With Heating Unit Structure Patents (Class 219/538)
  • Patent number: 7196295
    Abstract: A heater system is provided with a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source. Furthermore, a heater system using a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller for a specific application of a hot runner nozzle in an injection molding system is provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Fennewald, William A. McDowell, III, Kevin Ptasienski, Louis P. Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7186951
    Abstract: Sensor structure of a flow body protruding into a current for carrying out measurements of flow states, containing a structural part (1) with at least two measuring orifices (5), to which transfer lines (7) are coupled, which guide the flow medium from the measuring orifices (5) to a pressure converter system (13) for the purpose of determining the flow states. The outer shell (3) of the structural part (1) contains two areas (21, 22), which are arranged behind each other viewed in the direction of flow, wherein the first area (21) has greater thermal conductivity than the second area (22). Within the first area (21) heating elements (31) are arranged on the structural part (1), and are connected with a temperature control circuit with the temperature on the surface of the first area (21) as a control variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Zippold, Horst Odebrecht, Roland Lang, Ronald Gerbig, Heinz Meister, Manfred Palik, Hermann Wandel
  • Patent number: 7157670
    Abstract: Improved adhesion, electrical connection, and thermal connection between an electrical heater and a wax motor element are obtained by using multiple zones of different adhesives optimized for different properties. The location of the zones and the area of the zones may be a controlled to effect a trade off between different properties and to limit the expression of the conductive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Bargholtz, Brian A. Stelloh
  • Patent number: 7138604
    Abstract: A sensor may comprise a first electrode and a second electrode in mutual ionic communication with an electrolyte, a first socket disposed near a rear portion of a sensor element, a first lead disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and in physical contact with the first socket and configured for electrical communication with a first terminal element, a second socket disposed near the rear portion of the sensor element, and a second lead disposed in electrical communication with the second electrode and in physical contact with the second socket and configured for electrical communication with a second terminal element. The first socket is disposed through at least one of an edge and an end of the sensor element, and the second socket is disposed through at least one of the edge and the end of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaius K. Polikarpus, Walter T. Symons, Charles Scott Nelson, Rick D. Kerr
  • Patent number: 7132628
    Abstract: A layered heater is provided with a resistive layer having a resistive circuit pattern, the resistive circuit pattern defining a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness varies along the length of the resistive circuit pattern for a variable watt density. The present invention also provides layered heaters having a resistive circuit pattern with a variable thickness along with a variable width and/or spacing of the resistive circuit pattern in order to produce a variable watt density. Methods are also provided wherein the variable thickness is achieved by varying a dispensing rate of a conductive ink used to form the resistive circuit pattern, varying the feed rate of a target surface relative to the dispensing of the ink, and overwriting a volume of conductive ink on top of a previously formed trace of the resistive circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ptasienski, James McMillin, Thomas T. Nagl, Rolando O. Juliano
  • Patent number: 7132629
    Abstract: Lightweight heat-conducting plates of compressed expanded graphite material have layer planes which are preferably disposed so as to be parallel to the surface so that heat conduction in a lateral direction is preferred to heat conduction perpendicular to the plate plane. The heat-conducting plates are suitable for the transmission of heat of floor-heating, wall-heating, ceiling-heating and other flatly disposed heating systems and air-conditioning ceilings, for the transmission of heat and the dissipation of heat in buildings, automobiles, machines, installations and containers. The heat-conducting plates are dimensionally stable without the addition of binder and aggregates and can be produced in a continuous process. A composite component having at least one heat-conducting plate and a method for production of heat-conducting plates are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Werner Guckert, Richard Neuert, Wolfgang Kienberger, Christian Kipfelsberger
  • Patent number: 7126094
    Abstract: A heater that includes a substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material having a first end and a second end, a first electrical conductor electrically connected to the first end of the substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material, a second electrical conductor electrically connected to the second end of the substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material, and an electrically insulating material surrounding the substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material and electrically insulating the first end of the substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material from the second end of the substantially flat layer of electrical resistance material. The heater may be mounted to a surface of a fluid component and used to heat the fluid component, and where the heater includes an aperture that extends through the electrically insulating material, the heater may be placed between a fluid component and a fluid substrate and used to heat both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bower, Roger Dean Chase
  • 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: 7105782
    Abstract: An electrothermal article including a fabric member defining an inner space. A connector is disposed outwardly of the inner space in the fabric member and has conductive first and second terminals. A plurality of elongated flat heating elements is disposed in the inner space in the fabric member. Each of the elongated flat heating elements has first and second end portions. The first end portions of the elongated flat heating elements are grouped into a first bundle and are connected electrically to the first terminal of the connector. The second end portions of the elongated flat heating elements are grouped into a second bundle and are connected electrically to the second terminal of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Yue
  • 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: 7064301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric heater, which electrically and mechanically protects heating means from the outside, increases heating value and thermal conductivity by increasing contact efficiency among components, and improves assembly efficiency and productivity. The electric heater includes: a plurality of radiation members, each having a radiation fin and a radiation fin supporting plate surrounding the radiation fin and formed integrally with the radiation fin by brazing; a plurality of flat tubes arranged between the radiation members and having heating means therein for generating heat when electric power is supplied; first and second support frames oppositely arranged at sides of the outermost radiation members for supporting and fixing the radiation members and the flat tubes; and first and second caps for supporting both end portions of the first and second support frames and both end portions of the flat tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Incheol Han, Kilsang Jang, Dosik Min, Wonhoe Kim
  • Patent number: 7049556
    Abstract: A heating device at least having an electrically insulating film formed on a surface of a substrate, a heating member formed on the electrically insulating film, and a protection film formed over the electrically insulating film and the heating member, the electrically insulating film and the protection film containing a silicon nitride film having a silicon cont ent in excess of an elemental ratio of silicon to nitrogen of 3:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Aoki, Kazuhiro Karatsu
  • Patent number: 7034259
    Abstract: A self-regulating positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater assembly and a method of manufacturing the heater assembly are disclosed. The PTC heater assembly includes at least one PTC heating element and a pair of spaced electrodes. Each electrode includes a first side, the first sides of the pair of electrodes being spaced from one another, wherein the at least one PTC element is located between, supported by and energized by the pair of electrodes. The at least one PTC element is oriented approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the pair of spaced electrodes. An electrically insulative and thermally conductive interface pad is interposed between and contiguous to the first side of at least one of the pair of electrodes and a wall of the PTC element. A pair of power leads, one being connected to each of the pair of electrodes, energizes the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Tom Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Lokar, Richard Lokar, Nathan Lucas
  • Patent number: 7009155
    Abstract: The far-infrared heating device has a far-infrared element and two pieces of cloth. The far-infrared element has a wire grid and two membranes. The wire grid is connected to a power supply. When electricity is fed to the wire grid, the wire grid generates heat that passes through the membranes, and the heat becomes far-infrared rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Cheng Fan
  • Patent number: 7002116
    Abstract: A baking method for heating an object (an inner pipe, an outer pipe) having a vacuum layer formed therein to remove gas molecules occluded in the object, wherein the object itself is made to be a heat production element for heating. By making the baking object a heat production element, the object can be heated directly and the heating can be energy-efficient. Moreover, additional heating means such as a heater or gas is unnecessary, which enables simplification of a configuration of a baking device. Therefore, a baking method is obtained which enables energy-efficient heating and, in particular, uniform heating of a long or large object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michihiko Watanabe, Yoshihisa Takahashi, Terumitsu Aiba, Kimiyoshi Matsuo, Shoichi Honjo, Tomoo Mimura
  • Patent number: 6998576
    Abstract: The electrically heated hand grip includes a hand grip, a heating member disposed within the hand grip, an end cap assembly removably attached to the hand grip, and an electrical switch coupled to a power source for controlling the supply of current to the heating member. The end cap assembly includes a receptacle for receiving the power source and an electrical connecting means. The end cap assembly may include a light-emitting diode and a charging means. In an alternative embodiment, the electrically heated hand grip includes a resilient strip having a heating member attached to an interior surface of the resilient strip to form a heating strip. The heating strip is spirally wrapped about a grip-receiving portion of a shaft. An end cap assembly is coupled to the end of a shaft to secure a portion of the heating strip. The heated hand grip can include a sleeve which is inserted on the end of a shaft and the heating strip is spirally wrapped about the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Vaughn Joseph Marquis
  • Patent number: 6979805
    Abstract: A thermally efficient resistive heater assembly for heating a source substance for generation of gas has a chamber for containing the source substance, a thin resistive heating element suspended across an aperture and disposed for immersion in the source substance, and conductive traces electrically coupled to the thin resistive heating element. The resistive heater assembly may be fabricated by a specially adapted method including providing a first substrate layer, bonding to it a second substrate layer, the second substrate layer bearing the resistive heating element and conductive traces, bonding to that an optional hydrophobic layer if necessary, and bonding to the previous layer a top layer. At least one of the layers may include manifolding for the gas. All or part of the fabrication method may be performed as a reel-to-reel process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan R Arthur, Heather Edmonds
  • Patent number: 6963050
    Abstract: A paver having a paving screed and at least one working component which is heated by at least one electric heating element and a smoothing plate, with the heating element being secured in heat tampering condition at a heating area of the working component. The heating element is a planar heating element with at least one heating coil being a heating conductor which is wound in a spiral around a planar carrier, and the peripheral form of the carrier material and/or the winding density or the winding course of the heating conductor is adapted to produce a predetermined heating picture in the heating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Joseph Voegle AG
    Inventor: Michael Heindtel
  • 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: 6911627
    Abstract: A heating element device has a laminate of a plurality of heating element plates, each of the heating element plates having an insulator and a resistor, which is capable of generating heat upon the supply of electric power, provided on the insulator. The plurality of heating element plates are each independently controllable with respect to energization. The heating element device also has a temperature detection plate having an insulator and a resistor, capable of undergoing a change in resistance value upon a change in temperature, provided on the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Oguma, Nobutaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6774344
    Abstract: The process of adhering asphaltic roofing tiles to a roof deck by covering the tiles on the deck with a heat blanket capable of generating a temperature of at least the cure temperature of the tiles thereby sealing the tiles to the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Geoff Trowbridge, Tommy Rodrigues, Dave Mastropasqua
  • Publication number: 20040149734
    Abstract: An alternating electric field is applied to ice (530) to generate a resistive AC having a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice at interface (554). A first electrode (510) and a second electrode (514) proximate to the interface are separated by an electrical insulator (512). An AC power source (520) provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes to create the alternating electric field. A portion of the capacitive AC associated with the alternating electric field is present in the interfacial ice as conductivity (resistive) AC, which causes dielectric loss heating in the interfacial ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles Sullivan, Lev Deresh
  • Publication number: 20040112892
    Abstract: A system and method for heating materials is provided. Generally, the system contains a first layer upon which a material may be placed for heating the material, wherein the first layer has sufficient conductivity to allow heat to travel through the first layer. The system also contains a heater layer provided on the first layer, which is capable of providing heat to the first layer for heating the material. In addition, the system has an insulator layer for protecting the heater layer from contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Richard C. Abbott, Gary P. Magnant, Samuel L. Winebaum, Richard S. Combs
  • Publication number: 20040094536
    Abstract: A MoSi2 arc-shaped heater formed in a continuous waveform, characterized in that U-shaped heater members having parallel parts are connected alternately to each other at the end parts, and the parallel faces of the U-shaped heater members have an angle relative to each other and an arc-shaped face with a specified curvature in a connecting direction, wherein a large number of parallel U-shaped heater members having heating parts are connected to each other and welded so that the heater can have a generally arc-shaped curved surface to install the heater onto the inner wall of a heating furnace, whereby the arc heater having an excellent joining strength and capable of being manufactured stably, and a method and a device for manufactured the heater can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takamura, Daisuke Takagaki
  • 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: 6694975
    Abstract: A portable air temperature controlling device useful for warming air surrounding an aerosolized drug formulation. Warming the air of an aerosol makes it possible to reduce the diameter of aerosol particles produced by an aerosol generation device. Additionally, warming the air forces the diameter of the aerosol particles to be in the range required for systemic drug delivery independent of ambient conditions. Smaller particles can be more precisely targeted to different areas of the respiratory tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schuster, Joan Rosell, Avi Eliahu, Christopher J. Flaim
  • Publication number: 20030218007
    Abstract: A heating system for warming and drying the grip of a golf club includes an electric heating element and a first electrical connector for the grip, and a second electrical connector and a power supply for the golf bag. The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector electrically engage when the golf club is inserted into the golf bag, thereby energizing the electric heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Cornell
  • Publication number: 20030180034
    Abstract: A carbon wire heating element sealing heater is provided. Therein, a carbon wire heating element using carbon fibers is sealed in a quartz glass member, wherein absorption water quantity of the carbon wire heating element is 2×10−3 g/cm3 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicants: TOSHIBA CERAMICS CO., LTD., TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takanori Saito, Hiroshi Mori, Akira Otsu, Norihiko Saito, Hiroyuki Honma, Eiichi Toya, Tomio Konn, Tomohiro Nagata, Ken Nakao, Kazutoshi Miura, Harunari Hasegawa, George Hoshi, Katsutoshi Ishi, Sunao Seko
  • Patent number: 6613285
    Abstract: A CHTS reactor plate has wells that can be individually heated. The reactor plate includes a substrate with an array of reaction wells and a ferromagnetic material included with the substrate. A CHTS method provides a reactor plate having a substrate with an array of reaction wells and a ferromagnetic material responsive to the application of an electric field included with the substrate. The electric field is energized to control temperature in the proximity of at least one of the reaction wells. Another method comprises providing a reactor plate comprising an array of reaction wells and depositing a ferromagnetic object within at least one of the wells. The object is responsive to the application of an electric field. An electric field is then energized to control temperature in the reaction well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Claude Carnahan
  • Patent number: 6597863
    Abstract: A device for keeping a portion of a body of water free from ice includes a heating element and a buoyant enclosure to contain the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: James Donald Koskey, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030106884
    Abstract: An electrical heating device of low electromagnetic wave effect comprises a power wire connected to a power source and a corresponding heating wire connected in series to the power wire. Said heating wire and said power wire each have two ends, one of the ends of said heating wire and one of the ends of said power wire being connected in series and the other one of the ends of said heating wire and the other one of the ends of said power wire being connected to said same power source, and said heating wire and said power wire being in spaced arrangement at a predetermined distance. The electrical heating device further comprises an insulator for providing a common spaced arrangement of the heating wire and the power wire inside the insulator. According to such structure, the present invention can effectively offset the electromagnetic wave and thereby lower the overall electromagnetic wave effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Meng Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 6552311
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed chamber, including preparing two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members which face each other, forming at least one extending groove portion on a surface to be metal-bonded of one of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, wherein the groove portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure, forming at least one corresponding extending protruding portions on a surface to be metal-bonded of the other of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, where the protruding portion extends in a manner to make a corresponding enclosure, forming an extending convex portion outside the groove portion and/or outside the protruding portion, wherein the convex portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure, and receiving internally packaged parts therebetween, inserting the at least one extending protruding portion into the at least one corresponding extending groove portion and fitting the extending convex portion, and causing the at least one ext
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6524018
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light source, a support member and a receptacle. The support member is made of plastic, forming a first junction surface. The light source is contained in the support member. The receptacle is made of metal or plastic forming a second junction surface. The receptacle is attached to the support member with the second junction surface positioned on the first junction surface. A resistance wire is positioned in the support member surrounding the aperture and proximate the first junction surface. Two terminals of the wire extend outside the support member for being coupled to an external power source. To assemble the optical assembly, the receptacle and the support member are mounted in an aligning apparatus which operates to adjust the relative position between the receptacle and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Yung Wang, Hung Lun Chang, Hsiang-Jui Wang
  • Publication number: 20030015520
    Abstract: A PTC heater mainly comprises PTC ceramic sheets and cooling fins, and it comprises an inner support in which the PTC sheets are disposed, two electrode plates being disposed on both sides of the support and the PTC sheets to abut against the PTC sheets tightly, the cooling fins being disposed at the exterior of the electrode plates, insulating plates being mounted between the cooling fins and the electrode plate, in the interior of upper and lower ends of the two cooling fins, corresponding clamping grooves being formed through which the two cooling fins are clamped together, and elastic rods being inserted in the clamping grooves. Mechanical clamping method is adopted. The fitting structure of the elastic rod and the clamping grooves of cooling fins has taken the place of the traditional gluing structure, so the problem of aging of the silica gel and the lowering of power in traditional products is solved thoroughly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Guomo Jiang
  • Patent number: 6492629
    Abstract: A heating element (10) having a first bus wire (12) and a second bus wire (14) and a plurality of flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the first and second bus wires (12, 14), the flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the within parallel zones (30), to make up modules (31), which may be attached together or cut to length so that the overall length of the heating element (10) may be varied thereby. The heating element may be self-regulating. Also a self- regulating regulating heating element (60) having a plurality of PTC heating elements (62) and at least one conductive pathway (68) which is interposed between two of the PTC heating elements, and forming a series circuit between said first and second bus wires (12, 14). Also a self-regulating heating device (100) having first and second layers (104, 106) of material, at least one of which is PTC material interposed between a first electrode (102) and a second electrode (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Umesh Sopory
  • Patent number: 6485228
    Abstract: A method for recovering a liquid substance such as fuel oil from ships sunk or stranded due to marine accidents and from storage facilities by more easily heating the liquid substance to reduce its viscosity, and a device for recovering liquid substance. A working coil (2) is applied to the inner bottom plate (7) of a conductive tank (6) in contact with the liquid substance to be recovered, a high-frequency current is supplied to the working coil (2) from a high-frequency inverter unit (3) to heat the inner bottom plate (7) itself by induction heating and the liquid substance is reduced in viscosity by the heating for recovery via a recovery pipe (5) connected to a pump (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Nippon Salvage Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6475606
    Abstract: The present invention has for its object to inhibit decrease in Young's modulus at high temperature without compromise in various other characteristics such as heat conductivity. The present invention is directed to a ceramic board for semiconductor manufacture and inspection comprising a conductor layer internally or on the surface thereof which is composed of nitride ceramics containing oxygen and 0.1 to 50 ppm (wt.) of Si.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Niwa
  • Publication number: 20020139788
    Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc torch and method of fabricating the same are disclosed, and wherein the electrode comprises a copper holder defining a cavity in a forward end. An emissive element and separator assembly is positioned in the cavity, and no brazing materials are used to secure the components of the electrode. The emissive element, separator, and metallic holder are heated to accelerate diffusion bonding between the emissive element and separator, and between the separator and metallic holder. A crimping process is also disclosed for further strengthening the electrode and increasing the operational life span thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: The ESAB Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. McBennett, Rue Allen Lynch, Tommie Zack Turner
  • Publication number: 20020136545
    Abstract: A device for keeping a portion of a body of water free from ice includes a heating element and a buoyant enclosure to contain the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: K & H Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James Donald Koskey
  • Publication number: 20020113064
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed chamber, including preparing two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members which face each other, forming a first extending convex portion on a surface to be metal-bonded of one of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, where the first convex portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure, forming a second extending convex portion on a surface to be metal-bonded of the other of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, where the second convex portion extends in a manner to make a corresponding enclosure, and receiving internally packaged parts therebetween, fitting the first extending convex portion and the second extending convex portion, and causing the first extending convex portion and the second extending convex portion to be metal-bonded by press-forging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Katsumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20020113063
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed chamber, including preparing two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members which face each other, forming at least one extending groove portion on a surface to be metal-bonded of one of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, wherein the groove portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure, forming at least one corresponding extending protruding portions on a surface to be metal-bonded of the other of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, where the protruding portion extends in a manner to make a corresponding enclosure, forming an extending convex portion outside the groove portion and/or outside the protruding portion, wherein the convex portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure, and receiving internally packaged parts therebetween, inserting the at least one extending protruding portion into the at least one corresponding extending groove portion and fitting the extending convex portion, and causing the at least one ext
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Katsumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6410172
    Abstract: An article with an chemical vapor deposition (CVD) aluminum nitride coating is disclosed. The article is a heating element, wafer carrier, or electrostatic chuck. The article has a substrate made of a nitride of aluminum or boron, and further has one or more graphite elements for resistance heating or electromagnetic chucking or both. A pyrolytic boron nitride layer may be provided between the substrate and the CVD aluminum nitride coating, and may either encompass or exclude the graphite element or elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Ceramics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael H. Gilbert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6396033
    Abstract: An electrical heater is provided which includes a housing having an internal bore. A hot core is arranged in the internal bore of the housing. The hot core is made of an insulating material and has a plurality of passages extending therethrough. A resistance wire extends through the plurality of passages in the hot core. A hypo tube is connected to each end of the resistance wire. The heater also includes a cold core that is arranged in the internal bore of the housing. The cold core is made of an insulating material and has a pair of passages through which the hypo tubes extend. A pair of lead wires are provided each of which is connected to a respective one of the hypo tubes for connecting the hypo tubes to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fast Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Renwick, Gus G. Savvas, Matt Hummel, Russell B. House
  • Patent number: 6393213
    Abstract: A thermostatic heater device for liquids, in particular for the water of aquariums, comprising within a tubular casing: a rigid support (2) constructed of electrically insulating, heat-conducting material, at least one layer of electrically insulating, heat-resistant flexible film (14) wound about said tubular support, at least one resistive element (16) arranged on a dielectric film wrapped about said first flexible film, a layer of a second electrically insulating, heat-resistant flexible film (14) wound about said dielectric film already wrapped about said layer of first flexible film, means (22) for connecting said resistive element to the electrical supply, and hydraulic sealing means (4, 6) between said tubular support (2) and said casing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hydor S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valerio Bresolin
  • Patent number: 6376815
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed chamber and the method of manufacturing same, which comprises the steps of: (a) preparing two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members which face each other; (b) forming at least one extending groove portions on a surface to be metal-bonded of one of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, which groove portion extends in a manner to make an enclosure; (c) forming at least one corresponding extending protruding portions on a surface to be metal-bonded of the other of the two aluminum or aluminum alloy material members, which protruding portion extends in a manner to make a corresponding enclosure; and (d) receiving internally packaged parts therebetween, inserting the at least one extending protruding portions into the at least one corresponding extending groove portions so as to be fitted, and causing the at least one extending protruding portions and the at least one extending groove portions to be metal-bonded by press-forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20020027132
    Abstract: A heater for fluids, the heater comprising a conduit having a wall and a surface, the conduit being configured to convey a fluid. In one arrangement, the conduit surface is roughened to mechanically secure a coating thereto. A conductor, configured to be electrically resistive and to extend over at least a portion of a roughened surface, and to adhere thereto throughout variations in operational temperatures thereof. The heater provides a clean, particle-free, non-reactive, non-trapping, ultra-pure, thermally tolerant, sealed system. The system maintains process fluids clean, even upon system failure, at contaminant levels below parts per billion, or even parts per trillion. In one arrangement, the heater comprises a quartz conduit with an electroless nickel plating of an engineered thickness on an external surface forming a resistive heater. The resistive heater conducts thermal energy through the wall of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Steven A. Black
  • Publication number: 20020000007
    Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a substrate to heat the substrate which in turn heats the water flowing through the heating chamber. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Pittman
  • Publication number: 20010045425
    Abstract: A fully submersible immersion heater having reduced dimensions. The immersion heater includes a waterproof housing, an electric heating element, a thermostat, an end cap, a temperature control, a power cable and a sheath. The waterproof housing has an opening at one end. The electric heating element, which generates a heat output, is placed inside of the housing. The thermostat is also placed inside of the housing. The thermostat is electrically connected to the heating element for regulating the heat output of the heating element. The end cap sealingly engages the opening in the housing to form a watertight seal between the end cap and the opening in the housing. The end cap has a first conduit and a second conduit that extend through the end cap from a first surface of the end cap outside of the housing to a second surface of the end cap inside of the housing. The temperature control, which controls the thermostat, is seated adjacent to the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Jean Luc Pauli
  • Patent number: 6274853
    Abstract: A heating resistor containing RE2O3 (where RE represents a rare earth element) in a predetermined amount. The mole ratio of residual oxygen to RE2O3, the amount of residual oxygen being expressed on an SiO2 basis and being obtained by subtracting the amount of oxygen contained in RE2O3 from the total amount of oxygen, falls within a predetermined range. A crystal phase of disilicate or melilite serves as a predominant phase of grain boundaries. The heating resistor contains a conductive component, such as WC or TiN, which contains one or more elements selected from among Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W. The heating resistor is embedded in a substrate, yielding a ceramic heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sindo Watanabe, Masahiro Konishi
  • Publication number: 20010001060
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho, Gene A. Davis, John P. Willis, Ted Minior, Laura L. Chapman, Mikayla Kob, Sarah D. Oeltjen, Shari Ommert, Alec Mian