Abstract: A shape memory device includes a shape memory alloy member configured to have at least a portion of the shape memory alloy member be selectively activated. A heating device is coupled to the member and configured to provide heat to a selected section of the member and activate at least a portion of the selected section.

Abstract: A snow and ice melting blanket device positioned on a surface and connected to a power source for melting snow and ice accumulating atop the surface. The snow and ice melting blanket device includes a tarpaulin including a top layer, a bottom layer and a third conductive middle layer positioned between the top and bottom layers. A device for sensing a temperature of the tarpaulin is connected to the tarpaulin. A sensing device is connected between the conductive middle layer and the power source for sensing a weight of snow and ice accumulated atop the tarpaulin. The sensing device acts to connect the power source to supply an electrical charge to the conductive middle layer upon sensing a predetermined weight of snow and ice accumulated atop the tarpaulin causing the conductive middle layer and tarpaulin to heat up and melt the accumulated snow and ice thereby keeping the tarpaulin free of snow and ice.

Abstract: An insulating glazed element composed of at least two glass sheets separated from each other by a small space in which a vacuum has been created is provided with a heating element on an internal face of at least one of the glass sheets. Two current supply collecting lines are positioned on at least part of the internal face of the at least one of said glass sheets. The heating element includes at least one conductive layer deposited on at least part of the internal face of the at least one of the glass sheets. The conductive layer extends between the two current supply collecting lines.

Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug for placement in the combustion chamber of an air-compressing internal combustion engine includes a sheath, a connector element for the glow current, and a tube secured in the sheath sealed at its end facing away from the sheath. A wire filament arrangement is embedded in insulating material within the part of the tube which protrudes from the sheath. The tube functions as a glow pencil. The sheath is manufactured using a first part, a second part, and an intermediate piece. The length of the intermediate piece is adjusted depending on the desired length of the sheathed-element glow plug.

Abstract: A carbon heater comprising heater members (11, 111, 121 . . . 161, 212, 222, 315, 325 . . . 345, 411, 515, 612) in which a plurality of carbon fiber bundles having a plurality of carbon fibers whose diameter is 5 to 15 .mu.m bundled are woven into a longitudinally elongated shape such as a wire shape or a tape shape and the impurity content is less than 10 ppm in ashes.

Abstract: An electrically heatable glow plug for an internal combustion engine includes a corrosion-resistant metal jacket, a compressed powder filling contained therein, and an electrically conducting coil embedded in the filling. To increase the lifetime of the heating coil, a getter material for binding the oxygen contained in the compressed powder filling is provided. The getter material can be distributed in the form of electrically nonconducting particles in the compressed powder filling. The getter material can also be applied as a coating to the coil or to the inner surface of the metal jacket.

Abstract: A transparent heating instrument for use in a microscope has a transparent heat-generating plate and an annular housing accommodating the transparent heat-generating plate. The transparent heat-generating plate has a transparent plate, a transparent heat-generating conductive thin coat formed on one surface of the transparent plate, a pair of heat-generating electrodes in contact with the transparent heat-generating conductive thin coat and opposed to each other; and a transparent thin hard coat (transparent thin hard coat) covering the transparent heat-generating conductive thin coat and having substantially insulating property.

Abstract: A heated power cable for oil wells providing controllable, variable power output and heater redundancy. Heating elements are electrically and thermally insulated within the same armor in a manner that permits the heating elements to direct heat to the oil in the well, while simultaneously protecting the power conductors from excess heat.

Abstract: An electric resistance heating element preferably of cylindrical or prismatic shape to be inserted into a test tube, a cartridge or in another cavity has one or more conductors connected to the supply system by the use of one or more electrodes. The conductors are made of a conductive composite material of a polymeric matrix with resistive function which are formulated at such ratio and materials as to achieve an electric resistance with high positive temperature coefficient (PTC) at the operation temperatures. The electrodes may be made of metallic materials. At least a core is made of insulating material, onto which the conductors with resistive function (PTC) and the electrodes are applied.

Abstract: A ceramic heater is formed by embedding a heating element in a ceramic body. A ceramic body is formed from a sintered basic ceramic component containing an adjustment ceramic component in the range of 1 to 3% by weight. The adjustment ceramic component includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of metal silicate, metal carbonate, metal boride, and metal nitride each of which is larger in thermal expansion coefficient than the basic ceramic component.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of an antenna dish. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into a composite that forms the surface of the antenna dish or the entire antenna dish. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element to heat the surface of the dish.

Abstract: A gasket shaped heater for placement between parting surfaces of component housings of engines, gear housings, differential housings and similar structures. The heater preheats the components to facilitate cold weather starting or operation thereof. In one form of the invention the heater is semi-permanently attached to a parting surface of the component housing and has an outer metallic surface which interfaces with the standard gasket located between the connected components. In another form of the invention, the heater takes the place of the standard gasket normally interposed between the parting surfaces.

Abstract: The invention pertains to flexible heating elements with carbon fiber resistive elements and can be used independently for heating greenhouses, domestic and industrial premises and as a component in other devices such as heaters. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing the flexible heating elements in question. An electrical heater is a resistive element in the form of a bundle of carbon fibers; an insulating first layer made from a heat-conducting material in the form of a winding or braid, and a second layer made from polymer material; current supply elements each of which has three pairs of lobes. One of these pairs secures the end of the resistive element freed from the electrical insulation between the tip and a section of the first insulating layer; the second compresses the second electrically insulating layer; the third secures the insulating tube.

Abstract: A novel multi-layer current limiting PTC polymer device comprising at least two layers of a conductive polymer composition with electrodes attached thereto characterized by having a low contact resistance and a method of producing the same. The invention provides for the selective treatment of portions of the surface of each layer of the conductive polymer composition by at least one of plasma/corona etching and plasma sputtering/plasma spray to create a site for attachment of the electrodes resulting in a low contact resistance. The electrical devices of the invention are particularly useful in circuit protection applications.

Abstract: A serpentine etched foil heater has a segmented serpentine conductor group made up of a plurality of spaced-apart elongated serpentine conductive strips that are connected in parallel and are everywhere aligned with each other. Advantageously, central conductive strips are wider than are conductive strips along the edges. Further advantageously, the conductive strips are bridged by conductive regions that extend along lines of constant voltage. This makes it possible to handle the heater element without causing it to become tangled. The heater is especially suitable for low voltage applications.

Abstract: An infrared heating element of the present invention includes a facing (preferably a fiberglass cloth) which is cut to a desired shape and size, an insulating blanket of the same shape and size as the facing, a heating filament sandwiched between the facing and the insulating blanket. The insulating blanket, which is preferably a ceramic fiber blanket, is rigidized by soaking the blanket is a rigidizing solution, such as a colloidal silica solution, The step of rigidizing the blanket provides at least one face of blanket which is impregnated with the rigidizing solution and a core which remains free of rigidizing solution. While the insulating properties of the blanket at the surfaces are reduced by the rigidizing, the insulating properties of the core of the blanket are not substantially affected.The heating element is included in a portable dryer for use in drying items such as screen printed articles.

Abstract: An adaptor device for connecting a sheathed heater with a power supply terminal wherein an end of a heater wire of the sheathed heater and an end of a lead wire are inserted into an adaptor sleeve and the ends of the heater wire and the lead wire in the adaptor sleeve are connected by a flexible wire. The flexible wire is a stranded wire or in the form of a wave.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly suitable for heating molten metal, the electric heater assembly having a sleeve comprised of a closed end suitable for immersing in the molten metal. The sleeve is fabricated from a composite material comprised of titanium alloy and having an outside surface to be exposed to the molten metal coated with a refractory resistant to attack by the molten metal; and an electric heater located in the sleeve in heat transfer relationship therewith.

Abstract: A new Snow Melting Mat System for melting snow and ice near a walking path thereby preventing slipping of individuals. The inventive device includes a mat having a plurality of drain slots, a tube projecting within the mat, a pump connected to both ends of the tube for circulating heated oil, and a heating coil surrounding a portion of the tube for heating the oil within the tube during circulation.

Abstract: A novel current limiting PTC polymer device comprising a conductive polymer composition with electrodes attached thereto characterized by having a low contact resistance and a method of producing the same. The invention provides for the selective treatment of portions of the surface of the conductive polymer composition by at least one of plasma/corona etching and plasma sputtering/plasma spray to create a site for attachment of the electrodes resulting in a low contact resistance. The electrical devices of the invention are particularly useful in circuit protection applications.

Abstract: A temperature control system comprises: an electric heater that has a first face which makes contact with an electronic device, and a second face which is opposite the first face; a heat sink, coupled to the second face of the heater, which absorbs heat from the electronic device through the heater's second face; and a temperature sensor, coupled to the electronic device which senses the device temperature T.sub.d. A control circuit is coupled to the device temperature sensor and to the heater; and it decreases the power to the heater when the sensed temperature of the electronic device is above the set point, and vice-versa. When the heater temperature T.sub.h is less than T.sub.d, then heat flows from the electronic device through the heater to the heat sink; and the rate of heat flow increases as T.sub.d -T.sub.h increases. When T.sub.h is more than T.sub.d, then heat flows to the electronic device from the heater; and the rate of heat flow increases as T.sub.h -T.sub.d increases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element having improved performance, particularly at high power densities and high temperatures. The heating element comprises a substrate having a first layer comprising a silicon based electrically insulating material on its surface. On a surface of the first layer is a second layer comprising a silicon based electrically resistive material. Attached to the second layer are at least two separate areas of silicon based electrically conductive material. Each of these separate areas are suitable for connection to a power supply.

Abstract: A ceramic sheath capable of preventing damage to conductive wire rod exhibits excellent thermal resistance and a thermal shock resistance. A conductive wire rod is provided in a protective pipe of silicon nitride, silicon carbide or SiAlON so as to extend longitudinally from one end toward the other, and buried in a filler of reaction sintered silicon nitride. The filler comprises two layers, i.e. a core portion having a low sintering time size variation ratio, and a seal portion constituting a boundary layer between the core portion and the protective pipe and having a sintering time size variation ratio higher than that of the core portion. The conductive wire rod comprises a coil of a metal wire. The coil is formed helically along its whole length, and the winding pitch of the coil is set small, large and small in this order from the front end portion of the shell of the protective pipe toward its base end portion.

Abstract: A PTC planar heater according to the present invention is produced by bonding one or a plurality of PTC ceramic sheets, each having a pair of electrodes formed on the surface thereof, to an insulator. The electrode pairs are electrically connected in parallel by lead wires. An insulating elastic layer covers the electrodes to prevent warpage, electrical leaks, and shorting. A thickness of the PTC ceramic sheets equal to or greater than 0.5 mm prevents warpage. Resistance is adjusted by cutting conductive paths in the electrodes or by connecting predetermined portions of the electrodes. Further, in a PTC planar unit according to the present invention, a PTC thermistor element having a pair of electrodes formed thereon is in direct contact with one side of an insulation substrate, and a insulation substrate is mounted to the other side thereof.

Abstract: A ceramic igniter comprising:a) a pair of electrically conductive portions, each portion having a first end,b) a hot zone disposed between and in electrical connection with each of the first ends of the electrically conductive portions, the hot zone having an electrical path length of less than 0.5 cm, andc) an electrically non-conductive heat sink material contacting the hot zone.

Abstract: An ice protection device for an airfoil comprises a plurality of discrete mat sections which are individually secured to the structural member by an adhesive.

Abstract: An alumina-based sintered material for ceramic heater having a resistance heater embedded in its ceramic material. With the total amount of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, MgO and CaO being 100 wt %, the sintered material contains 91 to 97 wt % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 1 to 8 wt % of SiO.sub.2, 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of MgO and 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of CaO, the total amount of MgO and CaO being 0.4 to 1.8 wt %, whereas, for the total amount of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO and CaO of 100 wt %, 0.1 to 15 wt % of (a) at least one of rare earth elements and groups IVa excluding Ti, Va and VIa of the Periodic Table are contained in the sintered material. In place of (a), 0.2 wt % or less of other elements (Na, K, Fe, Ti etc.) may also be contained in an amount not more than 0.2 wt %, calculated in terms of oxides.

Abstract: Plastics sheets having edges to be bonded one to another as well as a plastics joint having at least two weldable regions are prepared, each region having an embedded wire extending along the region. Subsequently, the plastics sheet edges are placed on or in the weldable regions, and an electric current is supplied through the wires to emit heat for fusion bonding each edge to the corresponding weldable region. Alternatively, each of the plastics sheets has at least one edge having an embedded wire so that they are welded to each other, without aid of any joint. The joint has U-shaped grooves or ear-shaped protrusions adapted to engage with the plastics sheet edges, and the wires are embedded in the grooves or protrusions.

Abstract: A heating member having a lubricating and protective layer on the surface thereof, wherein the lubricating and protective layer is a vapor deposited layer which is made of carbon or the main component of which is carbon; and the lubricating and protective layer is formed on a separation-preventive layer for preventing separation of the lubricating and protective layer. The heating member according to the present invention for use in a heat fixing apparatus enables the heat fixing apparatus to maintain excellent wear resistance and sliding characteristics for a long time. Furthermore, the fixing speed can be raised and the size of an image that can be fixed can be enlarged, and thus the running cost can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas chromatography transfer line, having a glass tube (12), a steel tube (13) enclosing this glass tube and a heating coil (17) enclosing the steel tube, in which a tube (15) made of a material with high thermal conductivity is arranged between the steel tube (13) and the heating coil (17), the tube (15) being provided with a series of bores (16) in the axial and in the circumferential direction and being soldered to the heating coil (17) and to the steel tube (13), the solder (20) filling the bores (16) and intermediate spaces between the steel tube (13) and the tube (15).

Abstract: A secondary air supplying apparatus for an internal combustion engine and a gas heating apparatus are provided to enable high-performance exhaust gas purification in a catalytic apparatus of the internal combustion engine, in particular, even at a low-temperature starting time. A secondary air supplying apparatus supplies secondary air to the catalytic apparatus through a secondary air introducing path for communicating the intake side of the internal combustion engine with an exhaust manifold. In the apparatus, a gas heating apparatus having an exothermic body is provided for the secondary air introducing path.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade assembly providing having an electrical heating mechanism along the length of a wiper blade. The assembly can be trimmed to a length appropriate for a particular automobile.

Abstract: An improvement is proposed in a ceramic heater which is an integral body comprising a flat substrate plate made from an electrically insulating ceramic material, e.g., fused silica glass, and a layer of an electroconductive material formed on one surface of the substrate plate in a pattern of an electric heater element. One of the surfaces of the insulating substrate plate, on which the heater layer is formed, is subjected to a surface roughening treatment, e.g., by sand blasting, prior to the formation of the heater layer so as to be imparted with a specified surface roughness so that the heat generated in the heater layer and transmitted to the other surface as infrared rays is irregularly scattered .

Abstract: A glazing panel includes at least one sheet of vitreous material; a conductive transparent coating which is provided on at least one face of at least one sheet of the at least one sheet of vitreous material and which constitutes a heating element for the glazing panel when connected to an electrical power source; and a control circuit for controlling heating power output of the glazing panel, the control circuit including adjustable means for controlling the heating power output to a preselected level as a function of voltage of the electrical power source and electrical resistance of the heating element.

Abstract: A thermal walkway cover comprises at least three laminated layers including a middle layer of electrically conductive carbonized rubber, a durable, waterproof, UV-resistant top layer, and an insulating, waterproof bottom layer. Means are provided in to form of electrically conductive strips embedded in the middle layer to heat the middle layer. Connections are provided to a power source. The cover may have one or more edges of a dovetail construction so that cover sections or modules may be connected together to cover a desired walkway area, in which case electrical connections are provided between individual modules.

Abstract: A sheet-like thermal sensing element includes a carbon fiber mixed paper and resin layers laminated on both surfaces of the carbon fiber mixed paper. Electrodes are provided along opposite two sides of the carbon fiber mixed paper. A temperature change can be detected by detecting the change of resistance value of the carbon fiber mixed paper. A sheet-like heater is also disclosed, the heater including a pair of carbon fiber mixed papers separated by an insulating sheet and surrounded by resin. Each of the carbon fiber mixed papers include electrodes thereon. The sheet like heater can both generate heat and detect temperature change for precise heating control. Also disclosed is a method of making both the sheet-like heater and sheet-like thermal sensing element involving producing the carbon fiber mixed paper, electrode formation, laminating the mixed papers together and resin encapsulation.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition containing a particulate conductive filler dispersed in a polymeric component. The polymeric component comprises a first polymer which (i) is present in an amount 25 to 75% by weight of the total polymeric component, and (ii) is polyethylene, and a second polymer which (i) is present in an amount 25 to 75% by weight of the total polymeric component, and (ii) comprises units derived from a first monomer which is ethylene and a second monomer which is an alkyl acrylate having the formula --CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHCOOC.sub.m H.sub.2m+1, where m is at least 4. The resulting composition is useful in preparing electrical devices, e.g. circuit protection devices, which have lower resistivities, higher PTC anomalies, and better thermal and electrical stability than devices comprising conventional conductive polymer compositions.

Abstract: An exhaust gas flow path for an internal combustion engine includes a vaporizer positioned upstream of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The vaporizer dissipates any liquid in the exhaust gas stream thus protecting the exhaust gas oxygen sensor from thermal shock.

Abstract: An unmanned snow prevention and removal system is provided which prevents or eliminates the accummulation of falling snow in selected ingress and egress passageways on the ground, such as sidewalks and driveways. An array of disposed parallel linear cooperative panels is provided covering such passageways upon which the accumulated falling snow is caught, and is subsequently intermittently and automatically thrown off such panels on wither side of their respective lengths by their sweeping motion through an arc of a circle from an initial near horizontal intersecting position by an electrical motor drive. Removal of accumulated snow from the panel array during their sweeping-throw and return motion as a result of the snow sliding downward of the panels is assisted by the provision of electrical heater elements disposed along the full length thereof and contained within the body of each panel which enables the accumulated snow to slide off the panel more readily.

Abstract: A device and method for melting ice and snow from walkways and steps is described. The device includes a rigid block of heat-conducting plastic suitable for mounting on steps. An electrical heating element provides heat. The heat is distributed to the entire block and melts the snow or ice on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fuse-bonding or fuse-bonding and fuse-cutting a plastic sheet by an electric heat wire. It is possible to use for manufacturing a shopping bag and an inflatable toy of polyethylene, but especially, a mold for manufacturing a balloon made of aluminum vapour deposition nylon and projections therefor, such as legs, can be simply manufactured. A nichrome circular wire 7 with a size according to a thickness of a sheet 5 to be worked is bent along a shape line of an object, such as balloon or the like, and covered with fluorine resin coated glass cloths 8 with an adhesive agent, which is used as a mold heater 4. The sheet 5 to be worked, silicone rubber 6 and the like are laminated on the mold heater 4, pressed by a press mechanism 1, and heated momentarily by applying electric current from a power source, and then cooled.

Abstract: A multi-layer module that has incorporated therein an additional sheet with a heat generating film resistor formed thereon. A temperature responsive controller regulates the film resistor current in order to regulate the temperature at the surface of the module. The invention is applicable to both single chip and multiple chip modules, and for multi-chip modules a plurality of discrete film resistors on a single may be used.

Abstract: The self-controlled heater for a rearview mirror of a vehicle comprises a semiconductor polymer substrate based on lampblack and consisting essentially of 60% low density polyethylene, 8.5% ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, 20% conductive lampblack having a porous structure; 4.0% of a spreading agent consisting of calcium stearate; 3.0% of an antioxidant; and 0.5% of a coupling agent consisting of calcium titanate, with a high degree of shearing and a low degree of orientation for lampblack aggregations; a silver ink conductor track printed on the substrate, the conductor track including negative and positive poles having interpenetrating adjacent branches spaced at intervals from each other so as to provide a sufficient amount of heat to defog and defrost the rearview mirror; and two terminals applied to the substrate, one of which is connected to the negative pole and the other of which is connected to the positive pole.

Abstract: A woven mesh heater generates a heat emitting surface which provides for uniform spatial distribution of heat and which is self-regulated in the preferred embodiment. The heater is particularly useful in joining together polyethylene pieces. The heater is produced from woven mesh and inserted between polyethylene pieces to be joined. Upon energization with a power source, the heater heats the polyethylene pieces to a temperature so that the pieces melt and fuse together. The heater is formed from a mesh of interleaved conductive wires and resistive wires. Electrical paths are established through the mesh by spot welding at intersection, or crossover, points of the conductive and resistive wires. The spot welding produces an electrical connection between the conductive and resistive wires at the welds. In this way, equal distance and therefore equal resistance paths are obtained.

Abstract: A de-icer for a structural member of an aircraft is provided. The de-icer includes first and second heaters having first and second electrically conductive strips, respectively. The first and second conductive strips are configured to form first and second marginal portions, respectively. The first and second heaters are positioned relative to each other such that the marginal portions are overlapped.

Abstract: A heated floor construction includes a supporting structure or an existing floor construction (1), a number of components (4) of sheet material (2), at least one electric heating cable (5) and a device (REG) for regulation of the heat dissipation of the heating cable. The heating cable is disposed in at least one channel (7) between the different sheet components. The channel has a width adapted to the largest diameter of the electric heating cable (5). The width of the sheet components (4) approximately corresponds to the predetermined cable spacing (cc-distance) minus the largest diameter of the heating cable, and the corners (11) of the sheet components (4) at the ends where the heating cable (5) changes direction are bevelled or cut-off. The channel is limited below by the floor construction (1). The sheet components are laid out on and fixed to the supporting or existing floor construction in such a way that the heating cable can be laid directly in the channel.

Abstract: The rearview mirror consists of a base attached to a motor vehicle; a supporting structure attached to the base, a mirror plate held in the supporting structure, and a self-controlled heater for defrosting and defogging located between the mirror plate and the supporting structure. The self-controlled heater includes a polymeric semiconductor substrate containing a conductive lampblack, a conductor track including a plurality of electrically conductive bands made with silver ink printed on the semiconductor substract and a terminal for each conductive band. The conductive track has interpenetrating portions spaced at intervals from each other and structured and dimension to provide sufficient heat transfer for defogging and defrosting the mirror plate.

Abstract: A strip heater (10) having at least one elongate control element (12a), at least one elongate heating element (12b) and a plurality of elongate conductors (14). An electrical insulator (18) partially encloses the elements (12) and the conductors (14). The elements (12) are physically separated and electrically connected by one of the conductors (14) such that both of the elements (12a and 12b) can be simultaneously placed in relative thermal contact with an object to be heated (19). An equally preferred alternate embodiment (310) has a dividing strip separating further separating the heating element (12b) from the control element (12a) and at a fixed distance such that the heating element (12b) is maintained generally parallel to the control element (12a).

Abstract: A heater array for an ink jet printhead includes an insulating substrate, which can be a layer of ceramic, flexible plastic, insulated flexible metal, polysilicon, or single crystalline silicon. A first material layer is deposited atop the insulating substrate and patterned in parallel stripes. A first insulating layer is deposited atop the first material layer and patterned with contact windows above the first material layer in corresponding desired heating locations, usually in a symmetrical grid. A second material layer is deposited atop the first insulating layer and pattern in parallel stripes orthogonal to those in the first material layer. The first and second material layers are in physical and electrical contact with each other through the contact windows in the first insulating layer to form a resistive diode junction at each desired heating location. The entire surface of the heating array is covered with a second insulating layer, with contacts provided to the first and second material layers.

Abstract: An improved electrothermal apparatus includes a stranded heater wire having a plurality of strands, the number of which vary as a function of position to provide a varying output power density. The stranded heater wire is disposed within a blanket which is conformable to the item to be heated. The heater wire is broken into a number of zones, with each zone having a varying number of strands. The strands of the wire are soldered or crimped together at the beginning of each zone. A controller provides electrical energy to the heater assembly.