Plural Units Combined With Single Casing Housing Or Support Patents (Class 219/537)
  • Patent number: 7425688
    Abstract: A heating assembly for heating a hot air stream flowing in a flow passage of a tumble dryer. The heating assembly is configured for installation in the flow passage and comprises at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor. The heating element is arranged such that the hot air stream can flow around it in a passing direction (D). The at least one temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the hot air stream and is arranged such that it projects into a core area of the hot air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Loesch, Ralf Frohn, Jerome Grunewald, Jens Koehne
  • Patent number: 7378614
    Abstract: A heat rod assembly for preheating internal air of a vehicle by using heat generated from a positive temperature coefficient (PCT) device and a pre-heater for vehicles including the same, in which components of the heat rod assembly and the pre-heater are grouped as module units so that a width and a volume of the heat rod assembly or the pre-heater can be variously formed so that the heat rod assembly or the pre-heater is adaptable for various kinds of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Woory Industrial Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7339136
    Abstract: The present invention features a cooking utensil for creating an elongated cavity in a bread item, wherein a meat item may be inserted. The cooking utensil comprises a bread-impaling spike supported by and extending from a base member, wherein the bread-impaling spike comprises an elongated body portion and a piercing end portion, each of which are configured to pierce the bread item and form a cavity therein, and wherein the elongated body portion has a shape configured to form at least two condiment receiving channels within the cavity of the bread item upon inserting the meat item. The condiment receiving channels are defined by at least one wall of the cavity and the inserted meat item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hole-e-Cow Corp.
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • 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: 7244913
    Abstract: A temperature regulator regulates a temperature of a microchemical chip that has chemical reaction sections. The temperature regulator includes a temperature measuring unit and a thermoelectric element corresponding to each chemical reaction section. The temperature regulator further includes a heat conductor, a heat exchanging unit, and a temperature controlling unit that controls electric current to be applied to the thermoelectric element based on a temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Murakami, Shigeru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7154072
    Abstract: An open coil resistance heater assembly is made for universal mounting between left and right hand installations in an appliance or other equipment. The heater assembly has its coils arranged symmetrically about a bisecting plane of the heater assembly and/or a center line of its terminal assembly aligned with the bisecting plane. The symmetrical coil arrangement and/or bisected terminal assembly allow the heater to be used in right hand or left hand installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Sherrill, H. Keith Howard
  • Patent number: 7087868
    Abstract: In order to create a heating device which can operate in different power stages, but only has to be contacted from one side, the invention provides a heating device with at least two plate-like ceramic heating elements, which are electrically contacted on opposite flat sides and on at least one side is provided at least one flat, electrical conductor, in which on one side of the elements there are at least two conductors electrically insulated from one another, each of the conductors being in contact with at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignees: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG, Beru AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hamburger, Werner Fassbinder
  • Patent number: 7078656
    Abstract: A device for electrically heating a vertically erect chamber comprising several heating zones arranged vertically one above the other. The components of the device, with the exception of the insulating components, are made from graphite materials. Each zone (Z) comprises a number of supports (1), arranged in an essentially even distribution around the chamber for heating, which simultaneously serve as electrical supplies for the heater, and the heater for each zone (Z) is fixed at one end and longitudinally displaceable at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Solarworld Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiko Herold, Günter Holdenried, Leslaw Mleczko, Matthias Pfaffelhuber, Theo König
  • Patent number: 7071446
    Abstract: A de-icing, snow melting and warming system is taught which utilizes a heatsink (20) consisting of a number of board strips disposed in a planer array positioned within a building structure between its exterior and interior surface. The heatsink board strips have a gap (24) therebetween in which a heating cable (42) is positioned in a continuous serpentine manner and held in place with loop clamps (44). A gap filler (48) encases the heating cable including the enclosed gap forming a homogenous closure. A low voltage power transformer (54) is attached to electrical mains providing electrical voltage reduction to the heating cable of 30 volts or less, and controls and self diagnostics regulate the power and detect anomalies within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Steven D. Bench
  • Publication number: 20040200829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for receiving ceramic heating elements (PTC elements, cold conductors) in a heating device, with an insulating frame and at least one contact plate held by the latter and on which the heating elements can be placed. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the contact plate is frictionally held in the frame. The method according to the invention is characterized in that at least on the contact plate side remote from the heating element reception side is moulded on or sprayed a layer of the following materials: plastic, polymer ceramic, ceramic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Hamburger, Werner Fassbinder, Mike Riether
  • Publication number: 20040169027
    Abstract: An electric heating device is adapted to be used in particular as an auxiliary electric heating for motor vehicles. The heating device comprises a plurality of PTC heating elements arranged in a plane of said heating device. The PTC heating elements are in electric contact with contact sheets for supplying current thereto and in thermal contact with radiator elements for transferring the heat produced to an air current to be heated. According to the present invention, the PTC heating elements arranged in this plane are adapted to be controlled separately in at least two groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Maurice Clauss, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 6737616
    Abstract: An open coil resistance heating apparatus uses a pair of twisted wires having a particular gauge and pitch as the resistance heating wire. Using the twisted pair of wires in the selected gauge and pitch results in significant cost reductions; less wire is needed to achieve the same heating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Sherrill
  • Patent number: 6727470
    Abstract: A heating system for railroad switches or other movable railroad structures that substantially eliminates protruding heater elements that may be damaged. The heater elements may cast into, enclosed within or received within recesses of a tie (including a metal or concrete tie), rail or other component. In one implementation, inductive heating is used to directly heat the rail, tie or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Reichle
  • Patent number: 6696672
    Abstract: A heating lamp bracket for reaction chambers of evaporation coating machines. The heating lamp bracket uses paired and insulation devices to mount heating lamps to a chamber wall of a reaction chamber. The bracket includes a mounting frame that has an insulation outer surface and a mounting outer face opposing to the insulation outer surface. The insulation outer surface has at least one insulation member located thereon for fastening the mounting frame to the chamber wall. The mounting outer surface has at least two independent mounting spots for connecting respectively a connection end of the corresponding heating lamp. The independent mounting spots and non-encased type insulation members of the present invention allows for the replacement of the heating lamps and defective insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mosel Vitelic Inc.
    Inventors: Hung-Lin Ke, Hua-Jen Tseng, Chun-Chieh Lee, Muh-Lang Jang
  • Patent number: 6629396
    Abstract: A manufacture or cell (20) formed by a closed case (21) of fabric material (23) in which a multiple number of meltable plastic pellets (24) are disposed and with which an electrical line (25), here in the form of lines (25-1, 25-2), combine in an interwoven assembly. Heat is applied to the pellets (24) via the electrical line (25) to melt them into a mass of substance that solidifies into a solid wall or thickness while concurrently adhering to the fabric material (23) so that the resulting structure is in a cast condition, transformed from its flexible state prior to application of the heat to pellets (24) into a wall-like member. The cell (20) is useful in application of constructing a habitable temporary living housing or shelter for victims arising out of a catastrophe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Gevorg Avetisyan
  • Patent number: 6593554
    Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
  • Patent number: 6476361
    Abstract: A heater unit mounted on a tray utilizes a PTC heater 100 having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and a sheet heater 200 superposed thereto. The PTC heater 100 includes PTC members 150 buried within an insulating substrate 130, and on both sides of the PTC members are placed copper foils 120, 122 functioning as electrodes. When the PTC heater 100 is heated up to a preset temperature, the electric resistance of the heater is increased greatly, and the heating is stopped, maintaining the preset temperature. The sheet heater 200 contributes to reduce the time the heater needs to rise to the preset temperature during initial startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kasai, Shuntaro Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20020066723
    Abstract: A heater unit mounted on a tray comprises a PTC heater 100 having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and a sheet heater 200 superposed thereto. The PTC heater 100 includes PTC members 150 buried within an insulating substrate 130, and on both sides of the PTC members are placed copper foils 120, 122 functioning as electrodes. When the PTC heater 100 is heated up to a preset temperature, the electric resistance of the heater is increased greatly, and the heating is stopped, maintaining the preset temperature. The sheet heater 200 contributes to reduce the time the heater needs to rise to the preset temperature during initial startup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kasai, Shuntaro Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 6376816
    Abstract: A tubular thin film resistance heater including a substrate (10) having an electrically non-conductive surface on which is deposited a thin film electrical conductor (12), such as tin oxide. A pair of electrical terminals (14, 16), preferably bus bars, are electrically connected at spaced apart locations on the conductor (12), such as at longitudinal spaced opposed ends or at circumferentially spaced opposed edges of the conductor (12). The thin film conductor (12) is molecularly bonded to the substrate (10) for durability and efficient heat transfer. A method of forming a tubular thin film resistance heater also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventors: Richard P. Cooper, Scott A. Cooper
  • 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: 20020033390
    Abstract: The invention discloses a hot plate unit having an outer housing, at least one inner housing within said outer housing, at least one ribbon or radiant heating element within said at least one inner housing, an insulating means around at least one of said heating elements, and a ceramic top on said outer housing. The insulating means preferably is an inner insulating means and an outer insulating means, preferably with a bottom insulating means. In one embodiment, the outer insulating is cylindrical having an inwardly facing shelf at a bottom thereof with a bottom insulating means which is essentially plate-like. In another embodiment, the outer insulating means is cylindrical and with a bottom insulating means which is cup-shaped having a bottom and beveled raised sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Horst Mosshammer Von Mosshaim
  • Patent number: 6323472
    Abstract: A microwave oven (1) comprises an oven cavity (3) containing a rotatable turntable (4) for supporting one or more items to be heated. A radiant electric heater (5) is arranged for location above the turntable (4) and comprises at least one first heating element (6) and at least one second heating element (7). The at least one first heating element (6) overlies only a proportion of the total upper surface area of the turntable (4) such that, in operation, for each complete rotation of the turntable substantially all parts of the upper surface of the turntable are heated for substantially the same duration of time, the at least one first heating element (6) providing a first power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Gavin John Coleman
  • Patent number: 6307186
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for preparing hydrocolloids comprising means heating a container containing a hydrocolloid. The heating means consist of preferably low-power ceramic resistors, insulated on three surfaces transmitting heat only through the top surface in direct contact with a tube square in external cross section and circular in internal cross section of diameter adapted to the diameter of the hydrocolloid cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Jouvin, Frédéric Jouvin
  • Patent number: 6274848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a set of modular table model hot plates for cooking having substantially square or rectangular outlines in plan view, comprising the following features in combination: (a) each hot plate forms a module having one or more sides of the square or rectangular outlines exactly matching one or more sides of one or more other hot plates of the set when placed in close fitting side by side relationship; (b) each hot plate of the set having a vitreous ceramic top covering one or more radiant heating element bodies; (c) said vitreous ceramic tops of the set, when the individual modules are placed side by side with said matching sides in close fitting contact, combine to form a level top surface, interrupted by joint lines of minimal width between the vitreous ceramic tops. A conventional silicone adhesive may be used for bonding the vitreous ceramic top onto the shoulder or flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The Boler Company.
    Inventor: Horst Mosshammer Von Mosshaim
  • Patent number: 6232581
    Abstract: A connection flange for an armored resistance element, particularly for electric ovens, has a plate provided with a plurality of holes for insertion of end portions of the armored resistance element. Minor edges of the plate are extended into at least two profiled flat fins with their sides diverging outwards. The fins are formed during actual stamping of the plate and then are bent at 90° to be inserted into corresponding slots provided in the edges of the oven, after which they are twisted to prevent their withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: I.R.C.A. S.P.A. Inoustria Resistenze Corazzate E Affini
    Inventor: Andrea Virzi
  • Patent number: 6215108
    Abstract: An electric element mounting system including a housing and at least one heating element. Each element includes a frame having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, a heating coil and a wire terminal for electrically and mechanically coupling the element to the front panel. A substantially planar mounting bracket is located within the housing; the bracket including at least one aperture. The bracket is located within the housing and placed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame so that the distal end is placed through the aperture to mount the element upon the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation, Carrier World Hdqtrs.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butcher, Raymond A. Rust, Jr., David C. Sherrod, Avinash N. Patel
  • Patent number: 6192790
    Abstract: Appliance for grilling a flat slice of food, the appliance being composed of a housing with a slot permitting access to a parallelepiped grilling chamber in the opposite main faces of which are respectively arranged facing each other two heating subassemblies. At least one of the subassemblies having a substantially homogeneous radiation plate heated by heating elements. The radiation face of this plate may be completed by elements which maintain a predetermined spacing of less than 1 centimeter with the slice, this face or this slice being in contact with these spacing elements along surfaces less than 1 millimeter wide. At least one of the subassemblies may be mounted to be relatively displaceable farther and closer with respect to the other in order to be applied to one side and the other of the slice with a predetermined pressure. The plates may be of a material and have dimensions such that they constitute heat storage plates for heating by convection or by radiation at a short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Balandier
  • Patent number: 6184506
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst carrier suitable for use of three-phase alternating current. In the present invention, three catalyst foils are spirally wound and surface contact among the catalyst foils is prevented thereby allowing the catalyst carrier to be connected to a three-phase alternating current source. Each of the catalyst foils is a strip-shaped conductive foil formed of a heat-resistant alloy, and a wavy shape is imparted to the foil. Further, an insulating layer and a catalyst-carrying layer are formed on a surface of the catalyst foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Tohru Shoji
  • Patent number: 6184495
    Abstract: A method prevents ice dams on an outside surface of a slanted roof of a building. The building has an outside wall. The roof extends over and beyond the outside wall in an outward direction. The method includes placing a first heating device between the roof and the outside wall. The heating device extends beyond the outside wall in the outward direction. Heat from the heating device is used to melt frozen precipitation on the outside surface of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6104010
    Abstract: A high efficiency, direct conduction track switch heater (24) and associated spring clamp (70) are disclosed. The heater (24) includes a generally blade-shaped jacket (30) dimensioned for mounting on the gauge side 26 of a fixed rail (16) at the track switch interface. The jacket dimensions reduce the likelihood of impact damage due to track switching while providing an enlarged heat transfer surface (66). The spring clamp (70) presses the heater (24) tightly against the rail (16) while accommodating normal thermal expansions and providing a narrow profile for the overall heater and clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Reichle, William P. Washington
  • Patent number: 6097003
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) supports an electrical heating element (H) which is mounted in an oven (O). When supplied with electricity, the element heats the oven to cook food. During an operating cycle, the heating element expands and contracts along its length. The apparatus comprises a support bar (12) including an elongate plate (16) and bracketry (14) for mounting the plate to an inner wall (T) of the oven. The support bar extends orthogonally of a longitudinal axis of the heating element when the heating element is installed. The plate has spaced openings (18), each of which is sized for a length of the heating element to be fitted in an opening. Each opening comprises a slot one end of which extends into the body of the plate for a portion of the plate to cover the slot. The other end of the slot is open to receive the heating element, the portion of the heating element received in each slot being fitted into the covered end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Markum, Stacy V. Springer, John H. Warner
  • Patent number: 6040557
    Abstract: An air intake for an internal combustion and a heater for use in the air intake includes a mounting flange, a frame coupled to the mounting flange and having a pair of opposed upright walls each defining an upstream face and a downstream face relative to a direction of airflow, a heating element assembly, and coupling means located on or between the upstream and downstream faces for connecting the heating element assembly to the frame and limiting movement of the heating element assembly relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Prust, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6035097
    Abstract: An electrical heating unit, particularly for a hair drier, comprises a first wire heating element, in particular a spiral coil wire heating element (2) having a heat conductor support comprising at least one support plate (4, 5, 6), and a heat conductor winding (7) arranged thereon. This spiral coil wire heating element serves to heat the stream of air flowing through the hair drier. At least one second wire heating element is provided, serving the function of adapting the electrical voltage for a further electrical load, particularly as a series resistor, for a direct-current motor fitted with an impeller to produce the stream of air. The second wire heating element (3) comprises a frame-type heat conductor support (8) and a heat conductor winding (9) arranged thereon which fills the free area of cross section of the heat conductor support (8). Further, the second heating element (3) is secured to the first heating element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Behrendt, Boris Wonka, Wilfried Rolf, Robert Jung
  • Patent number: 6031204
    Abstract: A heater for an internal combustion engine includes a first holder, a second holder and a heating element positioned between the first and second holders. The heater further includes a frame defining a channel. The frame includes a plurality of prongs extending inwardly toward the channel that retain the holders in a first direction relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Prust, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6028295
    Abstract: An improved mounting apparatus for the attachment of a filament heater between electric conduction plates of a space heater device comprises a first electric conduction plate, a second electric conduction plate, a plurality of filament heaters positioned between the electric conduction plates, a plurality of electric conduction rings positioned on opposite sides of each of the filament heaters, and a seat having a receiving trough for receiving the electric conduction plates and the filament heaters therein. Each of the electric conduction plates includes a suitable mounting hole therein. An elastic pressing piece extends around the mounting holes so as to exert a compressing force upon the respective electric conduction rings on the filament heaters. The seat includes suitable pillars that can receive screws so as to secure the electric conduction plates and the filament heaters within the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Chern-Bao Rong
  • Patent number: 6020577
    Abstract: A structure is provided for supporting at least one heating element inside an electric heater housing. To produce the support structure, a web is cut out of a metal sheet that includes a rectangular member, one or more support brackets and a neck portion connecting each support bracket to one side of the rectangular member. The support rail is formed by bending the rectangular along its longitudinal median into an L-shape configuration with a first portion integrally formed with a second portion in a perpendicular relationship. The first portion is secured to the electric heater housing. The second portion extends inwardly in the electric heater housing. The neck portions extend inwardly from the second portion, and are twisted approximately 90.degree. with respect to the support rail. The support brackets extend inwardly from each neck portion. Each support bracket has one or more openings formed therein, each adapted to receive electrical insulating means, such as coil bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Engineering and Equipment Company
    Inventor: Carl E. Barker
  • Patent number: 6002116
    Abstract: There is disclosed an arrangement for mounting a heating coil relative to a supporting wall of a clothes dryer heater housing. An insulator has a main body portion adapted to secure the heating coil relative thereto and a base portion adapted to be seated in fixed relation to the supporting wall. The base portion has first and second flanges which curve downwardly and outwardly from the insulator. The support wall has two raised tab members which are adapted to define between these tab members and the supporting wall a recessed channel for receiving the first flange of the insulator. The supporting wall further has two spaced apart guide members for engagement with opposite sides of the second flange of the base member to prevent relative lateral movement of the insulator. The supporting wall has a pivotably movable locking flange which is pivotable about a crease located between the two guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Maurice St. Louis
  • Patent number: 5925273
    Abstract: An electric multi-stage heater assembly that provides multi-level heating using a plurality of separately controllable heating elements within a housing that is readily interchangeable with standard single-stage heater housings that can be controlled by conventional power switching circuits. The multi-stage heater assembly of this invention has each electric heater element straddling a support member with a portion of the heater element extending from one side to the other to maintain the electrical continuity of the element. The support member has a plurality of cut-outs that provide space for routing the cross over portion of the heater element and sufficient clearance to accommodate the inevitable droop associated with heat cycling electric resistive heater elements. The support member is equipped with a plurality of insulators which support and electrically insulate the heater element. The insulators are arranged to cooperatively rotate within the support member to minimize sagging of the heater elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Sherrill
  • Patent number: 5837972
    Abstract: A hair curling device is made up of one or more heating units which may be plugged into a handle and into each other to make up a heating surface of a selected length. A set of electrodes in the heating units are configured so that a voltage provided by the handle is impressed across a heating resistance within the heating units. Each additional heating unit, when plugged into the handle or a previously installed heating unit, changes the electrode configuration so that the heating current is routed into each new heating unit. A current limiting device is provided so that the temperature of the device is selectable. Heating units of various diameter are provided so that loose or tight curling is made possible by the simple expedient of snapping a different set of heating units into the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Richard P. Padilla
  • Patent number: 5824997
    Abstract: A high efficiency, direct conduction track switch heater (24) and associated spring clamp (70) are disclosed. The heater (24) includes a generally blade-shaped jacket (30) dimensioned for mounting on the gauge side 26 of a fixed rail (16) at the track switch interface. The jacket dimensions reduce the likelihood of impact damage due to track switching while providing an enlarged heat transfer surface (66). The spring clamp (70) presses the heater (24) tightly against the rail (16) while accommodating normal thermal expansions and providing a narrow profile for the overall heater and clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Reichle, William P. Washington
  • Patent number: 5811760
    Abstract: A heating device for water beds comprises a plurality of electrical resistance conductors arranged between a bed frame and a safety foil, means for controlling the conductors in dependence on the desired temperature of a water core locatable under the safety foil, a plurality of ceramic plates arranged so that the conductors are burnt-in the ceramic plates, a bending resistant metal plate having a lower side, the ceramic plates being glued to the lower side of the metal plate by an adhesive having high thermal conductivity, and a base plate having poor thermal conductivity and placeable on the bed frame, the metal plate being arranged on the base plate in a form-locking manner with an air gap for the ceramic plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Vontana Wasserbetten GmbH
    Inventor: Willem Siebelink
  • Patent number: 5808279
    Abstract: An improved construction panel, in particular for ovens to be used in heating stations of thermoforming apparatus, comprises two separated portions, that is: a front portion (2) provided with heating elements; and a rear portion (3) holding the related power supply electric cables. The panel allows to reduce the thermal losses toward the rear of the construction thereof, so as to prevent the electric cables from being overheated and so as to prevent damages to the maintenance operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: R.I.G.O. Group S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio De Nichilo
  • Patent number: 5804797
    Abstract: A PTC planar heater according to the present invention is produced by bonding one or a plurality of PTC ceramic sheets, each having a pair of electrodes formed on the surface thereof, to an insulator. The electrode pairs are electrically connected in parallel by lead wires. An insulating elastic layer covers the electrodes to prevent warpage, electrical leaks, and shorting. A thickness of the PTC ceramic sheets equal to or greater than 0.5 mm prevents warpage. Resistance is adjusted by cutting conductive paths in the electrodes or by connecting predetermined portions of the electrodes. Further, in a PTC planar unit according to the present invention, a PTC thermistor element having a pair of electrodes formed thereon is in direct contact with one side of an insulation substrate, and a insulation substrate is mounted to the other side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Tungsten Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kaimoto, Osamu Nakano, Masanori Saito, Koichi Inenaga
  • Patent number: 5781692
    Abstract: A heater assembly for a vapor deposition apparatus is able to achieve extended operating life in the Oxygen rich low pressure high temperature atmosphere even though employing commercially available quartz lamps to generate heat. Multiple quartz lamps (1) are individually held in a socket-less support (3). The rigid lamp terminals (22 & 24) are connected to respective lengths of flexible stranded wire (30 & 28) by an INCONEL crimp insert (32 & 34), forming cables through which the lamp is connected in electrical circuit and that effectively isolate the lamp terminals from the physical effects of relative thermal expansion between heater assembly elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Mark K. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5756971
    Abstract: Proposed is a heater arrangement for a measuring sensor for determining components in gases, particularly in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. The heater arrangement comprises at least two heating elements (10, 11) which are disposed at least partly one above the other and electrically insulated from one another by means of at least one insulating layer. A contacting member (14) laid through the insulating layer from one heating element (10) to the other heating element (11) is provided in such a manner that the heating elements (10, 11) are switched in series one behind the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Hipp
  • Patent number: 5748837
    Abstract: A heater assembly for supporting and energizing a plurality of heating lamps which includes a socket assembly which supports each of the lamps at a base portion thereof, provides power to effect energization of the lamps, and provides a directional flow of cooling fluid which is forced into close proximity to the base portions of the lamps to effect cooling of the base portions of each of the lamps. The cooling fluid is directed into a manifold disposed in the socket assembly in which each of the base portions of the lamps are disposed and is forced from the manifold through exit passageways disposed contiguous to the base portions of the lamps to force the cooling fluid into close proximity with the base portions of the lamps to efficiently cool the base portion of the lamp and assure long lamp life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Process Technology Inc
    Inventors: Richard A. Lokar, Dennis J. Rezabek
  • Patent number: 5692291
    Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi, Patrick H. Hayes, Bernard C. Laroy, Donald E. Miser, William H. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5651905
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new heating device for an appliance such as a coffee urn. Such device has a main heating element and a spaced-apart warming element, both of which are embedded in a common casting. The device may be mounted to and removed from an appliance as a single unit and when mounted, the main heating element is closer to the liquid container than the warming element. The elements are vertically spaced from one another and each element has flattened coil portions contacting one another. Such flattened portions minimizes the height of the device. The new device also has one or more "mounting points" for attaching auxiliary components such as a grounding wire and a thermostat, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Thies, Stephen A. Bender
  • Patent number: 5619613
    Abstract: A heating chamber for maintaining processed foods warm for extended periods while not sacrificing food quality or causing a secular change in the chamber's insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Chizuko Otaki
  • Patent number: 5598502
    Abstract: A heater for heating a liquid in which the electrical contact between a PTC thermistor and electrode plates is surely realized, and the thermal coupling and the thermal efficiency are excellent. In a case 1, an internal space 13 has an opening 14 at one side portion, and the whole of the periphery of the case is closed except the opening 14. A pair of electrode plates 21 and 22 have projections 211 and 221 on faces 212 and 222, and are housed in the internal space 13 of the case 1 in such a manner that their other faces 223 are opposed to heat radiating faces 11 and 12. The PTC thermistors are disposed between the electrode plates 21 and 22 in such a manner that projections 211 and 221 are contacted with the electrodes 32 and 33, respectively. Thermal conductive fillers 41 and 42 made of a resin are charged between the electrodes 32 and 33 of the PTC thermistors 3 and the electrode plates 21 and 22 so as to fill the gaps which are formed by the projections 211 and 221.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Takahashi, Makoto Ono