Vehicle Or Vehicle Component Patents (Class 219/202)
  • Patent number: 9327579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 9326324
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Christian Morgen
  • Patent number: 9309001
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: MRA SYSTEMS INC., KELLY AEROSPACE THERMAL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: David Patrick Calder, Julian Alexander Opificius, Erik Thomas Pederson, David Cenit Flosdorf
  • Patent number: 9210771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory A. Day
  • Patent number: 9204493
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yoshimoto, Norio Abe, Masanori Nishikawa, Kazuaki Hioki, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 9174627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 9139119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KURABE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ohashi, Yasuhiro Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9133714
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Vontell
  • Patent number: 9090434
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Thomas Wüest, René Strebel, Urs Schaffhauser, Beat Brügger, Christoph Schuler, Lukas Zeder
  • Patent number: 9045066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Mizuno, Tomoko Hayakawa, Masahiko Onuma, Noriko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9040876
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dick Bixler, Nancy Cudney Bixler
  • Publication number: 20150136751
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Hanschke, Sebastian Scheffler, Wolfgang Fiss
  • Publication number: 20150136752
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marc GEROME, Xavier CAZUC, David PEREIRA
  • Publication number: 20150136750
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson
  • Patent number: 9024236
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Faltec Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kurumagawa, Hideyuki Moriwaki, Ryuichi Okai, Yasuo Oishi
  • Patent number: 9025942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Naohisa Kamiyama
  • Publication number: 20150114945
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lindsay Miller, James Mullen
  • Patent number: 9016413
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kengo Ikeya
  • Patent number: 9012812
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Anzai, Hiroki Nagayama, Hajime Oi
  • Patent number: 9012817
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Mizuno, Tomoko Hayakawa, Masahiko Onuma, Noriko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9003595
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HWB, LLC
    Inventor: Johnnie L. Jones
  • Patent number: 9006618
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Aloyse Schoos
  • Patent number: 9004407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Middle River Aircraft Systems
    Inventors: David P. Calder, Graham Howarth
  • Patent number: 8993940
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Winter, Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
  • Publication number: 20150076133
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
  • Patent number: 8981261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8981266
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
  • Publication number: 20150060558
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston, Curt R. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20150060428
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, DOOWON CLIMATE CONTROL CO., LTD, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Myung Hoe Kim, In Gyu Kim, Jong Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8969766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Larry McGaugh
  • Publication number: 20150053663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nebojsa SAKOTA, Andrew MCVEY
  • Publication number: 20150053662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Richard R. Hamm, Kevin E. Roach
  • Patent number: 8952296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: NBHX Trim GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hermann, Michael Ewert
  • Patent number: 8940386
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Sumio Ohtani, Tadashi Kuriki, Tsukasa Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 8938845
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Denis Grandjean, Marcel Trebouet
  • Publication number: 20150014293
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Dietmar Bytzek, Thorsten Kabelitz, Karl Goettl, Daniel Eckert, Fritz Wegener, Hans Rechberger, Uwe Reinholz
  • Patent number: 8933372
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Dynacurrent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Patent number: 8931547
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Yen, Takayoshi Matsuoka, Takafumi Uehara
  • Patent number: 8921738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Heimann, Thomas Wahl, Lothar Diehl, Thomas Moser, Stefan Rodewald
  • Publication number: 20140367371
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Hahn
  • Publication number: 20140360998
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Craig M. Berger
  • Patent number: 8907798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles Steven Meis, Cris Kevin Bosetti
  • Patent number: 8901457
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Adachi, Nobuya Nakagawa, Shiro Matsubara, Naoto Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20140346160
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Holger Moench, Mark Carpaij
  • Patent number: 8895898
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Modine Korea, LLC.
    Inventors: Jae Chan Lim, Man Ju Oh, Duck Chae Jun, Tae Soo Sung
  • Publication number: 20140339366
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Dean Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140339211
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: GENTHERM CANADA LTD
    Inventors: Jack Barfuss, Grzegorz Kawa, Syed Rafat Iqbal, Bruno Orlando, Vincent Libbrecht
  • Patent number: 8890039
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Etscheid, Olav Borgmeier, Thomas Schüler
  • Patent number: 8890033
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark H. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140332518
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Lothar Lesmeister, Andreas Schlarb, Sebastian Schmidt, Marcus Guldan