Abstract: An oven appliance and a method for preheating the same are provided. The oven appliance includes a broil heating element, a bake heating element, and a convection heating assembly with a convection heating element or a fan or both. The method includes initiating a preheat cycle having a first phase and a second phase. During the second phase of the preheat cycle, a power output of the convection heating element is reduced or an angular velocity of the fan is decreased or both.

Abstract: A battery management system comprises a circuit for controlling a heating component for a battery to prevent overheating of the battery. The circuit can include an RTD, a primary resistor and a secondary resistor, wherein respective reference voltages are compared to generate a signal. The signal can be filtered and converted to a digital signal for use to by a software programmable processing device (SPPD) to control a temperature of the battery via the heating component. Further, a method is provided that allows hardware only comparison of the nonlinear temperature representation to a fixed set point.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for a flexible, thin-film graphite heater element includes a temperature sensing component that uses the heater element to sense temperature. The temperature sensing component includes a current sensor and a voltmeter circuit. A temperature control component is associated with the heater element. The temperature control component receives at least one set point value associated with the heater and controls the temperature of the heater element based on the at least one set point value.

Abstract: A device for applying a composition may include an independent electrical energy source, at least one heater member that is powered by the independent electrical energy source and a circuit for controlling the power supply to the heater member. The circuit may be configured to power the heater member at least two power settings that differ at least as a function of the depletion state of the independent electrical energy source.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for measuring a plasma process parameter for processing a workpiece. The sensor apparatus includes a base, an information processor supported on or in the base, and at least one sensor supported on or in the base. The at least one sensor includes at least one sensing element configured for measuring an electrical property of a plasma and may include a transducer coupled to the at least one sensing element. The transducer can be configured to receive a signal from the sensing element and convert the signal into a second signal for input to the information processor.

Abstract: A medical device having a heater with at least one heating element which has mains voltage applied to it by a heating control unit. The heating control unit includes a monitoring arrangement and a switching arrangement. The monitoring arrangement can recognize the zero crossings of the mains voltage, and the switching arrangement can switch the at least one heating element on or off in the zero crossing. The heating control unit controls the power of the heating by switching on and off of one or more half cycles of the mains AC voltage.

Abstract: A voltage calibration routine for an oven, particularly a microwave oven, enables a field technician to enter a voltage calibration mode to display on the oven a pre-established default voltage to which the oven is calibrated. The technician then measures the actual line voltage applied to the oven and, if different than the default voltage displayed, inputs the actual line voltage into the microwave oven control, such as via a keypad. Thereafter, an offset value is calculated to correct the voltage measurement, allowing for a correct tap selection when the microwave oven is running. An additional function is available to check the oven voltage reading upon accessing a voltage reading mode wherein the oven measures and displays the line voltage which is compared to a volt meter reading such that a simple comparison can be made, while avoiding certain steps associated with the voltage calibration mode.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an electrical outlet including a power output adapted to provide electricity to an electrically coupled device, a switch adapted to activate and deactivate the power output, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature, and a control unit in communication with the switch and the temperature sensor. The control unit is adapted to control the power output using the switch based at least in part on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method to optimize the welding energy input into the heating coil of a heating coil fitting is disclosed. In particular, the invention pertains to a compensation method for the effects on the welding energy input from using a fundamental frequency outside the tolerance range for the AC welding voltage established for the heating coil fitting. A generator is one option to supply power to a device for the implementation of the invention-based method. It supplies an AC welding voltage to the heating coil with a fundamental frequency outside the tolerance range for the AC welding voltage as marked out for the heating coil fitting. Another option is especially the use of DC welding voltage for the heating coils of heating coil fittings. To execute the method, a welding power supply unit is connected to the contact elements of a heating coil fitting via connecting leads and connecting elements.

Abstract: The adaptive temperature controller includes a device for measuring resistance, an electrically-conductive material, a power supply, and a device for controlling power. In operation, the controller determines the resistance of material at one or more temperatures and therefore determines the resistance of the material through a range of operating temperature. Based on such determination so long as voltage and power are known, the resistance of the material, and therefore its temperature, are known. As a result the voltage or power may be instantly varied to produce near infinite control over material temperature.

Abstract: A heating control device for a heating apparatus comprises a power control unit connected between an external power source and a heating unit of the heating apparatus to transfer power therebetween; a first temperature sensor provided near the heating unit for detecting the temperature thereof; a second temperature sensor provided at a portion of the heating apparatus for containing an object to be heated and for detecting the temperature of the object; a storage unit for storing temperature reference values; a micro controller unit electrically connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the power control unit and the storage unit, which is used to receive temperature signals from the sensors, compare the detected temperatures to the temperature reference values, and command the power control unit to supply the heating unit with different powers. A heating control method therefore is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating appliance comprises a chamber portion defining a heating chamber, a lid portion, a heating apparatus to heat air in the heating chamber, a food temperature sensor to sense an internal temperature of an item located in the heating chamber, a user interface configured to receive designation of a desired time of completion of heating of the item from the user, and a control circuit configured to control the supply of power to the heating apparatus. The control circuit is in communication with the temperature sensor and the user interface. The control circuit may control the heating apparatus so that the internal temperature of the item reaches a predetermined temperature at the desired time of completion designated by the user. The control circuit may control the heating apparatus so that the internal temperature of the item is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time before an end of the desired time of completion.

Abstract: A method of controlling a phase of an alternating current (AC) power having an AC voltage waveform having a predetermined cycle includes counting a number of times a zero crossing signal has been generated, the zero crossing signal being generated whenever a level of the AC voltage waveform becomes “0”; calculating a half cycle of the AC voltage waveform based on times at which the counted number of times the zero crossing signal has been generated changes; detecting phases that divide an area surrounded by a waveform corresponding to the half cycle of the AC voltage waveform into a predetermined number of equal areas; and generating control pulse signals based on the detected phases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying current to a glow plug in a running diesel engine after reaching the operating temperature thereof by a series of current pulses, wherein a piston of the engine carries out a work cycle comprising several strokes and the glow plug is supplied with current as a function of the strokes of the work cycle such that the electric current supplied in each work cycle is mainly supplied at a predetermined, steady stroke of the piston, wherein control time intervals that follow each other are defined, during which up to two switching processes can be triggered by a control device, by which the glow plug can be connected to a voltage source for creating a current pulse or can be disconnected from the voltage source for ending a current pulse. According to the invention, the control time intervals have a duration that can be varied by the control device as a function of the rotational speed of the engine.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates providing real-time in situ measurements in an environment. A sensor module can employ real-time in situ measurements associated with a parameter within the environment. A sensor operation module communicatively coupled to the sensor module via an interface can analyze the real-time in situ measurements, wherein at least one of the sensor module and the sensor operation module allows expansion for at least one module.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a cooking process, which includes a process for determining doneness using a single parameter as a combination of temperature and time applicable to a class of foods and specifically configured to be a robust measurement of doneness, parameter which will be referred to as “cooking score”.

Abstract: Provided are a cooker and a method for controlling the same. Levels driven by a plurality of heat sources are controlled by input driving levels of all the heat sources received by an input unit. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that foods are more swiftly cooked by the plurality of heat sources.

Abstract: A method for controlling power supply to the liquid contents of a cooking vessel or the like, particularly for controlling the electrical power supply in an induction heating system, wherein a predetermined thermodynamic state is detected and the user is alerted, comprises maintaining a predetermined high power condition after reaching the predetermined thermodynamic state for a predetermined time and then reducing the power supply to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element. In some embodiments, the heater element is elongated along the heater axis.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a wafer processing chamber. The apparatus further includes radiant heating elements disposed in different zones and operable to heat different portions of a wafer located within the wafer processing chamber. The apparatus further includes sensors disposed outside the wafer processing chamber and operable to monitor energy from the radiant heating elements disposed in the different zones. The apparatus further includes a computer configured to utilize the sensors to characterize the radiant heating elements disposed in the different zones and to provide a calibration for the radiant heating elements disposed in the different zones such that a substantially uniform temperature profile is maintained across a surface of the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for effectuating temperature control in roller grill assembly. Some embodiments provide a roller grill assembly which provides enhanced measurement by utilizing temperature probes located in convective air streams generated in the roller tube. Certain embodiments also provide an improved method for maintaining of a food product temperature by utilizing an intermediate holding mode. Finally, certain embodiments provide improved current control by limiting the number of heating circuits of a food heater that may be simultaneously enabled such that the current draw does not exceed a maximum current draw.

Abstract: A hot-air supplying method that includes: generating, by means of a heat pump, hot air that is at a temperature lower than a desired target hot-air temperature; subsequently heating, by a heater, the hot air having been generated by the heat pump, while controlling the heater the temperature adjuster so as to adjust the temperature of hot air thus heated to the target hot-air temperature. This makes it possible to supply, with reduced energy loss and at low costs, hot air for processing a work, the hot air being necessary in a factory where processing and assembly or the like are carried out. Further, temperature control accuracy is enhanced.

Abstract: A method for operating a boiler of a device, such as a coffee maker, includes initial steps aimed at determining whether the boiler is filled with water or not. In the process, the insight that the thermal behavior of an empty boiler differs from the thermal behavior of a filled boiler is applied. A heating element of the boiler is used to generate heat during a predetermined length of time. As a result, the temperature inside the boiler starts to change. At a certain point, the temperature change over a time interval having a predetermined length is measured. Subsequently, the measured temperature change is compared with a reference temperature change. In case the measured temperature change is larger than the reference temperature change, it is concluded that the boiler is empty and needs to be filled before the heating element is activated again.

Abstract: A method for determining a heating characteristic of a glow plug, wherein pulse-width-modulated voltage pulses are applied to the glow plug and an electric variable is measured repeatedly during a voltage pulse with the heating characteristic of the glow plug determined by evaluating the difference of successive measurement results of this variable.

Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of a sensor that comprises a heater is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a voltage to the heater and measuring the voltage applied to the heater and the current through the heater during a first time interval, and removing the applied voltage from the heater and leaving the heater unpowered for a second time interval. The method further includes the steps of calculating the resistance of the heater using the measured voltage and current, and determining the temperature of the sensor from the resistance using a predetermined relationship. The first time interval is selected to be sufficiently short in duration and the second time interval is selected to be sufficiently long so as to not significantly raise the temperature of the heater. The sensor temperature so determined can be used to perform diagnostic functions for a system that includes the sensor.

Abstract: A multiple heater control system includes cables, connectors, and junction boxes for user-friendly daisy chain connections of heater controllers and heaters in various configurations or combinations of individually controlled heater series and/or master and slave heater series. The heater controllers include process control of AC power to the heaters and upper-limit safety shutoff that is substantially independent from the process control. The heater controllers also have variable levels of control, adjustment, display, and communications functionality in a base module that is expandable to various levels with expansion modules that are attachable to and detachable from the base module. Connector, cable, and junction configurations, adapters, and latch features enhance user friendliness.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes a temperature sensor disposed in a structure at a first depth from a first surface of the structure. A heat flux sensor is also disposed in the structure at substantially the same depth as the first depth. A measurement circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and the heat flux sensor. The measurement circuit calculates a surface temperature of the first surface based on a temperature of the temperature sensor and a heat flow of the heat flux sensor.

Abstract: An electric heater is provided that includes at least two groups of heating elements which change their temperature by electrical power consumption, comprising a control unit with two switch arrangements such that the first switch arrangement includes at least two power switches for switching the at least two groups of heating elements in a High-side connection and such that the second power switch arrangement includes at least two switches for switching the at least two groups of heating elements in a Low-side connection.

Abstract: Direct current power gained by photovoltaic cells can be used for heating water in a boiler. Simple installation allows use for domestic or industrial purposes, with a minimal impact to building construction. At the time of lack of sunlight intensity, water heating is provided by gas, or other heating source, or by use of a heating coil supplied by alternating current for that heating. When sunlight intensity is high, the photovoltaic cells of the present invention can be used alone. However, the source of the direct current has to be properly dimensioned in dependence on the volume of the boiler. An output 1 kWh of the source of the direct current gained by photovoltaic cells can be used to heat water of a volume of 100 L.

Abstract: A heater control device includes a temperature detector that detects a temperature of a heated object heated by a heater; an alternating-current power supply for applying an alternating current voltage to the heater; a turn-on ratio decision unit that determines a turn-on ratio of the heater based on the temperature and a target temperature; a turn-on pattern decision unit that determines a partial turn-on pattern, as the turn-on pattern of the heater, which is a pattern of a turn-on ratio higher than the determined turn-on ratio in terms of a control-period, and to which a partial turn-on instead of a full turn-on is allocated on a half-wavelength basis of the alternating current voltage within the control period based on the turn-on ratio of the heater; and a turn-on controller that controls turn-on of the heater based on the determined turn-on pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing an automatic cooking process in an oven, wherein the oven is in a preheated state with a first starting temperature (T0) in the beginning of said automatic cooking process. The method includes the following steps of switching off at least one heating element during a cooling down period (10) and finishing the cooling down period (10) after a cooling down time (tcd), when a predetermined first end temperature (T1) has been reached. The cooling down time (tcd) is detected. The method includes the further steps of switching on at least one heating element during a heating up period (12) and finishing the heating up period (12) after a heating up time (thu) and/or when a predetermined second end temperature (T3) has been reached. A mathematical function (14) including the cooling down time (tcd) and the heating up time (thu) is used in order to determine further parameters of the cooking process.

Abstract: A method induces augmented levels of heat dissipation by exploiting quiescent IC leakage currents to control the temperature in high power devices. A heat control and temperature monitoring system (HCTMS) utilizes a thermal sensor to sense the junction temperature of a component, which becomes self-heated due to the quiescent leakage current inherent to the component upon the application of power to the component. By increasing the voltage level of the power source, this quiescent self-heating property is augmented, which serves to accelerate the preheating of the device, until the temperature rises above the minimum specified operating temperature of the component. The method further includes reliably initializing the system by applying full system power and triggering a defined initialization sequence/procedure.

Abstract: A control device for a thermo-electric device having a heat source side and a heat sink side. The control device has a detector for detecting a temperature difference between the heat source side and the heat sink side. The detector modulates a current for providing an optimal current to the thermo-electric device.

Abstract: A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that may include temperature sensing circuits is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various parameters, such as internal regulated supply voltages, internal refresh frequency, a word line low voltage, or the like. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worse case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at normal operating temperatures. Each temperature sensing circuit may include a selectable temperature threshold value as well as a selectable temperature hysteresis value. In this way, temperature performance characteristics may be finely tuned. Furthermore, a method of testing the temperature sensing circuits is disclosed in which a current value may be monitored an temperature threshold values and temperature hysteresis values may be thereby determined.

Abstract: A temperature control method for a heating line comprises steps of: inputting continuous and changing pulse wave signals produced by the heating of a heating wire and reference pulse wave signals into a And-gate; utilizing the And-gate to obtain continuous synthesized pulse wave signals each of which has a pulse width that spans from a time point in which a logic high state begins to a time point in which the logic high state terminates; and controlling the control circuit to stop the heating of the heating wire when the time point in which the logic high state begins moves in relative to the time point in which the logic high state terminates and the pulse width of the synthesized pulse wave signals reaches a value preset by the processor, so as to keep the temperature within a preset and prevent overheat.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for thermal treatment systems (e.g., systems heating and/or cooling solutions prior to the solutions being administered to the patient) or other medical equipment according to the present invention embodiments secures medications being stored and/or thermally treated therein. The locking mechanism includes an integrated monitoring and display system to determine and indicate the status of the thermal treatment system. The monitoring and display system includes indicator lights that allow for a visual representation indicating the locked or open states of system access doors and/or an audio system or alarm for alerting medial or other personnel to the status of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A portable combined heating and lighting unit comprising a first element and a second element for generating thermal or light energy, and a component to convert thermal or light energy into electricity. The first element generates thermal or light energy from combustion of fuel. The second element generates thermal or light energy from electricity.

Abstract: A heating structure and method for preventing overheat of a heating line, where the heating line includes a sensing line and a heating wire in parallel connection. The sensing line has one end connected with a processor. The heating wire has one end connected sequentially with an over-current protection element and an alternating current power's one polarity and has another end connected sequentially with a switch and the alternating current power's another polarity. The processor controls the trigger circuit to trigger the switch to be in conducting condition. Thereby, under normal condition, the heating of the heating wire is in half-wave form. When abnormal signals from the sensing line are detected by the processor, the switch is controlled to let the alternating current pass through the heating wire in full-wave form to increase the current instantaneously and disconnect the over-current protection element to stop the heating.

Abstract: An infrared, room heater system for installation in a wall or on a floor. An electric fan assembly draws room air into a housing, then through three parallel, air transit channels where the air is heated by infrared radiation within and about a heat exchanger assembly, and then back out into the room. One or more ceramic heating elements attached to a first copper plate emit infrared radiation when electrically energized. The first copper plate lies adjacent to, but spaced away from, a second copper plate such that radiation emitted from the heating elements reflects back and forth between the plates. Room air passed between the copper plates is heated by heat radiation concentrated between the plates, thereby achieving both energy and space efficiency.

Abstract: An output-history storing unit stores past and present measurement data input to a measurement-data input unit while distinguishing the measurement data for each of output sources. An output-fluctuation monitoring unit monitors, based on the measurement data stored in the output-history storing unit, output fluctuation in each of the output sources. An output control unit separately controls, based on the output fluctuation monitored by the output-fluctuation monitoring unit, outputs from the output sources.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for protecting from overheating a heating element whose resistance value is a function of its temperature. The circuit arrangement includes a power supply, a switch, and a switch control circuit, a current sensor providing a signal proportional to the current flowing through the heating element, and a first scaling device whose output provides a signal proportional to the supply voltage of the heating element. An evaluation circuit compares the difference signal determined by a first detector having an output that provides a difference signal formed from the signals of the current sensor and the first scaling device with a reference signal and the switch control circuit can be switched from a conducting state when the switch control circuit is in a first state to a non-conducting state when the switch control circuit is in a second state.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplementing the power usage of an appliance with an internal power source, such as e.g., a battery, in order to limit the overall power consumption of the appliance while in standby mode. The system can allow for replenishing the internal power source when the appliance is not in standby mode or even when in standby mode if such will not exceed the external power source consumption limit. In the event the internal power source is not available or is reaching depletion, the system can provide for disabling electronic features of the appliance in order to maintain the external power source consumption below the desired limit.

Abstract: The present invention provides system for testing an electrical winding element that is usually a stator bar or a stator winding. The stator bar is attached to a short circuit conductive element to form a closed short circuit of a single turn that acts as a primary circuit. The closed short circuit is connected to a step-up transformer that will act as a secondary circuit and which has at least two turns. The step-up transformer uses a controlled variable voltage source that charges the closed short circuit. Charging the closed short circuit creates a current in the stator bar inner conductive element, causing heat on the stator bar by induction. The system of the present invention is suitable for an accelerated thermal aging test that simulates closely how heat is created by induction on stator bars of electric machines.

Abstract: The de-fogging device and has an elongated heating element mounted within a housing. There is an elongated opening in the housing beneath the heating element for admission of air below the device and a second elongated opening in the housing above the heating element through which air heated by the heating element flows by convection. The device is mounted to a mirror or window and is positioned such that the heated air flows upwardly across the mirror or window. There is means for regulating the temperature of the heating element such that the heated air prevents any moisture in the air surrounding the mirror or window from condensing on it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, which are separated by separation means, conveyor means for guiding products from the inlet through these chambers to the outlet, temperature control means for controlling the temperature in each chamber individually using a fluid, respectively, and means to adjust the flow distribution over the width of the conveyor means depending on at least one process parameter or recipe.

Abstract: An electrothermal transfer device includes a substrate, a plurality of electrothermal components and a heating circuit. The electrothermal components are disposed on a surface of the substrate and arranged in a pattern. The heating circuit is electrically connected to the electrothermal components. In an electrothermal transfer method, at first, a transfer substrate is disposed on a workpiece substrate. Then, the electrothermal transfer device is disposed on the transfer substrate so that the electrothermal components contact with the transfer substrate. Thereafter, the heating circuit is used to heat the electrothermal transfer components so that the transfer substrate is heated to be transferred to the workpiece substrate. The electrothermal transfer device and the electrothermal transfer method can reduce cost.

Abstract: A transparency, e.g. an aircraft laminated windshield, includes one or more sensors to monitor performance of one or more properties, e.g. a heating arrangement of the windshield, and to generate signals representative of the performance of the properties. One part of a connector, external of the transparency and connected to the sensors is connected to a system positioned in the aircraft. The system receives a signal from each of the sensors, and processes the signals to determine difference between performance of the property as indicated by the signal received and a preferred performance of the property to provide real time monitoring of the performance of the windshield. With this arrangement information regarding the performance of the windshield is available to schedule timely repair or replacement of the windshield that is performing outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment on an object to-be-processed by a heater, which can inhibit variation in thermal histories among the objects to-be-processed. The heat treatment apparatus includes, among others, a correction part to correct a power control signal output from an adjusting unit so that a conduction rate of an AC voltage applied to a heater is decreased. Specifically, the correction is performed based on a value obtained by multiplying a first correction value with a second correction value, where the first correction value is generated according to a ratio of the voltage detection value of AC power source to a predetermined reference voltage, and the second correction value is generated according to a ratio of the resistance value of the heater to a predetermined reference resistance value.