Abstract: Snow sensors methods and mechanisms for snow sensor reading, methods for controlling assemblies used with snow sensors, such as snow removal systems and assemblies and related components, as well as component combinations and related methods.

Abstract: A vortex generator for a wind turbine blade includes: a platform portion to be fixed to a surface of the wind turbine blade; and at least one fin erected on the platform portion. The platform portion includes marks disposed on a pair of opposite positions in an outer edge region of the platform portion and indicating orientation of the vortex generator.

Abstract: A PTC thermistor module for a temperature control device may include at least one PTC thermistor element, two electrically insulating insulator plates, and a plurality of electrical conductors. The PTC thermistor element may have a flat element cross section, two opposing large outer surfaces, and two opposing small outer surfaces connecting the two large outer surfaces. The two insulator plates may be respectively connected to one of the two large outer surfaces. The plurality of electrical conductors may be configured as a plurality of electrically conductive conductor coatings, which may each be disposed on an associated insulator plate of the two insulator plates. At least one first conductor coating may be electrically connected to a first large outer surface of the two large outer surfaces. At least two second conductor coatings may be electrically connected to a second large outer surface of the two large outer surfaces.

Abstract: A heater is provided for a vehicle illumination assembly. The heater includes a heat transfer body, a heat source, and a mounting base. The heat transfer body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a higher emissivity than the bottom surface. The heat source is affixed in heat transfer relation with the heat transfer body. The mounting base is configured to affix the heat transfer body within a housing of a vehicle illumination assembly to provide the top surface of the heat transfer body in radiant heat transfer relation with a light transmissible portion of the vehicle illumination assembly. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A lamp or lens assembly for a motor vehicle that includes electrically conductive traces for defogging or deicing the lens. Aspects include a light transmissive lens coupled to a lamp housing. The light transmissive lens may define a curved cross-section with a curvature extending across the length and/or the width of the lens. The lens may include one or more electrically conductive traces positioned on a surface of the lens, the electrically conductive traces optionally extending across and curving with the curvature of the light transmissive lens. One or more coatings may optionally cover the conductive traces and a portion of the lens surface leaving portions uncovered. The electrically conductive traces may extend outwardly away from the surface of the lens with height that is greater than their width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating a fluid (2), comprising a heating body (4) having a through passageway (6, 8) for the fluid and provided with at least one groove (14) on its outer surface; at least one electrical resistance (24) housed in the at least one groove (14) of the heating body. The device further comprises at least one closure plate (20) of the at least one groove (14) overlying the at least one resistance (24).

Abstract: A radar unit assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body structure and a grille assembly mounted to the vehicle body structure. A radar unit is connected to the grille assembly.

Abstract: According to various implementations, a sensor mat includes a mat substrate, a sensor electrode, and a shield electrode. At least a portion of the sensor and shield electrodes are spaced apart from and parallel to each other on a first surface of the mat substrate. The shield electrode is electrically coupled to a voltage source to create a capacitance between the shield electrode and the sensor electrode, and the sensor electrode is used to detect a change in the capacitance. The shield electrode may also be alternately used for heating the surface of the vehicle part adjacent the mat. For example, the sensor may be disposed adjacent a portion of a steering wheel or a seat assembly and is used for sensing presence of an occupant's hands or body adjacent the steering wheel or seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat for a passenger compartment, for example a vehicle passenger compartment. The seat has a backrest that includes a heating device for heating the space behind the backrest. The heating device includes, from front to back of the backrest, an insulating layer which is a foam, a heating layer, and an outer layer which forms the back of the backrest. The assembly of the insulating layer and the heating layer is achieved by compression on at least their peripheries.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic element and an element accommodation case. A side wall portion of the element accommodation case has a tubular shape surrounding a directional central axis. A bottom wall portion and a top wall portion of the element accommodation case cover ends of the side wall portion in a direction along the directional central axis. The top wall portion has a diaphragm portion. The bottom wall portion supports the ultrasonic element. For example, the ultrasonic element is opposed to the diaphragm portion across a gap defining an interval corresponding to an integral multiple of half of a wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. Alternatively, the diaphragm portion is formed of a material having an acoustic impedance of 50×105 Pa·s/m or more and 5000×105 Pa·s/m or less, and has a thickness of 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A floor mat assembly for use on a floor comprises a floor mat, a first adhesive layer, a heating element, a second adhesive layer, and an insulative foam support layer. The floor mat comprises a topside for interaction with a person. The heating element is bonded to an underside of the floor mat with the first adhesive layer to heat the floor mat. The foam support layer is bonded to an underside of the heating element with the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for managing power in a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) installed on a trailer, having: a TRU controller configured to execute a range extender mode of operation to manage operations of the TRU and TRU components, wherein the TRU controller: selects a power management strategy from a plurality of demand-side power management strategies; determines, from the selected power management strategy, operational parameters for a TRU; and executes the generated operational parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle heating device includes a heat storage material, a heat recovery unit, a footrest, and a heat controller. The vehicle heating device heats an occupant with heat stored in the heat storage material. The heat recovery unit recovers thermal energy from at least one of a heat source generated by a vehicle or a natural heat source from outside of the vehicle. The heat storage material stores the recovered thermal energy. The footrest is provided at a front portion of a vehicle seat disposed in a vehicle cabin, and has the heat storage material packed inside a heat insulating material. The heat controller heats the footrest by radiating the heat stored in the heat storage material at a predetermined timing with respect to the occupant to be on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor configured to provide propulsion for a mobile platform includes determining whether to activate a preheat mode based on a temperature of a motor and, upon determining to activate the preheat mode, controlling a preheat current provided to the motor to enable self-preheating of the motor.

Abstract: An exemplary running board assembly includes a running board with a deck having a plurality of spaced-apart raised sections. The raised sections are made of a thermally conductive polymer and include an electrically conductive element configured to allow electric current to flow through the raised sections.

Abstract: Various implementations include a vehicle component heating system that includes an electrode disposed within a sensing zone, and a processor. The electrode generates heat for a surface of a vehicle component within the sensing zone and senses proximity of an occupant to the sensing zone. The processor selects a heating percentage of a duty cycle for generating a heating signal, a sensing percentage of the duty cycle for generating and measuring a sensing signal and reporting the measured sensing signal, and an idle percentage of the duty cycle during which neither the heating nor the sensing signal is generated, wherein the sum of the heating, sensing, and idle percentages is 100%. The processor generates the heating signal and/or generates and measures the sensing signal and reports the measurement of the sensing signal based on the selected percentages.

Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12V and the second bus segment is at 24V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, an electrical assembly that is received within the housing and includes a heater, and an adjustment assembly that is coupled to the housing and is configured to support a cartridge. The adjustment assembly is movable between a maximum output position, an intermediate output position, and an off position.

Abstract: An exemplary wheel well heating method includes, among other things, in response to an environmental condition, generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle. The method further includes powering the generating with power from a power source that is external to the vehicle. Another exemplary wheel well heating method includes generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle, and adjusting the generating in response to a state of charge of a power supply of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of making CNT films is described in which the film is washed with a mild acid treatment. The method generates a CNT film that is not sensitive to moisture or fluctuations in moisture. The method involves the use of anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, as aqueous dispersing agents and their modification to a hydrophobic matrix after deposition. In the course of conducting the work described here, we made the surprising discovery that washing with an aqueous acidic solution resulted in a decrease in resistance through the material. The invention also includes CNT composites made by the inventive methods and a CNT composite comprising CNTs and anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans further characterized by a low cationic content and a high conductivity and/or small CNT particle size as measured by SEM.

Abstract: An electrical heating element (1) comprises a core string (2) and an electrically conductive wire (4), which is wrapped about the core string (2), follows the core string (2) and is electrically insulated with respect to the core string (2). A path (10) defined by the core string (2) includes a sequence of alternating first (11) and second (12) sections, wherein the wire (4) is wrapped in a pitch which, in the first sections (11), is generally smaller than in the second sections (12). The electrical heating element (1) can be used, e.g., in a heatable seat assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a part of a vehicle, which includes a translucent cover layer having a front surface and a back surface; a heating layer comprising a translucent and opaque heating element extending in a plane of the heating layer, the heating layer located on the back surface side of the cover layer; and a lighting module associated with the heating layer and adapted for lighting the heating layer so that at least part of the heating layer is visible at the front surface side of the cover layer.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage has: a body (1?) with a fluid line (1?,1??) extending from a liquid inlet (1?) to a beverage outlet (1??); a liquid tank (15) that has an outlet (16) connected to the liquid inlet (1?); and a carrier (11,12) assembled to the body (1?) for carrying the liquid tank (15). The carrier (11,12) is movable with the liquid tank (15) as a unit (10) inwards into the body (1?) into an operative position for supplying liquid to the liquid inlet (1?) and outwards from the body (1?) into a service position.

Abstract: A refill kit for a device to dispense an air treatment chemical includes a substrate supported on a frame. The substrate is in the form of a puck, and includes sand, a binder, and an air treatment chemical. A candle is also provided, which is suitable to heat the substrate.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods and programs for reducing emissions from engines are provided. For example, one system for reducing emissions from engines comprises a heating controller coupled to an energy storage device (ESD). The heating controller is configured to control a heating element to heat one or more components of an after-treatment system using energy from the ESD under a first condition and to control the heating element to stop heating the one or more components of the after-treatment system when a second condition is satisfied. Additionally, another system for reducing emissions from engines comprises a controller detecting a decrease in a demanded torque from an engine and an ISG. The controller is then configured to operate a clutch to disengage the engine from the ISG, if after removing fuel from the engine, the sensed speed of the engine is above a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fan typing and anomaly detection may provide a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal with a predetermined threshold duty cycle to a fan, receive a tachometer signal from the fan while the PWM control signal has the threshold duty cycle, and compare the frequency of the tachometer signal (expressed in revolutions per minute) to an expected tachometer frequency for fans of a first fan type with the PWM control signal having the threshold duty cycle, according to an RPM vs. PWM curve specified for fans of the first fan type. The systems and methods may determine, based on the comparison, that the fan is of the first fan type and provide an indication that the fan is of the first fan type to a fan controller. Deviations from expected tachometer responses may indicate an anomaly, such as an actual fan failure or a predicted fan failure.

Abstract: A manure spreader implement has a compartment for containing manure, a conveyor for displacing manure in the compartment towards a rear end of the implement, and a rotating beater assembly at the rear end of the implement for spreading the manure outwardly from the rear end of the implement. The implement further includes (i) support brackets for supporting the mounting fasteners of the beater teeth on the auger of the beater assembly in double shear, (ii) auxiliary paddles supported by removable fasteners on the auger of the beater assembly between the auger flighting above and the lower paddles of the auger below, and/or (iii) floor slats on the conveyor which have end portions of reduced internal dimension formed by crimps that allow relative sliding between the floor slats and the mounting bars on the chain of the conveyor.

Abstract: A manure spreader implement has a compartment for containing manure, a conveyor for displacing manure in the compartment towards a rear end of the implement, and a rotating beater assembly at the rear end of the implement for spreading the manure outwardly from the rear end of the implement. The implement further includes (i) support brackets for supporting the mounting fasteners of the beater teeth on the auger of the beater assembly in double shear, (ii) auxiliary paddles supported by removable fasteners on the auger of the beater assembly between the auger flighting above and the lower paddles of the auger below, and/or (iii) floor slats on the conveyor which have end portions of reduced internal dimension formed by crimps that allow relative sliding between the floor slats and the mounting bars on the chain of the conveyor.

Abstract: A heating device including a substrate, at least one heating layer on the substrate, and a power supply electrically connected to the at least one heating layer. The heating layer includes graphene nanomaterials. To form a layer of heating material, a liquid including graphene nanomaterials is applied to the substrate. The liquid is dried to form the at least one heating layer on the substrate. A first electrode and a second electrode are attached to the substrate. A power supply is electrically connected to the at least one heating layer on the substrate via the first electrode and the second electrode. The heating layer produces heat in the presence of power applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A control device controls a preconditioning of at least one energy consumer in a motor vehicle and an energy store incorporated in the motor vehicle. The control device is designed to control the energy take-up of the energy consumer and the energy take-up of a charging device incorporated in the motor vehicle such that a difference is generated between the energy take-up of the energy consumer and the energy take-up of the charging device, which is compensated by an energy take-up of the energy store or by a release of energy from the energy store, with the result that the energy store is warmed by the power loss associated with the energy take-up or with the release of energy from the energy store.

Abstract: A vehicle operates an internal combustion engine according to an automatic start-stop function to reduce fuel consumption. A first DC bus is adapted to connect to a plurality of DC loads. A primary battery is coupled between the first DC bus and a ground. A first alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the first DC bus. A second DC bus is connected to a positive terminal of an auxiliary battery. A negative terminal of the auxiliary battery is connected to the first DC bus. A second alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the second bus at a voltage corresponding to a sum of voltages of the primary and auxiliary batteries. An inverter receives electrical power from the second DC bus to generate an AC output adapted to connect to accessory AC loads.

Abstract: A motor vehicle component composed of a synthetic material and which includes a sensor mounted on at least one region thereof. Conductive elements are mounted within the at least one region, and composed of a material that may be stimulated by induction. A coil is provided for inductive heating of the conductive elements.

Abstract: An occupant support comprises a vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom. The occupant support further comprises a heating system located within the seat back of the vehicle seat. The heating system may be configured to provide a heating sensation to an occupant resting on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An operator configurable radiant heating system is provided for a motor vehicle. That operator configurable radiant heating system includes a plurality of docking points provided at different locations within the motor vehicle and a radiant heating panel configured for docking with any of the docking points of the plurality of docking points. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air conditioning seat including: two air outlets configured to distribute air distributed from an interior of the seat to an exterior of the seat, wherein the two air outlets are configured to receive supply of air from different air distribution paths and distribute air of different temperatures or humidity.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power includes a power source, a plurality of primary control circuits, a load, at least one secondary control circuit, a switch circuit, and a control channel. The plurality of primary control circuits are connected to control load power from the power source to respective ones of a plurality of load power inputs. The load is configured to receive power from the plurality of load power inputs. The at least one secondary control circuit is connected to the power source, and the switch circuit is connected between the at least one secondary control circuit and the plurality of load power inputs. The control channel is configured to control the switch circuit to connect the at least one secondary control circuit to a selected one of the plurality of load power inputs.

Abstract: There is provided an ice protection system for a rotary aircraft, including a rotor blade susceptible to an ice buildup having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, the length of the inboard portion and the length of the outboard portion define a total length of the rotor blade; a first deicing system coupled to the inboard portion of the rotor blade, the first deicing system including a plurality of spanwise zones; and a second deicing system coupled to the outboard portion of the rotor blade, the second deicing system including a plurality of chordwise zones. In one aspect, there is provided a deicing system for a rotary aircraft. In another aspect, there is a method to de-ice a rotor blade of an aircraft.

Abstract: A heated cover for use with an article of furniture comprises an exterior top layer and an exterior bottom layer that are fabricated from a conductive material. The heated cover also includes a plurality of heating pads positioned between the exterior top layer and the exterior bottom layer. Each of the plurality of heating pads comprises a heating element configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy and a padding layer coupled between the heating element and the exterior bottom layer. The heated cover also includes a rechargeable electrical storage device coupled to the plurality of heating pads. The rechargeable electrical storage device is configured to provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a vehicle component, in particular of an internal combustion engine, by way of a cooling apparatus of the vehicle using at least one moving air guide which controls a cooling air stream. The apparatus has an anti-icing unblocking unit which is designed in such a way that it can release the air guide which has been blocked by ice and/or snow, so that the slats or the like which serve as the air guide are fully operational again. To this end, the anti-icing unblocking unit is designed to melt the ice and/or the snow.

Abstract: A temperature increasing system for vehicle batteries includes a drive motor, first and second batteries, first and second temperature increasing units, and a controller. The drive motor can output a driving force for driving a drive wheel of a vehicle. The first battery can supply electric power to the drive motor. The second battery has a capacity smaller than a capacity of the first battery. The first and second temperature increasing units can increase, respectively, the temperatures of the first and second batteries by using electric power from the second battery. While the vehicle is parked, the controller heats the first battery by using the first temperature increasing unit if the temperature of the first battery is below a first value when the vehicle starts moving, and heats the second battery by using the second temperature increasing unit.

Abstract: A heat generating system for a motor vehicle includes a carbon nanotube heating element and a controller. The controller is configured to activate the carbon nanotube heating element in response to a wireless activation signal received from a remote communication device. A related method of heating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric heating device with at least one electrically heatable heating element or with a plurality of electrically heatable heating elements, wherein at least one radiator element is thermally connected to the at least one heating element in order to heat a fluid flow, which flows against and/or around and/or through the at least one radiator element, wherein each heating element has at least one heater which heats up when electric current flows through the heater, wherein electrode elements are provided for electrically contacting the heater, wherein the electrode elements contacting a heater are arranged spaced from one another and accommodate at least one of the heater between them, wherein at least two heater are electrically interconnected in series.

Abstract: An ice melting assembly for inhibiting ice and snow from collecting in a wheel well includes a liner that is mounted in a wheel well of a vehicle. A heating element is positioned within the liner and the heating element is in thermal communication with the liner. A control is provided and the control is selectively manipulated. The control is electrically coupled to the heating element to turn the heating element on and off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid heating device (10) for a hot beverage machine, comprising: —a flow through heater (18, 18?); —a first tank (12) for receiving liquid (24) to be heated; —a second tank (14) for temporarily storing pre-heated liquid (24?); —a liquid outlet (22) for releasing heated liquid; and —a switching unit (20, 20?, 20?, 20??) which is configured to switch a liquid-flow cycle of the liquid heating device (10) between a pre-heating cycle, in which liquid (24) flows from the first tank (12) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) and into the second tank (14) in order to temporarily store pre-heated liquid (24?) in the second tank (14), and a end-heating cycle, in which the pre-heated liquid (24?) flows from the second tank (14) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) to the liquid outlet (22).

Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and an electro-optic mirror reflective element. A mirror casing sidewall has a terminal end region that circumscribes an open end of the mirror casing and has a rounded end region surface. A first substrate of the reflective element has a rounded circumferential perimeter region extending at least partially between a front surface and a rear surface of the first substrate and having a first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing has a second radius of curvature. The substrate thickness of the first substrate is less than the first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing and the rounded circumferential perimeter region of the first substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface and the outer surface of the mirror casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wiring board on which an optical element is mounted in a state of being sealed by a transparent plate, lens or the like while preventing or reducing the occurrence of condensation or freezing on a surface of the transparent plate, lens or the like. In one embodiment, the wiring board includes: a board body formed with opposed front and back surfaces by stacking of a plurality of ceramic layers (insulating layers); and a plurality of optical element-mounting pads disposed on a bottom surface of a cavity open to the front surface of the board body. The wiring board further includes a heater circuit arranged at the front surface of the board body or an interface of the ceramic layers of the board body along a peripheral side in plan view.

Abstract: A battery deterioration determination device includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a battery; and a determination unit that determines whether the battery has deteriorated or not, wherein the determination unit executes a different deterioration determination process between a first case where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than a predetermined temperature and a second case where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure reveals a dual switched circuit for turning an electrical device on and off at set intervals of on and set intervals of time so that current is sent to the electrical device for a designated period of time, followed by the interruption of the flow of current to the electrical device for the designated period of time, and so that this pattern can be repeated over and over again.

Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant system.

Abstract: A method for managing icing conditions on a rotary aircraft via one or more ice protection controllers. The method includes steps for receiving an icing condition signal from an icing rate sensor at an ice protection controller, determining, in response to the icing condition signal, a de-icing signal based at least in part a liquid water content (LWC). The method further includes steps for transmitting, via a digital communication bus disposed in at least part of a slip ring assembly, the de-icing signal to a upper distributor to cause the upper distributor to transmit power to one or more heating elements for a respective rotor blade.