Flexible Patents (Class 219/549)
  • Patent number: 12035459
    Abstract: A method of forming a flexible interconnect circuit is described. The method may comprise laminating a substrate to a conductive layer and patterning the conductive layer using a laser while the conductive layer remains laminated to the substrate thereby forming a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion of the conductive layer. The substrate maintains the orientation of the first conductive portion relative to the second conductive portion during and after patterning. The method may also comprise laminating a first insulator to the conductive layer and removing the substrate from the conductive layer such that the first insulator maintains the orientation of the first conductive portion relative to the second conductive portion while and after the substrate is removed. The method may also comprise laminating a second insulator to the second side of the conductive layer while the first insulator remains laminated to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CelLink Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Coakley, Malcolm Parker Brown, Dongao Yang, Michael Lawrence Miller, Paul Henry Lego
  • Patent number: 12024299
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure can be embodied in a systems for heating an exterior surface of a bulk medium. In one example, the system includes two or more coupling strips spaced apart from one another and attached to the bulk medium. Each of the coupling strips has a multi-layer structure extending along a surface of the bulk medium that forms, in combination with the bulk medium, an electrical transmission line. The multi-layer structure includes a first dielectric layer over the bulk medium, a conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the conductive layer, and a conductive shielding layer over the second dielectric layer. A power control system is coupled to the conductive layer of each of the coupling strips and to the bulk medium. The power control system is configured to heat the bulk medium by providing current to the coupling strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: De-Ice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro, Sean David Kropp
  • Patent number: 11999493
    Abstract: During a de-ice process, heating zones associated with a rotor may be supplied with power for shedding accreted ice from the heating zone. Priority heating zones associated with the leading edge of the rotor are supplied with power to activate the priority heating zones multiple times during the de-ice process. Heating zones associated with a lower surface of the rotor may be activated after the priority heating zones are first activated. A first dwell may be waited, to allow additional ice accretion on the priority zones. The priority heating zones may then be reactivated after the first dwell. Heating zones associated with an upper surface of the rotor may be then be activated. A second dwell may be waited, to allow additional ice accretion on the priority zones. The de-ice process may then repeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J Carpino, II
  • Patent number: 11999864
    Abstract: Described herein are molecular inks, methods for printing the molecular inks on flexible substrates, and methods for forming printed electronic elements, such as resistive heaters, force sensors, motion sensors, and devices that include these elements, such as force responsive conductive heaters. The methods include printing a molecular ink on a flexible substrate that is heated to 30° C. to 90° C. before and/or during the printing process and curing the substrate to produce a conductive pattern thereon. The molecular inks generally include a particle-fee metal-complex composition formulated from at least one metal complex and a solvent, and optionally, a conductive filler material, and/or surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: LIQUID X PRINTED METALS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Swisher
  • Patent number: 11889866
    Abstract: A heater for an aerosol generating device includes a substrate and a plane heating element formed on one surface of the substrate, wherein the plane heating element includes an electrically conductive track pattern including a sensor seating region formed of a planar track on which an undersurface of a temperature sensor is configured to be seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hun Il Lim
  • Patent number: 11865955
    Abstract: A method for making a seat includes the step of overmolding a carrier onto a fabric seat surface. The fabric surface is formed from a woven fabric material having heating element fibers. The heating element fibers are placed in contact with a conductor. The carrier and the conductor are then positioned into a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Martin Oomen, Randy James Sayers, Samuel Smith, Manfred Mueller
  • Patent number: 11871486
    Abstract: A low smoke, zero halogen self-regulating heating cable includes a semi-conductive heating core and two conductive wires embedded within and separated by the semi-conductive heating core. The cable also includes a primary jacket surrounding the semi-conductive core, a braid surrounding the primary jacket, and a final jacket surrounding the braid. At least one of the primary jacket and the final jacket includes a low smoke, zero halogen material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: nVent Services GmbH
    Inventors: Sirarpi Bicakci Jenkins, Jonathan Jones
  • Patent number: 11860144
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring cell for carrying out chemical analyses, having a vessel, in which at least one liquid to be analyzed is located; a heating wire, which is guided at least partially around an outer wall of the vessel, so that the liquid inside the vessel can be heated in a uniform and controlled manner; and a first temperature sensor, which determines and/or monitors a first temperature of the liquid. The measuring cell furthermore comprises a magnetic stirrer with a stir bar and a cover for closing the vessel, wherein the cover has a plurality of ducts, wherein at least one first duct is provided for at least one first analysis sensor, which determines and/or monitors at least one chemical and/or physical variable of the liquid of the vessel and wherein at least one second duct is provided for a liquid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kathe, Daniel Schweitzer, Michael Ingelmann
  • Patent number: 11825569
    Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2?/? to about 200?/?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Trisha L. Andrew, Lushuai Zhang, Morgan Baima
  • Patent number: 11808463
    Abstract: A heatable floor panel for an aircraft, with a supporting level, a heat-generating level and a heat-conducting level. The heat-generating level comprises a fiber composite layer with fibers and with a matrix surrounding the fibers. The fibers are at least partially formed as conducting fiber, and the conducting fibers are formed as carbon fibers with an electrically insulating coating. The conducting fibers integrated in the floor panel in order to conduct a heating current through them. Due to the electrically insulating coating of the conducting fibers, leakage currents are avoided. The carbon fibers serve not only as heating elements, but, at the same time, also as reinforcing fibers of the fiber composite layer or of the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Hegenbart, Peter Linde
  • Patent number: 11692290
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to biosensing garments, and in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring respiration in a biosensing garment, whereby an improved integration of the respiration monitoring circuit into the garment is achieved, resulting in improved signal quality and durability. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along its longitudinal axis. The elongate member includes a plurality of elastic members (e.g., a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a third elastic member) that extend along the longitudinal axis. A conductive member is coupled to the first, second and third members, and forms a “curved” pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The conductive member is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration as the elongate member stretches along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Maria Elina Nurkka
  • Patent number: 11528780
    Abstract: A method of producing an electric heating device, in particular for automotive application, includes steps of: cutting through a sheet of electrically highly conductive material of appropriate thickness for obtaining a predetermined line pattern having at least one electrically conductive line with electrically conductive bridge members interconnecting portions of the at least one electrically conductive line; depositing a layer of curable adhesive material onto a surface of a dielectric, planar, flexible carrier; placing the obtained line pattern onto the layer of adhesive material; curing the adhesive material below the line pattern with the exception of the adhesive material below the bridge members; cutting through each bridge member at all ends between portions of the at least one electrically conductive line interconnected by the respective bridge member; and removing the cut bridge members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventor: Driss Chabach
  • Patent number: 11419755
    Abstract: Provided is a heating patch. The heating patch includes: a flexible plate-shaped base substrate; an electrode portion including a pair of lead electrodes formed on at least one surface of the base substrate along a longitudinal direction to be spaced apart along a width direction of the base substrate, and a pair of branch electrodes extending from the lead electrodes along the width direction of the base substrate to be not electrically connected to each other and to be overlapped with each other; a heating portion including a conductive heating material disposed in an overlapped part between the branch electrodes which have a predetermined area and face each other to generate heat while conducting the pair of branch electrodes to each other; and a pair of cover members disposed on both sides of the base substrate to prevent the electrode portion and the heating portion from being exposed externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: AMOLIFESCIENCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Yong Seo, Song Hee Koo, Ji Hyun Lee, Seon Ho Jang, In Tae Yeo
  • Patent number: 11362317
    Abstract: An electrode for solid-state batteries, comprising a PTC resistor layer, and a solid-state battery comprising the electrode. The electrode may be an electrode for solid-state batteries, wherein the electrode comprises an electrode active material layer, a current collector and a PTC resistor layer disposed between the electrode active material layer and the current collector; wherein the PTC resistor layer contains an electroconductive material, an insulating inorganic substance and a polymer; and wherein a porosity of the PTC resistor layer is from 5% to 13%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Ose, Tomoya Suzuki, Hajime Hasegawa, Kazuo Yaso, Hideaki Nishimura, Yuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11332632
    Abstract: An article comprising a heater that comprises a high-resistance magnification (HRM) PTC ink deposited on a flexible substrate to form one or more resistors. The HRM PTC ink has a resistance magnification of at least 20 in a temperature range of at least 20 degrees Celsius above a switching temperature of the ink, the resistance magnification being defined as a ratio between a resistance of the double-resin ink at a temperature ‘T’ and a resistance of the double-resin ink at 25 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LMS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Shuyong Xiao, Richard C. Abbott
  • Patent number: 11307370
    Abstract: An optical fiber unit includes: an assembly in which a plurality of optical fiber ribbons in which a plurality of optical fibers are disposed in parallel are assembled; and a coating for covering the periphery of the assembly in a state of having a space inside. The coating is interrupted at a part in a circumferential direction of the optical fiber unit, and an opening part is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Kuushin Ryan, Yoshiaki Nagao
  • Patent number: 11302463
    Abstract: An article comprising a double-switching heater that comprises a double-switching PTC ink deposited on a flexible substrate to form one or more resistors. The double-switching PTC ink comprises a first resin and a second resin; the first resin provides a first PTC effect within a first temperature range (T1, T2); the second resin provides a second PTC effect within a second temperature range (T3, T4), where T3?T2; the first resin has an NTC effect above the first temperature range; the second PTC effect is greater than the first PTC effect; and the second PTC effect overlaps with, and is greater than, the NTC effect of the first resin. The substrate can be either thermal polyurethane, nylon or a polyester blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LMS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Shuyong Xiao, Lee M. Sisler, Richard C. Abbott
  • Patent number: 11274853
    Abstract: A heater for an aircraft component includes a plurality of layers of an additively manufactured conductive ink. The conductive ink is printed on the heater surface, either on a substrate or directly. The heater is protected by a closeout material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Edward Roach, Maureen Elkins, Joseph Winesdoerffer
  • Patent number: 11143864
    Abstract: The present invention provides a camera module thin film heater and a camera module having the same, the camera module thin film inhibiting and avoiding frost, condensation and freezing by reaching a target temperature of a lens within a short period of time, suppressing the generation of fire due to overheating even when operated in a high environment, and not including a temperature sensor and a temperature control unit, thereby greatly reducing the manufacturing cost. The camera module thin film heater comprising: an electrode; a thin film heating body electrically connected to the electrode and having a variable resistance corresponding to a heating temperature; and an insulating member surrounding the electrode and the thin film heating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Ryong Park
  • Patent number: 11139462
    Abstract: An electrode for solid-state batteries, comprising a PTC resistor layer, and a solid-state battery comprising the electrode. The electrode may be an electrode for solid-state batteries, wherein the electrode comprises an electrode active material layer, a current collector and a PTC resistor layer which is disposed between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and which is in contact with the electrode active material layer; wherein the PTC resistor layer contains an electroconductive material, an insulating inorganic substance and a polymer; and wherein a surface roughness Ra of an electrode active material layer-contacting surface of the PTC resistor layer, is 1.1 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Ose, Tomoya Suzuki, Hajime Hasegawa, Kazuo Yaso, Hideaki Nishimura, Yuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11067529
    Abstract: A test sensor heating system is disclosed that provides the desired and different temperatures to at least two different reaction zones based on a fixed potential. The measurement device does not alter the potential applied to the heating system in response to temperature feedback information. The heating system provides the desired and different temperatures to the different reaction zones of the test sensor by varying heating element spacing and/or the resistivity of an associated resistive layer of the test sensor to provide the desired temperature in response to the fixed potential. The system also may provide two or more different temperature zones to the test sensor by using different heating element spacing and/or resistive layer resistivity at different locations of the test sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Jim Connolly
  • Patent number: 10966289
    Abstract: A heating device for a medical instrument is disclosed. The heating device includes a heating wire. The heating wire is of a metal alloy that has in the temperature range between 0° C. and 100° C. a temperature-sensitive electrical resistance gradient of at least 0.004 ?/(m*K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: STIHLER ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmider, Wolfgang Theilacker-Beck, Matthias Theilacker
  • Patent number: 10902982
    Abstract: A double-switching heater includes a double-switching PTC ink deposited on a substrate to form one or more resistors. The double-switching PTC ink has a first resin that provides a first PTC effect at a first temperature range and a second resin that provides a second PTC effect at a second temperature range, where the second temperature range is higher than the first temperature range. The substrate may be a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate, and may bedeformable to generate a three-dimensional structure. The substrate may be: polyester, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, fiberglass, cement board, carbon composite materials, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, glass composite, molded plastic, high-density polyethylene or styrene ethylene butylene styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LMS Consulting Group, LLC
    Inventors: Shuyong Xiao, Lee M. Sisler, Richard C. Abbott
  • Patent number: 10899427
    Abstract: A heated floor panel assembly with an impact layer is made to absorb blunt force and protect a heating element inside the assembly. The assembly further includes a plurality of structural layer made of a reinforced polymer matrix, one or more core layer with a honeycomb or foam structure for absorbing shear stress, and a heating layer containing the heating element. The impact layer is a composite layer with a resin impregnated fiber matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Casey Slane, Nathaniel Ching, Wenping Zhao, Daniel Waina, Jin Hu, Brandon Hein, George F. Owens, James A. Mullen
  • Patent number: 10875623
    Abstract: A heated floor panel assembly for aircraft includes structural layers made of a fiber matrix and a high temperature thermoplastic resin. The structural layers are within the heated floor panel assembly to protect the other assembly components from damage and absorb stress. The heated floor panel assembly further includes a heating layer with a heating element, an impact layer, and a core layer to take shear stress exerted on the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Nathaniel Ching, Wenping Zhao, Casey Slane, Galdemir Cezar Botura
  • Patent number: 10589438
    Abstract: A knit includes a knitted fabric into which a ground yarn is knitted and a heater wire configured to be energized to generate heat to heat a vehicle member. The heater wire is inlaid into the knitted fabric by inlay stitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventor: Kenshi Nagata
  • Patent number: 10464229
    Abstract: Device for cutting double curvature surfaces into expanded polystyrene foam volumes comprising a first pair of linear guides; over each of the linear guides two pairs of plates arranged over skids are moving, where a horizontal beam connects each pair of plates; the two pairs of plates and the pair of horizontal beams; a block of material supported on the plates is displaced by a first pair by of step motors simultaneously activated; where the block of material in its movement faces a rectangular frame which is arranged perpendicularly to the movement path of the block, with the rectangular frame having a fixed position and a flexible foil, which is covered with a sheath of thermal and electrical insulation, over which a resistive heating wire is helically wound where electrical current heats the wire and vaporizes the zone previous to physical contact with the block of material during displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD TECNICA FEDERICO SANTA MARIA
    Inventors: Luis Felipe Gonzalez Bohme, Francisco Javier Quitral Zapata, Fernando Alfredo Auat Cheein
  • Patent number: 10433371
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an electrothermic composition comprising: at least one carbon component; at least one graphite component, and an optional binder or carrier, wherein the carbon, graphite, and/or their ratio are selected such that that the composition or a material formed from the composition has a thermal coefficient of electrical resistance (TCR) of about zero or is substantially stable over a predefined temperature range. The invention further relates to a product or a material produced or formed by the electrothermic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLI PARTICLE PTY LTD
    Inventor: Cole Miller
  • Patent number: 10373745
    Abstract: A double-switching heater includes a double-switching PTC ink deposited on a substrate to form one or more resistors. The double-switching PTC ink has a first resin that provides a first PTC effect at a first temperature range and a second resin that provides a second PTC effect at a second temperature range, where the second temperature range is higher than the first temperature range. The substrate may be a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate, and may bedeformable to generate a three-dimensional structure. The substrate may be: polyester, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, fiberglass, cement board, carbon composite materials, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, glass composite, molded plastic, high-density polyethylene or styrene ethylene butylene styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: LMS Consulting Group
    Inventors: Shuyong Xiao, Lee M. Sisler, Richard C. Abbott
  • Patent number: 10356894
    Abstract: A composite structure is provided. The structure is formed of rigid composite material in which particulates or fibers reinforce a polymer matrix. The structure has first and second electrically conductive metallic meshes embedded therein, and respective electrodes electrically connected to the meshes. The first and second meshes are electrically isolated from each other in the composite material so that the meshes can be held at different electrical potentials to each other. In use, an electrical unit can be provided to electrically bridge the first and second meshes such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the electrodes and the electrical unit via the meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Claudio Zizzo
  • Patent number: 10283925
    Abstract: A method for forming an electrical connection in a pipe for transporting a fluid. The pipe comprises an internal hollow tube and a heating layer comprising first fibers made of carbon. There are performed a groove-formation step in which a groove is formed in the heating layer, an interface-preparation step in which a junction layer is placed on the heating layer of the groove, and a placement step in which a connection strip comprising second fibers formed of a second electrically conducting material is wound on the junction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Lewandowski, Franck Rey-Bethbeder, Dominique Delaporte, Alain Lechon, Maurice Geli, Yann Buzaré
  • Patent number: 10141085
    Abstract: A conductor joint for joining a copper conductor to a fiber-structured heating element whose dimensions are length (L)>>width (W)>>thickness (T), and which heating element comprises carbon fiber strands, wherein the copper conductor is transversely disposed to the longitudinal direction (L) of the heating element to form a layered structure in the thickness direction (T), on both sides of the heating element, the copper conductor comprising strands separable from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: Tomas Wallenius, Pauli Vuomajoki
  • Patent number: 10104719
    Abstract: A radiant heater device radiates a radiation heat when a current is applied to a heat generating part having a flat shape. The radiant heater device has a cover and a supporting member. The cover is arranged in a direction in which the radiation heat is radiated and covers the heat generating part. The supporting member supports the cover. The cover is made of a material having a greater infrared transmissivity relative to the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kimitake Ishikawa, Hideaki Kako, Yasuhiro Sagou, Hiroyasu Oide, Hideki Seki
  • Patent number: 10056176
    Abstract: An over-current protection device comprises a PTC device and a heating element operable to heat the PTC device. The PTC device contains crystalline polymer and metal or ceramic conductive filler dispersed therein. The PTC device has a resistivity less than 0.1 ?·cm. The over-current protection device has the relation: It (heating)<Ih (60° C.)×10%, where Ih (60° C.) is a hold current of the over-current protection device at 60° C. when the heating element is not activated; It (heating) is a trip current of the over-current protection device when the heating element is activated to heat the PTC device. The PTC device has high hold current, thereby allowing a battery containing the device can be fast charged with a large current. In a specific situation, the heating element heats the PTC device to decrease the hold current of the over-current protection device of low resistivity, and accordingly the PTC device can trip by a small current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: David Shau Chew Wang, Chun Teng Tseng, Tsungmin Su, Yao Te Chang
  • Patent number: 10017083
    Abstract: An article of vehicle furniture includes one or more adaptive support elements. Each of the adaptive support elements includes a carbon fiber layer operable between support and configurable conditions and a heating element in thermal communication with the carbon fiber layer. The heating element is configured to heat the carbon fiber layer from the support condition to the configurable condition. Each of the adaptive support elements further includes a thermal barrier layer, wherein the heating element is disposed between the thermal barrier layer and the carbon fiber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eunhee Jo, Sam James, Marcus Hoggarth
  • Patent number: 9930728
    Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
  • Patent number: 9902374
    Abstract: A heating conductive wire-like element is disclosed, having a heating conductive strand arranged in a helix around a central fibre, of which the pitch between strands in at least a first zone of the wire-like element is of a first value for producing a first linear heating power, and of which the pitch between strands in at least one second zone of the wire-like element is of a second value smaller than the first value in order to produce a second linear heating power higher than the first linear heating power. A washer fluid heating and carrying pipe including at least one fluid circulation canal situated near a heating conductive wire made from the aforementioned wire-like element is also disclosed. A wiper device for a glazed surface of a vehicle incorporating at least one such pipe, and a method of manufacturing a pipe is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Jean-Michel Jarasson, Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 9907121
    Abstract: A wire conductor for receiving alternating current and generating a magnetic field in response thereto. The wire conductor comprises a plurality of wire conductors in a parallel configured circuit extending between a first side of the wire conductor towards a second side of the wire conductor. A first layer of the plurality of wire conductors running in parallel from a first edge of the wire conductor to a second edge of the wire conductor. A second layer of parallel wire conductors residing above the first layer of the plurality of wire conductors, the second layer of parallel wire conductors running in parallel from the first edge of the wire conductor to the second edge of the wire conductor. The first layer of parallel wire conductors make a 180 degree turn along the first edge of the wire conductor. The first layer of parallel wire conductors make the 180 degree turn along the first edge of the wire conductor by first turning 90 degrees towards the second side of the parallel wire conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert James Miller, Christopher John Hottes, Marc Rollo Matsen, James M. Kestner, Cameron Kai-Ming Chen, Leah Gillian Glauber
  • Patent number: 9799423
    Abstract: A cable is provided and includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a PTC material layer. The PTC material layer is directly bonded to and electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Guo, Wei Zheng, Jianyong Liu
  • Patent number: 9666514
    Abstract: A substrate structure is presented that can include a porous polyimide material and electrodes formed in the porous polyimide material. In some examples, a method of forming a substrate can include depositing a barrier layer on a substrate; depositing a resist over the barrier layer; patterning and etching the resist; forming electrodes; removing the resist; depositing a porous polyimide aerogel; depositing a dielectric layer over the aerogel material; polishing a top side of the interposer to expose the electrodes; and removing the substrate from the bottom side of the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Cyprian Emeka Uzoh, Rajesh Katkar
  • Patent number: 9383119
    Abstract: The heater includes a heater main body, a housing storing the heater main body therein, and a coating material arranged in at least a part between the heater main body and the housing and covering at least a part of the heater main body. The coating material is a material containing at least one of ceramic and glass, the heater main body has a cylindrical honeycomb structural portion having partition walls separating and forming a plurality of cells and a pair of electrode portions disposed on a side face of the honeycomb structural portion, the housing contains the heater main body so as to cover the side face side of the heater main body, and the partition walls of the honeycomb structural portion is of a material containing ceramic as the main component and produces heat by energization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kida, Kenkichi Nagai, Kenshin Kitoh
  • Patent number: 9327838
    Abstract: A heater mat for a rotor blade includes a plurality of electrically conductive heater wires extending in a path along a span of the rotor blade and a plurality of yarn thread knitted to the plurality of heater wires, each of the yarn threads looping around at least one of the plurality of heater wires. A warp thread is positioned between adjacent heater wires and knitted to adjacent pairs of the yarn threads without looping around the plurality of heater wires, to maintain spacing between adjacent heater wires of the plurality of heater wires. An electrical current flowed through the plurality of heater wires inhibits ice accumulation on the rotor blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dean Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9326498
    Abstract: Disclosed are heatable enclosures useful in treating materials for eradication of pests. Specifically, a heating layer which can be fitted or retrofitted into a numerous and wide variety of containers and enclosures, such as suitcases, boxes, trucks and trailers, which are operable to heat the enclosed space of the container to treat heatable materials over a period of time to eradicate pests. Heating films can be utilized that are inexpensive and lightweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: JAB DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Lindsey
  • Patent number: 9301342
    Abstract: A heater wire is obtained by twisting together a plurality of heating element wires in which a rectangular wire is spirally wound around a core wire, and forming an insulating sheath on an outer peripheral surface of the twisted heating element wires. The current carrying capacity can be increased by increasing the number of the heating element wires and there is no need of increasing the cross-sectional area of each of the rectangular wires. Therefore, a reduction in the bending capacity due to an increase in the cross-sectional area of the rectangular wires can be avoided, and the bending capacity can be improved significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Totoku Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Miyahara, Yuichi Nakajo, Shigeo Hayashi, Shinji Yoda
  • Patent number: 9266454
    Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENTHERM CANADA LTD
    Inventors: Jack Barfuss, Grzegorz Kawa, Syed Rafat Iqbal, Bruno Orlando, Vincent Libbrecht
  • Patent number: 9241373
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a electrical conducting (control) device (5). It is provided that it exhibits at least one conducting-part carrier (5.2) and at least one conducting part (5.1), which is disposed at least partially on and/or for the conducting-part carrier (5.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Schaeffer, Michael Weiss, Denise Philipp
  • Patent number: 9210739
    Abstract: Foil-based PTC heaters are self-regulating, i.e. do not need any electronic control unit (ECU) to limit the maximum heating current. In order to establish different heating power levels the present invention proposes to choose different PTC ratio/onset characteristics. In addition, the print design of the PTC ink can be adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Driss Chabach, Raphael Bennes, Alain Schumacher, Werner Bieck, Matthias Massing, Joost Ortjens, Sung-Guen Kim
  • Patent number: 9193586
    Abstract: A cable includes a conductive core, an insulating layer, a shielding layer, and a sheath. The sheath coats the shielding layer. The shielding layer coats the insulating layer. The insulating layer coats the conductive wire. The conductive core includes a conductive wire and a carbon nanotube film comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes coat the conductive core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9133662
    Abstract: The invention relates to an awning type solar protection device equipped with an electrical power production system, the device including a flexible panel, at least one photovoltaic panel arranged on the outer face of the flexible panel, a furling tube onto which the flexible panel is rolled and a system for tensioning the flexible panel during its deployment or its furling. According to the invention, the proximal edge of the flexible panel is fixed to the furling tube by forming around said furling tube a portion which cannot be unrolled. In addition, electrical connection means are arranged in the interior of the furling tube and pass through said furling tube on the portion of the flexible panel which cannot be unrolled, said electrical connection means being hooked up to the at least one photovoltaic panel at the proximal edge of the flexible panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: DICKSON CONSTANT
    Inventors: Christophe Nocito, Laurent Raymond, Francois Boussu
  • Patent number: 9109740
    Abstract: A multi-layered patch including a backing layer, an outer layer, polymer adhesive layers that include a polymer foam and a solvent, and a heating layer that includes a polymer substrate, a heating element and a sensor, and methods of making and using the multi-layered patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Timberline Tool, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Green, Willie E. Rochefort, Nicholas Wannenmacher, Kevin Edward Harris, Staci Alix Van Norman