Abstract: An independently-controlled PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater includes a PTC unit including first and second PTC elements for generating heat by an applied power, a guide frame having an opening to which the first and second PTC elements are mounted, first and second electrode plates configured to respectively make surface contact with one surfaces of the first and second PTC elements which are exposed through the opening, a common electrode plate configured to make surface contact with the other surfaces of both the first and second PTC elements which is exposed through the opening, and an insulation member configured to insulate the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the common electrode plate from an outside; and a heat diffusion fin provided at a side of the heating tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor is provided. The apparatus includes a light emitter to emit light along a transmission path to a gas and an acoustic sensor element configured to detect an acoustic signal emitted from the gas based on the received light. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to detect the light transmitted along the transmission path and to provide an output signal, and a calibration unit to receive the output signal from the sensing unit and to provide a calibration information based on the output signal received from the sensing unit.

Abstract: Temperature measurement is described for a substrate carrier using a heater element array. In one example a method includes measuring a first combined current load of each of a plurality of heating elements in the electrostatic chuck, changing a power status of a first heating element of the plurality of heating elements, measuring a second combined current load of each of the plurality of heating elements after changing the power status of the first heating element, determining the difference between the first and second combined current loads, determining a temperature of the first heating element using the difference, and reverting the power status of the first heating element to that before the change and repeating changing power, measuring a current load, determining a difference, and determining a temperature for each of the other heating elements of the plurality to determine a temperature at each of the heating elements of the plurality.

Abstract: An appliance is provided that includes a control unit, a plurality of components, and a touchscreen in which the plurality of components and touchscreen are configured to operate under control of the control unit. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be generated for display by the touchscreen. The GUI may include graphical control elements for respective components of the plurality of components. For each graphical control element of the graphical control elements, a touch gesture to drag the graphical control element may be detected for a component of the respective components. In response, a mode or setting of a plurality of modes or settings of the component may be adjusted.

Abstract: An atomizer (26) for an electronic smoking device (10) is provided comprising at least a first heating wire (40) and a second heating wire (50). The first and second heating wires (40, 50) are wound together to form a common heating coil (28). Further, the first and second heating wires (40, 50) differ in at least one physical parameter leading to different thermal properties of the heating wires (40, 50). Additionally, an electronic smoking device (10) comprising the atomizer (28) and a cartomizer (700) for an electronic smoking device (10) are provided.

Abstract: A heated light enclosure having an adaptable heating system is provided with a controlled heating system to deliver enough heat to a lens on a lamp assembly to remove snow, frost, and/or condensation without overheating the lens. By heating the lens using a combination of one or more of PTC heaters, heat sinks and heat pipes, accumulation of snow, ice, or vapor is mitigated or eliminated from a surface of the lens, thereby enabling light to transmit through the lens. Applications include lamps and bulbs on conveyance devices, including vehicles, boats, planes, and trains, as well as sedentary structures, such as lamp posts, street lights, railroad crossing markers and lights, and airport ground and runway lighting systems.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled resistor is provided. The resistor structure includes first and second resistive elements each including a phase change material that changes resistance in response to a change in temperature of the phase change material. A heating element is arranged in thermal contact with the first and second resistive elements. A control circuit receives a selected input voltage and supplies power based on the selected input voltage to the heating element to heat the first and second resistive elements to a selected temperature. The first and second resistive elements, which are proximate to and electrically isolated from each other, have a selected resistance at the selected temperature. A feedback circuit senses a change in temperature of the first resistive element and adjusts power supplied to the heating element based on the change in temperature of the first resistive element to maintain a resistance of the second resistive element at the selected resistance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles to provide customized control of a cooking appliance. A user provides a selection of one or more ending characteristics for a food product. A processor-based device determines one or more output food preparation parameters based on the user's selection of the one or more ending characteristics. Measurements of temperature, power, or other characteristics may be obtained during cooking process. A cooking program controlling the cooking process may be revised or updated based at least in part on the obtained measurements or analysis of the measurements. Estimations or projections about the cooking process may be presented to a user via a user interface of the cooking appliance or a user interface of a computing device (e.g., smartphone) associated with the user. The processor-based device may autonomously detect a temperature scale of a temperature setting input by a user without requiring the user to specify the temperature scale.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and a processing device. The memory element is configured to store a plurality of configurations for different sensors in an industrial process and control system. The processing device is configured to identify at least one wired connection to a sensor in the industrial process and control system. The processing device is also configured to detect a type of the sensor based on the at least one wired connection. The processing device is also configured to identify a configuration of the plurality of configurations based on the type of the sensor.

Abstract: A heat generating element for an electrical heating device of a motor vehicle, including at least one PTC element and two contact plates which are in contact with opposite sides of the PTC element and are provided on their outer side facing away from the PTC element with an insulating layer. Shielding is provided, comprising a first shell-like shielding plate and a second shell-like shielding plate which are each provided on the outer side of the insulating layer and are connected thereto in a thermally conductive manner. The longitudinal wall sections, directed towards one another, of the first and second shielding plate form an overlapping region. In order to reduce EMC problems, two shielding plates are sealed by way of an adhesive which is received in one of the two shielding plates and into which the end of a rim of the other shielding plate dips.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device includes a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) component and two pins. The PPTC component includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element having two opposite surfaces, and two electrodes respectively connected to the surfaces of the PTC polymeric element. The two pins are respectively connected to the electrodes and extend in an extending direction. Each of the pins has a cross-sectional area that is perpendicular to the extending direction and greater than or equal to 0.8 mm2. The overcurrent protection device has an average trip current and an average work current, where the ratio of the average trip current to the average work current is less than 1.5.

Abstract: A heater includes an outer casing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and a receiving cavity defined between the air inlet and the air outlet, and an integrated air heating and blowing arrangement. The integrated air heating and blowing arrangement includes a fan assembly mounted in the receiving cavity for drawing air from ambient environment to pass through the air inlet and the air outlet, and a heating apparatus arranged to heat up the air drawn by the fan assembly. The heating apparatus is coupled with the fan assembly to form an integrated structure for being detachably mounted in the receiving cavity of the outer casing.

Abstract: A method for detecting a faulty air handler of a heat pump appliance is provided. The method includes activating a compressor of the heat pump appliance and deactivating the compressor of the heat pump appliance at a predetermined period of time after the step of activating. The method also includes determining temperatures of a fluid treated by the heat pump appliance and refrigerant in the heat pump appliance and requesting replacement of the air handler of the heat pump appliance if various conditions associated with the temperatures of fluid treated by the heat pump appliance and refrigerant in the heat pump appliance are met.

Abstract: A system and method for heating structures to either prevent the build-up of freezing precipitation or eliminate freezing precipitation on an exposed outer surface of the structures. The system includes a heating assembly integrally formed with a structure to apply thermal energy to the exposed outer surface of the structure. Optionally, the heating assembly includes heating elements formed of carbon fiber. The system optionally includes a control assembly operatively coupled to the heating assembly. The control assembly selectively powers the heating assembly and can be configured for remote operation. In use, the control assembly can be selectively activated from a remote location to power the heating assembly and heat the structure. Optionally, the structure is a concrete structure.

Abstract: This disclosure refers to an electrical heating device comprising a heating rod, and heat sinks which are held between opposing flanges of the heating rod. The heat sinks are clamped by the flanges pressing laterally against the heat sinks.

Abstract: Print head jet stack heating and temperature measurement systems and methods are disclosed that both heat the jet stack and determine a temperature of the jet stack. The heating and temperature determination are performed by a flex circuit that includes multiple layers. One of the layers heats the jet stack and another one of the layers provides data that determines the temperature of the jet stack. The heating layer and the temperature sensing layer are separated by an insulative material in the flex circuit. The temperature of the jet stack can be sent to a print head controller that then determines whether to increase or decrease the temperature of the jet stack.

Abstract: An electronic component in which a metal layer is unlikely to be peeled from a substrate includes an insulating ceramic substrate, a ceramic layer diffusion-bonded to the substrate, a metal layer including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposed to the first principal surface, with the first principal surface diffusion-bonded to the ceramic layer, and a characteristic layer diffusion-bonded to the second principal surface of the metal layer and prepared from a ceramic material, wherein the characteristic layer varies in resistance value with respect to ambient temperature or applied voltage.

Abstract: A soldering iron system includes a power assembly that provides power to an induction heater at a variable voltage and a variable frequency. A control assembly adjusts the temperature of the heater in accordance with signals from a current detector coupled to the induction heater and a selection made by the user on an operating level selector.

Abstract: Electrical resistance of a heated component is determined for temperature control and monitoring. A voltage-representation signal, which is proportional to a voltage across a heater component, is received. A magnified voltage-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a voltage baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating voltage of the heater component, and the voltage-representation signal. A current-representation signal, which is proportional to an electrical current passing through the heater component is received. A magnified current-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a current baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating current of the heater component, and the current-representation signal.

Abstract: A flexible homogeneous carbon polymeric heating element is provided. The flexible homogeneous carbon polymeric heating element includes a pair of layers of a first insulating material, a pair of layers of a second insulating material positioned between the pair of first insulating material layers, and an elongate web positioned between the pair of second insulating material layers, wherein one of the insulating materials is a chemical-resistant material, and the other of the insulating materials is a water-resistant material.

Abstract: A method of temperature control for maintaining actual temperature at a set point uses a learning period from which to acquire parameters that are used to control temperature. The method defines a learning period as one complete oscillation of the actual temperature about the set temperature. During such an oscillation period, the actual temperature will have been exclusively above and below the set temperature for one segment each.

Abstract: An electrical heating device for medical equipment is provided. The heating device includes a body, which may be an insulating body forming a channel therethrough for fluid travel, an insulating material surrounding the body, and a heater surrounding the body and the insulating material. In other forms, the electrical heating device for medical equipment has a conducting body, instead of an insulating body, forming a channel therethrough for fluid travel. A base dielectric layer is disposed on the conducting body, and a heater surrounds the base dielectric layer and the conducting body. A top dielectric layer is disposed on the heater, and a protection housing surrounds the top dielectric layer.

Abstract: A circuit integrity detection system for use in detecting the integrity of sensing wire in a heating pad wherein the integrity of the sensing wire is checking the inputs from a first and second A/D converter connected to opposite ends of the sensing wire.

Abstract: A temperature detecting circuit includes a first thermistor, a second thermistor, a first pull-up resistor, and a second pull-up resistor. The first thermistor has a first positive-side terminal. The second thermistor has a second positive-side terminal. The first thermistor and the second thermistor have different detection sensitivities to temperature. The first pull-up resistor is connected between the first thermistor and a power supply. The second pull-up resistor is connected between the second thermistor and the power supply. The first pull-up resistor and the second pull-up resistor have different resistances.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding device and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The EMI shielding device includes at least one ferrite material outer layer, a first and a second electrodes within the ferrite material outer layer, and a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTCR) core layer sandwiched between the first and the second electrodes in the ferrite material outer layer. The first and the second electrodes extend to two ends of the ferrite material outer layer respectively.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for a heater having 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 for determining a resistance and temperature of the heater element. A temperature control component associated with the heater element receives at least one set point value associated with the heater and controls the temperature of the heater element based on a comparison of at least one of the resistance and temperature of the heater element to the at least one set point value.

Abstract: A heating element including a current conductor through which electric power is conducted and electricity converted into heat by a voltage drop across an ohmic resistor. The heating element is a planar or a strip-shaped structure and is provided with at least one support layer and an adhesive layer, while the current conductor is designed as an additional, current-conducting layer which is arranged between the support layer and the adhesive layer. The support layer, the current-conducting layer, and the adhesive layer are transparent.

Abstract: A dual heater wire circuit for use with a heating pad or electric blanket includes two independent heater wire circuits. Each heater wire circuit includes a heater wire and a temperature sensor conductor. The temperature sensor conductor of each heater wire circuit is connected to a capacitor, or to a resistor, to define with the capacitor or resistor a voltage divider circuit. The juncture between the sensor conductors and either the capacitor or the resistor is provided to the input of a microprocessor. The electrical resistance of the temperature sensor conductors varies with temperature. The signal provided to the microprocessor from the voltage dividers formed between the sensor conductors of the heater wires and either the capacitor or resistor will vary in phase or voltage relative to the temperature of the heater wires. The microprocessor controls the duty cycle of the power signal provided to the heater wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating cable control system. The system is configured with an optical coupling circuit, a NTC break-off detection circuit, and a fourth comparator circuit. The optical coupling circuit has an input terminal, a first control terminal, and a second control terminal. The first and second control terminals are electrically connected to first terminals of a NTC resistive layer and a PTC resistive wire of the heating cable, respectively. A second terminal of the PTC detection circuit is electrically connected to a silicon-controlled switch circuit. A second terminal of the NTC resistive layer is electrically connected to a negative input terminal of the fourth comparator circuit through the NTC break-off detection circuit, and is compared against a third reference voltage circuit. As such, when the NTC resistive layer becomes open-circuited, the heating to the PTC resistive wire is stopped reliably, thereby enhancing usage safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet heater produced by gravure printing, in which a silver paste is printed in a zigzag pattern between biaxially oriented transparent PET or OPS films and a CNT ink having excellent heat generating properties is coated in a sheet shape on the film, thereby preventing disconnection or fire and enabling temperature elevation in a short period of time while consuming less power.

Abstract: A safety overheat protection circuit for flexible heater wire used in heating pads and electric blankets. The heater wire includes a low melt temperature fuse-able layer and a conductive core. A polymetric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device is used in series with the heater wire in a configuration so that a hot spot anywhere along the length of the wire will cause the fuse-able layer to melt and the heater wire to short to the conductive core, increasing the current and causing the PPTC device to change to a high impedance state significantly removing power to the heater wire. In addition, dual circuits having the same operating target temperature are presented as a safe method of temperature control.

Abstract: A surface-mountable electrical circuit protection device includes layers defining a first PPTC resistive element, a second PPTC resistive element, and at least one heat-generating electrical component such as a planar zener diode chip positioned between, and in thermal contact with, the first and second PPTC elements, such that an electrical current above a threshold level passing through the component causes the component to heat, the heat being transferred to the PPTC resistive elements and tripping at least one, and preferably both of the first or second PPTC elements to a high resistance state. A series of edge-formed terminal electrodes enable surface-mount connection of the first and second PPTC elements and the electrical component to an electrical circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board. A method for making the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes one or more first heating elements, the one or more first heating elements being characterized by a positive temperature coefficient; and one or more second heating elements, the one or more second heating elements comprising resistance wire elements. The one or more second heating elements are positioned in proximity to the one or more first heating elements such that at least one of the one or more second heating elements is configured to, upon being powered on, pre-heat at least one of the one or more first heating elements before the at least one first heating element is powered on.

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: The disclosure provides a heating medium heating apparatus by which it is possible to directly detect a temperature of a semiconductor switching element such as an IGBT, and to perform high-reliability overheating protection control, while suppressing the number of installations of the temperature sensor, and provides a vehicle air conditioner provided with the heating medium heating apparatus. In the heating medium heating apparatus, at least two PTC heaters are provided, the energization of the PTC heaters is respectively ON/OFF-controlled by a plurality of circuits, each containing a semiconductor switching element (34), and the amount of heating is adjusted. Overheating protection temperature sensors (58 and 59) are respectively installed between two pairs of adjacent semiconductor switching elements (34) of a plurality of the semiconductor switching elements (34).

Abstract: A temperature control circuit for two heating devices respectively provided with a heater and a sensing wire. The sensing wires' ends are respectively connected to a diode. The two diodes' polarity is opposite to that of the sensing wires' connecting ends. Another ends of the sensing wires are connected to a capacitor to form a resistor-capacitor circuit. The heater wires are connected to a diode respectively and then a bi-directional thyristor. The two diodes' polarity is opposite to that of the heater wires' connecting ends. Thereby, the heater wires can be heated up respectively by the positive and negative half-periods of alternating current. When phase shifts occur because of the heater wires' temperature change, the sensing wires can control the bi-directional thyristor via a controller so that the positive or negative half-period are not triggered. Therefore, the heater wires' heating temperatures can be controlled individually.

Abstract: A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) assembly, in which protrusions are formed on opposite longitudinal edges of an electrode terminal, PTC elements are held between the protrusions and are in contact with the electrode terminal, an insulating member is attached to an outer surface of the electrode terminal, and a rod cover houses therein the electrode terminal, the PTC elements and the insulating member. A simple structure is realized, fabrication costs are reduced, and a hollow space inside the rod cover is minimized, leading to improved heat transfer efficiency from the PTC elements to the rod cover, reduced noise and a slim structure.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt; a heater, contacted to a surface of the endless belt, provided so that a longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to a generating line direction of the endless belt; and a pressing member for forming a nip together with the endless belt. The heater includes: an elongated substrate; a first heat generating line, provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, including first heat-generating resistors having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series; and a second heat generating line, provided on the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, electrically connected to the first heat generating line in parallel. The second heat generating line includes a plurality of second heat-generating resistors having the negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.

Abstract: The adaptive temperature controller system 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: An electrical motor-vehicle auxiliary heating device is held in a housing forming oppositely situated air passage areas with formed air passage apertures. A flow resistance element protrudes beyond the outer side of the housing, is manufactured as a component independent of the housing, and is connected to it. The invention also relates to a motor-vehicle air conditioning device with an air conditioning housing which accommodates a motor-vehicle auxiliary heating system and which forms at least one flow channel, which leads to the motor-vehicle auxiliary heating and forms an insertion opening for the motor-vehicle auxiliary heating as well as a boundary wall situated opposite the insertion opening. At least one flow resistance element is provided that is manufactured as a component independent of the housing and the air conditioning housing and that bridges a clearance distance between the housing and the wall(s) of the air conditioning housing.

Abstract: An inverter system includes inverting circuitry for inverting an input DC signal into a square wave or quasi-square wave AC signal across a resistance, and a controller for causing the inverting circuitry to invert the input DC signal into the AC signal. The DC signal is a DC voltage having a value that ranges from 24-32 volts DC. The AC signal is an AC voltage having a value that ranges from 115-230 volts AC RMS.

Abstract: A heating device and its temperature control method, wherein an NTC element envelops a core member, a sensing wire is wound around an outside periphery of the NTC element for making parallel connection of the core member with the sensing wire; further, a capacitor, the sensing wire and an electric resistor are connected in series to form an RC circuit, the RC circuit is connected with a microprocessor and a switch.

Abstract: A heater device includes a temperature detector, a heater control circuit, a heater, a voltage supply path, and an overheat prevention circuit. The overheat prevention circuit includes a positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor and a pull-up resistor. The positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor is interposed on the voltage supply path in a position for being heated by the heater. The pull-up resistor that includes: one end connected between the heater and the positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor, and another end connected to a direct current power source. The control voltage to be applied to the heater is restricted to a voltage at a connection point between the positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor and the pull-up resistor when the control voltage from the heater control circuit is abnormally decreased.

Abstract: A temperature controlled/limiting heating element for an electrically powered cooking appliance, having: a plate with an upper contact heating surface; a pair of heating element terminals adapted for removably engaging electrical power supply terminals of the electrically powered cooking appliance; a plurality of resistive heating wires, in thermal engagement with a lower surface of the top plate, comprising: a non-cycling resistive heating wire connected in series to the heating element terminals; and a cycling resistive heating wire connected in series to the heating element terminals via a thermostat switch in thermal engagement with a lower surface of the top plate, wherein the thermostat switch is normally closed when exposed to a sensed temperature below a set temperature and the thermostat switch opens when the sensed temperature is equal to or exceeds the set temperature.

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 heater includes at least one heating element having a resistance that varies non-linearly with respect to a temperature of the heating element. The heating element includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and a fourth surface extending between the first and second surfaces, opposite the third surface. The heating element has a height defined between the first and second surfaces, and a width defined between the third and fourth surfaces, and wherein the width is less than the height. The heater also includes at least one electrode coupled to the first surface and configured to generate an electric field across the heating element and cause a current to flow through the heating element.

Abstract: An electrical heating device includes a flat heating block, which is held in a housing forming oppositely situated frame openings and which comprises parallel layers of heat dissipating and heat generating elements. The heat generating elements on the face side have fitting elements projecting beyond the heating block, and fitting element receptacles assigned to these fitting elements are formed on the housing. The fitting elements and the assigned fitting element receptacles of different heat generating elements are formed such that the heat generating elements cannot be inserted at just any random place in the housing.

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: A temperature control circuit of an oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) is provided. A first and a second digital potentiometer are correspondingly arranged in a bridge circuit which outputs a voltage to an input terminal of a differential amplifier (OPAMP), wherein the resistance value of the first digital potentiometer is adjustable so as to adjust the temperature of the oven to the peak temperature of the crystal resonator, and the resistance value of the second digital potentiometer is adjustable so as to cancel the temperature gradient of the first digital potentiometer. In the temperature control circuit of OCXO, the heat generation of the heater resistor is controlled by the power transistor based on the control voltage from the differential amplifier.