Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system that includes a temperature-controlled device, a primary energy source that is adapted to supply primary energy to the temperature-controlled device, a secondary energy source that is adapted to supply secondary energy to the temperature-controlled device, a switching device, and a measuring device. The secondary energy includes a voltage that is different than a voltage of the primary energy. The secondary energy source is adapted to supply the secondary energy to the temperature-controlled device when the temperature-controlled device is turned ON. After the measuring device measures a predetermined condition of the temperature-controlled device, the switching device is adapted to switch the system such that the primary energy source supplies the primary energy to the temperature-controlled device so that the temperature of the temperature-controlled device is generally maintained at a pre-set temperature or at a user selected temperature.

Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An improved heating element, comprising: (a) an electrically insulated resistive heating wire; (b) a flexible substrate that supports the electrically insulated resistive wire: (c) one or more electrical connection for an operational component of the heating element, the electrical connection including at least two wires that are joined together; (d) a spacer controlling spacing between the at least two wires approaching the electrical connection; wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection including the spacer is encapsulated in a shrunken heat shrinkable sheath that includes at least one mass of hot melt adhesive within the sheath so that the electrical connection is insulated from fluid penetration.

Abstract: A heater comprising: (a) a non-woven heating layer having: a forward surface, a rearward surface, and a plurality of edges around a periphery of the heating layer; (b) two or more connections to a power source; wherein the heating layer is made up of a plurality of individual fibers that are randomly oriented; and wherein substantially all of the non-woven heating layer produces heat when power is to the non-woven heating layer.

Abstract: A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.

Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.

Abstract: A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.

Abstract: A system comprising: (a) a temperature controlled device; (b) a primary energy source; (c) an electronic device, an electro-mechanical device, or both comprising: (i) a secondary energy source; (ii) a switching device; (iii) a measuring device; and (iv) optionally a controller; wherein the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on; wherein the measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition; and wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

Abstract: A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.

Abstract: A system comprising a temperature controlled device, a primary energy source, and either or both of an electronic device and an electro-mechanical device. One or both of the electronic device and an electro-mechanical device include a secondary energy source, a switching device, a measuring device, and optionally a controller. The temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on. The measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.

Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.

Abstract: A heater comprising: a heater layer including: (a) a thermoplastic elastomer; and (b) a plurality of conductive fillers mixed within the thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the conductive fillers are a metal coated material or entirely made of metal; and wherein the heater layer is made up of about 30 percent or less conductive fillers.

Abstract: A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.

Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.

Abstract: An improved heating element, comprising: (a) an electrically insulated resistive heating wire; (b) a flexible substrate that supports the electrically insulated resistive wire: (c) one or more electrical connection for an operational component of the heating element, the electrical connection including at least two wires that are joined together; (d) a spacer controlling spacing between the at least two wires approaching the electrical connection; wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection including the spacer is encapsulated in a shrunken heat shrinkable sheath that includes at least one mass of hot melt adhesive within the sheath so that the electrical connection is insulated from fluid penetration.

Abstract: A system comprising: (a) a temperature controlled device; (b) a primary energy source; (c) an electronic device, an electro-mechanical device, or both comprising: (i) a secondary energy source; (ii) a switching device; (iii) a measuring device; and (iv) optionally a controller; wherein the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on; wherein the measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition; and wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.