With Voltage Limitation, Conversion, Or Adapting Means Patents (Class 219/488)
  • Publication number: 20040089650
    Abstract: A heater for heating flowing fluid. The heater comprises a cylindrical heating chamber comprising an inlet at one base and on outlet at a second base. The flowing fluid traverses parallel to the chamber. A resistive heating element is received in the chamber wherein the resistive heating element comprises a rectangular base. The rectangular base comprises a long axis and short axis and the long axis is parallel to the chamber. The base comprises a multiplicity of first slots on one side and a multiplicity of second slots on a second side. A double helix filament is received in the first slots and the second slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Dexter E. Diepholz, Neil B. Farnam, Mark A. Mathes
  • Patent number: 6692518
    Abstract: A temperature control system provides for the optimal management of patient temperature during a surgical procedure, such as those which require the patient to on bypass. The system employs a plurality of controllers as well as a plurality of temperature control means in order to provide optimal temperature control. In one configuration of the invention, controllers for each of the heat exchange devices may be interconnected using a data link. The connection may provide for a master/slave relationship wherein temperature sensors included in each system are employable as temperature feedback for initiating temperature changes. This device may be configured such that it operates in conjunction with another device or provides stand alone temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Medivance Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary Carson
  • Patent number: 6642486
    Abstract: A system and method for developing a heat treatment process using a model radiative-heating oven, which repeatably and accurately simulates an industrial heat treatment system. In order to simulate the industrial heat treatment system, the model radiative-heating oven uses a variety of scaling factors, such as heating density parameters. The model radiative-heating oven also may have a quickly openable and closable object carrier, which facilitates a timely start and end of a desired heat treatment process. An oven temperature stabilizer also may be provided for thermally stabilizing the model radiative-heating oven prior to the desired heat treatment process. The present technique also may utilize a variety of heat profile controls, such as time, temperature, and power levels, to provide the desired heat profile in the heat treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Anderson, James S. Nelson, Frank S. Villella, Matthew H. Yackel, Richard A. Ganyo, Thomas M. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6441352
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically heat welding a thermoplastic electrofusion fitting having an electrically resistive element disposed therein, whereby a regulated quantity of electric power is supplied to the resistive element during the welding process and the making of a high quality weld is ensured. In accordance with the method, electric power is supplied to the resistive element of the fitting. The resistance of the electrically resistive element is measured with low voltage electric power, and the size of the fitting to be welded is determined from a data table that can be loaded and modified by the user and sorted according to previously-fused fittings. The method includes the steps of generating a alternating current voltage from a direct current power supply and transmitting the alternating current voltage to the electrically resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: EF Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Groft, David W. Groft, Michael W. Groft
  • Patent number: 6271505
    Abstract: An electric water heater has upper and lower electric resistance type heating elements respectively controlled by a single pole, double throw upper thermostat and a single pole, single throw lower thermostat. The upper and lower thermostats are operatively interconnected by a wiring harness having outer wire end portions that may be connected in various orientations to the terminal block portion of an external junction box to provide the water heater with a variety of heating element operating modes without having to replace either of the thermostats or vary the wiring harness interconnections therebetween. The water heater may thus be advantageously manufactured in a single variant that may be easily and quickly modified in the field to selectively alter the heating element control mode of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David L. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5723846
    Abstract: A multiprobe diagnostic system for a cooking appliance using one or more heating elements, one or more error-detecting temperature sensors located near the heating element(s), one or more control temperature sensors spaced away from the error-detecting temperature sensors, and a microcomputer program for identifying and setting error conditions in the appliance based on comparisons in temperature and temperature differentials in the appliance with minimum and maximum predetermined or learned values. Other devices, such as current sensors, are used in conjunction with temperature sensors to augment the diagnostic information obtained from the temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Technology Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard J. Koether, Richard J. Mangini
  • Patent number: 5628928
    Abstract: A converter having electrically heatable strips connected in an electrical circuit, and intertwined with non-electricvally heated thin metal strips, having an electrical connection, or anchor, from the electrically heatable thin metal strips to the non-electrically heated thin metal strips, whereby the potential difference between the electrically heatable strips non-electrically heatable thin metal strips is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Rolf
  • Patent number: 5607610
    Abstract: A compact protector device having a housing 10 with a fixed electrode 18 and terminal member 12 and a movable electrode 26 and terminal member 14 contained therein. The movable electrode 26 includes a thermostatic bimetal member 26a with a movable contact 28 attached thereto positioned to engage and disengage with a fixed contact 20 attached to the fixed electrode 18 upon action of the bimetal member 26c. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element 24 is positioned in direct heat transfer relationship with the bimetal member 26c and electrically connected between the fixed and movable electrodes 18, 26. The protector further includes an insulating member 22 for compressively holding the movable electrode 26 in electrical contact with the PTC element 24 and forming a fulcrum point for action of said bimetal member 26c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideharu Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5416300
    Abstract: An automatic furnace comprises an actuator for an electric igniter. The electric igniter has a distinctly lower standard voltage, e.g., 120 V, than the network voltage, e.g., 230 V and is operated by the network voltage. The network voltage is fed into the power regulator before the igniter. The power regulator clocks the network voltage with an adjustable keying ratio, so that only part of the full wave trains of the network voltage becomes active at the electric igniter. In an advantageous embodiment, the keying ratio is variegated by the actual level of the network voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Business Support AG
    Inventors: Erich Hickl, Jurgen Hoffmann, Josef Lelle
  • Patent number: 4742210
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric heating apparatus comprising a plurality of electric heaters and cords for supplying electric power to the heaters through a connector, wherein the connector consists of two separable members, the one member (the primary connector) of the connector has a plurality of contacts and at least one conductor, the cords being separately connected to the contacts, the conductor electrically short-circuiting two contacts of the primary connector which are so selected that the conductor can form a part of a circuit for supplying electric power to a desired heater, the another member (the secondary connector) of said connector has a plurality of contacts being connected only with predetermined contacts of the primary connector, and the contacts of the secondary connector form a part of the circuit for supplying electric power to the desired heater with the contacts and the conductor of the primary connector, wherby heaters to be supplied with electric power can be determined by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Tsuchiyama, Yoshiki Ikari, Yamada Wazou
  • Patent number: 4731519
    Abstract: An electric curling iron operative to provide uniform heating at both domestic (120 v) and foreign (240 v) voltages includes first and second rope-type electric heaters disposed side by side in the heatable barrel of the curling iron. The heaters are of the same configuration, coextensive in length with each other and the length of the barrel and are separated from each other by a sheet of electrical insulating material dividing the barrel longitudinally into two compartments each containing one of the heaters. A double throw switch on the curling iron enables energization of the first heater alone at the domestic voltage and both heaters in series at the foreign voltage, the relative resistances of the heaters being selected to produce the same output wattage whether the first heater alone or both heaters are energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne D. Dieterle, Harry A. Wansaw
  • Patent number: 4581522
    Abstract: An electrical heating system for use in heating surfaces. A heating element is constructed of mesh screen comprised of small gauge wires which are spaced in a close mesh arrangement such that the total surface area of the wires is substantially equal to or greater than the adjacent area of the surface to be heated. The longitudinal wires are electrically conductive and are preferably made of a nonferrous metal and the transverse wires are coated with an insulating material. The heating element is positioned substantially parallel to and adjacent the surface to be heated. The heating system includes electronic circuitry which essentially eliminates transmission of power surges, voltage spikes and chatter when the heating system is connected to an alternating current power source. The heating system also includes protective circuits and devices for preventing injury or damage due to transformer overheating, or due to under-current or over-current conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Intermountain Thermafloor, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Graham
  • Patent number: 4439666
    Abstract: An electrical heating system for use in heating surfaces. A heating element is constructed of mesh screen comprised of nonferrous, small gauge metal wires which are spaced in a cloth mesh arrangement such that the total surface area of the wires is substantially equal to or greater than the adjacent area of the surface to be heated. The heating element is positioned substantially parallel to and adjacent the surface to be heated. The heating system includes electronic circuitry which essentially eliminates transmission of power surges, voltage spikes and chatter when the heating system is connected to an alternating current power source. The heating system also includes protective circuits and devices for preventing injury or damage due to transformer overheating, or due to under-current or over-current conditions. An optional electronic circuit permits use of the device for preventing formation of ice on surfaces in an efficient and economical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Intermountain Thermafloor
    Inventor: Charles H. Graham
  • Patent number: 4267430
    Abstract: A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Downey
  • Patent number: 4238672
    Abstract: A temperature control circuit particularly for use with a graphite tube atomizer of an atomic absorption spectrometer provides rapid temperature rise and a leveling at a constant predetermined temperature. A.C. power applied through a transformer to electrodes on the ends of the graphite tube rapidly heats the tube and the visible radiation thus produced is measured by a photocell, the output of which is amplified to control a relay in the graphite tube power circuit. When the desired tube temperature is approached, the photocell output actuates the relay so that the tube power circuit will switch from the high voltage rapid heating mode to a controlled lower voltage that will automatically maintain the constant predetermined tube temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Boderseewerk Perkin-Elmer & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Siess
  • Patent number: 4217483
    Abstract: A terminal block for simplified wiring of an electrical immersion heater assembly by providing for either single phase or three phase wire-up in opposite faces of the block. The terminal block has an electrically insulating body of disc-like configuration with three recesses defined in a first face of the block, each recess adapted to receive a lead connecting strap having a pair of apertures. Each of the three recesses has two bores extending into the body, the apertures of the straps alignable with the bores, for receiving leads of three separate heating elements through the apertures and into the bores for three phase wiring in the first face. The opposite face has an X-shaped recess which encompasses only four of the six bores for single phase wiring of four leads of the heating elements with a pair of curved straps. The body is of conical frustrum shape for better sealing characteristics and includes two additional bores adapted for receiving thermowells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Electro-Therm, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Vogel, Fred E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4065659
    Abstract: The disclosed cooking device has a cooking cavity with an access opening and a door for closing same, and has a rack in the cavity to support the food to be cooked. The device has electric heating elements in the cavity, and control means that energize the heating elements approximately 10 to 45% of potential high level heat outputs thereof. The total power input of the low level energized heating elements is in the range of 15 to 30% maximum and thus provides heating of air in the cavity only to within the range of 220.degree. to 300.degree. F maximum, without food load, and at a low rate so that the cavity air temperature generally will only exceed the temperature of the food by 20.degree. to 50.degree. F aproximately during a sustained cooking cycle. This low temperature method of cooking does not require personal tending to the food and minimizes the chances of burning the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Ronald E. Yount, Robert A. Bell