With Terminal Or Connector Means (e.g., To External Circuit Means) Patents (Class 219/541)
  • Publication number: 20110139767
    Abstract: Provided is an amorphous silicon (a-Si) crystallization apparatus for crystallizing a-Si into polysilicon (poly-Si), and more particularly, to an a-Si crystallization apparatus for crystallizing a-Si into poly-Si by applying a certain power voltage to a conductive thin film disposed on a substrate including an a-Si layer to generate joule heat, wherein the a-Si formed on the substrate can be crystallized using the same equipment regardless of the size of the substrate. The a-Si crystallization apparatus includes a process chamber, a substrate holder disposed at a lower part of the process chamber, a power voltage application part disposed at an upper part of the process chamber and including a first electrode and a second electrode having a polarity different from the first electrode, and a controller for adjusting a distance between the first and second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Beong-Ju KIM, Ji-Su AHN, Cheol-Ho YU
  • Patent number: 7947932
    Abstract: An open coil electrical resistance heater uses a number of offset insulators to support the coil of the heater. The offset insulators configure the run of coil in a sinusoidal shape to hold the insulators in a more secure manner and reduce vibration and noise generation during heat operation. The sinusoidal configuration of the coil also reduces the problem of shadowing of portions of the resistance wire coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Sherrill, R. Devin Ridley
  • Patent number: 7947933
    Abstract: A ceramic heater comprising a ceramic body, a heat generating resistor buried in the ceramic body, an electrode pad that is electrically connected to the heat generating resistor and is formed on the surface of the ceramic body and a lead member bonded onto the electrode pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Nagasako, Osamu Hamada, Koji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7928341
    Abstract: An electrode unit for detecting whether a seat is occupied or not (occupancy conditions) is embedded in a seat of an automotive vehicle together with an electrically powered seat heater. Both of the electrode unit and the seat heater are flat, and the electrode unit is laminated on the heat heater. The electrode unit is composed of an upper electrode, a lower electrode and an insulating film disposed between both electrodes. The occupancy conditions are detected based on changes in a capacitance between the upper electrode and a member grounded to a vehicle body. To reduce a capacitance between the upper electrode and seat heater and to thereby improve sensitivity of the detection of the occupancy conditions, an alternating voltage that alternates in accordance with an alternating voltage supplied to the upper electrode is supplied to the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ito, Tsutomu Kamizono, Shoichi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7919734
    Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a core material and a ceramic sheet covering the core material, and wherein a side of the ceramic sheet opposite the core material is an outer side of the ceramic heater. A method for manufacturing the ceramic heater includes forming a through hole in a ceramic sheet which is diametrically enlarged from a first surface toward a second surface of the ceramic sheet, forming a via conductor, forming on the second surface a heating portion and lead portion for connecting the heating portion and the via conductor, and covering a core material with the ceramic sheet such that the first surface faces an outer side of the ceramic heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuo Sakurai, Eiji Kakamu
  • Publication number: 20110073585
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for heating a fluid transfer line (L) including at least one pipe and at least two pipe connectors to be heated which are mounted at the ends of the line. This device (1) includes: said connectors (3 and 4), which include at least one first connector (5) at one end (L1) and optionally between two consecutive pipes and a second connector (6) at an end (L2), at least one pair of metal heating elements (141 and 142) for the or each pipe connected to the or each first connector, the pair of heating elements adjacent to the second end being further connected to the second connector, and electrical power supply means (121 and 122) configured to power the first connector at the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: YANN SINAULT, DENIS GODEAU, THIERRY BENARD
  • Patent number: 7910864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a PTC heating element with at least one PTC resistance element which is arranged between two electrically conductive plates in a housing opening of a housing and, with at least one of the electrically conductive plates as an intermediate layer, which is pressed with an initial tension against a heat-emitting element which is held at the housing. With the present invention, a PTC heating element of the type mentioned at the beginning that can be manufactured easily and economically is to be specified. To solve this problem, the present invention further develops the PTC heating element mentioned at the beginning in such a way that attachment tabs arranged on the edge of the housing opening protrude beyond the housing opening and in such a way that the heat-emitting element has tab cuts, behind which the tabs engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Bohlender
  • Publication number: 20110056924
    Abstract: A solar defrost panel has a photovoltaic panel with an integrated electrical defrost system. The electrical defrost system has an electrical heating element that overlays the photovoltaic panel. The electrical defrost system can remove snow, frost and ice from the solar defrost panel and prevent snow, frost and ice from accumulating on the solar defrost panel. The electrical defrost system can have a controller to automatically or manually control operation of the electrical heating element. The controller can be located inside of a building for convenience of the user. The solar defrost panel provides clearing of snow, frost and ice from the solar defrost panel which can allow the photovoltaic panel to operate effectively during winter and in cold climate regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin Park Townsend
  • Patent number: 7891270
    Abstract: A grip includes a grip body to be fitted on a mounting portion. The grip body includes an inner piece, an outer casing mounted on the inner piece, and a resin member fitted on the inner piece so as to be exposed through an opening, such as a hole or a cutout provided in the outer casing. The resin member is inserted in the outer casing so as to be partly exposed through the opening, and the inner piece is then inserted in the resin member fitted in the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Access Corp.
    Inventor: Yumiko Higashi
  • Publication number: 20110036829
    Abstract: [Problems] To produce planar heating elements having high exothermic efficiency and provide energy-saving electric carpets, floor heating, wall surface heating appliances and heaters for thawing on roads and/or roofs or antifogging for mirrors. [Means for Solving] To provide a planar heating element produced by applying, to an insulating substrate or the like, an electrically conductive fine carbon fiber film that is fabricated using an aqueous dispersion of fine carbon fibers in which the fine carbon fibers are evenly dispersed in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicants: HODOGAYA CHEMICAL CO., LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bunshi Fugetsu, Naohiro Tarumoto, Yasuhito Yano, Jun Suzuki, Takayuki Tsukada, Fuminori Munekane
  • Patent number: 7880120
    Abstract: The inventive transparent window pane is provided with a resistive heating coating (2) which extends through a substantial portion of the window pane, in particular on a main view field (A) and is electrically connected to at least two conductor rails (4, 5) in such a way that, when an electric' supply voltage is applied between said conductor rails, a circulating current heats the coating heating field, wherein said heating field comprises at least one semi-resistive area (6) directly contacting at least on e conductor rail (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Lothar Schmidt, Carole Baubet, Marc Maurer
  • Patent number: 7858905
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of a vehicle and a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to a plurality of functional elements associated with the reflective element. The power distributor has a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each functional element of the plurality of functional elements; the plurality of functional elements includes at least two functional elements selected from the group consisting of a dimming device, a heater, and a turn signal. The power distributor has at least one power lead for operative connection of the power distributor to an onboard power supply of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Don S. Rawlings
  • Publication number: 20100294300
    Abstract: To provide a ceramic heater that has high durability by increasing the bonding strength between the lead member and the brazing material, the ceramic heater comprises a ceramic base, a heating resistor embedded in the ceramic base, an external electrode that is disposed on side face of the ceramic base and is electrically connected to the heating resistor, and a lead member brazed onto the external electrodes, wherein the distance between a point in the brazed portion of the periphery of the lead member and a center of the lead member is smaller than the distance between an another point in the brazed portion and the center, in a section of the lead member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lead member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takenouchi
  • Patent number: 7840122
    Abstract: A medicine vaporizer for an inhaler includes a metal louver. The metal louver has a first end and an opposing second end, and defines a louver thickness. The medicine vaporizer also includes first and second electrically conductive pins that define a pin thickness greater than the louver thickness. The first electrically conductive pin includes a first crimping region that is attached to and crimped over the first end. The second electrically conductive pin includes a second crimping region that is attached to and crimped over the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: IntriMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Patrick Hanrahan, Damon Douglas Brink
  • Patent number: 7800021
    Abstract: A heater that may be applied to a substrate. The heater may include a graduating material deposited on at least a portion of a substrate, a resistive material and a thermal barrier dielectric coating. The resistive material may include at least two resistive compositions, wherein the resistivity of the material may be altered by varying the composition in given areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jim Pilavdzic, Stefan Von Buren
  • Patent number: 7777162
    Abstract: A connector closing a heating pipe and a heating apparatus having the connector are disclosed. The connector of the present invention includes a plug unit (110), which conductive members (112) and a plug body part (111), and a socket unit (120), which includes a socket body part (121), having through holes (121a) therein, and second conductive members (122) provided in the socket body part (121). The connector further includes a coupling nut (130) and a coupling screw (140), which connect the plug unit and the socket unit to each other. In the connector having the above-mentioned construction and the heating apparatus having the connector, heating wires and electric wires are securely separated from each other, thus preventing shorts from occurring. Furthermore, a tapered part is formed on the circumferential inner surface of the coupling nut. Thus, when the coupling nut, a radiating pipe (11) and a socket unit are assembled together, the radiating pipe is reliably sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Cheol-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 7769278
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carbon heater. The carbon heater comprises a carbon filament disposed in a tube for serving as a heating element. The carbon filament has support parts integrally formed at the carbon filament while being protruded from the carbon filament in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the carbon filament such that the support parts are supported inside the tube. Consequently, the carbon filament is more stably supported in the tube by the support parts, whereby the service life of the carbon heater is increased, and easy and convenient design and assembly of the carbon heater is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wan Soo Kim, Yang Kyeong Kim, Young Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20100170887
    Abstract: A connector for incorporation into a heater system for inlet struts includes a body having a tapered forward end and an opposite rear end. A plurality of forward electrical terminals are formed on the outer surface of the tapered end. A plurality of rearward electrical terminals are formed on the rear end of the body. The rearward electrical terminals are in electrical connection with the forward electrical terminals. The forward electrical terminals on the tapered end are in electrical contact with a plurality of electrical contacts connected to heating elements formed in a heating mat. The heating mat entirely envelops the connector. The heater mat is formed within a substantially rigid outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip Emerson Alexander, David R. Lyders, John Vontell, George Alan Salisbury
  • Publication number: 20100126985
    Abstract: A heater having a heating element includes a carbon nanotube structure and at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes are electrically connected to the heat element. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Kai Liu, Ding Wang, Kai-Li Jiang, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7714257
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for an arcuate surface in a high temperature environment and associated method of use is disclosed for a variety of applications. This can include, but is not limited to, an injection molding heater assembly having at least one heater and an injection molding heater and nozzle assembly having at least one heater and a nozzle that is in thermal communication with the at least one heater. This at least one electrical connector, having a first electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one first conductive portion on at least one arcuate surface and a second electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one second conductive portion on the at least one arcuate surface, and at least one disconnect mechanism positioned adjacent to the at least one electrical connector and in electrical connection with the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Jim Pilavdzic
  • Patent number: 7714256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating element for heating at least one surface contacted at times by a user, with a plurality of heating conductors or heating conductor sections that are directly or indirectly connected electrically to one another, at least in part by mutual contact, with at least one heating conductor or heating conductor section which, upon exceeding a permissible maximum temperature, at least temporarily loses its electrical conductivity at least in part. It is provided that the electrical resistance of at least two heating conductors or heating conductor sections is dependent at least in part on its mechanical strain, that these heating conductors or heating conductor sections are electrically connected to one another in parallel, and that they are separated from one another at least in sections by a spacing zone in order to prevent electrical connection between them in spacing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 7696455
    Abstract: A ceramic heater is provided that includes a power terminal for connecting a resistive heating element to a power source. An intermediate layer is disposed on an AlN ceramic substrate proximate the resistive heating element. The power terminal is bonded to the intermediate layer by an active brazing material. The intermediate layer is formed of Mo/AlN or W/AlN and has a coefficient of thermal expansion between that of the active brazing material and that of the AlN ceramic substrate so that thermal stress generated in the ceramic substrate can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hongy Lin, Thomas M. Laskowski, Jason E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7683295
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heating element 10 comprising: a single-piece heat-resistant base member 1 with a plate portion 1a in which a heater pattern 3a is formed, a rod portion 1b extending from one surface of the plate portion 1a and in which a current-carrying part 3b is formed, and an end portion 1c at an end of the rod portion 1b on the opposite side of the plate portion la and in which a power-supply terminal 3c is formed; a dielectric layer 2 with insulating property on the surface of the heat-resistant base member 1; a conductive layer 3 with conductive property on the dielectric layer 2, in which the conductive layer 3 is formed as the heater pattern 3a in the plate portion 1a, as the current-carrying part 3b in the rod portion 1b, and as the power-supply terminal 3c in the end portion 1c; and a protection layer 4 with insulating property which covers the surface of the heater pattern 3a and the current-carrying part 3b, in which the dielectric layer 2, the conductive layer 3 and the protection layer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kimura, Takuma Kushihashi
  • Patent number: 7675008
    Abstract: Connector bushings are crimped to the terminal ends of tubular electrical heating elements for heating equipment, particularly equipment intended for use in hazardous environments, e.g. where there is a risk of explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: CCI Thermal Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arbour-Neagoe, Chris Duggan, Eric Anzinger
  • Patent number: 7651666
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals, and refill units for use therewith. Some of these devices have a well facing the heater and a transparent wall to view the use up of the air treatment chemical. Other of these devices have a refill with wells positioned in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Gopal P. Ananth, David P. Mather
  • Patent number: 7645962
    Abstract: This invention relates to a portable grounding mat, and more particularly to a mat specifically designed to protect electrical workers by providing a zone of equi-potential. The mat has a flexible base to which is attached at least one conductive element laid out in a grid pattern. A novel terminal that electrically connects the mat to a power source has an inner core to provide an electrical load path and an outer casing to provide a mechanical load path, resulting in a superior mat design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Dean Loy Krossa, Theodore David Krossa
  • Patent number: 7638737
    Abstract: A ceramic-metal assembly including: a ceramic base; an electrode pad provided on a surface of the ceramic base; a connection terminal for external electrical connection; and a joining portion which joins the connection terminal to the electrode pad. The electrode pad has a first layer which is in contact with the ceramic base and a second layer which is in contact with the joining portion. The first layer contains 20 to 50 vol % of a ceramic component, and the second layer contains a component of the joining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuo Sakurai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Kuniharu Tanaka, Masahito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7635827
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus powered by a detachable electrical control, the apparatus having a cooking surface and a support member hingedly attached to the cooking surface. The support member has a folded position generally parallel to the cooking surface and an extended position generally perpendicular to the cooking surface. A barrier element extends generally perpendicularly from the support member. An inlet port is disposed on the cooking surface, defining an opening, and having a connector sized to fit the detachable electrical control. The inlet port is electrically connected to the heating element and disposed on the cooking surface proximate the barrier element such that the barrier element obstructs the inlet port's connector when the support member is folded under the cooking surface and the barrier element does not obstruct the inlet port's connector when the support member is unfolded and generally perpendicular to the cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Dean Sie, Chevis Watkinson
  • Patent number: 7626146
    Abstract: A heat trace assembly for heating a conduit is provided that comprises at least one preformed heat trace section adapted to be placed around at least a portion of the conduit and a connector secured to the heat trace section. The connector is adapted for coupling the heat trace section to an adjacent heat trace section, and the heat trace section and the connector have mating mechanical features to allow the heat trace section to be quickly connected to and disconnected from the conduit. Additionally, a heat trace junction is provided that preferably defines a cross configuration and comprises a plurality of arms extending from a central portion of the heat trace junction. The plurality of arms are deformable to conform to a junction within a conduit system. Thermal insulation jacket configurations are also provided in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Louis P. Steinhauser, Christopher C. Lanham
  • Patent number: 7619187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous ceramic heating element wherein 0.08 to 1.00 wt % of a foaming agent is added in 99.00 to 99.92 wt % of a mixture of an inorganic material, a binder, a conductive material, a hardener, a bonding agent and a dispersion medium and mixed with the mixture. The bonding strength of porous foam formed in the ceramic heating element is increased, thereby providing an effect that the entire structure is hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventors: Changhee Kim, Taehee Kim
  • Patent number: 7618588
    Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microfluidic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Wah (Phil) Lin, Bob Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090261089
    Abstract: The heating device mainly contains a dual-core heat cable and a control circuit. The dual-core heating cable mainly contains a core, a heating wire winding spirally around the core, a NTC (negative-temperature-coefficient) layer wrapping around the core and the heating wire, a PTC heating wire winding spirally around the NTC layer, and an insulating layer wrapping around the NTC layer and the PTC heating wire. The control circuit monitors the PTC heating wire's current for constant temperature control, and the leakage current through The NTC layer as a second over-temperature protection. As such, the heating device has a superior constant temperature effect and avoids the problem of burning down the heating cable. The heating device therefore has a longer operational life span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: LONG-HUANG CHANG
  • Patent number: 7595464
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infrared ray lamp being small in size and high in efficiency and having high versatility so at to be easily adaptable to various applications, and also provides a heating apparatus that uses the infrared ray lamp; in the infrared ray lamp according to the present invention, plural heating elements made of a carbonaceous substance having high emissivity and large radiation energy are disposed accurately at desired positions and desired angles, and sealed inside a glass tube; a heating apparatus is configured by using this infrared ray lamp as a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Konishi
  • Patent number: 7576306
    Abstract: An electric heating element with radiant tube comprising a radiation pipe (1) and an electric heating element (2, 3) contained in said pipe, wherein the heating element has legs that run to and fro in the pipe, and wherein the heating element is connected at one end of the pipe close to a furnace wall with electric power outlets through which electric current is fed to the element, wherein the element is supported in the pipe by ceramic discs (9) that are provided with through-penetrating holes through which the legs of the elements extend, and wherein two elements (2, 3) are disposed sequentially in said radiation pipe along its long axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Thomas Lewin
  • Publication number: 20090184107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating element (1) with a flat heater resistor (2) and at least two contact regions (4, 4?) that are arranged a distance apart from one another on the heater resistor (2). Provision is made for at least one of the contact regions (4, 4?) to have a stranded wire assembly (6, 6?), which stands in electrically conductive connection with the heater resistor (2) over a relatively great distance (8). The stranded wire assembly (6,6?) is comprised of a plurality of filament wires (9,9?) which are twisted together only loosely such that the stranded wire assembly (6,6?) may be compressed into a substantially flat cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 7564009
    Abstract: The disclosure depicts a spot-warming device, and a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: EZ Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Wilbur Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7560670
    Abstract: A heating element (1) featuring at least two electrodes (5, 5?) for supplying the heating element (1) with current, containing a multitude of heating sections (11, 11?, 11?) that, coating at least one part of a base surface to be heated (4), are arranged between the electrodes (5, 5?) and are connected with them by electrical conduction. The heating element (1) has at least two bundles (9, 9?, 9?, 9?) of heating sections (11, 11?, 11?), with the bundles (9, 9?, 9?) being arranged at a distance from one another to avoid electrical contact between the bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Guenter Lorenzen, Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 7554064
    Abstract: An electrical resistance heater element has a metal tube containing an electrical resistance coil that is electrically insulated from the metal tube by magnesium oxide powder, the coil being bonded to a conductor pin that protrudes from an open end of the tube. The powder is sealed against moisture by placing at least the open end of the tube within a chamber and immersing the open end within liquid silicone. A gas is pumped into the chamber to pressurize the silicone sufficiently to cause some of it to encroach into the powder through the open end of the tube. The heater element is installed within a heat exchanger with the silicone remaining uncured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Gaumer Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie G. Fannin, Jack L. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 7538301
    Abstract: A tubular heating element for heating fluid media, in particular for household appliances, comprising a jacket pipe inside which there is disposed at least one heating coil made of an electrical resistance heating wire and embedded in an electrical insulation material, the heating coil having a first and a second terminal portion by means of which the heating coil is connected to a source of current via at least one connection element at each end, and at least one operating portion extending between the two terminal portions of the heating coil. It is further specified that the diameter of said heating coil increases at at least one terminal portion in the direction of the operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Bleckmann GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Gernot Teufl, Andreas Pleschinger
  • Patent number: 7528350
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for electrical connection between a polymer PTC device and a metal lead element to thereby prevent the problems of the connection by caulking or soldering. For this purpose, the present invention provides a process for producing a connection structure by laser welding, said connection structure having (A) a PTC device (10) including (i) a laminar polymer PTC element (12) and (ii) a metal foil electrode (14) disposed on a main surface of the laminar polymer PTC element (12), and (B) a metal lead element (20) electrically connected to the metal foil electrode. The metal foil electrode (14) has at least two metal layers, one of which, the X-th layer, has laser beam absorption a % that is the lowest among the metal layers of the metal foil electrode (14). The X-th layer is present between a first metal layer (18) of the metal foil electrode and the laminar polymer PTC element (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem KK
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakagawa, Arata Tanaka, Mikio Iimura
  • Patent number: 7514654
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a glass article with a metal member joined thereto in which an electroconductive coating film is formed on at least a part of the surface of the glass article by baking a silver paste that includes Ag particles and a glass frit, a joining plane of the metal member is fixed onto the electroconductive coating film with a lead-free solder alloy containing Sn as a main component, and the lead-free solder alloy contains at least 1.5 mass % of Ag, which prevents the appearance of the electroconductive coating film and the bonding strength from degrading. Furthermore, in the present invention, when using a metal member having at least two joining planes, the total area of the joining planes is set within a range of 37 mm2 to 50 mm2, which allows high bonding strength between the glass article and metal member to be maintained while using the lead-free solder alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Ichiro Okajima, Hideki Watanabe, Kazuo Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090065495
    Abstract: Connector bushings are crimped to the terminal ends of tubular electrical heating elements for heating equipment, particularly equipment intended for use in hazardous environments, e.g. where there is a risk of explosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: CCI Thermal Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arbour-Neagoe, Chris Duggan, Eric Anzinger
  • Patent number: 7498544
    Abstract: A firing furnace having a structure, which prolongs the durability of an insulative member, includes a plurality of heat generation bodies, arranged in the housing, for generating heat with power supplied from an external power supply, a connection member for connecting the external power supply and the heat generation bodies, a fixing member attached to the housing and including an insertion hole for receiving the connection member, an insulative member for sealing the space between the insertion hole and the connection member, and a restriction structure for restricting a flow of gas produced in the housing directed through a gap between the fixing member and the connection member and toward the insulative member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: IBIDEN Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Saijo, Koji Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20090032525
    Abstract: A soil-heating device, particularly for soil covered by a synthetic surface, of the type including a heated film (1). The device includes two sealed and electrically-insulating support sheets (1a, 1b; 1?a, 1?b), between which parallel conducting resistive strips (3,3?) are arranged over the length of the support sheet in pairs, such that, at one end (B) the strips are connected to two electrical supply connectors (L, N) and, at the other end (A), connected to each other by a conducting bridge (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Fernand Scherrer, Jean-Claude Beisser
  • Patent number: 7479620
    Abstract: Disclosed a heater and a method for manufacturing the heater using a PCB process for providing a heater generating heat at a temperature that is proper to use by designing the heater having an accurate resistance using the PCB process on an insulated board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Jae-Sang Park
  • Publication number: 20080290085
    Abstract: A heating cartridge is intended especially for a thermostatic working valve. The cartridge is provided with a resistance wire winding (3), which is wound on a winding support (2) and is embedded in an insulating material filling (5) in a metal sheathing (7). The metal sheathing (7) is provided at one end (6) with a dimensionally stable coupling element (8) manufactured from a plastic, in which connecting lines (17, 18) are arranged, which electrically connect pluggable contact elements, especially pins (9, 10) of a connector plug, to the ends of the resistance wire winding (3). To simplify the manufacture and to obtain a compact design, the connecting lines (17, 18) are rigidly seated in the coupling element (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Andreas SCHLIPF
  • Patent number: 7453052
    Abstract: An electrical distribution apparatus configured to connect a load to a power source is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a distribution conduction path, a thermal sensor in thermal communication with the conduction path, an electrical disconnect, and an airflow generator. The electrical disconnect is connected in series with the conduction path and is configured to isolate the load from the power source on command, the disconnect being in signal communication with the thermal sensor. The airflow generator is in signal communication with the thermal sensor and is arranged to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet. The airflow generator is configured to turn on in response to the thermal sensor sensing a first temperature, and the disconnect is configured to disconnect the load from the power source in response to the thermal sensor sensing a second temperature greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen G. Midgley
  • Patent number: 7449661
    Abstract: A heat trace system (10) is used for heating water to prevent freezing in a conduit (20) while servicing an aircraft positioned at a passenger loading bridge (52). An upstream fitting (26) is attached onto the conduit adjacent to a building structure and a downstream fitting (48) is attached onto the conduit adjacent to the cab of the passenger loading bridge. A coated retractable coiled wire disposed within the conduit and cold lead wires (46) enter through the upstream fitting and leave through the downstream fitting. A low voltage solid state power control box (56) is in communication with the cold lead attached to the coiled wire inside providing regulated electrical energy for heating the coiled wire thus preventing freezing the water within in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Steven D. Bench
  • Patent number: 7446286
    Abstract: A heater strip for use as a heating element in an electric heater is made up of a profiled strip made of a flat metallic material forming a resistor section and of mounting elements extending over one common longitudinal side and they are manufactured as one piece with the resistor section for mounting the heater strip to a support. The strip has a zigzag-shaped structure. The mounting elements are provided only on the flat leg sections of the zigzag-shaped heater strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Electrovac AG
    Inventors: Josef Reithofer, Christian Auradnik
  • Patent number: RE41715
    Abstract: A glazing provided with an electric circuit includes an electrically conducting substrate and a terminal for making electrical connection thereto. The terminal is attached to the glazing by an adhesive, rather than solely by solder, and the electrical connection between the terminal and the substrate is provided by means other than, or additional to, physical contact between the terminal and the substrate. For instance, the adhesive may be electrically conducting, or a soldered joint may additionally be provided if the adhesive is electrically insulating, or of insufficient conductivity for the type of circuit in question. The adhesive may be pre-applied to the terminal, and may be a tack-free adhesive activated or cured by heat. The terminal may be in two parts, with the base part of a standardized design. The glazing is suitable for use in buildings, appliances or vehicles, especially automotive vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pilkington Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Capriotti, Ciro Paudice