Abstract: The electrical resistor of the present invention comprises a flat metal plate having a thickness from 1 mil to 50 mils. A pair of electrical leads are operatively attached to the ends of the metal plate, and the side edges of the metal plate are provided with a plurality of notches extending inwardly in spaced apart relation to one another, with slots of one of the sides of the plate being staggered with respect to the slots of the other side of the plate. Each of the slots extend completely through the thickness of the plate and are formed by a laser beam cut which anneals the metal of the plate and imparts stability to the electrical characteristics of the metal plate. Once formed, the metal plate may be bent into different shapes to achieve the desired geometric configuration. Furthermore, the plate can be embedded in molded material so as to provide a protective covering for the plate.

Abstract: The electrical resistor of the present invention comprises a flat metal plate having a thickness from 8 mils to 50 mils. A pair of electrical leads are operatively attached to the ends of the metal plate, and the side edges of the metal plate are provided with a plurality of notches extending inwardly in spaced apart relation to one another, with slots of one of the sides of the plate being staggered with respect to the slots of the other side of the plate. Each of the slots extend completely through the thickness of the plate and are formed by a laser beam cut which anneals the metal of the plate and imparts stability to the electrical characteristics of the metal plate. Once formed, the metal plate may be bent into different shapes to achieve the desired geometric configuration. Furthermore, the plate can be imbedded in molded material so as to provide a protective covering for the plate.

Abstract: This heating body is cut from a metal sheet (1) and defined by slots (2) obtained by punch stamping on a support (4) of plastics foam. The opposite edges of these slots (2) are spaced from one another by deformation of the portion of the conductor (7) adjacent to these slots, obtained by the bevelled shape of the portion of the cutter (3) defining the cutting edge and by the compressibility of the material forming the support (4). According to the method of manufacturing this heating body, its external profile and the slots (2) are obtained by a same single punching operation.

Abstract: An improved annular resistor, suitable for use in a diesel electric locomotive dynamic braking system and similar applications comprising an assembly of similar arcuate segments. Each resistor segment has a supporting frame (11, 13) and a continuous resistance ribbon (53, 55, 57, 59) having a plurality of reflexed radial extensions between the two parts of the frame, electrically isolated from the frame. To allow expansion and contraction of the ribbon, U-shaped folds of the ribbon are mounted on pin supports (51). The pin supports are mounted to insulator blocks (27, 29, 37, 39), and are set so as to position the ribbons in a zig-zag or chevron pattern, in order to enhance cooling and improve the flow of air over the ribbon surfaces. Three terminals (67, 73, 75) are provided on each segment to allow part of the resistance of each segment to be removed from the circuit.

Abstract: In an electrical resistance heating element (1) comprising a heating conductor support (3) of insulating material and a heating conductor (4) of resistance wire wound in meander or sinuously coiled manner with loop ends or bights (6) and loop legs or runs (8), the loops of the heating conductor (4) being arranged substantially in a single plane, and the inner loop ends (6) which are directed towards the heating conductor support (3) being situated in the edge region of the heating conductor support (3), it is proposed according to the invention to construct the heating conductor support (3) as a flat plate, the flat plate to be situated substantially in the same plane as the loops of the heating conductor (4). It is also proposed that the outer loop ends or bights (5) remote from the heating conductor support (3) are to be self-supporting and not secured.

Abstract: A dynamic braking resistor as shown and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,178 in which the insulator blocks (226) in this new disclosure are formed of a hot-molded organic compound instead of steatite or asbestos. This allows the insulator blocks to be securely mounted to the frame (210, 212), and allows the elimination of the springs, spring cups and pressure plate. In addition, the extra insulative mica sheet required by the above patent is eliminated without loss of protection from short circuits. However, in order to protect the insulator blocks from the heat generated by the resistor ribbons (218, 220), the support clips (232) are made longer to allow more expansion of the ribbons and to hold the ribbons further away from the insulator blocks. In an alternative embodiment, three resistor ribbons (234, 236, 238) are employed, and each support clip (240) supports one reflex bend of all three ribbons.

Abstract: A heating strip or film panel is connectable to a source of electrical power and is sandwiched between one or more facing panels of flexible or rigid material, and when connected to a source of electrical power, radiate heat from one or both sides. In one embodiment, insulation and a reflective sheet may be incorporated so that one side of the assembly remains cool and the other radiates heat. If required, the assembly may be used in any location requiring heat and in which the panels can be mounted such as in walls, ceilings, floors and the like. In another embodiment, the panels are flexible and can be wrapped around the object to be heated. If desired, the panel can be molded into a helment shaped configuration and can be used, for example, as a hair dryer and another embodiment, a flexible panel can be routed around dowels to give an increased cross sectional heat source area as compared with a planar sheet.

Abstract: An electric resistance heating unit in which the heating element is a thin, foil-like strip of expanded metal supported on edge substantially along its entire length on a board of insulating material. The heating element is formed in a serpentine pattern, and its bottom edge is embedded in a similar serpentine groove in the upper surface of a ceramic fiberboard and cemented therein.

Abstract: An electric air stream heater adapted to operate directly on 120 volts with a wattage output of less than 500 watts without the need for any special control module, comprising, a cylindrical heating assembly having at least two spaced apart, parallel electrically connected lengths of crimped metallic foil provided with electrical power connections and secured to an insulating backing and rolled around an insulating core. Ceramic pins and a thermostatic control element which extend radially through the heating unit provide respectively, support means to prevent sagging of the heating elements in use and a means for detecting heat build-up across a large cross sectional area of the heater while creating a minimum of air flow resistance.

Abstract: A flask heater assembly for spherical bodied, boiling flasks in which a block is hollowed to receive the flask body and a ribbon of electrical resistance heated, flexible metal is folded into an elongated band and bent and fitted into the hollow to conform with the shape of the flask. A reduced voltage current is supplied to the ends of the ribbon to produce a temperature on the order of 400.degree. C., i.e., well below the glow temperature of the metal.

Abstract: A body of a specially prepared, porous vitreous carbon which does not crack or substantially change in electrical resistance with time when heated to elevated temperatures in air and which is used in a method or apparatus to heat a fluid stream flowing in the pores of the body as a result of natural convection or pumping of the fluid is described. The body is composed of electrically conductive rigid, interconnected and multidirectional continuous strands of vitreous carbon forming a rigid porous, three dimensional skeletal structure. The body as an electrical resistance element has current conductive paths between at least two regions; is shaped to provide particular cross-sections along the conductive paths; and has electrical connector means attached at the regions of the body so that current can be distributed through the body.

Abstract: A forced convection electrical heater assembly advantgeously utilizing expanded resistance alloy foil or grid in a pattern which produces a uniform temperature distribution in the existing airstream and which produces relatively little flow restriction on the airstream. The resistance grid in the form of at least one continuous strip is strung in a sinuous path to form a plurality of planar reaches spaced uniformly across the flow passage and extending longitudinally from inlet to outlet. Grid support elements at the inlet and outlet are arranged to force air to pass through the resistance grid only once to thereby achieve a minimum flow restriction. Alternation of the grain of the expanded foil in each plane and between planes and the provision of a flow deflector at the exit contribute to temperature uniformity.

Abstract: The unit comprises a fan-folded ribbon of resistance material supported by parallel insulating members at the ends of the loops. Each length or fold is formed with a transverse reverse bend or offset dividing the fold into major and minor lengths, which are not coplanar.

Abstract: An annular resistor, suitable for use in a diesel electric locomotive dynamic braking system and the like, having a supporting frame including spaced inner and outer annular frame portions and a continuous resistance ribbon having a plurality of bent-back radial extensions therebetween and in electrical isolation therefrom. U-shaped folds of the ribbon are mounted on pin supports allowing contraction and expansion of the ribbon. The pin supports are mounted to insulator blocks which may be selectively positioned on the frame, when two or more are stacked, to vary ribbon alignment and hence convective cooling. The resistor is comprised of severally replaceable identical component quadrants.

Abstract: A dryer for articles such as a clothes dryer having a container for the articles and an air duct leading to the container for directing an air stream into the container for contact with the articles therein. Located in the duct is a heater for heating the air stream before it enters the container and an air mixing baffle in the duct extending at an angle in the direction of the air stream flow and partially into the stream for creating an even temperature turbulence in the air stream and to break up any hot air stratification. The duct is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying ambient air that mixes with the heated air as a result of the turbulence created by the mixing baffle thereby forming an even, reduced temperature of the air stream. The ambient air opening is located generally along the flow path between the baffle and the outlet from the duct.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is folded in a multiple loop helix-like configuration formed of a plurality of straight segments and a repetitive array of folded, overlapped corner portions. A strut is interposed within each folded corner and welded therein, outwardly extending end portions of each strut being rigidly secured in a refractory base structure with the resistor ribbon being spaced along its active length from the base structure.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is disposed in a multiple loop configuration having a plurality of spaced heater segments with flat confronting surfaces and a plurality of legs outwardly extending from an edge of the ribbon and secured within a refractory base to support the ribbon in spaced relation to the refractory base.

Abstract: In a copying machine a toner-image-bearing copy carrier moves in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path. A fixing arrangement fixes toner images by fusing the toner thereof. The fixing arrangement includes a heating winding having a plurality of turns and a holding arrangement for holding the heating winding. The holding arrangement comprises a plurality of discrete holding units each engaging and holding at least one respective one of the turns of the winding. The discrete holding units are arranged in two spaced groups. The turns of the heating winding extend in a plurality of stretches from one group of holding units to the other in the direction of the transport path and serve to heat the toner on copy carriers passing therealong.