Electrical Devices Patents (Class 219/209)
  • Patent number: 8294067
    Abstract: A computer component testing system is used to test a temperature operating range of components of a computer. The computer component testing system includes a power supply, a voltage dividing circuit, an amplifier circuit, a heat generator, a temperature control cabinet to receive the computer and the heat generator, and a temperature tester. The temperature of the component of the computer changes via adjusting the variable resistor to change heat generated by the heat generator, to make the component of the computer be in different temperatures. If the computer changes to a second state from the first state in a temperature, the temperature is determined to be an end temperature of the temperature operating range of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Liang Xiong
  • Patent number: 8288689
    Abstract: A panel for radiant heating and cooling includes a moisture impermeable shell with protrusions extended from a base. Channels between adjacent protrusions frictionally retain a thermal control component such as flexible tubing or an electrical heating element. The protrusions define chambers open at the bottom of the shell. An anchor in each chamber is secured to the top wall and extends downwardly beyond the base. A thermally conductive film is applied to the top surface of the shell. An insulative layer extends downwardly from inside the shell and beyond the base, surrounding the anchors while leaving bottom surfaces of the anchors exposed. The anchors are secured to a floor or substrate by an adhesive to integrally mount the panel. The anchors can receive and frictionally retain axially driven fasteners such as nails and staples, facilitating the attachment of a flooring overlayer integrally with respect to the substrate through the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Dean W. Adelman
  • Publication number: 20120255942
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a heater element coupled to a traffic signal light includes: a thermistor positioned at an exterior of a lens of the traffic signal light, a resistance of the thermistor decreasing as a temperature of the lens increases; and a comparator positioned at an interior of the lens, the comparator being configured to monitor a feedback signal from the thermistor and to compare the feedback signal to a reference signal, and to turn power supplied to the heater element on and off based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HANKSCRAFT INC.
    Inventor: Brian Vodvarka
  • Patent number: 8274021
    Abstract: The invention is an integrated temperature regulator that can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technology. The integrated temperature regulator can include a reaction chamber, for example fabricated from PDMS, in which chemical or biochemical reactions of interest can be carried out. The temperature regular can also be used to regulate the temperature of some circuits, e.g. an effective-inductance-change based magnetic particle sensor, to achieve a stable operation performance, such as an improved sensitivity. The integrated temperature regulator includes as subcomponents a temperature sensing circuit that receives a thermal signal from the vicinity of the reaction chamber, a temperature reference circuit, and a temperature control circuit that controls a heater based at least in part on the difference between the sensed temperature and the reference temperature. The various subcomponents can be programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Publication number: 20120234817
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thawing a product. The apparatus includes a heating chamber, and an electrical control unit. The heating chamber includes a product chamber that holds a product, at least one heating element, each heating element emitting infrared energy in a direction of the product, and at least one temperature sensor, each temperature sensor measuring a surface temperature of the product. The electrical control unit includes a processor that controls and monitors said at least one heating element, and said at least one temperature sensor to raise a temperature of the product from an initial temperature to a set-point temperature, a connection to each heating element, and a connection to each temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: PRODUCTS SUPPORT, INC.
    Inventor: Rodney Warren Baker
  • Publication number: 20120228278
    Abstract: An electric auxiliary heating unit reliably avoids temperature overshoots of the heated air. To this end, the temperature of the air flowing into the heating is determined and converted into a heating power for controlling the heating elements. This is preferably done via a stored characteristic field via which a plurality of vehicle parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the opening condition of the convertible top, etc., can be taken into account. Also, the temperature of the incoming air can be derived from temperature values which are already available in the vehicle. A user-friendly electric heating can be realized very easily in this way. Temperature fluctuations in the heated air can be avoided reliably and easily even in the case of dynamically varying operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Zeyen, Ulrich Mundt
  • Patent number: 8253072
    Abstract: A data input device includes a heating circuit and a temperature control circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating apparatus, and a relay. When a temperature of the data input device is lower than a determined temperature, a first switch of the data input device is turned off, and a relay of the data input device is turned on, and the heating apparatus heats at least one surface of the data input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Shan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8242412
    Abstract: A heated keyboard includes a number of input keys and a circuit board. A heating member is arranged in each of the number of input keys connected to voltage pin of the circuit board via a heating switch. When the heating switch is turned on, the heating member receives a voltage signal from the circuit board, thereby the heating member generates heat for warming user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Xiao-Feng Ma
  • Patent number: 8237093
    Abstract: A power supply device having function of heating includes a body, a circuit board, and a heating plate. An accommodation space is defined in the body. The circuit board is disposed in the accommodation space. An input connector and an output connector are disposed on the circuit board. The circuit board receives an external power via the input connector, selectively transforms the external power into a first output power or a second output power, and outputs the first output power via the output connector. The heating plate is disposed on a bottom side of the body and electrically connected to the circuit board to receive the second output power to generate heat for increasing the temperature thereof. The thermal insulator is disposed between the circuit board and the heating plate for isolating heat transferred from the heating plate to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8217307
    Abstract: A fixing structure for fixing a heating module of a hair dryer is provided. The fixing structure includes a heat-emitting ceramic, a voltage step-down ceramic, a ceramic sleeve, and a conductive metal bolt. Through holes are configured in centers of the heat-emitting ceramic and the voltage step-down ceramic. Heat-emitting films are coated on surfaces of the heat-emitting ceramic. Silver paste films are respectively coated on the upper and lower end surfaces of the heat-emitting ceramic and the voltage step-down ceramic to form silver paste electrodes. A through hole is configured at the center of the ceramic sleeve. The ceramic sleeve is assembled through the through holes of the heat-emitting ceramic and the voltage step-down ceramic. The conductive metal bolt is assembled through of the ceramic sleeve for fixing the heat-emitting ceramic and the voltage step-down ceramic on the supporting frame seat of the motor and fan of the hair dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jui Harvest Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yunyuan Chu
  • Publication number: 20120168416
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an integrated circuit chip designed for reliability at low ambient temperatures. The chip substrate can be divided into zones, including at least one temperature-sensitive zone (TSZ) that contains one or more temperature-sensitive circuits. Temperature sensor(s) can be positioned in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the TSZ. Thermal radiator(s) can be embedded in a metal wiring layer and aligned above the TSZ. The temperature sensor(s) can be operatively connected to the thermal radiator(s) and can trigger operation of the thermal radiator(s) when the temperature in the TSZ is below a predetermined threshold temperature. Additionally, an on-chip power control system can be operatively connected to the thermal radiator(s) so that operation of the thermal radiator(s) is only triggered when a circuit within the TSZ is about to be powered up. Also disclosed are associated embodiments of a system and method for designing such an integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Graf, Keishi Okamoto, Faraydon Pakbaz, Jack R. Smith, Sebastian T. Ventrone
  • Publication number: 20120168417
    Abstract: A method for entering an operation mode in a low-temperature environment is applicable in a situation that plural electronic devices in an electronic apparatus are not activated. Through performing the method, the electronic apparatus obtains a temperature of each electronic device after receiving a request of a user. Then the electronic apparatus determines whether the temperatures of all the electronic devices reach a threshold value. If the temperatures of at least two electronic devices do not reach the threshold value, the electronic apparatus generates a plurality of corresponding enable signals for the electronic devices having the temperatures lower than the threshold value. The waveforms of the enable signals vary alternately. The electronic apparatus transfers the enable signals to a plurality of corresponding heaters. Being activated by the received enable signal, each of the heaters heats the corresponding electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chia-Chang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20120168418
    Abstract: Provided is a heat control device of a heat generating glass, which supplies a sine wave signal for controlling temperature of the heat generating glass according to a size of the heat generating glass, so that the sine wave signal is input at a point of time when the current of the sine wave signal is zero and also the supply of the sine wave signal is stopped at the point of time when the current of the sine wave signal is zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Dong Il Lee, Beom Goo Son, Il Joon Bae
  • Patent number: 8212184
    Abstract: Operation of complex integrated circuits at low temperatures may be enhanced by providing active heating elements within the integrated circuit so as to raise the temperature of at least critical circuit portions at respective operational phases, such as upon power-up. Consequently, enhanced cold temperature performance may be obtained on the basis of existing process elements in order to provide design stability without requiring extensive circuit simulation or redesign of well-established circuit architectures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Mowry, Casey Scott, Maciej Wiatr, Ralf Richter
  • Patent number: 8212183
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of system thermal energy generated by equipment, such as an ultrasound sensing device, to transfer heat to the peripherals/sensors/probes under user control. This is accomplished by recycling the heat generated by the system and used that to keep the peripheral/sensor/probe warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wah Yiu Kwong, Hong W. Wong
  • Patent number: 8212190
    Abstract: A protective handle sheath including a body adapted to wrap about the existing appliance handle, a heat-activated anti-bacterial agent impregnated within the body, and first and second hook and loop strips attached to oppositely situated first and second longitudinal edges of the body respectively. The first and second hook and loop strips generate heat when engaged with each other such that the heat is transferred through the body and thereby transforms the anti-bacterial agent from an inactive state to an active state. In this manner, the anti-bacterial agent is released out from an interior of the body and thereby adapted to directly contact an outer surface of the existing appliance handle. Conversely, the anti-bacterial agent automatically returns to an inactive state when the first hook and loop strip is separated from the second hook and loop strip. Thus, the inactive anti-bacterial agent is absorbed into the interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Priscilla Gibbs, Evangeline Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20120160820
    Abstract: The cooking device includes a top plate 2 on which containers 30 are to be placed, heating devices 5L, 5R provided under the top plate 2, electrodes 15, 16, 17 provided on a lower surface of the top plate 2, capacitance detection devices 18, 19, 20 for detecting changes in capacitance of the electrodes 15, 16, 17, and a boil over determination device 31 for determining a liquid boiled over from the containers 30 on the basis of the changes in capacitance detected by the capacitance detection devices 18, 19, 20 in heating operations of the heating devices 5L, 5R. The electrodes 15, 16, 17 have a plurality of arc-shaped detection parts 15a, 16a, 17a provided along periphery of each of the heating devices 5L, 5R.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Kawata, Hidekazu Suzuki, Kenzo Usui, Taihei Oguri, Hiroyuki Katsube
  • Patent number: 8198074
    Abstract: A reaction device including: a plurality of reaction areas; and a plurality of heating parts configured to be each provided for a respective one of the reaction areas, wherein each of the heating parts includes: a heat source; a scan line for selecting the heating part; a data line that transmits heating amount information used for heating to the heat source; a writer that acquires the heating amount information transmitted from the data line; a holder that stores the heating amount information also after the scan line is turned to a non-selected state; and a heat generation controller that controls heat generation of the heat source based on the heating amount information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Moriwaki, Akira Yumoto
  • Publication number: 20120132635
    Abstract: ‘Firevoider’ is a set of apparatus that combine and analyze electronic signals from Hall Effect sensors, current transformer, Pyroelectric infrared sensor, ionization chamber smoke sensor, to determine the imminence of fire hazard. On determination of the imminence of fire ‘Firevoider’ turns OFF the power to the range after pausing and sounding an alarm long enough to allow the cook to intervene. The various electronic circuitries are provided with stored charge powers back up to retain memory during power failures. In addition to the above features ‘Firevoider’ has a ‘Timer Mode Cooking’ feature that can automate cooking and save up to 40% power. ‘Firevoider’ does not interfere with cooking if the situation is safe or the cooking is attended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Birendra Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 8188406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planar heat generating element for use on steering wheels of automotive vehicles and motorboats, and a problem of the invention is to adjust a temperature portion of a planar heat generating element which is attached to a steering wheel, so as to enhance the sensation of using the steering wheel by the user when he or she grips thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Asami, Yoshitaka Morikawa, Takehiko Shigeoka
  • Publication number: 20120111635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of rock and soil core sampling and more specifically to the preservation of core sample integrity. A sample capsule is described which comprises heat shrink tubing. The sample capsule is located inside a sampling tool such as a core drill bit and activated by electric film heaters also inside the drill bit. A sample capsule front end cap may also be included. A cache mechanism is described which may store one or more sample capsules and front end caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: George Caffell, David J. Levitt
  • Patent number: 8173939
    Abstract: A non-film based, thermally conditionable light transmitting article is provided. The article includes an adhesively coated resistive wire and a substrate suitably selected for light transmittance. The adhesively coated resistive wire is solely and directly adhesively affixed to the substrate so as to be thereby supported upon and by the substrate. A layer of adhesive, in the form of an adhesive linkage originating from the adhesive of the adhesively coated resistive wire, is present between the resistive wire and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Minco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Bobgan
  • Publication number: 20120103962
    Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a body portion and a heating tray. The body portion is arranged with keys for performing typical keyboard functions. The heating tray includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a left wrist rest that is shaped to support a left wrist of a user, and a right wrist rest that is shaped to support a right wrist of the user. Each of the wrist rests includes a heating element that connects with an USB power supply for providing electrical energy to the heating tray. Each of the heating elements converts the electrical energy to heat when the USB power supply is plugged into the heating tray via the USB interface, and heats the respective wrist rests to a predefined temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KANG WU, BO TIAN
  • Publication number: 20120101245
    Abstract: There is described a method of affecting a thermally induced change to a material which comprises the use of a thermocouple or of a resistance temperature detector as a supply of thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
    Inventors: Philip David Coates, Ken Howell, Mike Martyn
  • Publication number: 20120097660
    Abstract: A LED torch includes a hand-held housing, an electrical power arrangement, and a multifunctional head unit. The electric power arrangement includes an electric power source and an electrical-powered operation head electrically linked to the electric power source. The multifunctional head unit includes an inhaler unit and a LED illumination unit detachably and interchangeably coupled with the hand-held housing to operatively link to the operation head. When the inhaler unit is operatively coupled with the operation head, the operation head forms a heating head for heating the treatment element in the treatment cavity to extract the treatment element for inhalation of an ingredient thereof via the mouthpiece. When the LED illumination unit is operatively coupled with the operation head, the operation head forms an electrical adapter to electrically link the LED illumination unit with the electric power source for generating illumination light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Fan Bao
  • Publication number: 20120097045
    Abstract: A cooking device includes: first and second heating cooking units; a mode setting unit configured to set heating modes of the first and second heating cooking units; a receiving unit; a priority managing unit configured to store priorities which are given to the first heating cooking unit and the second heating cooking unit, respectively; and a power adjusting unit configured to adjust using power of a heating cooking unit to which a lower one of the priorities of the first heating cooking unit and the second heating cooking unit stored in the priority managing unit is given when the receiving unit receives a power adjustment request signal transmitted from a power controlling device. The priorities are different values for each heating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Kurimoto, Satoshi Tsujimura, Naofumi Nakatani, Tetsuya Kouda, Yasuo Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20120061369
    Abstract: A multiple heater control system includes cables, connectors, and junction boxes for user-friendly daisy chain connections of heater controllers and heaters in various configurations or combinations of individually controlled heater series and/or master and slave heater series. The heater controllers include process control of AC power to the heaters and upper-limit safety shutoff that is substantially independent from the process control. The heater controllers also have variable levels of control, adjustment, display, and communications functionality in a base module that is expandable to various levels with expansion modules that are attachable to and detachable from the base module. Connector, cable, and junction configurations, adapters, and latch features enhance user friendliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicants: WATLOW ELECTRONIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Youfan Gu, Jeffrey D. Kiernan, Charles C. Lawhead, William C. Bohlinger, Eric E. Ellis, Curtis A. Foster, James P. Hentges, Mark Loius-Gilmer Hoven, James H. Kreisel, Shawn Leininger, Robert O. Moran, Kurt W. Peterson, Jason R. Powell, Dale T. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20120061370
    Abstract: A hair iron apparatus preferably includes an upper housing pivotally associated with a lower housing. A first heat transfer plate is associated with the upper housing and a second heat transfer plate is associated with the lower housing. A first heater is affixed to the first heat transfer plate by a first adhesive, and a second heater is affixed to the second heat transfer plate by a second adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Farouk M. Shami, Dennis R. Morrison, Thong Thu Pham
  • Publication number: 20120056748
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing sensory feedback to users of microwave oven or other thermal process stream device indicating operation in an interpretive language architecture mode. An indication is received through a device data entry mechanism that the interpretive language architecture mode of the device is to be initiated. Sensory feedback is provided indicating that the device is operating in the interpretive language architecture mode and that input data comprising a predetermined code for interpretation by the interpretive language architecture is expected. The sensory feedback may comprise flashing or illumination of specific keys on a keypad of the device data entry mechanism and may continue through entry of the input data comprising the predetermined code until completion of the resulting thermal process in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MICROWAVE SCIENCE JV, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Drucker
  • Patent number: 8115145
    Abstract: A technique for climate control of, for example, base station circuitry within an enclosure involves placing base station circuitry within the enclosure and controlling the climate therein. A system according to this technique includes an enclosure suitable for use outside in a wide range of extreme weather conditions. A controller may, for example, control a fan tray with a heater to pull ambient air through a filtration unit, through the fan tray where the air is heated, and through cold start recirculation dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sanmina-SCI Corporation
    Inventors: Zia Shariff, Andrew Hudz, Anthony Cormick Sharp
  • Publication number: 20120031890
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a battery heating circuit, comprising a switch unit (1), a switching control module (100), a damping component R1, an energy storage circuit, a freewheeling circuit (20), and an energy superposition unit, the energy storage circuit is configured to connect with the battery to form a loop, and comprises a current storage component L1 and a charge storage component C1; the damping component R1, the switch unit (1), the current storage component L1, and the charge storage component C1 are connected in series; the switching control module (100) is connected with the switch unit (1), and is configured to control ON/OFF of the switch unit (1), so as to control the energy flowing between the battery and the energy storage circuit; the energy superposition unit is connected with the energy storage circuit, and is configured to superpose the energy in the energy storage circuit with the energy in the battery when the switch unit (1) switches on and then switches off
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yaochuan Han, Wenhui Xu, Wei Feng, Qinyao Yang, Wenjin Xia, Xianyin Li
  • Publication number: 20120024833
    Abstract: This invention relates to a temperature sensor for body temperature measurements. The temperature sensor is made of several layers, where a first layer has a central heater embedded therein, a second layer which is attached to the first layer has at least one first thermistor embedded therein for measuring a first temperature value, a third layer has at one ore second thermistor embedded therein separated from the first thermistor for measuring at least one second temperature value, but this third layer is adapted to be in contact to the skin of the surface of the body for conducting the heat escaping from the body through the layers. The difference between the first and the second temperature values indicates the heat flux from the body. The heat emitted from central heater is tuned oppositely to the heat flux until a zero heat flux is reached, where the temperature at the at least one second thermistor at zero heat flux indicates the body temperature. These layers are fabric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jasper Klewer, Amy Cheung, Liesbeth Van Pieterson, Erik Bakkers
  • Patent number: 8101890
    Abstract: A fan apparency arrangement for an appliance having a fan for moving air in an interior of the appliance, including a pipe disposed in the airflow path of the fan and having first and second ends; a heater disposed in the pipe, the heater being energized when the fan is turned on; and a thermal switch disposed in the pipe, the thermal switch being closer to the first end than the heater. The fan is operative in normal operation to move air in the pipe in a direction from the first end to the second end. The pipe is disposed so that when the fan fails to move air in the pipe after turned on, air heated up by the heater passes the thermal switch in a direction from the second end to the first end so that the thermal switch is activated to signal malfunction of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua S. Wiseman, Steve B. Froelicher
  • Publication number: 20110290775
    Abstract: A combination automobile seat heater and occupant sensor antenna is provided having a flexible substrate with the seat heater applied on one side of the substrate and the occupant sensor antenna applied on the other side of the substrate. Structure is provided to minimize interference in the performance of the antenna by operation of the seat heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Cubon, Edward F. Bulgajewski
  • Patent number: 8067715
    Abstract: A heated construction box includes a heater constructed for generating heat within the construction box when connected to a power source. The construction box may include a dehumidifier, extendable supports and/or a retractable power cord assembly, as well as a cooled compartment, a hot plate and/or a microwave oven for heating or cooling solvent, paint, lacquer, epoxy, sealant, caulk, tar and the like, or food and beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: HotBoxx LLC
    Inventors: Briston Peterson, Ronnie Bryant
  • Publication number: 20110278277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a laser machining operation to be performed on a workpiece, comprising the following steps: detecting at least two current measured values by at least one sensor, which monitors the laser machining operation, determining at least two current characteristic values from the at least two current measured values, wherein the at least two current characteristic values jointly represent a current fingerprint in a characteristic value space, providing a predetermined point set in a characteristic value space, and classifying the laser machining operation by detecting the position of the current fingerprint relative to the predetermined point set in the characteristic value space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Ingo Stork Genannt Wersborg
  • Patent number: 8058592
    Abstract: A gas sensor is equipped with a built-in ceramic heater. The gas sensor detects the concentration of a predetermined gas component contained in the exhaust gas. The ceramic heater has a heater base member made of ceramic, a heating element formed in the inside of the heater base material, and a pair of external electrode pads that is electrically connected to the output terminals for the outer leads. The external electrode pads, the heating element, and the heater leads are made of base metal. The outer surface of each external electrode pad is covered only with a dense protective film made of noble metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), and palladium (Pd).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehito Kimata, Kiyomi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110259867
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an oven chamber, an oven system, and a method of wirelessly monitoring item temperature in an oven chamber are disclosed. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor used for sensing the temperature of an item is moved or transported with the item by a conveyor system. Also, in some embodiments, a wireless transmitter coupled to the temperature sensor can transmit a temperature signal to a receiver located outside of the oven chamber, and can also be moved or transported with the item. Data representative of item temperature can be stored, displayed, and/or used to modulate operation of the oven in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Robert G. Rock
  • Publication number: 20110253693
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed. A cooking vessel may include a cover, thermionic power converter, and a handle having a memory, a transmitter, and an IR light emitting diode. An infrared image sensor may be used with the IR light emitting to determine a location of the cooking vessel. A sensor and a transmitter may be disposed in the vessel cover to detect and transmit an indication of a boil condition. A system may include a sensor to detect a weight of a cooking vessel and a receiver to receive from the cooking vessel a memory-stored property of the cooking vessel, and a processing unit. The processing unit may determine a weight of the food and a predicted cooking time. The system may include a projected user interface and a proximity sensor. An apparatus may include an image sensor to capture a reference image and current images of a surface. A location of a cell on the surface may be determined from the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: George Lyons, Manfred Wittmeir
  • Publication number: 20110240624
    Abstract: An electric kettle includes a kettle body, a base, a heating element and a wireless signal transmission device. The wireless signal transmission device includes a controller circuitry, a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and a light reflection arrangement. The light reflection arrangement includes a first reflective mechanism provided on the kettle body, and a second reflective mechanism provided on the base, wherein when the kettle body is rotatably and detachably coupled with the base through a lower and an upper connector, wherein when one of the first and the second wireless transceiver is activated to generate a wireless signal toward another of the wireless transceiver, the wireless signal is subject to multiple reflections by the first and the second reflective mechanism until the wireless signal reaches the corresponding first and the second wireless transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: CRASTAL TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Tianliang Wang
  • Publication number: 20110233184
    Abstract: A handheld electronic personal care device (with or without an applicator head) comprising a fast charging capacitor, and one or more electric load elements. The device may or may not be designed for use with one or more personal care compositions. Examples of load elements include heating and cooling elements, electric motors, sound and light elements, data storage and processing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Herve F. Bouix, Christophe Jacob
  • Publication number: 20110210113
    Abstract: A conveyor oven having a hollow conveyor frame that supports a conveyor belt within an oven chamber of the oven. A cooling fan draws air from ambient that flows through the hollow conveyor frame to cool its exterior surface to prevent harm to an operator of the oven. The cooling air may also flow through passages adjacent other exterior surfaces of the oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jason Edward Lauer
  • Publication number: 20110205131
    Abstract: An antenna system having a dish, a heating element and a shaped plate. The dish has a concave shape on one side and a generally convex shape on the opposite side. The shaped plate has the heating element applied to a first side. The shaped plate has a second opposite side. The shaped plate is coupled to the opposite side of the dish. The shaped plate being formed from a flat plate having at least one slot cut therein, each slot having edges that are overlapped to thereby cause the flat plate to become the shaped plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110198335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating assembly, a heating device and an auxiliary cooling module for a battery. The heating assembly is connected to a battery and includes a heat-conducting element and a heating element. The heat-conducting element has at least one heat-absorbing portion and at least one heat-conducting portion. The heat-conducting portion is provided to correspond to the battery. The heating element has at least one first heating portion located to correspond to the heat-absorbing portion for heating the heat-absorbing portion. The other side of the heat-conducting element opposite to the battery is provided with a heat-insulating portion. The auxiliary cooling module is further provided with at least one cooling pipe in the heat-conducting element, thereby cooling the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 7973265
    Abstract: An integrated optical device is disclosed comprising a substrate, optical waveguide, and compound optical resonator having a temperature sensor, at least two coupled optical resonators, and a heater localized to each optical resonator. An optical input signal is coupled to one of the resonators making up the compound resonator to form an optical output signal. The center wavelength and shape of the output signal is optimized with a feedback loop using the temperature sensor to control the power dissipated in at least one of the localized heaters. The power dissipated in the remaining resonator heaters is set according to a predetermined function having as an input variable the power dissipated in the resonant heater under control of the said feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Sai Chu, Frederick G. Johnson, Oliver King, Marcus Schuetz, Brent Little
  • Patent number: 7973263
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle outside mirror module with a heatable mirror glass assembly group, whereby the mirror glass assembly group exhibits at least one mirror glass and an at least one layered, foil-like heating foil, flexibly configured on the back side of said mirror glass, provided with power supply points. To this end, there are configured or integrated, on or in the heating foil, at least one means of lighting and at least one additional power supply point. On or in the heating foil, between the one or the several lighting means and the one or the additional power supply points, are configured or integrated conductive tracks providing current which contact said power supply points. Each lighting means has at least one main light exit surface whose spectral centroid lies above the mirror back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Ronald Oehmann
  • Publication number: 20110147359
    Abstract: A computer component testing system is used to test a temperature operating range of components of a computer. The computer component testing system includes a power supply, a voltage dividing circuit, an amplifier circuit, a heat generator, a temperature control cabinet to receive the computer and the heat generator, and a temperature tester. The temperature of the component of the computer changes via adjusting the variable resistor to change heat generated by the heat generator, to make the component of the computer be in different temperatures. If the computer changes to a second state from the first state in a temperature, the temperature is determined to be an end temperature of the temperature operating range of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JIN-LIANG XIONG
  • Publication number: 20110147360
    Abstract: Thermal energy storage apparatus, controllers and thermal energy storage control methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage apparatus controller includes processing circuitry configured to access first information which is indicative of surpluses and deficiencies of electrical energy upon an electrical power system at a plurality of moments in time, access second information which is indicative of temperature of a thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time, and use the first and second information to control an amount of electrical energy which is utilized by a heating element to heat the thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Publication number: 20110127248
    Abstract: The Thin Film Energy Fabric includes an energy storage section; an energy release section coupled to the energy storage section; and an energy recharge section. In the energy release section, a self-regulating heater regulates itself specifically to a temperature determined before manufacture. This means that the resistive heating element changes its resistance depending on the instantaneous temperature of the heater without the use of sensors and added circuitry. In addition, the Positive Temperature Coefficient resistive heater is powered by the DC voltage output by the energy storage layer without the need for voltage converters or complex control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Kinaptic,LLC
    Inventor: Wylie Moreshead
  • Patent number: 7947925
    Abstract: There are provided a heater unit and a battery structure with heater, which are capable of heating the battery structure appropriately and preventing a heater (part or whole of the heater) itself from excessively increasing in temperature. A first heater unit is provided with a first sheet heater, a first holding member holding it, and a first sheet placed between a lower surface of a first heater and the first holding member in such a manner as to be deformable in at least a direction of thickness of the first heater. The first heater is deformed when the first heater unit is fixed to the battery pack 50, thereby pressing the lower surface of the first heater to bring an upper surface of the first heater into close contact with an outer surface (a surface to be heated) of a spaced part of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Jun Okuda, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru