With Protective Means For Heater Patents (Class 219/481)
  • Patent number: 6934645
    Abstract: The present invention is a random access memory device including a temperature sensing circuit, and method of using the same. The temperature sensing circuit includes a first and a second comparator. Each comparator is configured to receive a sense voltage that is indicative of a sensed temperature. A first temperature reference circuit having a plurality of first reference voltages is coupled to the first comparator. The plurality of first reference voltages are alternately compared with the sense voltage. A second temperature reference circuit having a plurality of second reference voltages is coupled to the second comparator. The plurality of second reference voltages are alternately compared with the sense voltage. A first trimmer is coupled to the first temperature reference circuit. A second trimmer coupled to the second temperature reference circuit. The first and second trimmers are independently adjustable to adjust the plurality of first and second reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Jung Pill Kim
  • Patent number: 6881932
    Abstract: An improved air data sensing probe de-icing system that provides for dramatically increased reliability and lifespan, utilizing solid-state heating elements that are electrically connected in parallel and having inherent temperature control, where each of the heating elements are able to provide full system power in the event of failure of one of the heating elements such that system redundancy and de-rating is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Harco Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Giterman
  • Publication number: 20040237560
    Abstract: A defrosting heater in a refrigerator with a flammable refrigerant sealed therein, including a first glass tube (53) having a heater wire (52) inside thereof, a plug (58) covering both end opening parts of the first glass tube (53) and a second glass tube (54), a lead wire (55) piercing the plug (58) and connected to an end of the heater wire (52), and a positioning plate (57) disposed on a connection part of the lead wire (55) with the heater wire (52). Flame propagation can be prevented by setting the size of a space (58b) formed by the plug (58) and the positioning plate (59) according to the sealing quantity of the flammable refrigerant and the surface temperature of the heater wire (52), and an unstable state in a defrosting mode is prevented even when the flammable refrigerant leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Ichiro Onishi, Toshiki Maeda, Akira Yokoe, Kazuyoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6812436
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for an exhaust gas sensor can promptly heat the exhaust gas sensor with an electric heater up to an activation temperature while preventing thermal shock damage thereof due to water immediately after engine starting. Energization of an electric heater arranged near an exhaust gas sensor is controlled by a CPU cooperating with a ROM through a switching element. A low voltage is supplied for evaporation of the water by a first preheater immediately after engine starting, and enhanced preheating is subsequently carried out by a second preheater for preventing thermal shock on the exhaust gas sensor. Thereafter, a heating controller performs automatic control with a proper activation temperature of the exhaust gas sensor being made as a target. The temperature controlled by the first preheater is set to such a temperature level at which rapid cooling damage of the exhaust gas sensor due to the water will not be caused but the water can be evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Nomura, Kohji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6806445
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a fixing heater, and a zero-cross detector that detects zero-cross points of a frequency of an alternating current (AC) power supply connected to the heater. The image formation apparatus also includes a controller that controls light-on of the heater by pulse-width-modulation (PWM)-controlling the frequency of the AC power supply, that controls a duty width of a PWM control signal for the frequency of the AC power supply for a half period that corresponds to a period between the adjacent zero-cross points detected by the zero-cross detector, and that controls an amplitude of an input current from the AC power supply so that a waveform of the input current becomes a rough approximation of a sine wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Satoh
  • Publication number: 20040178188
    Abstract: An electric heater apparatus for automobiles is disclosed. A sheathed heater (14a) constituting a heat generating member of a heater assembly (14) generates heat by power supplied from a main power supply for generating a DC high voltage through an inverter. A thermal fuse (15) has a temperature detecting element (15a) (low-melting alloy) adapted to fuse when a set temperature is reached. The temperature detecting element (15a) is connected to the power circuit of the sheathed heater (14a) through lead wires (15b, 15c). The thermal fuse (15) is arranged in such a position that the longitudinal direction of the temperature detecting element (15a) accommodated in the casing (17) is coincident with the longitudinal direction of the heater assembly 14, and mounted in surface-to-surface contact with the body (aluminum body (14c)) of the heater assembly (14). Also, the interior of the casing (17) is sealed with a material (such as cement or a silicon caulking material) higher in heat conductivity than air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Ken Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6777652
    Abstract: The oven includes a lower electrical heating element which is located below a support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A controller is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. By way of a thermocouple, the controller senses the temperature in the oven and controls the lower heating element to maintain a set point temperature, i.e. 550° F., in the oven. When any of the upper heating elements is activated, and is in a broiling sequence the controller disables these upper heating elements if the temperature in the oven rises above an upper temperature level of i.e. 585° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Edward E. Stockley
  • Patent number: 6762975
    Abstract: A control circuit of a programmable coffee maker includes an input unit for inputting a preset brewing time, a heater controller for controlling electrical connection between an electric heating device and a power supply, a sensor unit for providing a cancel signal when temperature at a supply pipe connected to a water reservoir and heated by the heating device reaches a predetermined critical temperature, and a processor having an internal clock with a current time output. The processor controls the heater controller to make electrical connection between the heating device and the power supply when the preset brewing time coincides with the current time output, and cancels the preset brewing time and controls the heater controller to break the electrical connection between the heating device and the power supply after the processor receives the cancel signal from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eupa International Corporation
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6740854
    Abstract: A device for satellites is associated with heaters that are turned on when the device is turned off and turned off when the device is turned on. The device includes a power supply, a system for turning the device on and off and a system for turning the heaters on and off controlled by the system for turning the device on and off. The power supply supplies power to the heaters when they are turned on and do not supply power to the heaters to turn on the device. The device is more particularly suited to communication equipment for satellites associated with substitution heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Frédéric Laurent, Yves Folco
  • Patent number: 6737614
    Abstract: A method of and device for checking a device for influencing the temperature of a baking oven includes switching on devices for influencing the temperature of a baking oven for a predetermined time and subsequently comparing a measured temperature obtained with a predetermined comparison temperature. A fault signal is output dependent upon the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Keller, Manfred Plankl, Michael Ulmer
  • Patent number: 6730884
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical circuit that measures the ground current due to insulation leakage in electrical heating elements. The circuit uses a CT to measure the current being supplied to at least one of a plurality of electrical heating elements. Using a comparator circuit and noise rejection circuitry to prevent erroneous tripping, once the current reaches a predetermined threshold, a signal is sent to a switch that causes a non-volatile memory device to clear thereby de-energizing the coil of the contactor that provides power to at least one of the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Baker, Stephen A. Mowrer
  • Patent number: 6727477
    Abstract: A temperature controller includes temperature-adjusting device and a heating device. A plurality of magnet pieces and magnet attractive pads are respectively provided to terminal faces of the temperature-adjusting device and the heating device respectively for inducing magnetic attraction between the temperature-adjusting device and the heating device for enhancing the mounting force therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lyu Jan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu Chang Li-Chen
  • Patent number: 6700102
    Abstract: A control circuit for a clothes dryer operating with a 120 volt power supply compensates for changes in the ambient temperature to compensate for premature advancement of the dryer timer motor during an automatic drying cycle. The control circuit has a thermally biased low outlet thermostat and a thermally biased high outlet thermostat which control the energization of a heater in the dryer. The low outlet thermostat and the high outlet thermostat each open circuit at respective lower and higher predetermined temperatures when the outlet air flow from the dryer drum reaches the lower or higher respective predetermined temperatures to thereby de-energize the heater and advance the timer motor. The control circuit includes a thermally biased ambient thermostat that is normally open and unbiased, and that switches control of the heater energization from the low output thermostat to the high outlet thermostat when thermally biased and when the ambient temperature rises above a predetermined ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Maurice St. Louis
  • Patent number: 6647931
    Abstract: Household apparatus (100) for steam generation comprising a water reservoir (1) at atmospheric pressure; a boiler (5) suitable to contain water to be vaporised and comprising a heating unit (40) in turn including a heating source (7) for vaporising the water suitable to be at least partly immersed in the water and having an elevated portion (15) which extends along a predetermined direction, and a temperature sensor (12) contained into a protective sheath (14), said protective sheath (14) being in contact with said heating source (7), a water feeder (4, 3) from the reservoir (1) to the boiler (5), a steam deliverer (9, 10) from the boiler (5) to a steam user appliance (8), wherein the contact area between the protective sheath (14) and the elevated portion (15) extends along the predetermined direction so that the contact area is relatively wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Imetec S.p.A.
    Inventors: Arturo Morgandi, Diego Pietra
  • Patent number: 6649881
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature proximate the element; and a controller connected to the element and the sensor, the controller being programmed to energize the element with at least one electrical pulse over a predetermined time interval, comparing temperature information received from the sensor with a predetermined temperature, and disengaging the element in the event that the temperature received from the sensor is greater than a predetermined temperature for the predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: American Water Heater Company
    Inventors: Allen Scott, William Stout
  • Patent number: 6646237
    Abstract: A safety control circuit for an electric water heater includes a voltage detection circuit, a current detection circuit, a load-resistance calculation unit, and a central processing unit. The load-resistance calculation unit calculates load-resistance reference value and dynamic load-resistance values based on voltage value and current value detected by the voltage detection circuit and the current detection circuit, respectively. The central processing unit determines whether there is water supplied to the electric water heater based on the load-resistance reference value and the dynamic load-resistance values sent to the central processing unit by the load-resistance calculation unit. When a difference between the two values is larger than a predefined value, the central processing unit drives a switch to turn off and thereby cut off power supply to the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Liu
  • Patent number: 6624397
    Abstract: A heater effectively uses a current controlled fan motor in series with a resistance heating arrangement. The fan motor preferably is wound with a gauge of wire to appropriate for the relatively high current provided to the fan motor. This arrangement is effectively used to adjust the fan speed to match the heat output when the heating arrangement has variable heat output. More desirable operating characteristics are achieved without increasing costs and fan motor manufacturing savings are realized. The portable heater preferably produces heat at different outputs and the current used to power the resistance heating arrangement is used to power the fan motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Art K. Tateishi
  • Publication number: 20030168441
    Abstract: A safety control circuit for an electric water heater includes a voltage detection circuit, a current detection circuit, a load-resistance calculation unit, and a central processing unit. The load-resistance calculation unit calculates load-resistance reference value and dynamic load-resistance values based on voltage value and current value detected by the voltage detection circuit and the current detection circuit, respectively. The central processing unit determines whether there is water supplied to the electric water heater based on the load-resistance reference value and the dynamic load-resistance values sent to the central processing unit by the load-resistance calculation unit. When a difference between the two values is larger than a predefined value, the central processing unit drives a switch to turn off and thereby cut off power supply to the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Liu
  • Patent number: 6617554
    Abstract: A counter-top electric oven includes a base, an oven housing supported on the base, and a power head detachably connected to the oven housing. The power head includes a heating unit for generating and directing heat into the oven housing. At least one handle is formed on the power head, and a power interrupting device is operatively provided in the handle for disconnecting power to the power head. The power interrupting device is activated when the handle is grasped by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hearthware Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung S. Moon, Heejin Lee, Rong Liu, Kitak Chae
  • Patent number: 6598604
    Abstract: A fault protection circuit for a respiratory conduit heater element in a respirator humidification system is disclosed. The circuit includes a spark detector as well as overcurrent detector. Several variations are included for the spark detector including a two winding transformer, a center tapped two winding transformer), and a high pass filtered inductor. A semiconductor switching configuration is also disclosed. Once the protection circuit detects a change in current over a certain level, or the average level raises above a threshold, then the current in the heater element is interrupted for a preset period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventor: Paul John Seakins
  • Patent number: 6590188
    Abstract: A control system for bathers includes an electronic controller which controls operation of an electric heater assembly connected in a water flow path for heating water. The heater assembly includes a heater housing and electric heater element. A solid state water temperature sensor apparatus provides electrical temperature signals to the controller indicative of water temperature at separated first and second locations on or within the heater housing. The presence of water in the heater housing is detected electronically, by turning on the heater, and monitoring the temperature sensors for unusual temperature rises or other faults for a period of time thereafter. A solid state water presence sensor apparatus can also be used to determine the presence of water within the heater housing, providing electrical water presence signals to the controller indicative of the presence or absence of a body of water within the heater housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Cline, Cindy Otto, Stefan Daystrom
  • Patent number: 6586712
    Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., John Stanley Glaser, Austars Raymond Schnore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6573482
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a liquid processing unit 30 for supplying objects to be processes, such as wafers W, with a processing liquid for liquid processing, a processing-liquid supplying unit 100 for supplying heated processing liquids 12a, 12b to the liquid processing unit 30 and a heating unit 200 for heating the liquids 12a, 12b up to a predetermined temperature. The heating unit 200 has a heater 16 for heating the liquids 12a, 12b, a power supply circuit for supplying the heater 16 with electricity, a temperature sensor 14 and a temperature regulator 13 both forming an output control unit for controlling an output from a power source 20 to the heater 16, a solid state relay 19 for switching on/off the operation of the power supply circuit by signals from the temperature regulator 13, and failure detecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Shori Mokuo
  • Patent number: 6566633
    Abstract: When controlling operation of heaters or coolers provided in a plurality of thermal control objects, the priority for turning on the heaters or the coolers set based on temperature and speed of temperature response of the thermal control objects is used to turn on a heater or cooler with higher priority and turn off a heater or cooler with lower priority, such that the sum of energy required for operating the heaters and the coolers does not exceed a predetermined value. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the peak energy (maximum energy) generated when a plurality of heaters and coolers are simultaneously turned on, thereby decreasing an affect on an energy supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Kitada
  • Patent number: 6563090
    Abstract: An electric heating blanket control circuit assembly is constructed to include an electric heater, a sensor adapted for detecting the temperature level of the electric heater, a controller, the controller having a monitoring circuit adapted for monitoring normal functioning of the sensor and the electric heater and a main control circuit adapted controlling the operation of the electric heater subject to the detection result of the sensor to keep the temperature of the electric heater to be maintained within a limited range, and a power adapter adapted for providing low voltage DC to the electric heater, the sensor, and the controller for working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Shu Chih Wu
  • Patent number: 6555796
    Abstract: A heater having a shut off device is provided which prevents false over temperature lockouts. The heater comprises a body having walls defining a volume for holding water, a heating element thermally coupled to the body for heating water within the body, and a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the material. The heater also has a shut off switch for shutting off electric current in the heater when the sensed temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature limit, and a manually actuated reset input for resetting the shut off switch to allow current to be applied to the heater. The heater further includes a controller coupled to the shut off switch and the reset switch, wherein the controller determines the presence of a false over temperature event and overrides the need to manually actuate the reset input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sherwood-Templeton Coal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon B. Cusack
  • Publication number: 20030062360
    Abstract: A counter-top electric oven includes a base, an oven housing supported on the base, and a power head detachably connected to the oven housing. The power head includes a heating unit for generating and directing heat into the oven housing. At least one handle is formed on the power head, and a power interrupting device is operatively provided in the handle for disconnecting power to the power head. The power interrupting device is activated when the handle is grasped by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Hearthware Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung S. Moon, Heejin Lee, Rong Liu, Kitak Chae
  • Patent number: 6483687
    Abstract: A voltage from an AC power source is converted into a DC voltage in an input-side rectifier-smoother circuit. The DC voltage is then converted into a high-frequency voltage in an inverter, and the resulting high-frequency voltage is voltage-transformed in a transformer. The voltage-transformed high-frequency voltage is converted into a DC voltage in an output-side rectifier-smoother circuit, which is applied via output terminals to a load. The input-side and output-side rectifier-smoother circuits, the inverter and the transformer are enclosed in a casing having a plastic panel. The output terminal of the apparatus is mounted on the plastic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masao Katooka, Toru Arai, Haruo Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 6476363
    Abstract: A dry fire protection system for a spa and the spa's associated equipment. A heating element heats the spa's water. A resistive water level sensor senses that the level of water around the heating element is higher than a predetermined height or lower than a predetermined height, and a heating element deactivation device electrically deactivates the heating element when the water level around the heating element falls below a predetermined level. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element deactivation device is an electric circuit comprising a comparator circuit and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gecko Electronique, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Authier, Benoit Laflamme, Christian Brochu
  • Patent number: 6472646
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive, overheat protection control for a thick film electric heater comprises a bimetallic actuator (68) arranged for making good thermal contact with the heater, and a moveable electrical contact (78) for engagement with a contact provided on the heater. The moveable contact (78) is operatively coupled to the bimetallic actuator (68) such that in use upon operation of the actuator, it moves out of engagement with the heater contact to interrupt the electrical supply to the heater. The bimetallic actuator (68) and the moveable contact are mounted on a common generally U-shaped leaf spring (66) which acts in use resiliently to bias the actuator (68) into thermal contact with the heater and the moveable contact (78) into electrical contact therewith. The control also comprises a creep action bimetallic actuator (110) mounting a contact at one end, the actuator acting as a thermostatic control for the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventor: John Crawshaw Taylor
  • Patent number: 6469282
    Abstract: Boil dry conditions are detected in utensils heated on a glass-ceramic cooking appliance having at least one heating unit disposed under a glass-ceramic plate by monitoring the level of power supplied to the heating unit. A power level detector is electrically connected to the heating unit and generates a signal representative of the power level. A controller for controlling the heating unit so as to prevent the glass-ceramic plate from exceeding a maximum temperature is arranged to receive the power signal. The controller provides a boil dry indication in response to a decrease in the power signal. Alternatively, the controller can monitor the level of power being supplied to the heating unit by monitoring a signal generated to control the level of power, thereby eliminating the power level detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6455820
    Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and multiple electric resistance heating elements extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating elements in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power. Further, activation of the heating elements by the controller is carried out in a sequential or other timed or controlled fashion to permit uniform heating of the water in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 6414282
    Abstract: An active heater control circuit for a deicing heater on a probe mounted on an aircraft, such as a pitot pressure sensing probe, a pitot-static pressure sensing probe, a total air temperature sensor, or engine inlet probe, controls power to the heater through a switch. When activated the switch sends electrical power to the heater until the probe temperature reaches a desired set point. A feature of the invention is an override pulse, which independently activates the switch to provide power to the heater at a selected period and duty cycle such that the aircraft current monitoring circuit receives current sufficiently often to avoid triggering a false heater failure alarm even when the probe temperature has reached its control set point. This feature allows the use of probes incorporating active heat control on existing aircraft configured for older probes having simple nickel-based resistive heater control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Ice, Charles R. Willcox
  • Patent number: 6410172
    Abstract: An article with an chemical vapor deposition (CVD) aluminum nitride coating is disclosed. The article is a heating element, wafer carrier, or electrostatic chuck. The article has a substrate made of a nitride of aluminum or boron, and further has one or more graphite elements for resistance heating or electromagnetic chucking or both. A pyrolytic boron nitride layer may be provided between the substrate and the CVD aluminum nitride coating, and may either encompass or exclude the graphite element or elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Ceramics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael H. Gilbert, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20020063121
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a liquid processing unit 30 for supplying objects to be processes, such as wafers W, with a processing liquid for liquid processing, a processing-liquid supplying unit 100 for supplying heated processing liquids 12a, 12b to the liquid processing unit 30 and a heating unit 200 for heating the liquids 12a, 12b up to a predetermined temperature. The heating unit 200 has a heater 16 for heating the liquids 12a, 12b, a power supply circuit for supplying the heater 16 with electricity, a temperature sensor 14 and a temperature regulator 13 both forming an output control unit for controlling an output from a power source 20 to the heater 16, a solid state relay 19 for switching on/off the operation of the power supply circuit by signals from the temperature regulator 13, and failure detecting units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Shori Mokuo
  • Patent number: 6384384
    Abstract: Boil dry conditions are detected in utensils heated on a cooking appliance having at least one energy source disposed under a cooking surface such as a glass-ceramic plate and a controller for controlling the level of power supplied to the energy source. The boil dry detection system includes a temperature sensor for providing a signal representative of the glass-ceramic temperature to the controller. The controller controls the power source in response to the temperature signal so as to prevent the glass-ceramic plate from exceeding a maximum temperature and provides a power signal that is indicative of the level of power being supplied to the energy source. The controller generates an estimate of the first and second derivatives with respect to time of either the temperature signal or the power signal, depending on its operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Allan J. Connolly, Aditya Kumar
  • Patent number: 6384386
    Abstract: The heater control apparatus comprises an exhaust gas sensor 6 for detecting an oxygen concentration in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, a heater 5 for heating this exhaust gas sensor 6 to a predetermined temperature, a power source including a battery 2 for supplying electric power to this heater 5 and a charging generator 4 for charging this battery 2, a switching element 19 inserted into a circuit for supplying electric power to the heater 5 from the power source, control means 12 for performing current-carrying control of the switching element 19 so as to maintain a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor 6 at a predetermined value, and an overvoltage detection element 28 for outputting an abnormal detection signal when a voltage of the power source exceeds a predetermined value, and it is constructed so that the switching element 19 is broken to stop the passage of current to the heater 5 by the abnormal detection signal of the overvoltage detection element 28 when a voltage of the charging
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohji Hashimoto, Katsuya Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20020050490
    Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Pittman, David Cline
  • Patent number: 6380521
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance having a heating element and a control for controlling supply of electricity to the heating element. The control comprises a temperature sensor comprising a thermistor or thermocouple; an electronic controller electrically connected to the temperature sensor; and a user actuatable input connected to the electronic controller for selecting upper and lower temperatures for cycling OFF and ON supply of electricity to the heating element. For all of the user selectable upper temperatures, the electronic controller is adapted to turn OFF supply of electricity to the heating element when an output from the temperature sensor indicates a sensed temperature which is equal to or above the selected upper temperature plus a first predetermined temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventor: Robert F. Fanzutti
  • Patent number: 6365881
    Abstract: A self-protecting heating system comprises an electrically conductive medium, an alternating current source and at least two electrodes. The alternating current source is in contact with at least one electrode at each pole, and the electrodes are in electrical contact with the electrically conductive medium. The electrodes are made of passive metals or passive alloys. The electrically conductive medium may be an aqueous solution or water. The system is preferably provided with a thermostat that disconnects the electrical power from the electrodes once a desired temperature has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: David Itzhak
  • Patent number: 6355912
    Abstract: A heating appliance such as an electric heating blanket having a control circuit which controls the application of power to the heating element of the blanket based on the condition of the heating element. The circuit senses the voltage at the end of the heating element in order to determine if the heating element has a short or an open circuit condition therein. Under normal conditions, the sensed voltage will be above a predetermined threshold value. If the sensed voltage falls below the threshold value, the control circuit shuts off power to the heating element. The control circuit will keep power off until the fault condition has been corrected and power has been removed and reapplied to the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allard
  • Patent number: 6355913
    Abstract: An overheating protection system for a spa and the spa's associated equipment. Elements include: a heating element for heating the spa's water, an infrared sensor for detecting the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the heating element, a heating element deactivation device electrically connected to the heating element and the infrared sensor, wherein the heating element deactivation device is for deactivating the heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element deactivation device is an electric circuit comprising a comparator circuit and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Gecko Electronique, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Authier, Benoit Laflamme
  • Patent number: 6344633
    Abstract: A protective device includes a heating element and a low-melting metal element on a substrate, the low-melting metal element being fused by the heat generated by the heating element, and in this device the heating element and the low-melting metal element are stacked so as not to allow an insulating layer to intervene therebetween, and as a result the protective device is miniaturized and the operating time reduced without lowering the rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp.
    Inventor: Yuji Furuuchi
  • Publication number: 20020000436
    Abstract: The heater control apparatus comprises an exhaust gas sensor 6 for detecting an oxygen concentration in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, a heater 5 for heating this exhaust gas sensor 6 to a predetermined temperature, a power source including a battery 2 for supplying electric power to this heater 5 and a charging generator 4 for charging this battery 2, a switching element 19 inserted into a circuit for supplying electric power to the heater 5 from the power source, control means 12 for performing current-carrying control of the switching element 19 so as to maintain a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor 6 at a predetermined value, and an overvoltage detection element 28 for outputting an abnormal detection signal when a voltage of the power source exceeds a predetermined value, and it is constructed so that the switching element 19 is broken to stop the passage of current to the heater 5 by the abnormal detection signal of the overvoltage detection element 28 when a voltage of the charging
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Kohji Hashimoto, Katsuya Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 6310332
    Abstract: An elongated heating element for an electric blanket comprising a first conductor means to provide heat for the blanket and extending lengthwise of the element, a second conductor means extending lengthwise of the element, and a meltdown layer between the first and second conductor means which is selected, designed and constructed or otherwise formed so as to display an NTC, and including electronic controller set to detect a change in the resistance of the meltdown layer to provide a means of changing the power supply to the first conductor means (providing heat to the blanket), to prevent destruction of the melt down layer(.), the element further including a meltdown detection circuit for detecting meltdown of the meltdown layer and for terminating power to the first conductor means in the event that the control means fails and the meltdown layer heats up to a pre-determined degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Winterwarm Limited
    Inventor: Grahame Gerrard
  • Patent number: 6294767
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a cabinet and wash chambers in the form of drawers which slide in and out of the cabinet. Rigid and flexible closures are disclosed for sealing off the wash chambers when retracted into the cabinet. A detergent dispenser for the dishwasher is provided in one wall of a wash chamber in the wash water discharge path into the wash chamber so that detergent powder is flushed out of the dispenser and mixed with the wash water prior to the latter being discharged into the wash chamber. A wash programme for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimizes total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Sargeant, Richard George Arthur Butler, John Wilks, Babis Kazianus, Steve Maunsell
  • Publication number: 20010020615
    Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and multiple electric resistance heating elements extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating elements in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power. Further, activation of the heating elements by the controller is carried out in a sequential or other timed or controlled fashion to permit uniform heating of the water in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 6285012
    Abstract: The temperature of a cooktop is controlled such that a maximum temperature of a cooktop reaches about a predetermined maximum temperature. The temperature is controlled by controlling power supplied to a radiant heating element positioned below the cooktop. The radiant heating element heats the cooktop. A user power input device allows a user to select a user power level corresponding to a desired temperature range for heating the cooktop. A temperature sensor is supplied that senses the temperature of the cooktop. A thermal limiter controller is connected to the radiant heating element, the user power input device and the temperature sensor. The thermal limiter controller determines a thermal limiting power level. The thermal limiter controller applies the smaller of the user power level and the thermal limiter power level to the radiant heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Allan John Connolly, Austars Raymond Schnore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6265698
    Abstract: The present invention provides a electronic heater which uses a plurality of temperature sensing protector switches connected in series so that unusual temperature within said heater can be automatically detected if said heater is under abnormal use. The protector shut off the power of said heater in time to prevent overheating from happening and causing danger and to protect the safety of human beings or apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Perfect Union Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan Ching
  • Patent number: 6265699
    Abstract: A water heater of the invention includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature; and a controller, the controller monitors the sensed temperature at termination of a defined time interval and compares the sensed temperature against a predetermined temperature, with the controller further identifying the element as defective when the sensed temperature is less than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: American Water Heater Company
    Inventor: Allen W. Scott