Abstract: An infant warming blanket is servo controlled by a skin contact temperature sensor being taped to the abdominal skin of the infant. Through use of the blanket it is possible to maintain a constant body temperature. Access to localized areas of the body is possible by removal of blanket strips to expose the area requiring attention. The blanket has a first solid section to which a second section of individual strips having varying widths are integrally attached. In a first embodiment, heat is provided by electrical heating elements which run through both sections. Heat is supplied by heated fluid in a second embodiment eliminating the risk of electrical shock.

Abstract: A thermal protecting blanket for a blow out preventer. The blanket is specially adapted for use in hazardous environments. It includes a flexible cover custom fitted to the shape of the blow out preventor, an electrical heating element disposed on the inside of the flexible cover, and which is detachable, and the cover having a closable opening so that it may be closed to insulate the well head control device, and opened to permit access to the device during servicing. The electrical heating element is detachable, and self regulating. External connections for the blow out preventor pass through openings in the flexible cover, and the openings are held tight against the external connections by a drawstring. The fabric cover is made of oil resistant, water resistant and fire resistant material.

Abstract: A flexible treatment cover flows conditioned air onto a person positioned under the cover to assist in maintaining proper body temperature. The treatment cover has an inflated in use position above and out of contact with such person and a deflated flat stored position. Generally, the cover comprises a plurality of arch shaped air pockets fabricated of flexible material and connected together in series adjacent one another. Openings between adjacent air pockets allow inflation air to flow from one pocket to the next until the pockets are fully inflated. A separate air chamber on the underside of the cover has perforations which allow conditioned air to continuously flow out of the chamber onto the person under the cover. Air is supplied to inflate the air pockets and to continuously supply conditioned air to the air chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the low frequency electric and magnetic fields associated with electric blankets and mattress pads includes a power form converter inserted between the heating element of the electric blanket or mattress pad and the AC power source. In one embodiment, the power form converter is an AC to DC converter. In another embodiment, the power form converter is a full wave bridge rectifier circuit. The power form converter may either be built into the electric blanket or mattress pad, or may be external so that an existing electric blanket or mattress pad may be used in conjunction with the power form converter.

Abstract: An infant warming blanket is servo controlled by a temperature probe being taped to the abdominal skin of the infant. Through use of the blanket it is possible to maintain a constant body temperature. Access to localized areas of the body is possible by removal of blanket strips to expose the area requiring attention. The blanket has a first solid section to which a second section of individual strips having varying widths are integrally attached. The electrical heating elements run through both sections.

Abstract: An electric heating element which includes two sets of adjacent electrically conductive wires electrically insulated from each other. By adjacent is meant that the two sets of wires are placed as close to each other as is possible without electrically connecting the two wires; for example, the wires are preferably within 2 to 4 millimeters of each other. One set of wires is constructed and arranged to carry electric current in a first direction through the heating element. The other set of wires is constructed and arranged in a parallel circuit to the first set to carry electric current in the opposite direction through the heating elements. At least one of the sets of wires is further constructed to generate heat when the electric current passes through that set of wires. Each set of wires in the heating element has equal impedance such that any magnetic field generated by one set of wires is reduced or eliminated by an opposing magnetic field generated by the other set.

Abstract: A device for shielding an electrically powered resistive heating means so as to block and contain the electromagnetic radiation emitted thereby is disclosed. The device includes a cover constructed and arranged to enclose the heating means, the cover having a layer of electrically conductive material and a ground connection for electrically grounding the electrically conductive layer to either system ground or earth potential.

Abstract: A temperature controller compares a temperature detection signal outputted from a temperature sensor with a set temperature preliminary set in a temperature setting circuit. According to a result of the comparison and before a zero-cross point of an AC voltage applied from a commercial AC source to a heating member, a driving circuit of the temperature controller outputs a driving signal to a thyristor to turn ON the thyristor at the zero-cross point. Then the AC voltage is applied to the heating member via the thyristor. Since the determination of turning ON or OFF the thyristor is made before the zero-cross point of the AC voltage applied through the thyristor, the thyristor may surely be turned ON or OFF at the zero-cross point to prevent electromagnetic wave noises from occurring.

Abstract: A thermoelectric heat pump or power source device is provided with P-type and N-type elements made of either thin films or thick films for use on flexible or nonflexible substrates. For flexible units the film type elements are formed on substrates of such flexible, electrically insulation material as, for example, MYLAR and TEFLON; while for inflexible units the elements are formed on substrates of such materials as, for example, Beryllia, Alumina, ceramics, or plastics. Further, the elements are patterned on the different substrates for particular usages. For example, radial element patterns are used for cooling hot spots and ladder element patterns are used for cooling linear hot bodies. Ladder element patterns may also be used on flexible substrates to be folded to form corrugations having cold strips and hot strips on opposing sides to which sheets of suitable material can be attached to form panels, blankets, therapeutic devices or pipe coverings for heating or cooling their contents as desired.

Abstract: A glove assembly for vehicle drivers or others working in low temperature which includes a glove containing an electric heating wire disposed therewithin and a pair of contacting members extending from both ends of the electric heating wire, and a handle grip having a pair of metal meshes, whereby when a driver grasps the handle grip with the glove, the contacting members contact with the meshes and warm the drivers' hands.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically disconnecting a conductive polymer heater if an arcing fault occurs. A sensor conductor is incorporated into the heater, so that if an arcing fault occurs, the current through the sensor conductor increases and triggers a safety circuit to disconnect the heater. The sensor conductor is preferably insulated by an organic polymer which pyrolyses if an arcing fault occurs and thus permits current to flow between the sensor conductor and an electrode of the heater.

Abstract: A heater adapted for placement under the mattress of a waterbed consists of a flexible laminated pad having an upper layer of resistive elements embedded in electrical insulating material, and several subjacent layers of heat-reflective and thermal insulating materials. All of the layers are encased in a protective waterproof sheath. The pad may be connected in parallel with one or more similar pads and a heat sensor may be associated with each pad. In one embodiment, a control circuit is provided for supplying power to all of the pads simultaneously when all of the heat sensors detect that the temperature of the mattress has dropped below a predetermined value. In another embodiment, power may be supplied to each pad independently of the other pads.

Abstract: A flexible thermosensitive wire which comprises a core strand, a pair of electrodes one of which is spirally wound around the core strand, a thermosensitive polymer layer formed between the paired electrodes, a barrier layer for a dry-cleaning solvent formed around the thermosensitive polymer layer having the other electrode spirally wound therearound, and an outermost moisture-permeable layer. The wire is adapted for use in electric warming devices in which because of the quick moisture release of the wire, a normal thermosensitive characteristic is quickly shown in practical applications. The electric warming devices can be dry cleaned without deterioration of the wire.

Abstract: An electrical heating pad, in particular a mattress to be placed under a patient during surgery, comprising a number of partially overlapping resistor elements (11-18). The foil elements cover different regions of the pad and are positioned in an overlapping configuration such that in substantially all portions of the pad there are at least two overlapping foil element parts. Each foil element is fed separately from control circuitry so as to maintain a uniform temperature at all portions of the pad, irrespective of the heating load at different portions.

Abstract: A heating element for textiles is disclosed, which comprises a plane textile element and, combined with this, metal conductors, which can be connected to a source of electrical current and which oppose the electrical current flowing through them with a heat-producing resistance. As resistance elements, the conductors have metallic fibers or filaments with a denier like that of natural or synthetic textile fibers. The metallic fibers or filaments have an average cross sectional thickness of about 8 to about 24 microns.

Abstract: An improved flexible blanket heater includes a thin, normally flat flexible blanket of elastic dielectric material having a high modulus of elasticity and defining top and bottom surfaces. An elongate flexible resistance element of an alloy having a lower modulus of elasticity than said dielectric material and positioned within and arranged to extend about and throughout the plane of the blanket. The blanket has welts at its top and bottom surfaces adjacent and coextensive with the element. The welts establish curved compacted element supporting masses about the inside circumference of the element when the blanket is bent and which serve to limit bending of the element to radii at which the modulus of elasticity of the element is not exceeded. The blanket includes flexible fabric reinforcements at its surfaces which prevent free elastic flow and displacement of the dielectric material and assure compacting of that material about the inside circumference of bends at the welts.

Abstract: An electric blanket or the like includes a heating element having at least two elongate electrodes separated by a heating material that has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and that will generate heat when a current passes through it. At least one of the electrodes is a resistive heating conductor, such as nichrome wire and is so arranged that heating current supplied to the heating element from an electrical supply will flow through both the at least one conductor and the heating material.

Abstract: A heated bedcover containing an electrical heating element therein is provided with an integrated solid state control circuit which functions providing control over the heating element both for comfort control so as to maintain a desired heat output from the heating element and to also provide protection against overheating conditions in the blanket.

Abstract: An overhead or ceiling heater panel for room heating, mainly with radiant heat, includes a relatively elongate radiant plate (1) in the form of an extruded aluminum profile or the like, a reflector (2) mounted with a spacing behind the radiant plate seen in relation to the heat radiation direction (S), and attached to the radiant plate at two longitudinal edges (1A, 1B) thereof, and a surrounding box-like housing (3) generally composed of sheet members. Problems with respect to deformation and skew in such a radiant plate are eliminated by providing adjacent each end of the radiant plate (1), a locking spring (10) which is mounted with at least a mounting member (11A, 11B) at one edge (1A, 1B) of the radiant plate (1), and which adjacent this edge is formed with a locking part (10A, 10B) adapted to cooperate with a holding member (21A, 21B) in an adjacent end wall (13) of the surrounding housing (3).

Abstract: In an electric warmer having a temperature sensor and a thermosensitive heater wire arranged in a body thereof, a thermal distance between the temperature sensor and the surface of the body is shorter than a thermal distance between the temperature sensor and the thermosensitive heater wire. The temperature of the thermosensitive heater wire is controlled to vary by a temperature sensing signal from the temperature sensor, thereby effecting comfortable warming of a user in response to the temperature of a thermal load formed by a contacting portion of the user's body.

Abstract: An electrical foil heating element has a terminal box attached directly to the element. Power leads may be connected to the heating element after it has been installed through sockets in the box. The terminal box is also provided with screwless contacts or push wire connectors.

Abstract: An electric blanket for a person with arthritis and circulatory problems in their legs is provided having a control switch which is located at the top of the blanket for controlling an upper heating element disposed over the body of the person and a lower heating element disposed over the feet of the person so that heat can be supplied in various combinations to the body and feet of the person.

Abstract: A warming apparatus for use during sleep includes at least one of a temperature-up timer circuit for raising a temperature of an electric heater by an amount in the range of 2.degree. C. to 6.degree. C. for a predetermined time and thereafter restoring the temperature of the electric heater to a preset ordinary temperature, and a temperature-dowm timer circuit for lowering the temperature of the electric heater by an amount in the range of 2.degree. C. to 6.degree. C. for a predetermined time and thereafter restoring the temperature of the electric heater to the preset ordinary temperature, each of the temperature-up timer circuit and the temperature-down timer circuit being actuated while the warming apparatus is in operation.

Abstract: In a bed warmer such as an electric blanket initially subject to a preparatory high temperature set value, the supply of power to a heater is controlled such that a warmer temperature is automatically recovered to a preset temperature value provided by a temperature setter from the preparatory high temperature set value when a bodily temperature detector detects that the user has goes to bed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat heater includes a main body adapted to be mounted on at least one of a seat cushion part or seat back part of a vehicle seat and provided with a pair of electric warming heaters. A thermally insulated temperature control unit located remotely from the heater main body is provided for stopping energization of the heating elements when the temperature of the seat heater main body exceeds a predetermined level. The control unit includes a pair of auxiliary electric heaters each respectively coupled to a different one of the warming heaters for simultaneous energization therewith and a pair of thermostatic switches coupled in series, with each thermostatic switch being in heat exchange relationship with a different one of the auxiliary heaters for stopping the flow of electricity to the auxiliary heater and warming heater coupled thereto. The thermostat switches and auxiliary heaters are disposed within casing or housing and connected to the respective warming heaters by lead wires.

Abstract: The temperature control of an electric blanket changes the preset temperature in accordance with the presence or absence of a human body so as to ensure comfortable sleeping. The preset temperature is changed to a higher temperature setting upon connecting the power source. When the user goes to bed so that the human body is detected by human body detecting means, the higher temperature setting is automatically decreased by setting changing means to the temperature preset by temperature setting means. Also, when the user rises for the time being after having fallen asleep, the preset temperature is automatically raised so that the user is again allowed to fall asleep comfortably.

Abstract: An electric heating appliance such as an electric blanket or the like which is so designed as to prevent damage, for example, extraordinary temperature rising resulting from the deterioration of components when the appliance is erroneously dry-cleaned. In accomplishing this object, the electric heating appliance is provided with a safety means which is dissoluble in a dry-cleaning solution to prevent the circulation of electricity to a heater (6). This safety means is constructed in the manner, for example, that a thin portion (10a) of a cord socket case shell (2) made of plastics dissoluble in a dry-cleaning solution is dissolved when dry-cleaned, and accordingly, a spring plate (3) is dashed out to prevent a plug (9) at the side of a controller (11) from being inserted into cord socket case (1) and (2), thereby obstructing the circulation of electricity to the heater (6).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inserting the heating cable into the shell of an electric blanket, including a plurality of slotted tubes which are inserted to guide a flexible leader which draws the cable successively through each of the adjacent channels in the shell.

Abstract: Novel acrylonitrile butadiene and carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomeric admixtures compounded with various amounts of mineral fillers such as silicates, silicas, etc., carbon blacks, and plasticizers such as esters, epoxidized polyesters, etc., are useful as continuous temperature-sensitive solids when applied to metallic conductors as coatings whereby one leg acts as a conductor and the other is used as the sensing leg. These electrical properties of these admixtures such as volume resistivity, impedance, and reactance are uniquely sensitive to temperature changes from room temperature to at least 90.degree. C. and thus offer new and important circuit design opportunities for monitoring and detecting temperature changes. These admixtures which are essentially thermosetting may be combined with other resins such as polyvinyl chloride and used thermoplastically. In these cases, the elastomer becomes the plasticizer.

Abstract: Novel acrylonitrile butadiene and carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomeric admixtures compounded with various amounts of mineral fillers such as silicates, silicas, etc., carbon blacks, and plasticizers such as esters, epoxidized polyesters, etc., are useful as continuous temperature-sensitive solids when applied to metallic conductors as coatings whereby one leg acts as a conductor and the other is used as the sensing leg. These electrical properties of these admixtures such as volume resistivity, impedance, and reactance are uniquely sensitive to temperature changes from room temperature to at least 90.degree. C. and thus offer new and important circuit design opportunities for monitoring and detecting temperature changes. These admixtures which are essentially thermosetting may be combined with other resins such as polyvinyl chloride and used thermoplastically. In these cases, the elastomer becomes the plasticizer.

Abstract: An electrical heating apparatus protected against an overheating condition and a temperature sensitive electrical sensor for the use therewith are disclosed. The electrical heating apparatus includes an electrical heater for generating heat in proportion to the amount of electricity flowing through it, and it provides essentially all the heat for the apparatus. An electrical sensor is disposed in a thermally responsive relationship to the electrical heater. The electrical sensor includes a coextruded pair of spaced flexible plastic conductors and a coextruded flexible temperature sensitive electrical impedance material having predetermined temperature coefficient impedance characteristics along its entire length. The temperature sensitive material is in electrical contact with the flexible conductors and controls the flow of electricity between them.

Abstract: An electric blanket having a terminal block for connecting the tortuous flexible heating element of the blanket to a detachable power cord with the terminal block being mounted by means of flexible tabs positioned on strain relief members, the tabs being sewn or stitched to the blanket shell with a portion of the terminal block extending through a slot in the blanket shell.

Abstract: An electrical heating apparatus protected against an overheating condition is disclosed. It includes an electrical heater and an elongate heat sensor disposed in a thermally responsive relationship. The heat sensor consists of a single conductor having positive temperature coefficient electrical impedance characteristics continuously along its entire length. The electricity flowing through the electrical heater is controlled in response to a signal from the heat sensitive conductor.

Abstract: A flexible heating wire includes a first conductive body, a second conductive body, a thermally fusible electrically insulative body which are arranged such that the first and second conductive bodies will be brought into electric contact with each other when the thermally fusible electrically insulative body is thermally fused, a third conductive body, and a heating body having a positive temperature coefficient and held in electric contact with at least one of the first and second conductive bodies and the third conductive body. The flexible heating wire is capable of self-controlling the temperature of the heated heating body. The flexible heating wire can detect the danger of localized overheating, abnormal overheating, or the generation of an arc which is caused when the heating wire is subjected to external oppression, bending, or twisting, or when the heating wire is heated by an external source, or when a conductive material has been mixed in the PTC heating body.

Abstract: A temperature controller applied to flat heating equipment, such as an electric blanket, is disclosed wherein power supply control to a heater wire in the blanket is performed, using a predetermined temperature as a target temperature which is corrected to be higher than a desired temperature preset by a user, in an initial period after the electric blanket is started. Power supply to the heater wire is temporarily increased, thereby rapidly warming the blanket, which has a low heat conductivity, and shortening the time interval until the blanket is heated to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A heating cable for use with an electric underblanket the cable being of the type in which a sensor wire is employed coextensive with a heater wire and separated by a layer of meltable insulating material so that overheat conditions are sensed by contact between the sensor wire and the heater. A number of helically wound coextensive wires cooperate with switching means to provide overheat temperature sensing at various wattage levels of heating.

Abstract: A heating cord comprises bendable electric heating wire and nonconductive fiber. A net type heater is formed from the heating cords. Common power source terminals comprising a plurality of bendable conductors are fixed at both sides of the net type heater and are connected to the electric heating wire thereof.

Abstract: An electrical heating fabric has a warp composed of non-conductive threads, and selvedges which include plural lead wires. In the weft direction the fabric has both non-conductive threads and conductive wires. The different types of weft material are arranged in successive strips disposed transversely to the warp. First strips have non-conductive weft threads only. Second strips additionally have conductive weft wires. The strips are arranged alternately. The weft wires are all discrete, and their two ends are either in simple contact with the selvedge lead wires or are interwoven therewith.

Abstract: A cold-weather muff includes an elongated generally cylindrically shaped insulative member having open ends, a water resistant and wind-proof lining surrounding the insulative member, and an inner liner disposed within the insulative member having longitudinally opposed left and right hand receiving pockets and a chemical heating element receiving chamber intermediate the left and right hand receiving pockets. Resilient collars are provided on the open ends that are individually cooperative with respective ones of the left and right hand receiving pockets to minimize convective heat loss by preventing wind from passing through the muff. An emblem may be fastened to the outer lining displaying any desired indicia. A flap on the outer lining provides a resealable closure for the chemical heating element receiving chamber. The cold-weather muff is particularly advantageous for spectator sports, and may readily be incorporated in any suitable body garment such as a hooded sweatshirt.

Abstract: A heating circuit for an electric blanket or the like comprises a heating conductor, a sensor conductor and separating means which separates the conductors and has an impedance that falls with increasing temperature and/or which will melt in the event of overheating to allow contact between the conductors. A thermal fuse and a first diode are connected in series with the heating conductor between AC supply input terminals, and a resistor is thermally coupled to the thermal fuse and electrically connected such that the resistor and the impedance of the separating means are connected in series between the input terminals. A drop in the impedance of the separating means due to overheating will cause the current through the resistor to increase, so heating the resistor to cause the thermal fuse to disconnect the circuit from the supply.

Abstract: The automatic temperature control device for an electric appliance such as an electric blanket comprises a heater element, a sensor made of a thermosensitive material having an impedance, which changes as the temperature varies, for detecting the temperature of the heater element, switching means for regulating the supply of electric power to the heater element, and a plurality of electric circuits for driving the switching means in response to the output signal from the sensor. The plurality of electric circuits function to prevent the sensor from being polarized and to detect a temperature signal by applying thereto an alternating current, to detect a failure occurring in the electric circuits in synchronism with zero-crossing pulses, and to detect a failure occurring in the switching means, thereby assuring a safe operation of the automatic temperature control device against the occurrence of any failure.

Abstract: A flocked electric blanket construction is provided wherein a fabric substrate woven from filament yarn is interposed between, and is bonded to, layers of foam. The exposed surfaces of the foam are flocked. The substrate includes channels woven into the fabric to receive electrical heating wires.

Abstract: A fluid circulating system primarily designed for use with a thermal blanket or pad and being temperature controlled so that both heating and cooling effects may be produced through the preheating or precooling of fluid in a reservoir tank or like container which, wherein the fluid is in turn forced through the thermal blanket to provide the proper heating or cooling as desired. A standby switching mode is included to prevent circulation of the fluid through the thermal blanket by a pump structure until the fluid reaches a preselected temperature has been reached. Heating and cooling transfer elements are disposed to the fluid within the reservoir tank thereby eliminating the need for condensor structures and the like and allowing for a compact overall unit to provide the required fluid circulating throughout the thermal blanket.

Abstract: A PTC device is used to protect a power circuit from excessive heat and/or excessive current in an electrical system which comprises a separate control circuit as well as the power circuit. The PTC device is in one of said circuits and is thermally coupled to a resistive element in the other of said circuits. A preferred means for thermally coupling these two components is a metal strap which at least partially encircles the resistive element and extends over at least a portion of the surface of the PTC device.

Abstract: The apparatus includes three electrodes housed in a single enclosure which is filled with a gas. A first one of the electrodes is connected to the junction of a load and a fuse. A second one of the electrodes is connected to an intermediate point of the load, which intermediate point separates the load into two normally equal impedance segments. A third one of the electrodes is connected to the other end of the load. When either of the impedances of the two segments of the load changes sufficiently to cause a breakdown voltage between either the first and second electrodes or between the second and third electrodes to be exceeded, current flows between the first and third electrode thereby short-circuiting the load and causing the fuse to break.

Abstract: A safety circuit for deenergizing an electric blanket of the type utilizing a positive coefficient resistance material as the heating element positioned between a pair of spaced conductor wires. The circuit includes one or more gas tubes with parallel resistances connected across the conductor wires to sense voltage changes caused by open or short circuits and to conduct sufficiently high currents to blow a series connected fuse.

Abstract: An electrical heating apparatus, and particularly a bedcover preferably in the form of a blanket, protected against an overheating condition and in which electrical current flow through a heating element is controlled by a pair of gate controlled bidirectional semiconductor switches electrically connected to one another in series and in back-to-back orientation. The gates of the semiconductor switches are connected through a temperature sensitive capacitor which triggers the semiconductor switches from a conductive to a nonconductive state in response to the sensing of an overheating condition.

Abstract: A thermally controlled mattress construction including a mattress body designed to support a person lying on top thereof. A removable pillow top for the mattress body, removably fastened along the peripheral edges, incorporates a thermally controlled liner as an integral but removable part thereof. The liner is removably fastened to the bottom of the top surface by a fastener extending along the lower peripheral edge of the pillow top, and also the pillow top is removably fastened to the mattress body by a fastener extending along its peripheral edge. This arrangement provides for removal of the liner for repair of maintenance or other reasons. In one embodiment, the thermally controlled liner includes an electrical heater, which can incorporate two separately controllable heaters, one for each half side of the mattress. In a second embodiment, the thermally controlled liner includes therein an array of tubing, through which either heated or cooled fluid is pumped to selectively heat or cool the pillow top.

Abstract: An electric blanket control effective to deactivate power to the blanket's resistance wire heating circuit, the control having a capacitance detector constructed and adapted to respond to differences in the capacitance of the heating circuit attributable to the presence or absence of the user under the heating wire of the blanket, and a switch responsive to the detector adapted to interrupt power to the heating circuit when the capacitance value of the heating circuit indicates the absence of the user.

Abstract: A flat, normally horizontal electric resistance blanket heater comprising a thin, fragile elongate resistance element on one surface of and carried by a thin, flexible sheet of dielectric material, a thin, flat resilient and flexible reinforcing strate of dimensionally stable material retained adjacent the other surface of the film to permit flexure of the heater and without dimensional distortion of the film and element and a flexible envelope encapsulating the sheet element and strate.The heater also includes temperature responsive switching means responsive to the temperature of heated portions of the heater and in temperature insulated relationship from a portion of the heater where the element connects with power supply lines and which creates a portion in the heater of increased mass and heat storing capacity.