Abstract: A fuel injector system has a pair of half-cylindrical elements of a ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient resistivity held in nested relation with a nozzle tip of a fuel injector, preferably by an annular spring fitted over the elements, to serve as self-regulating electrical resistance heaters to heat the fuel injector to heat fuel passed through the nozzle tip to an internal combustion engine. A cup-shaped electrically insulating housing has an open end fitted over the spring and heater elements on the nozzle tip and has an aperture in the bottom of the housing cup through which fuel is sprayed to the engine.

Abstract: A heater particularly adapted for use in automotive applications as a passenger compartment heater or the like has a housing with an opening and has a plurality of heat-exchanging fin members and self-regulating electrical resistance heater discs of positive temperature coefficient resistivity (PTC) disposed in the housing to heat air or other fluid which is passed through the housing opening in heat-transfer relation to the fin members. A thermally conductive grease is positioned between the PTC heater discs and fin members to enhance heat transfer. Springs resiliently position the fin members, grease and heater discs in thermally and electrically conductive relation to each other between terminals accessible from the housing exterior to retain the fin members, grease and heater discs engaged during thermal expansion and vibration for reliably energizing the heater discs to heat the fin members over a long service life.

Abstract: A system for heating the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle has a hot water heater receiving heat from a vehicle engine arranged in series with a self-regulating electrical resistance heater of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, has a power source for energizing the electrical resistance heater, and has a fan for directing air in heat-transfer relation to the hot water heater and to the electrical resistance heater in sequence to provide a heated air output to the passenger compartment. Fan speed is controlled to regulate the volume of air directed in heat-transfer relation to the heaters so that the electrical resistance heater is promptly and consistently capable of heating that volume of air to at least a selected minimum temperature such as 100.degree. F. as the heated air output is furnished to the passenger compartment, thereby to give a vehicle passenger an immediate and continuing sensation of comfort beginning very promptly after engine start-up even on a very cold day.

Abstract: A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body.

Abstract: A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body.