fluid, a tuning heater, and a chuck. The base member includes at least one fluid passageway. The two-phase fluid is disposed within the fluid passageway. A pressure of the two-phase fluid is controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. The tuning heater is secured to the base member. The chuck is secured to the tuning heater opposite to the base member. The tuning heater includes a plurality of zones to fine tune a heat distribution provided by the base member to the chuck.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensing system that includes a plurality of resistive elements coupled to a plurality of nodes and a controller configured to index through a plurality of modes to measure an electrical characteristic for each resistive element. Each mode of the plurality of modes represents a different combination of power, return, or open circuit condition applied to each of the plurality of nodes. The controller is configured to calculate, for each of the modes, a total power consumed by the system and a power consumed by each of the resistive elements based on the measured electrical characteristics, to determine a physical parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensing system and method that includes a plurality of resistive elements coupled to a plurality of nodes and a control system configured to index through a plurality of modes to measure an electrical characteristic for each resistive element. Each mode of the plurality of modes represents a different combination of power, return, or open circuit condition applied to each of the plurality of nodes, and the control system is configured to calculate, for each of the modes, a total power consumed by the system and a power consumed by each of the resistive elements based on the measured electrical characteristics, to determine a physical parameter.

Abstract: A thermal system includes: a base member including at least one fluid passageway in which a two-phase fluid is disposed; a tuning layer secured to the base member; and a control system. The pressure of the two-phase fluid is controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. The tuning layer includes a plurality of zones. The control system includes a plurality of sets of power lines in communication with the tuning layer, and a plurality of addressable control elements in electrical communication with the power lines and with the tuning layer. The control elements provide selective control of the tuning layer zones.

Abstract: A thermal system includes multiple thermal elements, multiple power lines, and a control system. Each of the thermal elements define a resistor and a current limiting device, and the thermal elements include at least a first subset of parallel thermal elements and at least a second subset of parallel thermal elements. The current limiting devices in a given subset of parallel thermal elements have opposite polarity from each other. The multiple power lines are connected to the plurality of thermal elements. The power lines are configured in pairs for providing power to the first subset and the second subset of parallel thermal elements. The control system is configured to selectively apply power to the first subset and the second subset of parallel thermal elements by way of the power lines.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensing system and method that includes a plurality of resistive elements coupled to a plurality of nodes and a control system configured to index through a plurality of modes to measure an electrical characteristic for each resistive element. Each mode of the plurality of modes represents a different combination of power, return, or open circuit condition applied to each of the plurality of nodes, and the control system is configured to calculate, for each of the modes, a total power consumed by the system and a power consumed by each of the resistive elements based on the measured electrical characteristics, to determine a physical parameter.

Abstract: A thermal array system is provided. The system includes a first thermal element and a second thermal element connected between a first node and a second node. The first thermal element being activated and the second thermal element being deactivated by a first polarity of the first node relative to the second node. Further, the first thermal element being deactivated and the second thermal element being activated by a second polarity of the first node relative to the second node.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensing system that includes a plurality of resistive elements coupled to a plurality of nodes and a controller configured to index through a plurality of modes to measure an electrical characteristic for each resistive element. Each mode of the plurality of modes represents a different combination of power, return, or open circuit condition applied to each of the plurality of nodes. The controller is configured to calculate, for each of the modes, a total power consumed by the system and a power consumed by each of the resistive elements based on the measured electrical characteristics, to determine a physical parameter.

Abstract: A thermal system includes multiple thermal elements, multiple power lines, and a control system. Each of the thermal elements define a resistor and a current limiting device, and the thermal elements include at least a first subset of parallel thermal elements and at least a second subset of parallel thermal elements. The current limiting devices in a given subset of parallel thermal elements have opposite polarity from each other. The multiple power lines are connected to the plurality of thermal elements. The power lines are configured in pairs for providing power to the first subset and the second subset of parallel thermal elements. The control system is configured to selectively apply power to the first subset and the second subset of parallel thermal elements by way of the power lines.

Abstract: A thermal system includes a plurality of thermal elements. In one form, each of the thermal elements define a resistor and a current limiting device. The plurality of thermal elements have at least a first subset of parallel thermal elements and at least a second subset of parallel thermal elements. The system also has a plurality of power lines connected to the plurality of thermal elements. The power lines are configured in pairs for providing power to a subset of the plurality of thermal elements that are connected in a parallel set. Each of the pairs of power lines share a common power line with an adjacent parallel set of thermal elements within a subset. Additionally, each of the current limiting devices in the adjacent parallel sets of thermal elements within a subset are opposed. The first and second subsets of parallel thermal elements share the common power line.

Abstract: A thermal system includes a base member, a two-phase fluid, a tuning heater, and a chuck. The base member includes at least one fluid passageway. The two-phase fluid is disposed within the fluid passageway. A pressure of the two-phase fluid is controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. The tuning heater is secured to the base member. The chuck is secured to the tuning heater opposite to the base member. The tuning heater includes a plurality of zones to fine tune a heat distribution provided by the base member to the chuck.

Abstract: A thermal system includes a plurality of thermal elements. In one form, each of the thermal elements define a resistor and a current limiting device. The plurality of thermal elements have at least a first subset of parallel thermal elements and at least a second subset of parallel thermal elements. The system also has a plurality of power lines connected to the plurality of thermal elements. The power lines are configured in pairs for providing power to a subset of the plurality of thermal elements that are connected in a parallel set. Each of the pairs of power lines share a common power line with an adjacent parallel set of thermal elements within a subset. Additionally, each of the current limiting devices in the adjacent parallel sets of thermal elements within a subset are opposed. The first and second subsets of parallel thermal elements share the common power line.

Abstract: A thermal system includes: a base member including at least one fluid passageway in which a two-phase fluid is disposed; a tuning layer secured to the base member; and a control system. The pressure of the two-phase fluid is controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. The tuning layer includes a plurality of zones. The control system includes a plurality of sets of power lines in communication with the tuning layer, and a plurality of addressable control elements in electrical communication with the power lines and with the tuning layer. The control elements provide selective control of the tuning layer zones.

Abstract: A voltage controlling circuit with power sharing components is provided. The circuit includes a voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage for a load and a device in communication with the voltage regulator for power sharing.

Abstract: A system and method is provided. In one aspect, the system and method may calculate a time period for each mode of a plurality of modes. The system and method may index through each mode for the corresponding time period to provide power to the plurality of thermal elements according to the mode. In another aspect the system and method may index sequentially through each mode of a plurality of modes and apply power to an indexed mode while measuring an electrical characteristic of the thermal elements for the indexed mode.

Abstract: A thermal array system is provided. The thermal array system having each thermal element connected between a first power node and a second power node of the plurality of power nodes and each thermal element being connected in electrical series with an addressable switch configured to activate and deactivate the thermal element.

Abstract: A system and method is provided. The system and method calculate target setpoints for each thermal element and index through each thermal element to provide power to the thermal element, sense an electrical characteristic of the thermal element, and determine if the thermal element exceeds a target setpoint for the thermal element based on the sensed electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A thermal system includes a plurality of thermal elements and a control system. The control system has at least three power nodes, wherein each thermal element of the plurality of thermal elements is connected between a pair of power nodes, such that each power node has one thermal element connected between itself and each other power node.

Abstract: A system and method is provided. The system and method calculate target setpoints for each thermal element and index through each thermal element to provide power to the thermal element, sense an electrical characteristic of the thermal element, and determine if the thermal element exceeds a target setpoint for the thermal element based on the sensed electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method is provided. In one aspect, the system and method may calculate a time period for each mode of a plurality of modes. The system and method may index through each mode for the corresponding time period to provide power to the plurality of thermal elements according to the mode. In another aspect the system and method may index sequentially through each mode of a plurality of modes and apply power to an indexed mode while measuring an electrical characteristic of the thermal elements for the indexed mode.