With Heater-unit Housing, Casing, Or Support Means (e.g., Frame And Single Sheet) Patents (Class 219/520)
  • Patent number: 7335855
    Abstract: An electric PCB heating component for a heating electric component is coupleable to an electronic circuit board. The PCB heating component includes a fastening element, a heating element for generating thermal energy, and a heating body. The heating body emits thermal energy via a heat radiating surface. For a low cost PCB heating component, the heating element is a PTC heating element. A plurality of heating projections of the heating element cooperate to form a relatively large heat radiating surface such that thermal energy can be emitted in a substantially directional mode. The heating projections can be convection or radiation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich von der Lühe, William Muirhead
  • Patent number: 7332693
    Abstract: Functional elements, particularly PTC heating elements, are braced in a hollow reception means, such as a profile tube. The reception means have two at least partly concave top wall areas facing one anther and flat sides of the functional elements and in this way permits a bracing of the functional elements, in that side walls of the reception means, extending substantially perpendicular to the concave top wall areas, are subject to the action of a pressing pressure. In the free space areas defined by the concave top walls can be fitted ends of attachment parts, such as metal lamellas, which are clamped in the same operation, according to the invention, during the bracing of the functional elements. This makes it possible in a simple manner to manufacture assembled devices, particularly electric heating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG, Beru AG
    Inventor: Andreas Hamburger
  • Patent number: 7329842
    Abstract: A ceramic heater including a plate member made of insulating ceramics in which one or more pair(s) of through-holes are formed, a rod member made of conductive ceramics with a power-supply terminal at one end. The rod member is inserted into the through hole in the plate member. A conductive layer made of conductive ceramics is formed on the plate member; and a coating layer made of insulating ceramics is formed on the conductive layer. One end face of the rod member has a same plane with a main surface of the plate member, the conductive layer has a heater pattern formed on the main surface of the plate member, and the rod members are electrically insulated not to be short-circuited to each other in the opposite main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuma Kushihashi, Noboru Kimura, Masaki Seki
  • Patent number: 7282678
    Abstract: An electric heating module includes an electric heater (10), a heat pipe (20) having an evaporating section (22) thermally attached to the electric heater and a condensing section (24), and at least one heat radiator (30, 40) thermally attached to the condensing section. The electric heater includes a pair of electrode plates (12, 14) and a heating element (16) sandwiched between and electrically connecting the electrode plates. An insulation frame (19) encloses the electrode plates therein for electrically insulating the electric heater from the heat radiator. For the non-linear PTC heating element, the electric heater can rapidly heat up to and stay at a desired stable temperature. The heat pipe can transfer heat from the electric heater to the heat radiator rapidly and timely by phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Nien Tung, Chuen-Shu Hou, Chih-Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 7212718
    Abstract: A heat-treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sheet-like heating body, which is bent like a letter “U”, and a heat equalizing plate constituted by a metal plate bonded to a heat generating part of the sheet-like heating body. The heat equalizing plate is bonded to the inner surface of the sheet-like heating body bent like a letter “U”. Alternatively, a fluorocarbon resin is coated on the surface of the heat equalizing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7104706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device having at least a first heating element 102 for heating at least one protective sleeve 105, 602 arranged around at least a first uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. Said sleeve 105, 602 being arranged to shrink when exposed to heat to form a protecting member tightly enclosing said uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. The at least first heating element is flexible, and arranged to take at least a first open state and a second substantially closed state. Said first open state is suitable for inserting and removing said protecting sleeve and fiber into and out off said heating device. Said heating element, in said second state, substantially surrounds said sleeve to form an enclosure around said sleeve, so that said heating element radiates heat around substantially the complete circumference of said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Dag Bergstrsöm, Hans Johansson, Moshen Janbakhsh, Torsten Lund
  • Patent number: 7078658
    Abstract: A heater mat for using the Joule effect to heat an aerodynamic surface. The heater mat is provided with a resistor element including at least two substantially parallel segments of electrically-conductive fibers disposed on the aerodynamic surface. The segments come from a single strip of electrically-conductive fibers, with two adjacent segments being obtained by folding a portion of the single strip at least twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Daniel Brunner, André Amari
  • Patent number: 7038169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heater for an electric central buffer coupling in which at least one heating element (3) is placed in a recess of the coupling head (1) and is covered toward the outside. To improve the transfer of heat from the heating element (3) into the coupling head (1) and to reduce the expense of assembling and dismantling the heating element (3), the recess is precision fitted to the diameter of the heating element (3) and the recess is constructed in such a way that after completion of the recess the heating element (3), including its seal to the front side, can be introduced into the recess and is to be removably affixed to the coupling head (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Turbo Scharfenberg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Goetz Dittmar, Dirk Behrens
  • Patent number: 7030344
    Abstract: A defroster for a heat exchanger includes a heat transfer plate on the heat exchanger; a thin film heater arranged on the heat transfer plate; and a power supply wire connected to the film heater for supplying power to the film heater. The defroster can be fabricated by forming a masking layer with a certain shape on an electrically resistant substrate; patterning a thin film heater on the substrate based on the shape of the masking layer; adhering the film heater to a heat transfer plate; and connecting a power supply to the film heater. Accordingly, it is possible to improve a defrosting performance of the heat exchanger and use an environment-friendly, alternative refrigerant with the relatively, low temperature defroster of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nam-Soo Cho, Sung Jhee, Jang Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 6917020
    Abstract: A ceramic heater capable of reducing temperature uniformity at the periphery of through holes such as insertion holes and vacuum suction holes is provided, which protects wafer against thermal shocks and has improved controllability for temperature control parts such as thermocouples and temperature fuse. Further, a ceramic heater capable of uniform resin curing is provided. A heat generation body is disposed on the surface or inside of a ceramic substrate. Further, corners for the insertion holes, the recesses and the vacuum suction holes of the ceramic substrate are chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 6878177
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber adapted to be heated and humidified. An easily accessed blower is located within the gaseous environment of the incubator chamber and includes a HEPA filter and VOC filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Thermo Forma, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lohr, Raquel Wager
  • Patent number: 6849938
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic substrate for a semiconductor producing/examining device, capable of controlling the temperature of a resistance heating element, thereby suitably controlling the temperature of a semiconductor wafer placed on a ceramic substrate or the like and evenly heating the semiconductor wafer. The ceramic substrate for a semiconductor producing/examining device according to the present invention comprises at least a resistance heating element formed on a surface thereof or inside thereof, wherein a region: where a semiconductor wafer is directly placed; or where a semiconductor wafer is placed apart from the surface thereof while keeping a given distance, exists inside a surface region corresponding to the region where said resistance heating element is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: IBIDEN Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 6849835
    Abstract: A household food warmer for keeping foods and beverages warm includes a housing, a drawer which can be inserted into the housing, an interior chamber which is bounded by the housing and the inserted drawer and which is used to accommodate foods placed on plates, a heating element, an electrical circuit in which is arranged a first electrical switch for switching on the heating element, and a temperature sensor for measuring the interior chamber temperature. A convection fan is provided. The convection fan can be switched on via a second electrical switch arranged in the electrical circuit and can be switched off via the second electrical switch upon the occurrence of a switching condition that is dependent on the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bollmers, Michael Empting, Johannes Renne, Peter Stemig, Hartmut Wemhoener
  • Patent number: 6837845
    Abstract: A calibration system for use with a radiant heater of an infant apparatus such as an infant warmer or an infant incubator. The system includes an electrical circuit that is used to sense the temperature of the infant by means of a thermistor and to provide a digital signal representative of the temperature. An automatic calibration system avoids the use of potentiometers by inputting two known voltages into the circuit by means of a voltage divider and recording the digital output for each voltage input. The two known voltage inputs and the known digital outputs are used in two equations to solve for the span and offset constants in those equations. Once determined, those constants are used to calibrate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Falk
  • Patent number: 6791066
    Abstract: A transparency, e.g. a laminated windshield has a pair of spaced bus bars on an electric conductive member e.g. an electric conductive coating on a glass sheet. The perimeter of the coating is spaced from the peripheral edge of the sheet to provide a non-conductive strip. Ends the bus bars extend into the non-conductive strip to minimize/eliminate hot spots at the end portions of the bus bars. An additional feature to reduce hot spots includes bus bars having different lengths with portions of the coating between the bus bars not extending beyond the ends of the longer bus bar. In another, the windshield has a vision area, a bus bar between the top edge of the coating and the top edge of the vision area and a bus bar between the bottom edge of the coating and bottom edge of the vision area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen R. Hawk
  • Publication number: 20040169035
    Abstract: A household food warmer includes a housing and a drawer. The drawer, which can be inserted into the interior chamber of the housing, has a drawer bottom and a front wall with a first opening. The front wall is provided with a sliding device that has a handle, and that engages in a guide formed at the front wall with a guide means, and with which the first opening can be closed in a substantially airtight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bollmers, Michael Empting, Johannes Renne, Peter Stemig, Hartmut Wemhoener
  • Publication number: 20040149731
    Abstract: A household food warmer for keeping foods and beverages warm includes a housing, a drawer which can be inserted into the housing, an interior chamber which is bounded by the housing and the inserted drawer and which is used to accommodate foods placed on plates, a heating element, an electrical circuit in which is arranged a first electrical switch for switching on the heating element, and a temperature sensor for measuring the interior chamber temperature. A convection fan is provided. The convection fan can be switched on via a second electrical switch arranged in the electrical circuit and can be switched off via the second electrical switch upon the occurrence of a switching condition that is dependent on the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bollmers, Michael Empting, Johannes Renne, Peter Stemig, Hartmut Wemhoener
  • Publication number: 20040112890
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is held by support pins horizontally. A susceptor and a heating plate are moved upwardly so that the semiconductor wafer is transferred from the support pins to the susceptor. At this time, a gas layer is sandwiched between the upper surface of the susceptor and the lower surface of the semiconductor wafer to cause the semiconductor wafer to float over the upper surface of the susceptor for about seventy seconds immediately after the semiconductor wafer is mounted on the upper surface of the susceptor. Then, flash lamps are lit up to perform flash heating while the semiconductor wafer is floating over the upper surface of the susceptor. Even when flashlight irradiation causes rapid thermal expansion of the wafer surface, the semiconductor wafer does not suffer a great stress. This can prevent the semiconductor wafer from breaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsufumi Kusuda, Tsutomu Ueyama
  • Patent number: 6727468
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes an LCD panel providing a surface. A flexible heating system of the invention includes a substantially transparent flexible sheet substrate disposed adjacent the surface of the LCD panel and a substantially transparent resistive heating element formed on the flexible sheet substrate. One or more serpentine shaped thermal sensors are formed in the resistive heating element. Control circuitry coupled to the serpentine shaped thermal sensors and to the substantially transparent resistive heating element and other heaters controls the heating element and other heaters based resistances of the serpentine shaped thermal sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins
    Inventor: Paul R. Nemeth
  • Patent number: 6723968
    Abstract: A conductive metal jumper strap has a plate portion with a pair of connection legs forming a u-shape. The connection legs are adapted to connect to terminals to make an electrical connection between two components of a heating device. The plate portion has a bend in it to allow flexing so that the connection legs can make a jumper connection between terminals where the terminal spacing may vary between heating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
  • Patent number: 6674052
    Abstract: A thermal cup includes a hollow inner cup body having an inner surrounding wall and an outer surrounding wall that confine an enclosed chamber therebetween, and an outer cup body made of a heat insulating material and disposed to surround the outer surrounding wall of the inner cup body. The inner surrounding wall further confines a space for containing liquid therein. The outer cup body cooperates with the outer surrounding wall of the inner cup body to confine a clearance therebetween. A thermal conductor unit is provided on the outer surrounding wall of the inner cup body, and is disposed in the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Kuang Luo
  • Patent number: 6664511
    Abstract: A package for optical components includes an inner package enclosing the optical component, and an outer package enclosing the inner package. A heater may be disposed in the inner package proximate the optical component to control its temperature, and to maintain this temperature control, the outer package creates an isolated air pocket around the inner package, which thermally insulates the inner package from the outside environment. The outer package is formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, to promote this insulating function. This package is especially useful if the optical component comprises a planar light-wave circuit (PLC), e.g. an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which requires tight temperature control and structural integrity to maintain the integrity of the optical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Crafts, James F. Farrell, Mark B. Farrelly, Suresh Ramalingam, Kenzo Ishida
  • Patent number: 6650830
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heater comprising a wall-engaging member mountable to a wall, an extendable arm including proximate and distal ends. The proximate end being mounted to the wall-engaging member. The heater also includes a heat projecting heater-head mounted to the distal end of the extendable arm. Wherein the heater-head is reciprocally movable between a first position where the heater-head is in close proximity to the wall-engaging member and a second position where the heater-head is distant from the wall-engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Societe en Commandite Gaz Metropolitain
    Inventor: Nancy Kerec
  • Patent number: 6642732
    Abstract: To reduce noise in measurements obtained by probing a device supported on surface of a thermal chuck in a probe station, a conductive member is arranged to intercept current coupling the thermal unit of the chuck to the surface supporting the device. The conductive member is capacitively coupled to the thermal unit but free of direct electrical connection thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence E. Cowan, Paul A. Tervo, John L. Dunklee
  • Patent number: 6604942
    Abstract: A towel warmer comprising a cabinet enclosing a chamber with an opening, a door attached to the cabinet to close the opening, one or more coils heated by conducting hot water, the coils being positioned within the chamber opposite the opening, a resilient compressible support positioned on the door to compress cloth-like objects against the heated coils as the door is closed, and a latch to hold the door closed with force to maintain compression of the cloth-like objects against the heated coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: J. Keith Sharp
  • Publication number: 20030132223
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a repair device for vehicle capable of reducing the labor of an operator in paint and putty drying operation, facilitating the operation of the device, and providing a high quality paint surface. The repair device of the present invention includes a drying apparatus for drying a coating material coated on a panel surface, a distance detection sensor installed in the drying apparatus and detecting a distance between the drying apparatus and the panel surface coated with the coating material, and a moving device for moving the drying apparatus along the panel surface. The moving device moves the drying apparatus along the panel surface so that a value detected by the distance detection sensor comes within a specified range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Makoto Ueno
  • Publication number: 20030099468
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heater comprising a wall-engaging member mountable to a wall, an extendable arm including proximate and distal ends. The proximate end being mounted to the wall-engaging member. The heater also includes a heat projecting heater-head mounted to the distal end of the extendable arm. Wherein the heater-head is reciprocally movable between a first position where the heater-head is in close proximity to the wall-engaging member and a second position where the heater-head is distant from the wall-engaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Societe en commandite Gaz Metropolitain
    Inventor: Nancy Kerec
  • Publication number: 20030006224
    Abstract: A redundant package for optical components includes an inner package enclosing the optical component, and an outer package enclosing the inner package. A heater may be disposed in the inner package proximate the optical component to control its temperature, and to maintain this temperature control, the outer package creates an isolated air pocket around the inner package which thermally insulates the inner package from the outside environment. The outer package is formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, to promote this insulating function. This package is especially useful if the optical component comprises a planar lightwave circuit (PLC), e.g., an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which requires tight temperature control and structural integrity to maintain the integrity of the optical paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Scion Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Crafts, James F. Farrell, Mark B. Farrelly, Suresh Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 6492628
    Abstract: A heater supporting structure includes heaters comprising plate-shaped electrical resistance heating elements and power applying portions for energizing the electrical resistance heating elements, mounts for mounting the electrical resistance heating elements, and first insulative supporters and second insulative supporters, the supporters being provided on the mounts with a certain distance and supporting edges of the electrical resistance heating elements, and the electrical resistance heating elements are formed in a shape so as to project toward the mounts and are provided apart from the mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignees: Asahi Glass Company, Limited, Teitokusha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Maeda, Kimio Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6486440
    Abstract: A redundant package for optical components includes an inner package enclosing the optical component, and an outer package enclosing the inner package. A heater may be disposed in the inner package proximate the optical component to control its temperature, and to maintain this temperature control, the outer package creates an isolated air pocket around the inner package which thermally insulates the inner package from the outside environment. The outer package is formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, to promote this insulating function. This package is especially useful if the optical component comprises a planar lightwave circuit (PLC), e.g., an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which requires tight temperature control and structural integrity to maintain the integrity of the optical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Crafts, James F. Farrell, Mark B. Farrelly, Suresh Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 6462317
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved heater bar that can be used for either a heater in a laser printer fuser or a heater in a thermal overcoat or laminating mechanism. The improved heater bar utilizes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor element to produce the heat output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Wayne E. Foote, David J. Arcaro, Jeffrey S. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6365882
    Abstract: A system for transforming electrical energy into thermal energy, already diffused has a flat support, and a substantially continuous heat-emitting surface formed by one or more electrically conducting continuous strips, each having a constant thickness, laid flat in parallel lengths and spaced for electrical insulation, the strips being arranged on the flat support and mechanically connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cadif SRL
    Inventor: Aldo Stabile
  • Publication number: 20020005404
    Abstract: A heater supporting structure includes heaters comprising plate-shaped electrical resistance heating elements and power applying portions for energizing the electrical resistance heating elements, mounts for mounting the electrical resistance heating elements, and first insulative supporters and second insulative supporters, the supporters being provided on the mounts with a certain distance and supporting edges of the electrical resistance heating elements, and the electrical resistance heating elements are formed in a shape so as to project toward the mounts and are provided apart from the mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Maeda, Kimio Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6250372
    Abstract: An air condition includes a suction grill for sucking the air in a room, a front panel including an inlet port for sucking the air from the suction grill inside and a blowout port for blowing the air out into the room, a heat exchanger for heat exchange of the air, and a blower for circulating the air, wherein a concave air passage for room temperature detection is formed on the front face of the front panel, and an air suction port for sucking air for room temperature detection is formed in suction grill at an opposite part to air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Arai, Masaharu Miwa, Tetsuji Uchiyama, Yoshiaki Kuwahara, Kengo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6194686
    Abstract: A portable ground thawing panel system for thawing an area of frozen ground to allow digging in the wintertime. The inventive device includes an upper member, a plurality of outer member secured to the upper member, a layer of insulation adjacent the upper member, a divider member adjacent the insulation opposite the upper member, and an electrical heating element secured to the divider member opposite of the insulation. The heating element may be temperature self-regulating or a thermostat may be electrically connected to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Russell R. Gohl
  • Patent number: 6184505
    Abstract: A gauge assembly holds heater wire adjacent to a surface to be heated. The assembly includes a plurality of elongate elements, with each elongate element having two opposite ends. Each opposite end is pivotably connected to a corresponding opposite end of an adjacent elongate element. At least one of the elongate elements retains at least one corresponding portion of the heater wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6136280
    Abstract: An autoclave type sterilization device which includes an autoclave sterilization chamber with an electrical heating arrangement mounted thereon. This electrical heating arrangement employs one or more positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors as heating elements. These heating elements are in direct thermal and electrical contact on opposing sides, which are coated with a conductive metal such as aluminum, with electrodes to supply electrical current. These electrodes are, in turn, in direct thermal contact on their outward-facing sides with respect to the heating elements with plates which are formed of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating ceramic material such as AL.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the plates are in direct thermal contact on their outward-facing sides with respect to the heating elements with heat radiation units which include heat transfer portions which are fabricated to engage and are in direct thermal contact with a portion of the wall of the autoclave chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Body Heat Ltd.
    Inventors: Gad Golan, Yuly Galperin
  • Patent number: 6117687
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber surrounded by a heated water jacket. A glass access door of the chamber is directly heated by a clear, electrically conductive coating. The door is sealed against the perimeter of the opening by a readily replaceable gasket and is field reversible due to unique hinge mounting assemblies. An easily accessed blower assembly is located within the chamber and includes a HEPA filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber. A filtered air exchange system is provided for limiting the maximum level of humidity in the chamber. The incubator control maintains constant power output from the blower motor so that the heat output of the motor is also constant. A voltage compensated temperature control is also provided for the heaters associated with the water jacket. Compensation for environmental conditions inside the chamber is also provided by the control for producing more accurate readings of carbon dioxide levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Forma Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Hugh
  • Patent number: 6069998
    Abstract: A screwplug type water heater (10) has a heating element (12) immersible in a water heater tank (T) to heat water (L). Electrical terminals (28) on the outer end of the heater connect the heating element into a heater circuit (H) for a control unit (14). The control unit also includes a sensing circuit (S) for the unit to be responsive to water temperature inputs to turn-on the heater to heat water to a desired temperature and maintain it there. A thermistor (16) provides a temperature input to the control circuit. The thermistor is encapsulated in a bracket (32) mounted in, or integrally formed with, the screwplug to sense water temperature. Terminals (36) on the outer end of the heater allow the thermistor to be connected into the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Barnes, Robert K. Cockrell
  • Patent number: 6067404
    Abstract: A radiant electric heater (1) includes a heating element (4) and at least one covering sheet (7) spaced from the heating element. The at least one covering sheet is in the form of a fabric comprising glass filaments, ceramic filaments or metal filaments. Metal filaments, such as of a high temperature withstanding alloy, may be woven in the form of a fabric. Glass filaments, or ceramic filaments such as of aluminosilicate material, alumino-boro-silicate material or zirconia, may be of woven, knitted or mat form in the fabric. An apertured member (10) may be provided in contact with, or adjacent, to the covering sheet (7) of the fabric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventors: Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins, David Aubrey Plumptre
  • Patent number: 6040562
    Abstract: There is provided a uniform heating structure in the heating device formed in the shape of a hollow block made of a heat-resistant metal, in which the surface of the heating device is used as a heat transfer surface, and a high thermal-conductivity material with a thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the metal is located adjacent to the heat transfer surface in such a manner that heat can be transferred to the heat transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyushu Nissho
    Inventors: Masahisa Tokumoto, Eiji Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 6031214
    Abstract: The heating device comprises electrically conducting longitudinal fibers extending substantially parallel to a leading edge of the aerofoil close to said leading edge, and means for electrically connecting the ends of the longitudinal conducting fibers to an electric power supply. The conducting fibers are grouped together in conducting rovings forming part of a hybrid fabric which furthermore includes a weft of electrically insulating fibers woven together and woven with the conducting rovings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Michel Bost, Jean-Cyril Bauchet
  • Patent number: 6021155
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high temperature vacuum furnace including a hot zone, which is made for heavy-duty heat treating applications. In a preferred embodiment, the hot zone chamber has an outer and an inner wall. The inner wall includes a heat shield secured to it for containing radiant energy. The hot zone chamber further includes a plurality of banks of electric resistance heating elements spaced axially within the chamber. Heating elements in furnaces according to this invention have a specially designed width-to-thickness aspect ratio, which enables heating elements to have a longer life between replacements. These heating elements can be designed in polygon banks or arrays, which virtually completely surround the workpiece and provide maximum temperature uniformity during heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: William R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6014498
    Abstract: A device for heating a fluid control apparatus comprises a tape heater disposed on at least one of opposite lateral sides of the fluid control apparatus, and a plurality of brackets each comprising a bottom wall fastened to a panel with a screw and at least one side wall for holding the tape heater in contact with a fluid controller. The bottom wall of each of the brackets is formed with a screw hole, and each bracket is attached to the panel and adjustable in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Nobukazu Ikeda, Keiji Hirao, Yuji Kawano, Masayuki Hatano, Yukio Minami, Hiroshi Morokoshi
  • Patent number: 6004512
    Abstract: A sample cartridge block that includes a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The third plate is thermally connected to the first plate and the second plate. In some embodiments, the block is capable of holding a relatively high density of sample cartridges. In certain embodiments, the block provides good sample temperature stability while the sample temperature is held constant or while the sample temperature is being changed. According to the invention, a sample block may include one material or more than one material. Preferably, a sample cartridge block has a relatively low thermal mass. In some embodiments, the first plate of a sample cartridge block may have a larger surface area than the surface area of the third plate. According to the present invention, the first plate of the sample cartridge block may be thermally connected to a temperature controller. In certain embodiments, a sample cartridge block may have a relatively large surface area in contact with a temperature controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: MJ Research
    Inventors: Paul Titcomb, Michael J. Finney, David Cohen
  • Patent number: 5994679
    Abstract: A housing for optical integrated circuits for protecting the circuit from temperature induced stresses has a base and cap and a thermal bed contained therein. The thermal bed has a region for containing the integrated circuit therein, suspended in a thermally conductive grease. At least one heater is affixed to the thermal bed for heating it, and temperature monitoring apparatus is included for supplying signals to a control apparatus for activating the heater when the temperature of the thermal bed falls outside of the operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: George Frank DeVeau, Daren Li
  • Patent number: 5994678
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for depositing titanium films at rates up to 200 .ANG./minute on semiconductor substrates from a titanium tetrachloride source. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a ceramic heater assembly with an integrated RF plane for bottom powered RF capability allows PECVD deposition at a temperature of at least 400.degree. C. for more efficient plasma treatment. A thermal choke isolates the heater from its support shaft, reducing the thermal gradient across the heater to reduce the risk of breakage and improving temperature uniformity of the heater. A deposition system incorporates a flow restrictor ring and other features that allow a 15 liters/minute flow rate through the chamber with minimal backside deposition and minimized deposition on the bottom of the chamber, thereby reducing the frequency of chamber cleanings, and reducing clean time and seasoning. Deposition and clean processes are also further embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zhao, Talex Sajoto, Leonid Selyutin, Charles Dornfest, Stefan Wolff, Lee Luo, Eller Juco
  • Patent number: 5994661
    Abstract: The reservoir system includes a heater coil having electrical leads adapted to be coupled to a voltage source. The heater coil is adapted to generate heat in correspondence with a heater voltage provided by the voltage source. A reservoir material layer is adapted to regulate pressure of a gas disposed within the gaseous-discharge device in accordance with temperature of the reservoir material. Heat is transferred from the heater coil to the reservoir material through a series of thermally conductive layers in which each of the layers have different thermal conductivity and coefficients of expansion. As a result, the thermal path resistance between the heater coil and the reservoir material layer increases as temperature of the heater coil increases so that the reservoir material increases in temperature at a slower rate than the heater coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Dean Schafer
  • Patent number: 5844202
    Abstract: A portable automatic windshield defroster having a housing, including a housing top and a housing bottom. The housing further includes a housing left and a housing right. The housing left is securely attached to a proximal end of the housing left egress and is sealably connected to a housing left connector which functions to cover the housing left egress. A housing left diffuser is sealably connected to a distal end of the housing left connector. The housing bottom has a housing bottom inlet therethrough. The housing bottom further comprises a housing bottom attachment means secured thereto and functions to removably affix the housing bottom to a vehicle dashboard. The portable automatic windshield defroster further comprises a primary power means, which may include a cigarette lighter cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Jamie Alverson
  • Patent number: 5792427
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber surrounded by a heated water jacket. A glass access door of the chamber is directly heated by a clear, electrically conductive coating. The door is sealed against the perimeter of the opening by a readily replaceable gasket and is field reversible due to unique hinge mounting assemblies. An easily accessed blower assembly is located within the chamber and includes a HEPA filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber. A filtered air exchange system is provided for limiting the maximum level of humidity in the chamber. The incubator control maintains constant power output from the blower motor so that the heat output of the motor is also constant. A voltage compensated temperature control is also provided for the heaters associated with the water jacket. Compensation for environmental conditions inside the chamber is also provided by the control for producing more accurate readings of carbon dioxide levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Forma Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hugh, David V. Lohr, Peter J. Borton