Abstract: A heater includes at least one heating element having a resistance that varies non-linearly with respect to a temperature of the heating element. The heating element includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and a fourth surface extending between the first and second surfaces, opposite the third surface. The heating element has a height defined between the first and second surfaces, and a width defined between the third and fourth surfaces, and wherein the width is less than the height. The heater also includes at least one electrode coupled to the first surface and configured to generate an electric field across the heating element and cause a current to flow through the heating element.

Abstract: A heater includes at least one heating element having a resistance that varies non-linearly with respect to a temperature of the heating element. The heating element includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and a fourth surface extending between the first and second surfaces, opposite the third surface. The heating element has a height defined between the first and second surfaces, and a width defined between the third and fourth surfaces, and wherein the width is less than the height. The heater also includes at least one electrode coupled to the first surface and configured to generate an electric field across the heating element and cause a current to flow through the heating element.

Abstract: An infra-red temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a medium includes a housing; a thermal infra-red sensor element having a predetermined field of view and disposed in the housing; and a diaphragm closing the housing spaced along an axis from and in the field of view of the thermal sensor element for absorbing on its outer surface heat from the medium and emitting radiation from its inner surface to the thermal sensor element representative of the temperature of the medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a proximity of an object are provided. The method includes receiving a first beam of radiation from a first field of view directed onto a first detector and a second beam of radiation from a second field of view directed onto a second detector wherein the second beam is angularly displaced from the first beam by a predetermined amount, generating a first output signal from the first detector correlative to the energy received from the first beam and a second output signal from the second detector correlative to the energy received from the second beam, and outputting a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold.