Abstract: A removable cover is provided that includes a flexible elastic material forming a cover front portion and a plurality of edge portions. The plurality of edge portions are configured to be stretched over at least a portion of two or more sides of a thermostat, such that the cover may be secured onto a thermostat via the tension of the edge portions stretched over the thermostat. The cover is adapted to be placed onto the thermostat to provide protection for at least the front surface of a thermostat.

Abstract: A heater is operable with a main power supply unit and a chargeable auxiliary power supplying unit. The heater includes a heater part having one or a plurality of heater elements to receive power from the main and auxiliary power supplying units, a detecting part to detect information related to the heater part, and a controller to vary an amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit to the heater part per unit time based on the information detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: A method for controlling a coefficient of friction between an object and ice includes steps of (1) pulsing power to an interface between the object and the ice to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface and decrease the coefficient of friction, (2) facilitating refreezing of the interfacial ice at the interface to increase the coefficient of friction; and (3) repeating steps (1) and (2) to control an average coefficient of friction between the object and the ice. A slider having a surface intended to interface with ice or snow includes a power supply for generating power. The slider also has a heating element that converts power to heat at the surface, the heat being sufficient to melt interfacial ice at the interface, and a controller for controlling delivery of power to the heating element to control friction between the slider and the ice or snow.

Abstract: An electrical water heater includes a housing, a filling opening delimited by a rim, heating elements, a pouring member, a lid, a tongue mobile between an extended position wherein it seals the pouring member and a pouring position wherein it is retracted, and a pouring control connected to the tongue through an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a first mechanism arranged in the housing and having one end connected to the pouring control and one end mobile through a window of the rim, and a second mechanism arranged in the lid and having one end mobile through a window of the lid and one end connected to the tongue, the windows of the rim and of the lid being urged into mutual correspondence when the lid seals the opening, and the corresponding ends of the mechanisms being adapted to co-operate.

Abstract: A heater controlling apparatus for controlling a heater that heats a sensing element of a gas sensor provided in an exhaust system of a diesel engine includes a device that changes a reference condition for controlling the heater after a start of the engine in a first operation based on an operational state before a stop of the engine in a second operation, which precedes the first operation.

Abstract: A cooking appliance for cooking a foodstuff over a period of time including a shell having a heating cavity and a heating element to heat the heating cavity. A container is removably positionable within the heating cavity and includes a food cavity for receiving the foodstuff. A temperature probe is removably insertable into the foodstuff and a controller is mounted to the shell. The controller controls operation of the cooking appliance in a probe mode wherein the temperature probe is inserted into the foodstuff and transmits foodstuff temperatures to the controller for controlling the heating of the foodstuff, a program mode wherein the controller actuates the heating element to heat the container at a temperature for a selected amount of time and subsequently at a lower temperature and a manual mode wherein the controller actuates the heating element to heat the container at a selected temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a post exposure baking apparatus that can effectively restrain the fluctuation of the size of pattern between wafers in a baking process for continuously processing a plurality of wafers as a batch sequence and a control method thereof. A baking time offset amount is set for each order number processing each wafer in the batch sequence, and a baking time of the wafer is corrected in accordance with the baking time offset amount corresponding to the processing order number in the baking process of the wafer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooktop heating system that include a first cooktop heating element, a second cooktop heating element, and an interface device. The system also includes a controller for selectively associating the interface device with any one or both of the first cooktop heating element and the second cooktop heating element. In another aspect, the system includes at least one cooktop heating element, a potentiometer, and controller arrangement operatively connected between the potentiometer and the at least one cooktop heating element to determine heating of the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the input provided by the potentiometer and control power provision to the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the determination.

Abstract: A device for cooking food is disclosed. The device has an elongated body for containing the food to be cooked with a heater at one end and a simmer temperature sensor at the other end. The heater initially brings the substance contained in the elongated member to a boil which is sensed by a boiling sensor. The boiling temperature sensor may be integral with the heater. Once a controller connected to the heater receives a signal from the boiling sensor indicating that the substance is boiling, the controller alternates the power to the heater between a simmer power level and a non-simmer power level which is lower than the simmer power level. The controller controls the power level of the heater in response to a signal from the simmer temperature sensor. The simmer temperature sensor sends a signal to the controller when the temperature of the substance at the end remote from the heater falls below a predetermined simmer temperature.

Abstract: An electric liquid-heating appliance includes a housing, an upper fill hole which is defined by a rim (9), heating elements, a spout and a lid. The lid includes: a lock which can engage with a retaining element; a locking control element which is connected to the lock and which can move between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a tongue which can move between a retracted position, in which the tongue is housed in the lid, and a deployed position, in which the tongue seals the spout. The tongue is connected to the locking control element by an actuating mechanism which is designed to position the tongue either in the deployed position when the locking control element is in the locked position or in the retracted position when the locking control element is in the unlocked position, the unlocked position being stable.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for controlling a baking oven using a timer module, said timer module comprising a timer relay, a switch for operating mode selection, and a switch for setting a heating temperature or a heating power. The timer relay is serially connected into a power supply line to a heating device of the baking oven, whereby following the activation of a first safety lock function on the timer module by a special user function, a timer setting is locked against change. When the timer setting is locked thus, a baking oven operating cycle that has been pre-specified by a user by timer adjustment proceeds as specified and, thereafter, the heating device is switched off by opening the timer relay. Then, the timer relay can be reactivated only by an additional special user function on the timer module.

Abstract: An electrical heating assembly (2) includes a control system (26). The control system (26) comprises cooking mode selection means (34) having a plurality of settings whereby a predetermined cooking mode is user-selectable for the electrical heating assembly (2), and cooking value selection means (36) adapted for user-selection of a cooking temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The control system (26) is adapted whereby operation of the cooking mode selection means (34) from one setting to at least one other setting results in a change in the predetermined temperature range provided by the cooking value selection means (36).

Abstract: A device for heating a substrate with light from a flash lamp having a semiconductor switch connected in series to the flash lamp. After triggering of a trigger electrode of the flash lamp, a first drive signal and a second drive signal are output from a gate circuit. The time period when the semiconductor switch is on due to the second drive signal is longer than the time period that the semiconductor switch is on by the first drive signal. Then, the semiconductor switch is switched on and off by the first drive signal and the substrate temperature is increased to a temperature, which is lower than the desired temperature to be achieved, and is maintained a that temperature for a short time, after which the surface temperature of the substrate is increased to the desired target temperature.

Abstract: Method for controlling the temperature of an oven, in particular a kitchen oven, so as to reach a preset temperature through a heating process during a predetermined heating period based on a control program, said control program consisting of a general basic control program predefined for a given type of oven and computationally adjusted by a static correction value that reflects the individual oven parameters, and/or a dynamic correction variable that takes into account variable operating parameters of the oven.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more appliances includes a control system where one appliance is in a condition such as having operated at full capacity for a predetermined period of time, and activation signal is sent to a secondary appliance. Appliances may be linked together to control each other, so that when a second appliance is operating at full capacity a third appliance is activated and so on.

Abstract: Fuser heater element damage due to excessive heating power is prevented by estimating available power supply heating power for proper power control. The estimate is performed by applying a predefined portion of the heating power available from the power supply to the heater element. The predefined portion is determined so that the heater element will not be damaged even if the power supply is at the maximum voltage level of any power supply that may be encountered. The temperature of the heater element is measured, and, if below a predefined temperature, a heating power estimate is made. If not, the heater element is heated by applying power in accordance with a stored heating power estimate from the last heating power estimate. A heating power estimate is made each time the heating element is heated from a temperature below the predefined temperature.

Abstract: A controller for a food holding oven determines one or more time periods during each of which heat is directed at a pre-cooked food item. By controlling the heat intensity and the time over which different amounts of heat are provided to different types of pre-cooked food items, the time during which a particular type of pre-cooked food item can be kept palatable is maximized.

Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating pallets. The heating unit includes side modules and a lid module. Modules include cover layers. Modules may include a pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers and configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. Modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. Modules may include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. Modules may include a seam formed in a fashion that facilitates folding of the modules in a fashion which allows support members to support a module on an edge of the module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boiler control unit (20) for controlling a burner (2) in a heating boiler (1) controlled by a thermal relay (6). The control unit (20) includes a delayed cycle controller (21) which overrides the thermal relay (6) control and thus delays the activating of the boiler. The delay is dynamically alterable by the controller, based on changes in the temperature of the boiler outlet temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of a heater electrode associated with a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, wherein power applied to the heater electrode is regulated by varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM). In another aspect, the present invention a controller configured to compute the temperature of the heater electrode during the power-on portion of the duty cycle and the during the power-off portion of the duty cycle and to adjust the duty cycle as necessary to achieve a desired temperature in the heater electrode.

Abstract: Modular mats connected physically and electrically with heating wires in the mats to melt snow and/or ice that would otherwise settle or form on the mats. Mats may be added or subtracted to increase or decrease the size of the total carpet of mats while maintaining an electrical circuit in the mats connected to a power supply. Transformer to reduce voltage. Weight sensor to activate or de-activate the electrical power supply.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus using barcodes, including: a barcode reader which reads a barcode including cooking information recorded in the barcode; a cooking information calculator which analyzes the basic cooking information based on an analysis rule for analyzing the cooking information and calculating a final cooking condition based on the analyzed cooking information; and a controller which controls elements of the cooking apparatus to perform cooking so as to achieve the final cooking condition.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooking appliance including an input interface panel and a processor includes: inputting a first cooking time and a first cooking power level; manually changing the first cooking time such that the first cooking time is either extended or shortened; and automatically determining the actual cooking time using the processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus used for automatically shutting off cooking appliances, such as ovens, stoves, hot pots, toasters, grills, and others. More specifically, the apparatus is secured to a cooking appliance, e.g. to its control panel, and may prevent a cooking appliance from being turned on before a timer is set. The apparatus can also increase the ease with which a cooking appliance knob or other actuator may be used. To automatically shutoff the cooking appliance, the apparatus uses a timing mechanism with a spring. Pressure is exerted on a spring when the timer is set, storing enough force in the spring to enable it to turn the cooking appliance to the OFF position when time has expired. A mechanical stop is in place to keep the spring energy from releasing until the timer reaches the OFF position.

Abstract: A pressure cooking appliance with a bowl and lid therefor, a temperature sensor, a pressure regulating valve, and a steam outlet in communication with the valve. The temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the valve to sense an increase in temperature from steam exiting the outlet for triggering a timer that signals the beginning of and counts down the cooking time.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and a method of controlling the cooking process in the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a heating device, especially for grilling. To improve the browning process of food in the cooking appliance the radiation time of the cooking appliance is increased. The time is increased by a temporary cooling-down phase where the temperature is reduced, that is initiated by opening the cooking appliance door, for example, to turn the food being browned. The cooking appliance then increases the temperature again over a subsequent heating-up phase initiated by closing the cooking appliance door.

Abstract: In general, this invention involves various improvements relating to food service apparatus, including an energy-compensation feature to compensate for the transfer of heat from one food-holding compartment to another food-holding compartment, and an energy-limit feature for preventing overheating of the apparatus in the event it is incorrectly programmed by an operator, for example.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of providing a predicted completion time for heating and/or cooling of an item based on a manually entered length of time and/or a determination of the amount of time remaining before an item such as food reaches a desired temperature such as a cooking temperature or approximately room temperature. In at least one embodiment, determining the amount of time remaining is based at least on the elapsed time and the percentage of temperature range between a first temperature and the desired temperature completed or remaining to be covered.

Abstract: A system and method of using a set-back or programmable thermostat for heating or cooling systems to also controlling a fast-recovery water heater such as a power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater such that the water heater is disabled during a set-back mode of the thermostat. The system sends a control signal to a relay module adjacent to the water heater, into which the water heater electrical power cord can be plugged into. The interlock mechanism of the water heater prevents operation of the water heater when power to the water heater is interrupted.

Abstract: A heater is described. The heater includes a ferromagnetic conductor and an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the ferromagnetic conductor. The ferromagnetic conductor is positioned relative to the electrical conductor such that an electromagnetic field produced by time-varying current flow in the ferromagnetic conductor confines a majority of the flow of the electrical current to the electrical conductor at temperatures below or near a selected temperature.

Abstract: A window defroster system that includes a heater grid and a controller. The controller includes a pulse width modulator configured to provide a driving signal to the heater grid. The driving signal has an initial heating portion and a pulsed portion. The initial heating portion provides an initial voltage that is greater than an optimal operating voltage of the heater grid, the pulsed portion provides a pulsed signal with a pulsed high voltage that is greater than the optimal operating voltage.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for controlling glow plugs in diesel engines by varying the effective electric voltage applied to the glow plugs between an initial value and a target value, which is obtained at the end of a cold start phase determined by an engine control unit and which is smaller than the initial value, wherein the increase in voltage, i.e. the voltage difference by which the effective voltage applied to the glow plugs in the cold start phase is higher than its target value, is reduced by steps from a maximum value to zero. The invention provides that the effective electric voltage is increased in the cold start phase of the engine over a predetermined period or time, which is determined by the time elapsed until a preselected number of revolutions of the engine is reached.

Abstract: A toaster has a user selectable supplementary toasting cycle that is intended to change the shade of a food after or during a toasting cycle.

Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling current input to an electrical resistance element such as a seal wire. The system and apparatus of the present invention is a closed loop feedback modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent expansion of the seal wire as it is heated. The feedback mechanism monitors both the actual current passing through the wire, and the length of the sealing wire, and adjusts the current applied to the wire, responsive to those monitored inputs. The usage of the sealing machine is also monitored and the application and amount of current flowing to the wire is varied based on this usage.

Abstract: A sensor circuit provides a signal to a microcontroller to indicate parameters of an environmental condition to which the sensor circuit is exposed, such as temperature. The sensor circuit and microcontroller are mounted in a common housing, with an output lead indicating an on/off output based on predetermined parameters of the environmental condition. By access through the output lead, the microcontroller can be reprogrammed to change the predetermined parameters controlling the output state of the switch.

Abstract: A blanket for warming patients during surgery and other medical procedures. The blanket includes one or more temperature sensors and a shut-off timer to prevent prolonged exposure of excessive heat to a patient. Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety feature that cuts power to a heating blanket after a certain period of time has elapsed, irrespective of the feedback provided by a temperature sensor concerning the blanket temperature. That period of time is longer than it takes for the blanket to reach its threshold temperature but shorter than it takes to cause thermal burn injury.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.

Abstract: An outdoor gas barbecue grill having an electric self-cleaning unit. The gas barbecue grill includes a grill housing, a grill cover, and a lower grill housing for receiving a gas burner and a cooking grate member. The underside of the cooking grate member includes a plurality of heating members made of metal attached thereto. One of the walls of the lower grill housing includes an electric self-cleaning heating unit mounted thereon and includes an electrical conductor member having a plurality of heating elements for detachably connecting to the plurality of heating members on the cooking grate. During a self-cleaning cycle, the heating members are heated to at least 500° F. in order to burn-off and clean the encrusted and burnt food residues on the cooking grate member for sanitizing the cooking grate member.

Abstract: A heating system for a cooking appliance includes at least one heating element positioned within a cooking cavity defined by a cabinet of the cooking appliance. The cooking cavity is configured to support a food item therein during a cooking process. A controller is in operational control communication with the at least one heating element. The controller is configured to energize the at least one heating element to operate a slow cook mode for cooking the food item.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance, such as a convection cooking appliance. The appliance includes a heating element, an annunciator, and a user interface for receiving a plurality of control settings from a user. The control settings include a time setting. The appliance further includes a controller operatively connected to the user interface for provision of the plurality of control settings to the controller. The controller includes an alarm point determination section for determining an alarm point based on the time setting, an annunciator control section for controlling the annunciator based on the alarm point, wherein the annunciator produces periodic annunciations, and a repeat period determination section for determining a repeat period for the periodic annunciations.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a sensor for detecting that the output level of the switching power supply has exceeded a rated output level, and a memory that stores data for estimating temperature change of a heat-producing component during a period in which the output level is higher than the rated output level. The data is differentiation data of a curve that represents temperature change characteristics of the heat-producing component. An estimated temperature of the heat-producing component is computed based on the time elapsed from when the output level of the switching power supply exceeds the rated output level and the differentiation data. When the estimated temperature of the heat-producing component reaches an upper threshold temperature, a switching element is deactivated.

Abstract: A low voltage warming blanket adapted for use in vehicles powered by the vehicles DC power source is provided with a control selectively actuatable to activate the blanket for one of a plurality of preset time periods at at least one pre-set temperature, the control having a reset button to reinitiate activation upon expiration of the time period, the blanket being provided with thermal sensors preventing overheating.

Abstract: A heater lamp control apparatus and method of detecting an input AC voltage and providing a pulse signal corresponding thereto, includes an AC voltage phase detection unit to detect a phase of the inputted AC voltage when a magnitude of the inputted AC voltage is over a predetermined level. The heater lamp control apparatus also includes a pulse signal generation unit to generate a pulse reference signal based on a result of the detection, a pulse delay signal that is phase-delayed, and a heater lamp control pulse signal based on a result of the comparison of the magnitudes of the pulse reference signal and the pulse delay signal. The heater lamp control pulse signal includes a control unit to control a drive-timing of the heater lamp based on the heater lamp control pulse signal. Thus, the heater lamp control apparatus minimizes a flickering phenomenon as well as an amount of electric power consumed in a heater lamp.

Abstract: There is provided a control device for a glow plug, capable of controlling the energization of a resistance heater of the glow plug by a resistance control process while attaining good resistance control response under cooling of the heater by fuel injection and combustion gas and thereby stably controlling the amount of heat generated by the heater. The resistance heater includes a resistive heating element having a ratio of electrical resistance R1000 at 1000° C. to electrical resistance R20 at 20° C. of 6 or larger, and the glow plug is mounted with at least part of the resistive heating element being protrudingly located in an engine combustion chamber. Under such a condition, the control device controls energization of the resistance heater in a steady control mode to adjust electrical power supplied to the resistance heater in such a manner as to keep a resistance of the heater within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A baking oven and a method of operating the baking oven. The baking oven including a thermally insulated muffle, a circulating fan arranged inside of a fan compartment in the muffle, a least one heating device outside of the fan compartment and adjacent the walls of the muffle. The baking oven further including a control device for switching the heating device and circulating fan off and on, in accordance with a pre-determined temperature/time profile during the operation of the baking oven. The operation of the baking oven compensates for the difference in temperature between a temperature sensor adjacent a wall of the baking oven and the center of the muffle.

Abstract: A user control generates a heat level input signal responsive to a user of a cooktop heating element. Logic generates an output signal having a duty cycle corresponding to the input signal. An electromechanical device connected to apply power from a source to the heating element in response to the output signal.

Abstract: A CPU detects a temperature of a central part of a heating roller. If the detected temperature does not exceed 180° C., the CPU drives a central coil or a side-end coil for 0.4 second in accordance with a temperature difference between the central part of the heating roller and a side-end part of the heating roller. Then, the CPU drives the side-end coil or central coil for 0.2 second. Thereafter, the CPU detects the temperature of the central part and repeats the driving control until the detected temperature reaches 180° C.

Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes: a gas cell encapsulating a rubidium atom; a gas cell holding member holding the gas cell; a rubidium lamp exciting the rubidium atom in the gas cell; a lamp holding member holding the rubidium lamp; a temperature detecting means disposed in a recessed part provided to at least one of the gas cell holding member and the lamp holding member; and grease closely contacting an exterior surface of the temperature detecting means disposed in the recessed part and burying the temperature detecting means therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the electric resistance heating of a metallic chemical preconcentrator screen, for example, used in portable trace explosives detectors. The length of the heating time-period is automatically adjusted to compensate for any changes in the voltage driving the heating current across the screen, for example, due to gradual discharge or aging of a battery. The total deposited energy in the screen is proportional to the integral over time of the square of the voltage drop across the screen. Since the net temperature rise, ?Ts, of the screen, from beginning to end of the heating pulse, is proportional to the total amount of heat energy deposited in the screen during the heating pulse, then this integral can be calculated in real-time and used to terminate the heating current when a pre-set target value has been reached; thereby providing a consistent and reliable screen temperature rise, ?Ts, from pulse-to-pulse.