Abstract: To provide a ceramic heater capable of reducing temperature uniformity at the periphery of through holes such as insertion holes and vacuum suction holes, thereby protecting the wafer against thermal shocks and having improved controllability for temperature control parts such as thermocouples and temperature fuse. Further, a ceramic heater capable of uniform resin curing is provided. A heat generation body 14 is disposed on the surface or inside of the ceramic substrate 12. Further, corners for the insertion holes 16, the recesses 18 and the vacuum suction holes 20 of the ceramic substrate 12 are chamfered.

Abstract: A method is provide for measuring electromagnetic radiation radiated from a surface of an object that is irradiated by electromagnetic radiation given off by at least one radiation source. The radiation given off by the radiation source is determined by at least one first detector, and the radiation given off by the irradiated object is determined by at least one second detector that measures the radiation. The radiation from the at least one radiation source is actively modulated with at least one characteristic pyrometer. The radiation determined by the second detector is corrected with the radiation determined by the first detector to compensate for the radiation of the radiation source reflected from the object.

Abstract: An electric heating device includes a flexible resistor ribbon, a plurality of sections of electroconductive coating attached to the resistor ribbon at preset intervals, and connector contacts coupled to the resistor ribbon for enabling connection of a power source to the resistor ribbon. The resistor ribbon has a high specific impedance. The flexible resistor ribbon is attached to a rigid or flexible flat base panel for incorporation into a building as a floor, wall or ceiling panel. Layers of electric insulation are attached to the base so as to sandwich the flexible resistor ribbon. Where the resistor ribbon is bent back on itself, for example, to form a snaking configuration, a strip of two-sided adhesive tape is attached to the layers of electric insulation and to the ribbon at multiple spaced points.

Abstract: A ceramic heater that may be used in an oxygen sensor for automotive air-fuel ratio control systems and includes a ceramic square rod formed with a laminate of a heater substrate on which a heater-patterned layer consisting of a heater element and leads is formed and a covering substrate covering the heater-patterned layer. Metallic terminals are connected electrically to the leads of the heater-patterned layer, respectively, and mounted on surfaces of the ceramic square rod opposed to each other in a direction of lamination of the heater substrate and the covering substrate, respectively. At least one outer lead is joined to one of the metallic terminals through a bonding layer.

Abstract: An easy-to-manufacture structure of a ceramic heater having a high durability and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The ceramic heater may be used in an oxygen sensor for automotive air-fuel ratio control systems and includes a ceramic square rod formed with a laminate of a heater substrate on which a heater-patterned layer consisting of a heater element and leads is formed and a covering substrate covering the heater-patterned layer. Metallic terminals are connected electrically to the leads of the heater-patterned layer, respectively, and mounted on surfaces of the ceramic square rod opposed to each other in a direction of lamination of the heater substrate and the covering substrate, respectively. At least one outer lead is joined to one of the metallic terminals through a bonding layer.

Abstract: A heating element for a vacuum heat treating furnace, a hot zone for a vacuum heat treating furnace, and a vacuum furnace are disclosed. The heating element includes a first heating element portion formed of a thin form of conductive, refractory metal or alloy, and an expansion loop formed in or attached to the first heating element portion, to absorb expansive and contractive forces on the element due to thermal cycling. The heating elements are disposed around the interior surface of the hot zone, which includes a sidewall formed of thermally insulating material. The vacuum heat treating furnace includes a pressure vessel and a hot zone disposed within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a rotationally symmetrical resistance furnace heating element. The heating element has at least two ends. A respective cooling element is disposed in communication with each end. The heating element includes at least first and second high current density sections. The high current density sections are axially separated by at least one low current density section. The high current density sections have a smaller diameter than the low current density section. The invention also includes a multiple crucible method of drawing an optical fiber from the draw furnace described above. The method includes the step of heating an entire body of raw materials in a hot zone in the furnace.

Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise two cold zones with an interposed hot zone, the hot zone having an electrical path length of from 0.51 cm to about 2 cm. Igniters of the invention can effectively diffuse power density throughout the igniter hot zone region, without producing isolated temperature gradients which can lead to premature igniter degradation and failure. The invention also provides new methods for forming ceramic igniters.

Abstract: A ceramic heater that may be used in an oxygen sensor for automotive air-fuel ratio control systems and includes a ceramic square rod formed with a laminate of a heater substrate on which a heater-patterned layer consisting of a heater element and leads is formed and a covering substrate covering the heater-patterned layer. Metallic terminals are connected electrically to the leads of the heater-patterned layer, respectively, and mounted on surfaces of the ceramic square rod opposed to each other in a direction of lamination of the heater substrate and the covering substrate, respectively. At least one outer lead is joined to one of the metallic terminals through a bonding layer.

Abstract: An electrical resistance or heater includes an electrical resistive track provided on an insulating substrate. Two predetermined sections of the track have a predetermined current carrying capacity and are bridged by a glass, ceramic, or glass ceramic material. The configuration of the track and the glass material are such that at a predetermined temperature, the leakage current between the track sections rises to the extent that it causes a current to flow through one or both of the sections which is substantially above its current carrying capability, whereby one section fails.

Abstract: A ceramic heater that may be used in an oxygen sensor for automotive air-fuel ratio control systems and includes a ceramic square rod formed with a laminate of a heater substrate on which a heater-patterned layer consisting of a heater element and leads is formed and a covering substrate covering the heater-patterned layer. Metallic terminals are connected electrically to the leads of the heater-patterned layer, respectively, and mounted on surfaces of the ceramic square rod opposed to each other in a direction of lamination of the heater substrate and the covering substrate, respectively. At least one outer lead is joined to one of the metallic terminals through a bonding layer.

Abstract: An electrically heatable catalytic converter for the cleaning of exhaust gas from combustion processes, preferably from internal combustion engines, comprising a shell and a carrier located inside the shell, preferably with a multitude of parallel channels through which the exhaust gas being cleaned can flow, where the carrier exhibits at least one layer that is catalytically active in relation to the exhaust gas, and where, furthermore, at least a portion of the surface of the carrier exhibits at least one electrically conductive resistance heating layer with electrical connection areas, which is insulated against the carrier by means of an insulation layer, and with at least one connection element that contacts the resistance heating layer in the electrical connection areas, is easily manufactured and reliable during operation if at least one connection element runs through the resistance heating layer and the insulation layer, as well as the carrier.

Abstract: A ceramic heater with a specified ratio of electric resistance for the heat generating portion and the lead portion of a heat generating resistor is provided. The ceramic heater has a ceramic substrate comprising alumina as a main ingredient and a heat generating resistor composed only of tungsten, or a heat generating resistor comprising at least one of 3 to 30% by weight of alumina and 10 to 40% by weight of rhenium, and at least one of tungsten and molybdenum. Particularly, the ratio of the electric resistance can be controlled and the adhesion of ceramic substrates for sandwiching the heat generating resistor can be improved, for example, by means of disposing slits to the lead portion and/or changing ingredients constituting the lead portion. The ceramic heater is capable of reaching a predetermined temperature in a short time, has high adhesion between the heat generating resistor and ceramic substrates and excellent durability and can be used in an oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A heater unit includes a metallic casing, and a honeycomb heater held in the casing, comprising a metallic honeycomb structure having a large number of parallel passages extending in the direction of the flow of a gas passing through the heater unit and at least one electrode for electrical heating of the honeycomb structure, attached to the honeycomb structure. A fastening member is fitted to part of the outer surface of the honeycomb heater to stabilize the shape of the honeycomb heater and a holding member is fitted to the outer periphery of the honeycomb heater to connect the honeycomb heater with the inner surface of the casing via the holding member. This heater unit can be suitably used for purification of the exhaust gas emitted from an automobile engine, because, in the heater unit, the unpurified exhaust gas which passes through the gap between the casing and the honeycomb heater, i.e. the by-pass flow, is minimized.

Abstract: A PTC thermistor element for a heating device has a main body of a layered structure having a thinner layer and a thicker layer, sandwiched between electrodes formed on the main outer surfaces facing away from each other. The thinner layer has a thickness 0.05-0.43 times that of the thicker layer and is made of a PTC thermistor material with a Curie temperature which is lower than that of the thicker layer by 20.degree. C. or more. The center of heat generation is thus shifted towards the electrode formed on the thinner layer, and a heating plate contacting it can be effectively heated.

Abstract: A pyrolytic boron nitride radiation heating unit including a dielectric base of boron nitride, a heating element of pyrolytic graphite superimposed on the dielectric base, a first outer coating surrounding said heating element composed of pyrolytic boron nitride and a second outer coating surrounding said first outer coating and having an emmissivity above at least about 0.9 at a wave length of 1.55 microns. The second outer coating is preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide and boron carbide.

Abstract: There is provided a method of patterning a substrate with an atomic mask having a mask substrate and first atoms adsorbed on the mask substrate, the first atoms forming a mask pattern having a one-atomic thickness, including the steps, in sequence, of (a) depositing adatoms over a surface of a substrate to be patterned, the adatoms having low reactivity with second atoms of which the substrate is composed, and (b) placed the atomic mask close to the substrate in such a distance that the first atoms form a chemical bond with the adatoms, so that adatoms located nearest to the first atoms are desorbed out of the substrate to form a pattern on the substrate, the pattern being defined as an area where none of the adatoms exists. In accordance with the above mentioned method, it is possible to form a pattern on the sub-nanometer or nanometer order with high accuracy and in a short period of time, and it is also possible to repeatedly form the same pattern by using the atomic mask.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heater for use in a crystal puller used for growing monocrystalline silicon ingots according to the Czochralski method comprises a heating element sized and shaped for disposition in the housing of the crystal puller around the crucible for applying heat to the crucible and silicon therein. The heating element includes heating segments connected together in an electric circuit. The segments have upper and lower sections and are arranged relative to each other so that when disposed around the crucible containing molten silicon the upper sections are disposed generally above a horizontal plane including the surface of the molten silicon and the lower sections are disposed generally below the horizontal plane. The upper sections are constructed to generate more heating power than the lower sections thereby to reduce a temperature gradient between the molten silicon at its surface and the ingot just above the surface of the molten silicon.

Abstract: A thermal actuator comprising a first conductive material encased in a second non-conductive expansive material wherein said first conductive material is constructed in the form of a corrugated heater element so as to increase the rate of thermal transfer to said second non-conductive expansive material.

Abstract: A graphite furnace element, such as a heat shield or heating element, comprises a plurality of bent, rigid, solid and arcuate-shaped graphite sheets that have been joined together, usually by screws or bolts. The bent graphite sheets typically have a wall thickness between 0.05 and 0.5 inch.

Abstract: An electrical connection for a ceramic hot surface element in which the ends of the hot surface element are essentially interference fit within a pair of metallic termination sleeves, and electrical connection to the hot surface element is provided by an active metal braze which is directly chemically bonded to the metallic termination.

Abstract: Several heater patterns are printed on a ceramic green sheet for substrates, and the ceramic green sheet is laminated with a ceramic green sheet for cover plates, thereby forming a lamination body. Then, the lamination body is cut so that it is divided into several intermediate bodies, each of which holds a corresponding one of the heater patterns therein and has a side surface on which a terminal portion of the heater pattern is exposed. Then, the intermediate body is baked. As a result, a ceramic heater composed of a heater substrate holding the heater pattern and a cover plate disposed on the heater substrate to cover the heater pattern can be provided without any micro-cracks therein.

Abstract: Infrared wire element configurations allow for expansion during use in a thermoplastic welding environment. A mounting apparatus for the infrared wire expansion configuration provides support.

Abstract: A meshed plate-like heater is disposed between multi-layer cylindrical filters without contacting with the filters to constitute a DPF. The heater has a form in which strip-like electric conduction paths are arranged and developed side by side horizontally, and then made cylindrical such that the different electric resistances are set for the inlet portion, the outlet portion and the center portion so as to constitute a DPF for regenerating particulates. The regenerative heater realizes a uniform temperature distribution all over the regenerative heater within a range of from about 600.degree. C. which is the self-burning temperature of the particulates to 1,000.degree. C. which is the heat-resistance temperature of the filters, in 10 minutes after the start of regeneration.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat treating furnaces which employ electric resistance heating elements and, in particular, to improved processes for repairing such furnaces and heating elements particularly useful in such repair. A typical vacuum furnace employing this invention provides a hot zone that is made for heavy duty heat treating applications. The furnace has a series of banks of axial-spaced electrical resistance heating elements suspended from an inner wall of its hot zone chamber by a series of support rods. Repeated furnace use can result in heating element fractures, which necessitate replacement of the heating elements. The replacement in accordance with this invention is with an element having a thicker and narrower cross section than previously existed in the furnace. The specially designed width-to-thickness aspect ratio heating elements according to this invention enables the elements to have a longer life between replacements.

Abstract: A flame reaction member for a gas appliance has a flame reaction material carrier having a coiled or looped flame reaction material holding portion and flame reaction material carried on the flame reaction material holding portion. When manufacturing such a flame reaction member, a powder composition of the flame reaction material is molded into a body of a predetermined shape. The molded body is heated with the molded body held adjacent to the flame reaction material holding portion and is fused to the flame reaction material holding portion. The flame reaction material holding portion of the flame reaction material carrier is formed of flat wire material.

Abstract: A silicon nitride ceramic heater comprising a base body of silicon nitride ceramics, and a heating element embedded in the body, the ceramic heater being characterized in that the element further comprises, as a main ingredient, at least one of carbides, nitrides or silicides selected from the metal group consisting of W, Mo, Re, Cr, Ti, Ta, Ni and Co, and not more than 75 vol % of the BN content in combination with the main ingredient. This composition can reduce the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the heating element and the silicon nitride ceramics and can thus prevent the heating element from being cracked by thermal stress. Consequently, the silicon nitride ceramic heater is superior in durability and can maintain high performance for a long time.

Abstract: The reservoir system includes a heater coil having electrical leads adapted to be coupled to a voltage source. The heater coil is adapted to generate heat in correspondence with a heater voltage provided by the voltage source. A reservoir material layer is adapted to regulate pressure of a gas disposed within the gaseous-discharge device in accordance with temperature of the reservoir material. Heat is transferred from the heater coil to the reservoir material through a series of thermally conductive layers in which each of the layers have different thermal conductivity and coefficients of expansion. As a result, the thermal path resistance between the heater coil and the reservoir material layer increases as temperature of the heater coil increases so that the reservoir material increases in temperature at a slower rate than the heater coil.

Abstract: A heated view port for in-situ optical observation of a deposition chamber in a vessel under high vacuum application comprising a plurality of superimposed layers arranged in the shape of an annular band mounted around the view port substantially at the outer periphery thereof. The band includes a first layer of pyrolytic boron nitride, a second layer of pyrolytic graphite covering at least one surface of the pyrolytic boron nitride layer, an outer layer of pyrolytic boron nitride and two electrical contact terminals in contact with the pyrolytic graphite layer in an arrangement forming parallel resistive paths between the contact terminals. The terminal contacts are connected to an external source of electrical power.

Abstract: A heating element is formed of graphite. The heating element has a curved shape. The heating element is capable of resisting electricity to generate heat. A method for forming the heating element comprises the steps of: forming a plurality of graphite heating element segments, each segment having a curved shape; and assembling the plurality of graphite heating element segments to form a heating element.

Abstract: A ceramic heating element includes a heat-generating portion 1 formed of a ceramic composite material with 3 to 40 vol. % of silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers and the balance substantially of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi.sub.2), and electrode portions 2a and 2b provided on both ends of the heat-generating portion 1.

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 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: 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: A process for fusion jointing or joining of pipe sections includes the steps of covering planed ends of the pipe pieces with an electric socket. The electric socket has a heating device disposed therein, and a heating output of the socket is such that an effective butt-jointing occurs between the pipe pieces. A bellows can be placed within the pipes to prevent collapse thereof, and to improve an inner bead quality of the pipe parts.

Abstract: In a ceramic heater applicable to an oxygen concentration sensor used to detect an oxygen concentration sensor in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, a heating pattern constituted by an electrically resistive body comprises a plurality of radially extended segments on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical main body made of a ceramic material. Since a length of an axially extended segment of the heating pattern on the cylindrical main body is excessively short, a tip of a squeege can be prevented from pressing a mask used to make, for example, a curved surface printing using an electrically resistive conductive paste.

Abstract: A sheet of high strength graphite material is bent into an arcuate shape, and the bent sheet is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The bent sheet is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The bent sheet can also be further machined and/or further deformed into other shapes.

Abstract: An electrically heatable starter catalytic converter (5) has a metallic housing (6) in which is arranged the actual catalyst (7) exposed to the exhaust gas flow, an electric resistance heating (8) and an electric connection line (10) that enters the housing (6) through an opening (9). The invention is characterized in that the electric connection line (10) is a metal-clad cable with at least one inner lead (11) electrically insulated from the metal cladding by a mineral (13). The inner lead (11) frictionally engages the electric resistance heating (8), and the metal cladding (12) enters the metallic housing (6) through the opening (9) and is welded or soldered to the edge of the opening (9) in a gas-tight manner.

Abstract: A ceramic heater for heating a sensor such as an oxygen sensor has a ceramic substrate and a heater pattern formed on the substrate. A heater pattern 22 is tightly interposed between first and second alumina substrates 15 and 21. This heater pattern 22 has a meandering heating section 25 and a pair of leads 26 for connecting both ends of the heating section 25 to two terminals at the base side end. The heating section 25 is divided into a tip side subsection 25a located near the tip side end of the device, and a base side subsection 25b. Specifically, the wire width is made greater in the tip side subsection 25a than in the base side subsection 25b so that the resistance per unit length is lower in the tip side subsection 25a. The thus-designed heater section 25 produces a less amount of heat in the tip side subsection than in the base side subsection, and this distribution of heat generation can reduce the possibility of cracks and breakage of a wire.

Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a silicon nitride ceramic and a heating element embedded in the ceramic. The heating element is formed through use of, as a main component, a silicide, carbide, or nitride of at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Ta, Nb, Ti, Mo, Zr, Hf, V, and Cr. The ceramic includes, as sintering aids, 1 to 20% by weight of at least one rare earth element calculated as an oxide thereof; 0.5 to 8% by weight of V (vanadium) calculated as V.sub.2 O.sub.5, and, 0.5 to 8% by weight of at least one Va/VIa group element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W calculated as an oxide thereof. The proportion in total of vanadium and the Va/VIa element is 1 to 10% by weight calculated as oxides. The ceramic heater has excellent high-temperature strength and acid resistance.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system for delivery of an initially liquid reagent in vaporized form to a chemical vapor deposition reactor arranged in vapor-receiving relationship to the liquid delivery system.

Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a body of aluminum nitride, and a heating element embedded in the body of aluminum nitride. The heating element has a resistance of (E.sup.2 /W).multidot.0.003.OMEGA. to (E.sup.2 /W).multidot.0.135.OMEGA. (E and W denote an input voltage (unit: V) and a weight (unit: g) of the body of aluminum nitride, respectively).

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body includes a large number of passages which are defined by partition walls made of an electroconductive material and which are substantially parallel to the direction of a gas flowing through the honeycomb body, and two ends which are the gas inlet and outlet sides of honeycomb body. At least one slit is formed to control, upon electrification of honeycomb body, the flow of electricity therein and consequently the heat generation therein.

Abstract: The electric steering-wheel heating element to be mounted on a steering wheel rim has a linear center region made of flat ribbon-shaped, electrically conductive material. A first side region and a second side region made of flat ribbon-shaped, electrically conductive material each have at least one curved side segment and. The shape of the center region and of the curved side segments is configured such that, after mounting, the center region covers an external circumferential region of the steering wheel rim, the first side region alongside a longitudinal side of the center region covers a side circumferential region on one side of the steering wheel rim and the second side region alongside the other longitudinal side of the center region covers a side circumferential region on the other side of the steering wheel rim.

Abstract: In a heater unit comprising a case 10 which accommodates therewithin an electrical heating element 11 and a temperature sensor 12 for detecting the temperature of the case 10 heated by the electrical heating element 11 to stop the power supply to the electrical heating element 11 when the temperature reaches a predetermined value, there is provided a heat conductive path 20 made of a material having a higher heat conductivity than that of the material making up the case 10 and extending from a region corresponding to the space in which the electrical heating element 11 or heater is placed to a region corresponding to the space in which the temperature sensor 12 or temperature detecting and power supply control member is placed. Thus, the heater unit for an aquarium fish tank is prevented from being extraordinarily heated when the tank has been destroyed.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body includes a plurality of passages which are each defined by partition walls made of an electroconductive material and which are substantially parallel to the direction of a gas flowing through the honeycomb body, and two ends which are the gas inlet and outlet sides of honeycomb body, wherein the heat generation of the honeycomb body by electrification is controlled by adjusting the flow of electricity therein and wherein those cells each constituted by a passage and partition walls, present in the vicinity of each current-concentrating portion are formed in such a structure that the stress caused by current concentration can be reduced. This honeycomb body can reduce the stress caused by current concentration and thereby can prevent the rupture of its cells.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalyst installed in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, featuring simple construction, without causing the flow resistance of the exhaust gases to increase, and consuming small amounts of electric power. The electrically heated catalyst has two electrodes of different polarities in a casing through which the exhaust gases flow and has at least one catalyst support that is folded plural times in a zig-zag manner in a direction intersecting the direction of flow of the exhaust gases without coming into contact with itself, the two ends of the catalyst support being connected to these two electrodes. The catalyst support is constituted by a flat foil and a corrugated foil that are joined together, and electric insulators are provided at the folding portions of the catalyst support to stretch and support the catalyst support inside the casing. Owing to the insulators, the catalyst support is held in the casing in a state of receiving tension.

Abstract: An electrical foam heating element made by the process of forming a volume of reticulated silicon carbide foam material into a preferred shape, heating the material to a temperature of about 1000.degree. C. for a period of 24-30 hours, forming conductive edges over two respectively facing edge surfaces, applying an electrically-conductive felt material against the respective conductive faces, and clamping foam volume and foam between two electrically-conductive electrodes. In another embodiment, a region of nickel foam material is provided between the respective electrodes and the silicon carbide interior, and intermediate felt layers are provided between the nickel foam and the silicon carbide foam, and between the nickel foam and the electrodes. The layered felt material is of three-layer construction: inner and outer layers of electrically-conductive felt separated by an interior metal foil layer.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalytic converter having a substrate for a catalyst, a rod-like metal electrode connected to the substrate, and a casing accommodating the substrate. The substrate for the catalyst is formed as a scroll-like cylindrical laminated assembly of thin metal sheets wound around the electrode. The electrode extends from the laminated assembly along the central axis, bends towards the wall of the casing and penetrates the casing. The electrode is fixed to the casing via an insulating material at the point where it penetrates the casing. When the electricity is fed to the electrode, electric current flows through the electrode to the laminated assembly, and to the casing, and heat is generated in the substrate by the electric current and the temperature of the catalyst carried by the substrate quickly reaches the activating temperature. The rod-like electrode of the present invention is formed as a hollow pipe.

Abstract: A catalyst heater assembly for use in a catalytic converter comprising: an electric heater through which a flow of gas passes, wherein the electric heater heats the gas; a plurality of legs around an exterior of the heater, each leg extending in an axial direction toward a flow inlet of the catalytic converter; a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein each of the legs is attached to an exterior peripheral surface of the outlet end and wherein the inlet end is mounted at the flow inlet of the catalytic converter.