Vehicle Or Vehicle Component Patents (Class 219/202)
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Patent number: 9327579Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a coolant temperature sensor, an intake temperature sensor, an air intake heater, a heating system and a controller. The intake temperature sensor measures a temperature of combustion air entering the engine. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of engine coolant. The air intake heater is configured to heat the combustion air. The controller is operably coupled to the coolant temperature sensor, the intake temperature sensor and the air intake heater. The controller is configured to operate the air intake heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the air intake temperature is below a first temperature threshold and the coolant temperature is below a second temperature threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
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Patent number: 9326324Abstract: An electrical heating device for a motor vehicle includes a frame in which is accommodated a layer structure with corrugated-rib elements and heat generating elements. Each heat generating element includes a positional frame which forms a receptacle in which a PTC element is accommodated, and which includes contact plates abutting on two oppositely situated sides of the PTC element. The heat generating element is formed such that the receptacle is sealed and is accessible through at least one inspection channel that is accessible from the outside. The electrical heating device has a sleeve receptacle which is adapted for the sealing accommodation of a connection piece that protrudes from the heat generating element. Also disclosed is a method for the manufacture of an electrical heating device in which the sealing of the heat generating elements is checked.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Christian Morgen
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Patent number: 9309001Abstract: A system and method for ice protection of a component, wherein the system is adapted to be adhesively bonded to a surface of the component. The system includes a heating element layer, at least one thermally conductive adhesive layer that adhesively bonds a first side of the heating element layer to the component, an insulation layer, at least one thermally insulating adhesive layer that adhesively bonds a second side of the heating element to the insulation layer, an electrical bus bar adapted to provide a connection between a power supply and the heating element layer, and at least one temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignees: MRA SYSTEMS INC., KELLY AEROSPACE THERMAL SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: David Patrick Calder, Julian Alexander Opificius, Erik Thomas Pederson, David Cenit Flosdorf
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Patent number: 9210771Abstract: An exterior lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting system may include a plurality of lights provided proximate the wheel-wheels of the vehicle. The plurality of lights may be illuminated upon a brake pedal of the vehicle being depressed, a turn signal lever of the vehicle being activated, or upon a driver entering a desired setting into an operator interface of the system. The lighting system may be used as a safety feature to provide approaching vehicles better warning of a braking, slowing, or turning vehicle. The lighting system may also be used during roadside repair to warn other vehicles and/or to provide illumination for the repair. The lighting system may also be used for entertainment or accessorizing purposes enabling the user to select from a plurality of lighting sequences stored in the memory of the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Inventor: Gregory A. Day
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Patent number: 9204493Abstract: A seat heater includes a seat-warming heater which is connected to a power source and warms a person sitting on a seat, an over-temperature-preventing part which disconnects the connection between the seat-warming heater and the power source when the over-temperature-preventing part is heated to a predetermined temperature so as to prevent over-temperature of the seat-warming heater, and a heater which heats the over-temperature-preventing part, wherein the over-temperature-preventing part is non-return type, and the heater for the over-temperature-preventing part is arranged to cover opposite portions of the over-temperature-preventing part, thereby realizing both higher output and improved safety.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Yoshimoto, Norio Abe, Masanori Nishikawa, Kazuaki Hioki, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Kazumi Nagayama
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Patent number: 9174627Abstract: A hybrid vehicle configured to allow charging from a source external to the vehicle includes a connector electrically connecting a battery with an external commercial power supply, an absorption unit absorbing fuel vapor, and an activation unit activating the absorption unit to facilitate disengagement of the fuel vapor during connection of the power storage device with the external power supply by the connector. The absorption unit includes a canister to which fuel vapor adheres. The activation unit includes a heater receiving electric power from at least one of the battery and external power supply to heat the canister. The hybrid vehicle further includes a purge mechanism conducting a purge relative to the canister. Thus, there can be provided a hybrid vehicle that can process fuel evaporating gas without reducing the EV allowed travel distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshiaki Atsumi
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Patent number: 9139119Abstract: Provided are a warmer equipment which is excellent in quick warming property at a rising time and which can satisfy temperature stability later thereby to improve the comfortableness, and a warmer device for a vehicle seat. The warmer equipment includes a warming member having a heater element, a temperature controlling thermostat, a temperature detecting element for detecting the temperature of the warming member, and a temperature control circuit for controlling the temperature of the warming member with an output coming from the temperature detecting element. The temperature controlling thermostat and the temperature control circuit are connected in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: KURABE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Tadahiko Ohashi, Yasuhiro Ohashi
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Patent number: 9133714Abstract: An electrothermal heater assembly, configured to be embedded inside a component for anti-icing and/or deicing the component, includes a titanium foil configured for use as a heating element, at least one reinforcement layer adjacent the titanium foil, and an adhesive configured to bond the titanium foil to the at least one reinforcement layer. The heater assembly is configured such that the titanium foil carries a structural load within the heater assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: John H. Vontell
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Patent number: 9090434Abstract: A floor for an elevator cage has a base plate, a top plate and a support structure arranged therebetween. The support structure comprises a grating arrangement including a plurality of intersecting profile members standing on edge. For local reinforcement, the support structure additionally includes a second grating arrangement superimposed on the first arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Thomas Wüest, René Strebel, Urs Schaffhauser, Beat Brügger, Christoph Schuler, Lukas Zeder
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Patent number: 9045066Abstract: A heater control unit controls electric power supplied to a heater provided in a seat. The heater control unit includes an outside air temperature measuring portion that measures an outside air temperature, a seat surface temperature measuring portion that measures a surface temperature of the seat, and a control portion. The control portion controls a time for which an initial electric power larger than an electric power in a steady state after the initial state is output to the heater, according to the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature in an initial state immediately after the heater is activated.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenichi Mizuno, Tomoko Hayakawa, Masahiko Onuma, Noriko Ogawa
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Patent number: 9040876Abstract: A heating and cooling device is disclosed. The device has an outer covering, and a plurality of heating and cooling coils within the covering. A plurality of flexible air flow chambers inside the covering provide air flow over the heating and cooling coils, and a plurality of vents exit the outer covering from the plurality of air conduits.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventors: Dick Bixler, Nancy Cudney Bixler
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Publication number: 20150136751Abstract: A heated floor panel for an airborne vehicle and an airborne vehicle having at least one heated floor panel are described. The floor panel includes a controller housing, a first heated panel configured to heat the floor panel, a panel connector arranged in a wall of the controller housing, at least one power line coupled between the panel connector and the first heated panel and configured to supply electric power, which is input to the panel connector, to the first heated panel, a switch connected in one of the power lines, and a microcontroller connected to the switch and configured to actuate the switch for interrupting the electric power supply to the first heated panel in case of an electric fault in the floor panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Christian Hanschke, Sebastian Scheffler, Wolfgang Fiss
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Publication number: 20150136752Abstract: An electrical heating assembly is provided for a defrosting device of an air-intake lip of a turbojet engine nacelle. The electrical heating assembly includes a current-conductive portion and a resistive portion, and the resistive portion includes strips spaced apart one another. Each strip is connected to the current-conductive portion so as to form at least one recess in the resistive portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Marc GEROME, Xavier CAZUC, David PEREIRA
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Publication number: 20150136750Abstract: A windscreen wiper heating element for motor vehicle is disclosed. The heating element includes a circuit having a heating electrical conductor and a support of that circuit. The circuit includes a first loop, the ends of which are connected to electrical power supply terminals, and at least one second loop, the ends of which are connected to said terminals and the length and/or the section of the conductor of this loop is different from that or those of the conductor of the first loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson
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Patent number: 9024236Abstract: A grip heater controlling apparatus controls an amount of current supplied from a power supply to a grip heater mounted on a handle grip on the steering handle of a motorcycle. The grip heater controlling apparatus has a single momentary switch operable by the driver of the motorcycle, and an amount-of-current controller for changing the amount of current cyclically to at least three levels, including 0, depending on the number of times that the momentary switch is operated.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Faltec Company LimitedInventors: Hiroshi Kurumagawa, Hideyuki Moriwaki, Ryuichi Okai, Yasuo Oishi
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Patent number: 9025942Abstract: A radiant heating device for a vehicle includes a radiant heater that radiates radiant heat toward a passenger and is provided together with an air-conditioner that selectively introduces air outside a passenger compartment or air inside the passenger compartment and then supplies conditioned air generated from the introduced air into the passenger compartment. The radiant heating device includes a controller that differentiates a radiant energy amount of the radiant heater when the introduced air into the air-conditioner is the air outside the passenger compartment from when the introduced air is the air inside the passenger compartment. According to the radiant heating device, the passenger can be provided with warm comfort feeling both in an outside air intake mode and in an inside air intake mode of the air-conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventor: Naohisa Kamiyama
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Publication number: 20150114945Abstract: A rotary blade includes a blade tip assembly with a first bus bar segment and a main blade assembly with second bus bar segment. The first bus bar segment is connected to the blade tip assembly and the second bus bar segment is connected to the main blade assembly. The blade tip assembly is connected to the main blade assembly such that the first and second bus bar segments are longitudinally offset from one another. A low-profile interconnect spans the first and second bus bar segments for resistively generating less heat than the bus bar segments for a predetermined current flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Lindsay Miller, James Mullen
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Patent number: 9016413Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently heat a vehicle cabin of a fuel cell vehicle by utilizing heat of air discharged from a fuel cell stack. In a fuel cell vehicle in which an exhaust duct configured to discharge air from a fuel cell stack is arranged below a floor, the exhaust duct includes: a lower surface wall facing at least a lower surface of the floor with a predetermined gap therebetween; and a pair of side walls extending from right and left side portions of the lower surface wall toward the lower surface of the floor, and the floor is configured to be heated by the air flowing in the exhaust duct.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Kengo Ikeya
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Patent number: 9012812Abstract: A seat heater (10) that is provided on a seat (1) including a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3) includes a first heating element (12U) provided in an upper section (3Lu) of a backrest (3L) in the seat back (3) and a second heating element (12L) provided in a lower section (3Ll) of the backrest (3L) in the seat back (3). In addition, a heat generation density of the first heating element (12U) is lower than a heat generation density of the second heating element (12L).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Anzai, Hiroki Nagayama, Hajime Oi
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Patent number: 9012817Abstract: A heater control unit controls electric power supplied to a heater provided in a seat. The heater control unit includes an outside air temperature measuring portion that measures an outside air temperature, a seat surface temperature measuring portion that measures a surface temperature of the seat, and a control portion. The control portion controls a time for which an initial electric power larger than an electric power in a steady state after the initial state is output to the heater, according to the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature in an initial state immediately after the heater is activated.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Mizuno, Tomoko Hayakawa, Masahiko Onuma, Noriko Ogawa
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Patent number: 9003595Abstract: A heated wiper blade for motor vehicles includes an elongated flexible beam and a heating element extending along the beam. The heating element may be configured to provide increased heat at the central portion of the blade and at the opposite ends of the blade. The flexible beam may include curved end portions and a flat or reduced curvature central portion. The heating element is preferably covered and sealed off to prevent loss of heat energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: HWB, LLCInventor: Johnnie L. Jones
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Patent number: 9006618Abstract: A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heating element (10) connected between a first (21) and a second (22) node, and a capacitive sensing network connected to the heating element to apply an oscillating voltage thereto and to derive the capacitive load of the heating element. A common mode choke (16) connects the first and second node to a third (23) and fourth (24) node, respectively. The capacitive sensing network comprises an oscillator (28), AC-coupled to the third and/or the fourth node to drive oscillating voltage into that node, and a transimpedance amplifier (32), which has a first input to receive the oscillating voltage as reference voltage and a second input operatively connected to the heating element. The transimpedance amplifier maintains a voltage on its second input equal to the reference voltage by driving a current into the second input. An output signal (44) indicates the AC component of the current driven into the second input.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Aloyse Schoos
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Patent number: 9004407Abstract: An anti-icing system includes a component surface having a composite structure including a composite layer, and at least one heating element formed within the composite layer, wherein the heating element is configured to provide a transfer of heat to the component surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Middle River Aircraft SystemsInventors: David P. Calder, Graham Howarth
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Patent number: 8993940Abstract: A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services LimitedInventors: Nicholas John Winter, Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
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Publication number: 20150076133Abstract: In a heating-medium heating unit equipped with a first heating-medium circulation box and a second heating-medium circulation box which are in close contact with both surfaces of a PTC heater, in which heating-medium circulation passages are formed in the interior, and which are joined to each other in a liquidtight manner, wherein joining surfaces are sealed with liquid gaskets, the heating-medium circulation passages are provided with joining-surface cooling channels that cool the joining surface which is sealed with a liquid gasket and on which the heat from the PTC heater acts. The joining-surface cooling channels are provided at positions closer to the joining surface than to the PTC heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
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Patent number: 8981261Abstract: A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium by heating a selected region of the first fluid medium rapidly to create a second, transient medium that intercepts the shockwave and attenuates its energy density before it reaches a protected asset. The second medium may attenuate the shockwave by one or more of reflection, refraction, dispersion, absorption and momentum transfer. The method and system may include a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target and calculating a firing plan, and an arc generator for creating the second medium. The arc generator may create the second medium by creating an electric arc that travels along an electrically conductive path utilizing at least one of high intensity laser pulses, pellets forming a conductive ion trail, sacrificial conductors, projectiles trailing electrical wires, and magnetic induction.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Brian J. Tillotson
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Patent number: 8981266Abstract: Electrical apparatus such as a heater (2) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) comprises a laminate such as a heater mat (3) and a connector (41-49). The laminate (3) comprises dielectric layers (50-58) and an electrical element such as a heater element (501), and each dielectric layer of the laminate comprises thermoplastic material. The connector (41-49) comprises a ribbon having first and second ends and a metal conductor (413, 423, 433). The ribbon comprises thermoplastic material and its first end (415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485) is embedded in the laminate and is laminated to adjacent first and second ones of the dielectric layers (50-58) of the laminate. Because the thermoplastic material of the ribbon is the same as or is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the first and second dielectric layers, the formation of an undesirable discontinuity at the interfaces between the first end of the ribbon and the first and second dielectric layers is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services LimitedInventors: Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
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Publication number: 20150060558Abstract: In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston, Curt R. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20150060428Abstract: A heater apparatus for a vehicle may include a main heater of a vehicle, and an auxiliary heater coupled with the main heater at the rear side thereof and having a housing including an edge part and an inner part, wherein heat radiation fins and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element assemblies are coupled with the housing at the front surface thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, DOOWON CLIMATE CONTROL CO., LTD, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Myung Hoe Kim, In Gyu Kim, Jong Chul Kim
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Patent number: 8969766Abstract: An adaptive heating system for optimizing energy resources while heating a confined area. The adaptive heating system includes at least the following components: a controller, a first heat source, a switch device, and a wireline system. The wireline system is configured to connect the controller to the first heat source, a second heat source, and the switch device. The controller is configured to receive an input from the switch device, determine whether the input indicates a selection of the first heat source or a selection of the second heat source, and then initiate operation of either the first or the second heat source, based on the determined selection. The first heat source is associated with an electric heater and the second heat source is associated with a gas furnace.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Inventor: Larry McGaugh
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Publication number: 20150053663Abstract: A panel for an aircraft is disclosed. The panel has a body with an integral conductor for the transmission of electrical power and/or signals therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Nebojsa SAKOTA, Andrew MCVEY
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Publication number: 20150053662Abstract: A method of forming a heating element includes depositing a conductive ink of silver particles in an epoxy resin on a dielectric film to create a conductive circuit, and heat curing the conductive circuit to achieve a resistivity of the heating element less than 1.68×10?6 ohm·meter. An aircraft heated floor panel includes at least one floor panel of an aircraft includes a conductive circuit positioned within the floor panel having a conductive ink of silver particles in an epoxy resin on a dielectric film.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Jin Hu, Richard R. Hamm, Kevin E. Roach
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Patent number: 8952296Abstract: The invention relates to an interior lining for vehicles and aircraft having a carrier and a heating layer and an upper layer, wherein the at least one heating layer is arranged between the carrier and the upper layer, and the heating layer and the upper layer are directly or indirectly interconnected, and to a method for producing such an interior lining, wherein at least one heating layer is pre-laminated onto an upper layer to form a layer composite, and the layer composite is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto a carrier, or alternatively, in order to produce such an interior lining, a heating layer is pre-laminated onto a carrier to form a carrier/layer composite, and an upper layer is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto the carrier/layer composite.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: NBHX Trim GmbHInventors: Volker Hermann, Michael Ewert
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Patent number: 8940386Abstract: A formed body having a curved surface, a method of producing the formed body, a front cover for a vehicle lighting device, and a method of producing the front cover. A front cover for a vehicle lighting device, mounted to a front opening in a vehicle lighting device having a lamp body and a light source which is provided in the lamp body, wherein a heat generating body is provided in a substantially rectangular region of that surface of the front cover which faces the light source. The heat generating body maintains the relationship of Ra =(2 R0), where R0 is the electric resistance value (initial value) of the heat generating body before the heat generating body is elongated and Ra is the electric resistance value of the heat generating body after the heat generating body is elongated 5%.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Sumio Ohtani, Tadashi Kuriki, Tsukasa Tokunaga
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Patent number: 8938845Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device for an automobile that comprises two independent liquid flow paths (10a, 10b) integrally formed in at least one part (1a) made of a heat-conducting material, each liquid flow path (10a) being capable of enabling a flow of liquid between a connection terminal defining an inlet and a connection terminal defining an outlet (12a, 12b), each of the connection terminals being capable of sealingly receiving a liquid supply duct or tube, and a heating means (14) thermally coupled with said part (1a) and capable of heating said part (1a) so that the liquid flowing through said flow paths can absorb the heat of said part (1a). The invention advantageously enables the very flexible use thereof for one or more systems requiring heated liquid inside a single vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'EssuyageInventors: Denis Grandjean, Marcel Trebouet
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Publication number: 20150014293Abstract: A vehicle heater (10) comprises a main body (12) carrying a non-intrinsically safe heat conductor layer (14), and a temperature monitoring device (16, 18, 20, 44) assigned to the heat conductor layer (14). The temperature monitoring device (16, 18, 20, 44) is designed to distinguish and to report at least the three following states: normal operation, reversible malfunction and irreversible malfunction. Moreover, a method for monitoring a vehicle heater (10) is suggested in which the following states are distinguished and reported: normal operation, reversible malfunction and irreversible malfunction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Dietmar Bytzek, Thorsten Kabelitz, Karl Goettl, Daniel Eckert, Fritz Wegener, Hans Rechberger, Uwe Reinholz
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Patent number: 8933372Abstract: An engine pre-heater system comprising a housing having a passage extending therethrough for passage of coolant through the pre-heater. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separate from the passage, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projecting into the passage whereby the heating element is in direct contact with the coolant to heat it. The heating element is supplied with electrical power from a power source for enabling it to heat the coolant, and a lower end of the heating element is L-shaped, the lower end thus being substantially perpendicular in relationship to the remainder of the heating element, giving the heating element a greater surface area with which to contact, and thus heat the coolant. The engine pre-heater system is also operably able to heat the coolant, engine oil and transmission oil, therefore heating the coolant and warming the engine in a faster and more efficient manner for quick start-ups.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Dynacurrent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Ray King
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Patent number: 8931547Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an electric powered refrigerant compressing device, an evaporator, an electric heater, an air temperature determining component, a cabin interior temperature controlling component, an upper limit electric power setting component, and an electric power distribution controller. The evaporator receives refrigerant from the compressing device. The heater is downstream of the evaporator in an air passageway. The determining component determines a first air temperature upstream of the evaporator and a second air temperature between the evaporator and the heater. The controlling component sets a vehicle interior discharge air temperature at a position downstream of the heater to a target temperature. The power setting component sets an upper limit for power supplied to the compressing device and the heater.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Yen, Takayoshi Matsuoka, Takafumi Uehara
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Patent number: 8921738Abstract: A heating device for a sensor element of a gas sensor, in particular for use in exhaust gas analysis of internal combustion engines, has a heating element, which has an electrical resistor layer. The heating element is electrically insulated from at least one solid electrolyte layer by a layer containing barium and/or strontium and/or calcium. For this purpose, the heating element is embedded in a first insulator, which is adjoined by a second insulator. The first insulator has a higher barium and/or strontium and/or calcium content (expressed in weight percentage) than the second insulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Detlef Heimann, Thomas Wahl, Lothar Diehl, Thomas Moser, Stefan Rodewald
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Publication number: 20140367371Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control device for controlling a heating device (26) for heating a component (24), in particular a lambda sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Hermann Hahn
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Publication number: 20140360998Abstract: A system for generating radiant heat in a transit vehicle includes at least one floor panel having at least one heating element disposed therein, and a power switch operably disposed intermediate a power supply source and the heating element for selectively providing and discontinuing a supply of predetermined power generated by such power supply source to and from such at least one heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Craig M. Berger
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Patent number: 8907798Abstract: An ice detection system comprising a first group of sensors and a second group of sensors. The first group of sensors is located in a first group of locations on an aircraft. The first group of sensors in the first group of locations is configured to detect a first type of icing condition for the aircraft. The second group of sensors is located in a second group of locations on the aircraft. The second group of sensors in the second group of locations is configured to detect a second type of icing condition for the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Charles Steven Meis, Cris Kevin Bosetti
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Patent number: 8901457Abstract: Provided is a heat-transfer-medium heating apparatus including: a first heat-transfer-medium circulating box and a second heat-transfer-medium circulating box, which are attached to each other in a fluid-tight manner, in which heat-transfer-medium circulating paths are formed therein in close contact with both surfaces of a PTC heater; an electrical-component cooling wall member that is provided in, for example, the first heat-transfer-medium circulating box so as to be located adjacent to the heat-transfer-medium circulating path; and an electrical component that is fixed on the electrical-component cooling wall member, wherein a protruding portion is formed on the surface at the heat-transfer-medium circulating path side of the electrical-component cooling wall member so as to be positioned at exactly behind an installation position of the electrical component and to extend towards the heat-transfer-medium circulating path.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
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Publication number: 20140346160Abstract: The invention relates to a heating system for heating a living being, for instance, a person (2) within a vehicle (1) being preferentially a hybrid car or an electric car. The heating system comprises an infrared laser system (5, 6) for illuminating the living being with infrared laser light, thereby heating the living being. Thus, heating radiation is used, which has a high collimation and which can be focused relatively easily. The heating can therefore be confined to a certain region, in which the living being is located. The heating can even be confined to the living being or to parts of the living being only. This more focused heating allows for a reduction of the energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Holger Moench, Mark Carpaij
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Patent number: 8895898Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) rod assembly is provided for a PTC heater. PTC elements and an electrode terminal to which an insulator is attached may be retained in a channel-shaped rod cover having an open side so as to be exposed to the outside, and a heat-radiating fin is in direct contact with one surface of the rod cover so as to conduct heat, and another heat-radiating fin may be in direct contact with one surface of the insulator attached to an outer surface of the electrode terminal so as to conduct heat, so that the PTC rod assembly minimizes empty space in an inner space of the rod cover, increases heat transfer efficiency, and is easily manufactured due to a simple structure and reduction in the number of parts.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Modine Korea, LLC.Inventors: Jae Chan Lim, Man Ju Oh, Duck Chae Jun, Tae Soo Sung
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Publication number: 20140339366Abstract: A heater mat for a rotor blade includes a plurality of electrically conductive heater wires extending in a path along a span of the rotor blade and a plurality of yarn thread knitted to the plurality of heater wires, each of the yarn threads looping around at least one of the plurality of heater wires. A warp thread is positioned between adjacent heater wires and knitted to adjacent pairs of the yarn threads without looping around the plurality of heater wires, to maintain spacing between adjacent heater wires of the plurality of heater wires. An electrical current flowed through the plurality of heater wires inhibits ice accumulation on the rotor blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventor: Dean Nguyen
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Publication number: 20140339211Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: GENTHERM CANADA LTDInventors: Jack Barfuss, Grzegorz Kawa, Syed Rafat Iqbal, Bruno Orlando, Vincent Libbrecht
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Patent number: 8890039Abstract: A method for heating a fluid line system with at least two electric heating elements (R1, R2, R3), which are operated electrically in parallel and each heating element (R1/R2/R3) is separately supplied with a controlled operating current (I1/I2/I3) for adjusting its heating power. Furthermore, the invention relates to a heating system for such a fluid line system (1), in particular for the application of the method according to the present invention. The heating system has heating elements (R1-R3) which are electrically connected in parallel and are each connected to a separate control element (T1, T2, T3). Each heating element (R1/R2/R3) can be controlled via its associated control element (T1, T2, T3) for the individual adjustment of its heating power.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbHInventors: Tobias Etscheid, Olav Borgmeier, Thomas Schüler
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Patent number: 8890033Abstract: A heat pad assembly for installation and/or removal of a bracket from a structure comprises a heating element. The heat pad assembly may have at least one and, more preferably, a plurality of perforations formed therein. The heating element may be configured to generate heat upon the application of electrical current passing therethrough. The heat pad assembly may be used for temporary installation of a bracket to a mounting surface through the use of an adhesive which is installable between the bracket and the structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Mark H. Wilson
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Publication number: 20140332518Abstract: A heatable luminaire cover is described. The heatable luminaire cover has a polymeric main body, a first busbar, a second busbar and at least two conductor tracks on the inside of the polymeric main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Lothar Lesmeister, Andreas Schlarb, Sebastian Schmidt, Marcus Guldan