Element Embedded Within Or Completely Surrounded By Core, Sheath, Or Support Means Patents (Class 219/544)
  • Patent number: 10323556
    Abstract: An immersion heater including an encapsulated, semi-conductive, heating element. The heating element may be a non-metallic, carbon-based material in the form of a monofilament, a yarn or bundle of semi-conductive fibers which may be twisted, braided fibers or yarns, or the like. The encapsulation may be in the form of a tube of one or more layers of encapsulation material(s) with the heating element inserted therein. Alternately, the heating element may be thermoplastic with semi-conductive carbon additive, and the heating element may be coated with one or more external layers of insulating encapsulation material(s). The encapsulation material may be a rubber or thermoplastic material with sufficient chemical resistance to be immersed in a reservoir of fluid subject to freezing or thickening at low temperatures, such as DEF. The heater may be thermoformed into a predetermined fixed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Saupe, Brian Holt
  • Patent number: 10299344
    Abstract: The invention comprises an infrared source and method of use thereof comprising the steps of: (1) providing a solid state source comprising: an electrically conductive zinc oxide film having a thickness of less than five micrometers and a film of metal oxide particles, the metal oxide particles comprising a mean diameter of less than ten micrometers; (2) passing an alternating, pulsed current through the zinc oxide film, the pulsed current heating the zinc oxide film to greater than 700° C. in less than twenty milliseconds using less than one Watt, which results in a first infrared emission from the zinc oxide film; and (3) heating the film of metal oxide particles, using thermal conduction from the zinc oxide film, to at least 700° C., resultant in a second infrared emission from the film of oxide particles, where the first and second infrared emissions exit the source through an emission side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventors: Davorin Babic, Dragan Grubisic, Alex Kropachev, Arshey Patadia, Viet Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10285220
    Abstract: Various heaters and arrays of heaters that utilize nanostructures or carbon structures, such as nanotubes, nanotube meshes, or graphene sheets, are disclosed. In various arrangements, at least a pair of contacts are electrically coupled with a given nanostructure or carbon structure to pass a current for heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David Schurig, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10257886
    Abstract: A cartridge type heater (10, 20, 30, 40) with a jacket pipe (11, 21, 31, 41) including metal and with an electric heating element (32), which is arranged within the jacket pipe (11, 21, 31, 41). At least one terminal lug (14, 24, 34, 44) is connected in one piece to the jacket pipe (11, 21, 31, 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TÜRK & HILLINGER GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Schlipf
  • Patent number: 10014751
    Abstract: A stator assembly that includes a graphite sheet-like element that has fold(s) so as to define at least two planar sections. The face of one of the planar section abuts a surface of a heat generating location(s) of the stator assembly and a face of another planar section abuts one the tooth or the slot bottom of the stator assembly. Also, a subassembly that includes an electrical machine stator assembly that includes a sheet-like element of a material having high thermal conductivity, wherein a portion of the element abuts the end winding(s) such that the sheet-like element conducts heat to the magnetic core, the stator housing, and/or a winding heat conduction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tsarafidy Raminosoa, Karthik Kumar Bodla, Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie, David Allan Torrey
  • Patent number: 9924564
    Abstract: A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device, includes at least one layer comprising inorganic fibers and a heater in thermal communication with the layer. Also disclose is an exhaust gas treatment device comprising an outer housing, a fragile structure located in the housing and the mounting mat located between the housing and the fragile structure. A method is further disclosed for maintaining and/or increasing the temperature of a substrate of an exhaust gas treatment device comprising providing the mounting mat and transferring heat from the heater to the mounting mat in order to maintain and/or increase the temperature of the substrate and/or the exhaust gas treatment device during the battery mode of a hybrid gas/electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Unifrax I LLC
    Inventor: Amit Kumar
  • Patent number: 9854743
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the moisture of a harvested crop, such as hay, in the pre-compression chamber of a harvesting apparatus, such as a large square hay baler. Measurement at this time provides a highly accurate and reliable moisture reading. The apparatus disclosed includes two or more sensors disposed at separate positions in the pre-compression chamber. The sensors sense electrical conductivity or RF wave transmission through the hay in the pre-compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Harvest Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Roberts, Ryan P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9731486
    Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section in the form of an elongated ring shape, having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Clark, Victor de Leeuw, Wesley C. Fort, Mark A. Gould, Leonard J. Lanier, Laurence B. Saidman, Alexander Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9721822
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic chuck apparatus which is configured of: an electrostatic chuck section; an annular focus ring section provided to surround the electrostatic chuck section; and a cooling base section which cools the electrostatic chuck section and the focus ring section. The focus ring section is provided with an annular focus ring, an annular heat conducting sheet, an annular ceramic ring, a nonmagnetic heater, and an electrode section that supplies power to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Kenji Masuzawa, Toshiyuki Makabe, Mamoru Kosakai, Takashi Satou, Kazunori Ishimura, Ryuuji Hayahara, Hitoshi Kouno
  • Patent number: 9609857
    Abstract: A device and a method to eradicate pests, specifically bed bugs by applying heat. The device includes a bag having an inner surface made of thermoreflective material. Preferably the walls and the bottom of the bag are double layered and at least one heater is inserted in between the double layers. The infested clothing is inserted into the bag and after closing the bag the heater is turned on for a short period of time to increase the temperature to 150-220 F. Once the temperature has been reached the heater is turned off and a minimum temperature of 150 F is maintained in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Todd Nugent
  • Patent number: 9523285
    Abstract: Energy storage systems and methods use medium voltage (MV) electrical heat exchangers to increase the efficiency of the energy storage system and/or reduce emission of pollutants. MV electrical heat exchangers use medium range voltages to heat a fluid, such as a gas or liquid. The heated fluid is used in the energy storage system to either drive a turbine generator directly or indirectly, such as by generating steam to drive the turbine generator. The electricity used to power the MV electrical heat exchangers can be from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind-powered sources, further increasing efficiency of the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: CHROMALOX, INC.
    Inventors: Adam Heiligenstein, Mark Wheeler, Christopher Molnar
  • Patent number: 9486871
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing a heating rod for a vehicle heating apparatus, said method comprising the following steps: arranging at least one PTC element and at least one contact element in a tube, which is formed from sheet metal and is open along a longitudinal side; welding portions of the sheet metal that bear against one another by means of a weld seam running in the longitudinal direction of the tube. This disclosure also relates to such a heating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Giffels, Ralph Waechter, Michael Luppold, Alexander Dauth, Klaus Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9435477
    Abstract: A piping system comprises a resistive heating circuit, a target heating surface, and a thermally conductive substrate adjoin (or abutting) both the heating circuit and the heating surface. The thermally conductive substrate can be composed of aluminum or some other material for heat spreading. A material for heat spreading has a thermal conductivity sufficient to evenly heat a section of the target surface within tolerance requirements of a sensitive application. The even heating can eliminate hot spots and cold spots of a temperature gradient along an axis of the piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Sami Mustafa, Damon R. Wytcherley
  • Patent number: 9291144
    Abstract: A heater of one embodiment of this invention has a resistor having a folded shape, a pair of leads joined to each end of the resistor, an insulating base in which the resistor is buried in the front side thereof and the pair of leads are buried in the rear side thereof, in which the resistor and the leads are overlapped in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the leads at junctions between the resistor and the leads and the rear end of the junction between one end of the resistor and one of the leads is located rearward relative to the rear end of the junction between the other end of the resistor and the other lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Yonetamari
  • Patent number: 9105368
    Abstract: An infrared radiation element includes: a first insulating layer having heat insulating properties and electrically insulating properties; a heating element layer provided on the first insulating layer and configured to radiate infrared radiation when energized; and a second insulating layer provided on an opposite side of the heating element layer from the first insulating layer and having heat insulating properties and electrically insulating properties. The second insulating layer transmits the infrared radiation radiated from the heating element layer. The heating element layer has such a sheet resistance that impedance of the heating element layer matches impedance of space which is in contact with the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nagatani, Yoshifumi Watabe, Koji Tsuji, Masao Kirihara, Takaaki Yoshihara, Hirotaka Matsunami
  • Patent number: 9012811
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a printed circuit board including a top conductive layer; a bottom conductive layer; a plurality of electronic components arranged on at least one of the top conductive layer or the bottom conductive layer; a heater layer interposed between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer and configured to generate and transfer heat to at least one of the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Viasystems Technologies Corp. L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gil White
  • Patent number: 8993935
    Abstract: A heating device (100, 200), which can be arranged at an object (101, 201) to be heated, especially an injection molding die, has an inner jacket surface (111, 211) and an outer jacket surface (112, 212), with a heating element (105, 205) and with a thermocouple (103, 203). The thermocouple (102, 203) has at least one positioning section, in which the cross section of the thermocouple (103, 203) deviates in at least one direction of the cross-sectional area from the cross section of at least one section of the thermocouple (103, 203) located adjacent to this positioning section. The heating device (100, 200) has at least one device for locking this positioning section against displacement in and/or opposite to the direction in which the thermocouple (103, 203) extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Türk & Hillinger GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schlipf
  • Patent number: 8993940
    Abstract: A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Winter, Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
  • Patent number: 8981266
    Abstract: Electrical apparatus such as a heater (2) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) comprises a laminate such as a heater mat (3) and a connector (41-49). The laminate (3) comprises dielectric layers (50-58) and an electrical element such as a heater element (501), and each dielectric layer of the laminate comprises thermoplastic material. The connector (41-49) comprises a ribbon having first and second ends and a metal conductor (413, 423, 433). The ribbon comprises thermoplastic material and its first end (415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485) is embedded in the laminate and is laminated to adjacent first and second ones of the dielectric layers (50-58) of the laminate. Because the thermoplastic material of the ribbon is the same as or is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the first and second dielectric layers, the formation of an undesirable discontinuity at the interfaces between the first end of the ribbon and the first and second dielectric layers is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Martin Lewis, Peter English
  • Patent number: 8981259
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating electronic components on a printed circuit board in low temperature environment includes a printed circuit board, a heating unit, a switch unit, a temperature-sensing unit, an electric power unit, and a control unit. The heating unit, the switch unit, the temperature-sensing unit, and the control unit are fixed connected to the printed circuit board and are electrically connected with the metal lines on the printed circuit board. The heat source is sent to the heat-conducting layer on the printed circuit board through the heat-conducting terminal after the switch unit is conducted by the control unit and the power is sent from the electric power unit to the heating unit. Then, the electronic components are heated with the heat source through the heat-conducting layer, so that the electronic components are in the working temperatures for starting up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mildef Crete Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Sheng Chou
  • Patent number: 8952302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic-coated heater in which the outer surface of a heater rod is coated with ceramic to improve the physical properties thereof including durability, corrosion resistance, and the like, thereby enabling the heater to be used in water or air. The outer surface of the heater rod is coated with a ceramic composition to which an acrylic corrosion resistant wax is added, thereby strengthening the bonding force of the coating layer film, and thus improving the physical properties thereof including durability, corrosion resistance, and the like to enable the heater to be used in water. Therefore, the ceramic-coated heater of the present invention enables high thermal conductivity using less current and reduces energy consumption so that it can be utilized in a wide variety of industrial fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thermolon Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung Kwon Park
  • Patent number: 8952296
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interior lining for vehicles and aircraft having a carrier and a heating layer and an upper layer, wherein the at least one heating layer is arranged between the carrier and the upper layer, and the heating layer and the upper layer are directly or indirectly interconnected, and to a method for producing such an interior lining, wherein at least one heating layer is pre-laminated onto an upper layer to form a layer composite, and the layer composite is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto a carrier, or alternatively, in order to produce such an interior lining, a heating layer is pre-laminated onto a carrier to form a carrier/layer composite, and an upper layer is press-laminated, membrane-laminated or vacuum-laminated onto the carrier/layer composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: NBHX Trim GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hermann, Michael Ewert
  • Patent number: 8952300
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-regulating electrical heating cable comprising: a first power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a second power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a third power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; the first and second power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a first electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and the second and third power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a second electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and wherein, in use, the first, second and third power supply conductors are not physically connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Heat Trace Limited
    Inventors: Neil Malone, Jason Daniel Harold O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20150014302
    Abstract: A ceramic heater wherein in at least one cross section of the ceramic heater orthogonal to the axial direction, a first resistor cross section has no protrusion on a first inner portion of the contour of a first resistor cross section, and has two or more protrusions on a first outer portion of the contour of the first resistor cross section and a method of manufacturing the ceramic heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito IKAI, Ryo SUZUKI, Yutaka SEKIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150014303
    Abstract: A pliable heating device having a flexible electrical heating apparatus, which is operated by a control device and which has at least one flexible heating element that is connected to a flexible support and that has a heating conductor, which is situated in a heating circuit, and a flexible sensor conductor, which is separated from the heating conductor by an intermediate insulation, having a dampable oscillator, which is contained in the control device and is connected to the sensor conductor and whose output signal can be varied as a function of various functional states of the heating apparatus, which functional states are detected by the sensor conductor, and having an evaluation device by which fault states can be detected from the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ralf Köhler, Ernst Merk, Thomas Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 8933373
    Abstract: Provided is a highly durable ceramic heater capable of suppressing development of cracks in a base body resulting from a difference in thermal expansion between the ceramic-made base body and a heat generating element. A ceramic heater of the invention includes a ceramic base body and a heat generating resistor including a heat generation section composed of a bend portion and two rectilinear portions extending from opposite ends of the bend portion, respectively, the heat generating resistor being embedded within the ceramic base body. The two rectilinear portions include inner sides opposed to each other in a transverse section, and the inner sides include recesses in at least a midportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8927910
    Abstract: An electrical heat production device comprising a thin resistive layer sandwiched between a pair of plates having high thermal and electrical conductivity, the stack of layers being insulated around the side surfaces. When a voltage potential is applied across the plates in the disclosed electrical heat production device, an electrical current flows across the resistive layer producing heat within the resistive layer that is conducted through the plates and across the outer surfaces of the plates. A guard heater can be positioned adjacent to one of the outer plate surfaces to bias the heat flow from the resistive layer toward the opposite outer plate surface, such that the apparatus can have a single planar heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Richard Wirtz, Sean Penley
  • Publication number: 20150001206
    Abstract: An electric cartridge type heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) has at least one the tubular metallic jacket (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001), at least one electric heat conductor (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002) arranged in the interior space of the tubular metallic jacket with two ends for electrically contacting the electric heat conductor, wherein the at least one electric heat conductor is electrically isolated from the tubular metallic jacket by an electrically insulating material (103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 903) arranged in the interior space of the tubular metallic jacket (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001). The electric heat conductor is self-supporting. A method is also provided for manufacturing such an electric cartridge type heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Andreas SCHLIPF
  • Publication number: 20150001207
    Abstract: A heater according to the present invention includes a heating element, a pair of lead wires each connected to an end of the heating element, and an insulating base body in which the heating element and the pair of lead wires are embedded. The insulating base body contains a plurality of metal particles around the heating element, the metal particles being separated from the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Akio Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140339217
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating element for a room in a building having a flat support which includes carbon nanotubes and a plurality of contacts, wherein the carbon nanotubes can be excited to infrared emission by connecting an electrical voltage to the contacts. The invention further relates to a method for producing such heating element, the support thereof being attached to a wall of the room. In order to simplify the heating element, according to the invention the support includes a flexible textile material in which the contacts are embedded and to which the carbon nanotubes are applied in an aqueous dispersion and the water is evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Margarete Franziska Althaus
  • Publication number: 20140332522
    Abstract: The cloth-like heater of the present invention has an upper layer 2 in which a plurality of upper layer conducting parts 4 is provided, a lower layer 3 in which at least one lower layer conducting part 6 is provided, and an intermediate heat generation layer 8 that links the upper layer 2 to the lower layer 3 and has electroconductivity, and the most principal characteristic is that a linking string 8a of the intermediate heat generation layer 8 between the upper layer conducting part 4 and the lower layer conducting part 6, to which a voltage is applied, generates heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Miura, Takashi Sunda, Yasuhiro Fukuyama
  • Publication number: 20140326709
    Abstract: A sheet-type ohmic heating element (10) comprises a substrate sheet (12) having applied thereon a layer of PTC material (14) and a protective cover sheet (16) laid over the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet extends beyond the boundary of the layer of PTC material and is affixed to the substrate sheet circumferentially around the boundary of the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet and the layer of PTC material are arranged in non-adhesive contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Driss Chabach, Raphael Bennes, Céline Lemire, Julie Distel, Alain Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8873941
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a tub configured to contain a supply of water and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit provided upon a surface. The first polymer film is electrically insulating and the tub is formed of molded resin and the heater is molded at least partially within the resin. A respiratory apparatus for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes the humidifier. A method of humidifying a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes passing the flow of pressurized breathable gas over a supply of water contained in a tub. The tub is formed of molded resin and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit on a first surface is molded at least partially within the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Nathan John Row, Ronald James Huby, Alexander Virr
  • Patent number: 8870229
    Abstract: A system for connecting hose lines, including a plug-in connector (2) and an electric heating element (36), wherein the plug-in connector (2) has at least one first (4) and one second connection (6) which are connected to one another by a tube (8), and wherein at least one section of the tube (8) can be heated by the electric heating element (36). The electric heating element (36) is embedded into a clamping ring (10) having a gap (12). The tube (8) is pushed through the gap (12) of the clamping ring (10) in such a way that the clamping ring (10) reaches around at least one section of the tube (8) and bears against the tube (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ContiTech Techno-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Stein, Olaf Dehnert, Gunther Daniel
  • Patent number: 8866052
    Abstract: A heating article is provided including a heating element including a first layer of nonwoven fibers mixed with conductive fibers, wherein the layer is divided to include a conductive region and a nonconductive region, wherein the conductive region extends in a co-extensive and co-planar pattern in a majority of the layer, and wherein the conductive region has first and second ends, and a power source removably coupled to the first and second ends. The first layer can include nonwoven fibers mixed with non-metallic conductive fibers. The heating article can also include a second layer superposed with the first layer, wherein the second layer is substantially free of non-metallic conductive fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis-Dang Hoang Nhan, Sudhanshu Gakhar, Thomas Michael Ales, III, Sridhar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20140305930
    Abstract: A heating cable for a heat tracing system. The heating cable includes a cover, at least one RFID device, and a heating element located inside the cover. The RFID device can be positioned on or inside the cover, or within the body of the heating cable. Each RFID device can provide a single function such as identification of the heating cable, location information of the heating cable, temperature sensing, moisture detection or a data logging/export function. Alternatively, a combined RFID device may be used that provides identification, location, temperature sensing, moisture detection, current detection and data logging/export functions in a single RFID device. Information transmitted by the RFID device can be processed to provide temperature sensing, leak detection, monitoring of operational parameters and conditions, and other functions. Operators of the heat tracing system can use the RFID device information to monitor the system status and take corrective action if needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Craig Heizer, Larry Niblett
  • Patent number: 8859942
    Abstract: An insulated conductor heater may include an electrical conductor that produces heat when an electrical current is provided to the electrical conductor. An electrical insulator at least partially surrounds the electrical conductor. The electrical insulator comprises a resistivity that remains substantially constant, or increases, over time when the electrical conductor produces heat. An outer electrical conductor at least partially surrounds the electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ronald Marshall Bass, Robert Guy Harley, Justin Michael Noel, Robert Anthony Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140299592
    Abstract: The ceramic structure of the present invention includes a ceramic substrate, a conductor layer containing a glass component and disposed on a surface of the ceramic substrate, and a brazing filler material covering the surfaces, including the side surfaces, of the conductor layer. A reaction zone of the ceramic substrate, the conductor layer, and the brazing filler material located in a boundary region between the ceramic substrate, the conductor layer, and the brazing filler material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kukino
  • Publication number: 20140263281
    Abstract: A ceramic heater is proposed in which in the vicinities of the heating element's terminals where a bolt and a washer are used to fix and effect the electric supply connection to the heating element, the cover layer which covers most of the heating element is flush with an immediately neighboring part of the heating element layer so that the cover layer is not stepped at its edge and thus the washer does not scratch or otherwise damage the cover layer; a preferred embodiment adopts an electrically conductive protective film which is laid on this flush plane covering an area extending from the bolt hole to substantially beyond the line where the cover layer meets with the heating element layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shoji Kano
  • Patent number: 8835817
    Abstract: A heating unit with a resistive element formed as a conducting pattern, which resistive element is bound to a substrate, such as a base plate, on which the resistive element is extended, and which resistive element is arranged to be placed under the influence of an electrical voltage. The invention is wherein the resistive element and the said base have the same or essentially the same coefficients of thermal expansion, and in that the resistive element has been bound to the substrate by sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Mats Sundberg
  • Patent number: 8835818
    Abstract: There is disclosed a self-regulating electric heater assembly arranged to heat an electrically conductive substrate such as a flexible substrate of shape memory alloy for use as an actuator. The heater assembly comprises a plurality of substantially rigid PTC elements arranged in spaced-apart relation to one another in a flexible array, said PTC elements each having a contact surface arranged in contact with the substrate and being urged against said substrate so as to remain in contact with the substrate upon flexure of the substrate. The substrate serves as one of a pair of electrical conductors electrically connected to the PTC elements for the supply of electric current to the PTC elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: John E. Anthony, Alexis Lambourne
  • Patent number: 8816255
    Abstract: Provided is a surface heater using a strip type surface heating element and a fabricating method thereof, in which the surface heater can be embodied into a thin film form using a metallic surface heating element which has a specific resistance value appropriate as a heat wire and is formed of a strip style, where the strip type surface heating element can be sequentially produced at an inexpensive cost. The surface heater includes: the strip type surface heating element in which a number of strips which are obtained by slitting a metallic thin film are arranged with an interval in parallel with each other and both ends of each adjacent strip are connected with each other; and an insulation layer which is coated on the outer circumference of the strip type surface heating element in a plate form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yeong Lee, Hyun Chul Lim, Sung Chul Yang, Sang Dong Jeong, Soung Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 8809751
    Abstract: A heater system is provided that includes a hybrid insulation cover that has a first cover disposed around hinged carrier members and heat trace sections, and a second cover operatively engaged with the first cover and adapted for detachable placement around a heating target and its varying geometries. A flexible insulation jacket having a similar construction as the second cover is also provided for use with connector assemblies. Furthermore, a heater system is provided that includes at least one heat trace section encapsulated within adjacent insulating members for use with heating gaslines and pumplines of semiconductor processing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric Ellis, Troy Ruben Bolton, Jacob Lindley
  • Patent number: 8809747
    Abstract: A method of operating a heating plate for a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus, wherein the heating plate comprises power supply lines and power return lines and respective heater zone connected between every pair of power supply line and power return line. The method reduces maximum currents carried by the power supply lines and power return lines by temporally spreading current pulses for powering the heater zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John Pease, Neil Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20140224783
    Abstract: A heater of the present invention includes an insulating base, a resistor embedded in the insulating base, a lead embedded in the insulating base. One end of the lead is joined to the resistor, and the other end is led out as a terminal portion on the surface of the insulating base. The lead in longitudinal section has at least two bent portions. The bent portions in cross-section each have an aspect ratio larger than the aspect ratio of the terminal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kotaro Taimura
  • Patent number: 8803036
    Abstract: An electric heating device for a motor vehicle includes at least one PTC heating element with contact metal sheets extending substantially parallel to one another and accommodating between them at least one PTC element, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has formed therein at least one opening through which a contact tongue projects. The contact tongue serves to establish an electric connection between the PTC heating element and the printed circuit board. For providing an electric heating device having a compact structural design, a punched-out connection piece connected to a conductor path of the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive manner. The connection piece defines a fixing portion which rests on the printed circuit board, and also defines and at least one spring tongue projecting into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Eberspacher Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Franz Bohlender, Kurt Walz
  • Publication number: 20140219641
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a ceramic rod having a ceramic PTC heating conductor and a ceramic insulation layer, which is sintered with the PTC heating conductor. According to this disclosure, the PTC heating conductor has a transition temperature that does not exceed 300° C., and preferably does not exceed 200° C. This disclosure also relates to the use of a ceramic rod, which comprises a ceramic PTC heating conductor and a ceramic insulation layer, which is sintered with the PTC heating conductor, as a heating rod for an auxiliary heater or a liquid heater in a motor vehicle. This disclosure also relates to an auxiliary heater for heating an air flow and a liquid heater comprising a heating rod, which is a ceramic rod, which has a ceramic PTC heating conductor and a ceramic insulator sintered therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Dauth, Rüdiger Hanf
  • Patent number: 8796997
    Abstract: A lithium polymer (LiPo) battery pack having LiPo battery cells is provided which includes battery protection circuitry, charging circuitry, cell balancing circuitry, and control and communication circuitry. The batteries can be charged while in use by an internal charger. Battery charging and discharging are accomplished in a controlled and protected manner to avoid overcharging and overdischarging conditions. The novel battery pack has built-in safeguards against dangerous LiPo battery conditions and is implemented in a small, portable unit which contains the battery cells, control and protection circuitry, internal charger and display gauge. The battery pack is useful for powering an intravenous fluid warmer or other medical or electrical devices and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Vital Signs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cassidy
  • Publication number: 20140190957
    Abstract: A heating element includes two flexible plastics layers connected in overlying relationship with first and second conductors each running along the element between the layers the side edges with a row of printed conductive strips at right angles to the conductors. A grounding layer comprising a sheet of foil laminated to a carrier is laminated to the heating element. A reinforcing layer in the form of a bitumen anti-fracture membrane is applied on one surface and a reinforcing layer of a fiber reinforced material is applied on the opposite surface for engagement into a tile adhesive layer. First and second strips of an electrically insulating material are applied over the first and second conductors to define slots allowing insertion into the slots of respective clamp type terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Edward Chivers, Norman L. Loewen, Jonathan Willner, Robert P. Amborsky
  • Patent number: 8759724
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an elongated object (1) including a cable (2) being surrounded by an external protection (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e), said external protection comprising at least one protection layer including at least two elongated extruded hollow profiles (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e), each elongated extruded hollow profile comprising at least one elongated empty cavity (32), characterized in that each profile (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e) of said external protection is a single element along the whole length of the cable portion to be protected, and that the total cross section area of the empty parts of the external protection represents at least 20% of the total cross section area of the external protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Jan Erik Karlsen, Lars Hennig, Anders Henrik Bla, Hans Kvarme