Flexible Patents (Class 219/549)
  • Patent number: 8242412
    Abstract: A heated keyboard includes a number of input keys and a circuit board. A heating member is arranged in each of the number of input keys connected to voltage pin of the circuit board via a heating switch. When the heating switch is turned on, the heating member receives a voltage signal from the circuit board, thereby the heating member generates heat for warming user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Xiao-Feng Ma
  • Patent number: 8217308
    Abstract: A more comfortable seat is provided by detecting whether or not a person is in a seat. A seat has a heating element 1, a seat surface temperature detector 5 that is situated below a seat surface cover and that detects the temperature of the seat surface, and a seating determination unit 6 for determining whether or not a seat is occupied. A determination is made as to whether or not a seat is occupied according to an amount of temperature change detected by the seat surface temperature detector 5 for a predetermined period of time, whereby a determination can be readily made as to whether or not a person is seated. When no one is seated, application of power to the heating element 1 is stopped, and the like, which in turn contributes to energy saving and enhancement of fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Asami, Masanori Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120168430
    Abstract: The invention provides a film-type heater with improved stability having an upper component comprising a first outer covering and a first intermediate layer; a lower component comprising a second outer covering and a second intermediate layer; and at least one carbon containing heating element attached to means for applying electrical current which is disposed between said upper component and said lower component wherein the heater further includes an electrical grounding element comprising a carbon containing conductor disposed between said carbon containing heating element and at least one of said upper component or lower component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Tae S. Seo
  • Patent number: 8212191
    Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to a heating cable that includes a plurality of bus wires positioned on the outside of a heating element. In one embodiment, a spacer is provided. A heating element is included on a surface of the spacer. The heating element also includes one or more resistance wires. A plurality of bus wires are positioned on the edges of the spacer that has the heating element wrapped around it. For example, a first bus wire is positioned on a first side of the spacer and a second bus wire is positioned on a second side of the spacer. A plurality of node areas (e.g., on the bus wires or on an insulated heating element) allow a resistance wire of the heating element to be electrically coupled to the bus wires at the plurality of node areas on alternating bus wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Umesh Sopory, Wells Whitney
  • Publication number: 20120145700
    Abstract: An electrical heating wire containing carbon fiber includes a heating unit and an insulation sleeve cladding on the heating unit. The heating unit is a carbon fiber bundle constituted by plural carbon fiber yarns or a structure formed by wrapping, weaving or twining the carbon fiber bundle with at least one element among a glass fiber bundle, a rock fiber bundle, a ceramic fiber bundle and a DuPont Kevlar® are fiber bundle (aromatic polyamide fiber bundle). The carbon fiber yarn can be a structure with metal particles on the surface, a dual-layered structure with a metal layer or a graphite layer on the surface, or a porous structure. Accordingly, by the present invention, the thermal conductivity can be increased, the resistance can be reduced, the thermal diffusion coefficient can be increased, the weight can be reduced and the hygroscopicity can be improved, thus providing a better efficiency of electrical heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: I-Shou TSAI, Lin-Ho LIU
  • Patent number: 8197621
    Abstract: A planar heating element using for carbon micro-fibers and its manufacturing method have developed. The high-resistant carbon micro-fibers and carbon powder are efficiently coated to completely replace a conventional heating element using resistance heat of a nichrome wire. A single heating element is possibly formed to have a large width and an ultra thin heating element without temperature restriction by overcoming drawbacks of a carbon powder printed heating element serving as an initial module of the planar heating element. Thus, it is possible to produce the various convenient heating elements or heating modules using DC and AC electricity without restriction by solving problems in installation and use, for example, space restriction, thereby various convenient heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Naos Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: In Jung
  • Patent number: 8188406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planar heat generating element for use on steering wheels of automotive vehicles and motorboats, and a problem of the invention is to adjust a temperature portion of a planar heat generating element which is attached to a steering wheel, so as to enhance the sensation of using the steering wheel by the user when he or she grips thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Asami, Yoshitaka Morikawa, Takehiko Shigeoka
  • Patent number: 8164034
    Abstract: A configuration contains a first honeycomb body, which is formed by at least one convoluted or wound stack and has a plurality of channels allowing a flow, wherein a first end of the stack is connected to an electric connection and a second end is connected to an electric ground. The stack contains a plurality of sheet metal foils in electric contact with each other, the foils being structured at least in some regions. At the same time, the honeycomb body has support pins for connecting to a second honeycomb body, the pins have a distance of at least 25 mm from each other along the course of the stack at least outside an inner region. A method introduces support pins into the honeycomb body and a device receives a honeycomb body and/or for positioning support pins. The device enables the installation of the support pins in the honeycomb body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Jörg-Roman Konieczny, Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 8164035
    Abstract: The heating device mainly contains a dual-core heat cable and a control circuit. The dual-core heating cable mainly contains a core, a heating wire winding spirally around the core, a NTC (negative-temperature-coefficient) layer wrapping around the core and the heating wire, a PTC heating wire winding spirally around the NTC layer, and an insulating layer wrapping around the NTC layer and the PTC heating wire. The control circuit monitors the PTC heating wire's current for constant temperature control, and the leakage current through The NTC layer as a second over-temperature protection. As such, the heating device has a superior constant temperature effect and avoids the problem of burning down the heating cable. The heating device therefore has a longer operational life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Long-Huang Chang
  • Patent number: 8158908
    Abstract: A device includes an electrically heatable honeycomb body, particularly for treating an exhaust gas flow of a mobile internal combustion machine. The device includes sheet metal foils forming channels and being in electrical contact with a housing. The housing has a terminal for connection to a voltage source, a plurality of contact points disposed remotely from the terminal for contacting the sheet metal foils and a respective contact conductor between the terminal and each contact point. The contact conductors have the same electrical resistance. A motor vehicle having at least one such device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissiontechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Jörg-Roman Konieczny, Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 8153940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat heater, which is used for applications in the range of heating voltages of up to 1000 V, produces attainable powers of up to 2 kW/m2 and is characterized by the fact that the electrical resistance required for the heating is formed by an electrically conductive cellulose nonwoven. Metallic contacts which are incorporated ensure the connection of the conductive cellulose nonwoven to a voltage source. Polymer films applied on both sides provide mechanical and electrical protection and prevent the ingress of moisture into the cellulose nonwoven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Thüringisches Institut für Textil-und Kunststoff-Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Frank-Günter Niemz, Bernd Riedel, Carmen Knobelsdorf
  • Patent number: 8138457
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate-type heater designed to allow uniform generation of heat across the entire surface of the heater, comprising an upper component composed of a first outer covering and a first intermediate layer joined together and a lower component composed of a second outer covering and a second intermediate layer joined together, with a heating element being placed between said upper component and lower component and wires laminated onto the two end surfaces of said heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Carbonic Heat Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Suk Seo
  • Publication number: 20110297667
    Abstract: A heater member for a chair, of which the dimension as measured in the width direction is not constant, includes a fabric of a weft knitting structure having a plurality of conductive threads woven into the fabric as a part of constituent yarn. Each of the conductive threads has substantially the same length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki KUNISADA
  • Patent number: 8035064
    Abstract: The product is basically a heating blanket that is adapted in size to fit around a canister of refrigerant used to recharge heat pumps, air conditioners and refrigerators in a commercial or home setting. The blanket has a heating element within it which heats the canister when placed around the canister. From one corner of the blanket is an electrical cord which runs to a small control unit and then to a plug that fits a common 110 voltage household outlet. The control unit consists of a fitting that is designed to be attached to the valve on the top of the refrigerant canister. This fitting is attached to a pressure sensitive valve that sense the pressure of the refrigerant that passes through the valve. This pressure sensitive valve turns off the flow of electric to the blanket when the gas hits a certain pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Craig Fish
  • Publication number: 20110233193
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible, flat heating strip using carbon filaments as a heating element, which includes: multiple carbon filaments; a thermoplastic material applied to two opposite surfaces of the carbon filaments to enclose them; and a power terminal provided at each of two opposite end portions of the carbon filaments. The flexible, flat heating strip can be of any size and can be extended when necessary. For example, a plurality of flexible, flat heating strips may be soldered together in series to extend and form a predetermined pattern; also, a single flexible, flat heating strip may be bent consecutively to form a predetermined pattern. A flexible, flat heating strip of the present invention is suitable for use with articles of all dimensions, including small articles (e.g., clothing, waist supports, and gloves) and large-area items (e.g., electric blankets, quilts).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Chen San CHENG
  • Patent number: 8017891
    Abstract: A plastic material sheet for use in vacuum thermoforming is formed of polymer material. Electrically conductive resistance elements, at least a portion of which are situated within sheet, conduct electrical current to heat the sheet. The elements are generally parallel to each other. They may be straight, have a generally zigzag configuration, a generally serpentine configuration, an arcuate configuration, or a grid-like configuration. The elements may each have a section that extends substantially beyond the edge of the sheet. They may be frangible. They may be embedded deeply within the sheet or may be situated proximate a surface of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Nevin
  • Patent number: 8006633
    Abstract: An embroidered electrode (10) consists of embroidered elements (12, 13, 14) of electrically conductive thread sewn on a backing material (11). Within a given element the orientation of stitching is selected to be parallel to the direction in which the element extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Genevieve Bennett, Philip A. H. Clarke, Warren B. Valentine
  • Patent number: 8008607
    Abstract: Methods of forming a layered heater are provided that comprise at least one resistive layer comprising a resistive circuit pattern, the resistive circuit pattern defining a length, a thickness, and a spacing, wherein the thickness varies along the length of the trace of the resistive circuit pattern for a variable watt density. The methods include achieving the variable thickness by varying a dispensing rate of a conductive ink used to form the resistive circuit pattern, varying the feed rate of a target surface relative to the dispensing of the ink, and overwriting a volume of conductive ink on top of a previously formed trace of the resistive circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ptasienski, James McMillin, Thomas T. Nagl, Rolando O. Juliano
  • Patent number: 8008606
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises a first backing layer and a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on the first backing layer. The discontinuous circuit has terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defines at least one gap between the terminal ends. The composite article further comprises a second backing layer spaced from the first backing layer. A trace formed of a conductive material is disposed on the second backing layer. The trace is aligned with the at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when the first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with the trace extending across the gap and contacting the discontinuous circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: T-Ink, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance Kaiserman, John Gentile, Anthony Gentile
  • Patent number: 7989740
    Abstract: A heating cable includes a bus wire structure that includes a plurality of bus wires. An insulation layer is provided to insulate the plurality of bus wires. A plurality of node areas exposes portions of the bus wires from the insulation. A heating element is wrapped around the bus wire structure in a helical manner. The heating element includes an insulating core and one or more resistance wires wrapped around the core in a helical manner. The heating element is electrically coupled to the nodes of the bus wire structure at the plurality of node areas. The insulating core may be made of a folded-over tape made of a cloth material, such as glass cloth. Pluralities of redundant paths in between two nodes are provided to allow for current to flow in a zone if one of the redundant paths is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wells Whitney, Umesh Sopory
  • Patent number: 7964827
    Abstract: There is provided a laminated sheet heater whose mounting space is small, a lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater that requires only a small mounting space and provides high reliability of electrical connection between a heater element and a lead wire, a heater-equipped battery structure provided with the laminated sheet heater or the lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, and a heater unit. In a first lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, a foil heater element includes a heater terminal portion protruding into a film void part in a planar direction of a laminated sheet heater. A lead core wire of a lead wire includes a lead terminal portion crimp-connected to a heater terminal portion by a crimping member so that the lead core wire is placed in contact with the surface of the heater terminal portion within a film void part in the planar direction of the laminated sheet heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Shuhei Marukawa, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 7964826
    Abstract: A modular heater system is provided that includes a heat trace assembly and a connector assembly. The heat trace assembly has a heat trace section that defines a plurality of fins, an insulation jacket surrounding the heat trace section, and at least one terminating member disposed at an end of the heat trace section. The connector assembly has a shell, including a plurality of outer walls and inner walls defining cavities therebetween, and a fitting heater assembly that includes a fitting adapter, a heat trace section disposed around the fitting adapter, and an outer casing disposed around the fitting adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric E. Ellis, Shawn L. Leininger, Allen Boldt, Louis P. Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7964825
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for attaching electrical leads (22, 24) to a heating layer (16) of a heater are provided. An attachment material (50) is thermally sprayed over cords (32) of the electrical leads (22, 24), which are in contact with the heating layer (16) over a contact area (20). The attachment material (50) and the heating layer 16 are further thermally sprayed with a layer (52), which is an isolating material. The thermal sprayed connection between the electrical leads (22, 24) and the heating layer (16) thus provides more intimate contact and an improved electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elias Russegger, Reinhardt W. Lehnert
  • Patent number: 7935911
    Abstract: The invention relates to constructing a heating mat that employs electrical resistance foils to provide a uniform heat. In embodiments of the invention applicable for providing heat to individuals, the mat provides this uniform heat at a comfortable temperature. The heating mat structure comprises protective layers surrounding the heating element to provide a durable structure that is suitable for industrial and commercial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Kaesler
  • Patent number: 7910860
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus including a heat exchanging portion capable of conforming to the outer surface of a heat exchange target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Irvin
  • Publication number: 20110049131
    Abstract: The bit warmer has a carbon heating element that is contained within a water resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover. The carbon heating element has an electrical plug connected to it. Optionally, a piece of insulation is adhesively attached to the carbon heating element. The carbon heating element is then placed in a nylon fabric pouch. The nylon fabric pouch is fastened by a hook and loop fastener. The encased carbon heating element is plugged into an available outlet, then wrapped around the bit. The pouch containing the carbon heating element is then fastened so that the bit is enveloped by the pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Jamie K. Sturgess
  • Publication number: 20110036828
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube fabric includes a heating element and at least two electrodes. The heating element includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end to end. The at least two electrodes are separately located and electrically connected to the carbon nanotubes of the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7884307
    Abstract: An electric heating textile is provided. The electric heating textile includes an electric heating layer, plural heat-insulating layers and a protective layer. The electric heating layer includes at least one conductive yarn capable of generating heat and plural aromatic polyamide fibers. The heat-insulating layers are under the electric heating layer. The protective layer is on the electric heating layer. A method for manufacturing the electric heating textile is also disclosed in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Chen-Liang Li, Han-Hsing Hsiung, Ching-Tang Huang, Cheng-Kun Chu
  • Patent number: 7851729
    Abstract: An electric heating blanket system includes a flexible sheet-like heating element having a substantially uniform watt density output across a surface area thereof, when the heating element is electrically powered. A temperature sensor is coupled to the heating element at a location where the heating element will be in conductive contact with a body when the blanket is draped over the body. The system further includes a temperature controller coupled to the temperature sensor, and an electric power source coupled to the heating element and to the temperature controller, the power source being controlled to provide the watt density output for the heating element according to a temperature sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Augustine Temperature Management LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Rudolf A. Deibel, Scott A. Entenman, Keith J. Leland, Thomas F. Neils
  • Publication number: 20100308033
    Abstract: A heater element for formed components is disclosed, along with the final formed component itself. The heater element is produced by photochemically etching a suitable heater track pattern from porous metallised fabric such a nickel coated woven polyester. The heater element is located within a mould. Thermo-formable material is then applied to the mould and the final component is shaped according to the shape of the mould. The final component has a heater element located within it. The component may have microencapsulated agents for initiation by operation of the heater element. Furthermore, the final component may have one or more digital images printed onto the surface for the purposes of decoration or personalisation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: NEL Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7838804
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electric heating element with at least one flat heating resistor to be arranged near a surface to be heated, and at least one electrode that serves to feed a current into the heating resistor and features at least two contact conductor strands that are, at least locally, connected to one another and to the heating resistor, at least in an elongated contacting region. The invention proposes that at least at one location along the electrode and/or the contacting region at which at least one of the contact conductor strands, at least locally, extends parallel to the direction of the electrode, and/or the contacting region, at least one additional contact conductor strand, at least locally, extends at an angle thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Martin Krobok
  • Patent number: 7827675
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an activated carbon fiber soft electric heating product for overcoming existing problems including uneven temperature rise and heat dissipation at surfaces of the product, unbendable feature, short life and poor safety. An activated carbon fiber cloth and a woven fiber cloth of the activated carbon fiber soft electric heating product are fixed by an epoxy resin layer, and a conducting copper net is disposed between the activated carbon fiber cloth and the epoxy resin layer and coupled to a power input wire. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: (1) spraying an epoxy resin on a surface of the woven fiber cloth, and bake-drying and hot pressing the woven fiber cloth; and (2) connecting the conducting copper net and the power input wire, laying the activated carbon fiber cloth, and performing a second-time hot pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Ching-Ling Pan, Yung-Shun Wu
  • Patent number: 7825356
    Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to a heater for warming a patient's extremity in order to cause vasodilation for facilitating venous catheterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Augustine Biomedical and Design LLC
    Inventors: Karen Hewes, Scott D. Augustine, Mark C. Albrecht, Randall C. Arnold, Thomas F. Neils
  • Patent number: 7820950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure-sensitive supporting material, which can be (intrinsically) heated by an inner heat source, and to the use thereof. The heatable supporting material is characterized in that the supporting material comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer inside of which heat is generated. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive compound, which can be heated by electric current, induction, a chemical reaction or by a physical phase transition. The heatable supporting material has a high heating capacity and is suited for producing pressure-sensitive tapes for adhering heatable mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: tesa SE
    Inventors: Klaus Keite-Telgenbüscher, Stephan Zöllner, Marco Kupsky, German Patino, Olaf Gōrbig
  • Patent number: 7816628
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a garment includes a fabric having a channel, a heat conductive wire disposed in the channel, a power source coupled to the heat conductive wire and detachably attached to the garment, and a controller electrically coupled to the power source and detachably attached to the garment, wherein the controller is configured with a heat setting. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of heating a garment includes providing a fabric, forming a channel, disposing a heat conductive wire within the channel, connecting the heat conductive wire with a power source, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery, and adjusting the heating of the garment by operating the power source and the heat conductive wire using a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Products of Tomorrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul McGrath, Frank Cipolla, James Sabastian, Michael J. Keating
  • Publication number: 20100237063
    Abstract: A reticulate heater for a steering wheel exhibits flexibility, elasticity and waterproofness. The reticulate heater comprises a reticulate heat generating element (11) consisting of a plurality of insulated heater wires (14) braided in a mesh form, and exhibiting flexibility and elasticity to permit tight contact with a curved surface, a waterproof stretch-film (12) covering the front and rear surfaces of the reticulate heat generating element (11) water-tightly and adhering to the reticulate heat generating element (11) while still keeping the flexibility and elasticity thereof, and an elastic adhesive (13) having flexibility and elasticity even after curing, applied to the whole surface of the stretch-film (12) on the adhering surface side in a planar and thin state, and bonding the stretch-film (12) to the reticulate heat generating element (11) water-tightly even if the stretch-film (12) is stretched within an allowable tensile range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SWCC SHOWA DEVICE TEHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shirou Hasegawa, Masahiro Nagai
  • Publication number: 20100220984
    Abstract: Urea tank and base plate with an integrated heating element in which the heating element comprises at least one flexible part which is preferably a flexible heater comprising at least one resistive track affixed to one flexible film and/or placed between two flexible films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYM
    Inventors: Vincent Potier, Stephane Leonard, Joel Op De Beeck, Francois Dougnier, Nadja Walling, Larry Tipton, Volodia Naydenov
  • Patent number: 7777156
    Abstract: Electric heating/warming composite fabric articles have at least a fabric layer having inner and outer surfaces, and an electric heating/warming element, e.g., including a bus, formed, e.g., of die cut metallized textile or plastic sheeting or metal foil, affixed at a surface of the fabric layer and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A air-and-water droplet resistant and water vapor permeable barrier layer may be positioned, for example, adjacent to the fabric layer; e.g., with the electric heating/warming element formed thereupon or at least partially impregnated therein, e.g. in a fabric laminate or in a composite formed by application of heat and pressure to at least one layer of a barrier film disposed adjacent thereto, including to protect the electric circuit, e.g. against abrasion, moisture, and or against physical stress due, e.g., to repeated crushing, bending or flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: MMI-IPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Moshe Rock, Vincent Doyle, III
  • Patent number: 7767939
    Abstract: A heater element for formed components is disclosed, along with the final formed component itself. The heater element is produced by photochemically etching a suitable heater track pattern from porous metallised fabric such a nickel coated woven polyester. The heater element is located within a mould. Thermo-formable material is then applied to the mould and the final component is shaped according to the shape of the mould. The final component has a heater element located within it. The component may have microencapsulated agents for initiation by operation of the heater element. Furthermore, the final component may have one or more digital images printed onto the surface for the purposes of decoration or personalisation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: NEL Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7767936
    Abstract: A breathable electrical heater element for a topical application device such as a wound dressing or a therapeutic heating pad is disclosed. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a track pattern onto a porous metallised fabric (e.g. nickel coated woven polyester). The heater element has a skin or wound contact layer laminated to the front face of the heater element. An adhesive layer is laminated to the back face of the heater element. The adhesive layer forms an overhang to provide an adhesive border around the wound contact layer to adhere the device to the skin of a patient. Therapeutically active drugs (optionally microencapsulated) may be incorporated into the skin or wound contact layer. Operation of the heater element causes the skin or wound contact layer to release the active drugs to the skin or wound of the patient. Appropriate control of the temperature of the heater element allows control of the release of the active drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nel Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20100176118
    Abstract: An electric heating film comprising of an first polymeric layer having a top surface and bottom surface, a second polymeric layer, a metalized surface, and conductive bus electrodes. The top surface of the first polymeric layer includes a continuous metalized surface of vacuum deposited metal coating and at least one pair of parallel spaced conductive bus electrodes, i.e. copper strips, for connection to a power source. The conductive bus electrodes are conductively adhered to the metalized surface to distribute an electrical current onto the metalized surface to provide a heat across the metalized surface. The second polymeric film sheet layer is provided as a protective layer positioned atop of the top surface of the first polymeric film sheet or enclosing the top and bottom surface of the first polymeric film sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: David Lee, Carl Schalansky
  • Patent number: 7723651
    Abstract: A heating pad is disclosed. The heating pad has a heating line received in a bag, wherein a plurality of heat preservation elements are slipped over the heating line; when the heating pad is electrified, a controller controls the temperature of the heating line for heat applying on a human body; when a electric source is turned off, the heating line stops being heated up, the heat preservation elements keeps on scattering heat outwards to extend the time of heat applying. The heat preservation elements can be ceramic pipes able to emit far infrared ray, so that during heat applying, the ceramic pipes can emit far infrared ray to get an effect of health care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Shuh-Tsai Yang
  • Patent number: 7718923
    Abstract: A sunshade for an automobile placed upon a dashboard in the interior of the vehicle provides a reflective outer surface to deflect heat and sunlight through the windshield into a vehicle during hot weather conditions and also provides the outer surface with heat strip elements when enabled during cold weather to provide a radiant heat to the windshield to prevent ice build-up on the windshield maintaining a clear windshield during freezing temperatures, the heat strip elements drawings a low voltage current from a rechargeable battery supply or a 12 volt DC power from a cigarette lighter plug, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott P. Hansen, Mary J. Hunt-Hansen
  • Patent number: 7716815
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for fabricating a cloth-like heating element with two pairs of electrical conductors and parallel circuits which are formed via a severing process. A pair of electrical conductors, which looks as a twin belt aligned in parallel, is fabricated on both edges of the heating element by the weaving process; Severing predetermined portions of the inner electrical conductor in order to increase the electrical resistance of heating wires, the pertinent heating wires are connected in series circuitry with each side of the outer electrical conductors; and the heating element is completed when the said process of series linkage is continuously carried out in parallel alignment in accordance with predetermined design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Bariaq Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Tae Moon Kim
  • Patent number: 7709770
    Abstract: A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: HTTP—Hypothermia Therapy Ltd.
    Inventor: David Bikhovsky
  • Patent number: 7687747
    Abstract: An electromagnet heating cable includes a center core, an inner layer body formed around the center core, an intermediate layer body formed around the inner layer body, an outer layer body formed around the intermediate layer body, an inner layer coil having a magnetic core disposed between the center core and inner layer body, an intermediate layer coil disposed between the inner layer body and the intermediate layer body, and an outer layer coil disposed between the intermediate layer body and outer layer body, wherein when a temperature of the heating cable exceeds a threshold, the intermediate layer body melts to electrically connect the intermediate layer coil to the outer layer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Myoung Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20100051605
    Abstract: A heating device is formed from an electrically conducting, flexible resistance material of carbon fibers arranged between at least two electrodes provided for electrical contacting. The carbon fibers are stretch-broken carbon fiber yarns with a titer of 30 tex to 800 tex and a resistivity of 100 to 600 ?/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SGL CARBON SE
    Inventor: Reiner Bode
  • Patent number: 7671299
    Abstract: A heating assembly used for providing heat to the hands of a person using equipment with handlebars. The heating assembly is installed internal to the handlebars and provides heat to the handlebar grips normally installed on equipment of this type. This system works with existing grips, i.e. special heated grip systems are not required. The current invention is thus usable with a wider variety of handlebar grip devices currently used on motorcycles, snowmobiles, snow blowers and other outdoor devices utilizing handlebars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Gifford, Joseph Roger Plessel, Roland Benjamin Knapton
  • Patent number: 7671300
    Abstract: A heater element is provided adapted to heat a belt in a fuser assembly. The heater element comprises laterally spaced-apart features extending beyond a center section provided between the features. The features and center section are adapted to face an inner surface of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Edward Lucas, Jason Romain, Jerry Wayne Smith, Casey Thomas Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100038356
    Abstract: The sheet heating element according to the present invention comprises a substrate sheet made of an electrically insulative material and lines made of electrically conductive materials and arranged with a distance between them on the substrate sheet. The sheet heating element further comprises at least one PTC resistor sheet being in electrical contact with the lines and configured to heat up in a self-regulated manner in response to a supply of electricity from the lines. The at least one PTC resistor sheet may comprise a flame retardant agent and/or a liquid-resistant resin. The sheet heating element according to the present invention has excellent flexibility, durability, and reliability, as well as low manufacturing cost. When the sheet heating element of the present invention is used in a car seat heater or in a steering wheel heater, the passenger feels comfortable when seated thereon, and the driver feels comfortable when touching the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirosi Fukuda, Katsuhiko Uno, Takahito Ishii, Keizo Nakajima, Akihiro Umeda