Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having an electrical connector positionable over an opening in a wall to form an airtight seal and an electrical connection between the inside and an outside of the wall. The electrical connector has an insulating board made of insulating material. The insulating board includes a first surface facing the wall, a second surface on the side opposite to the first surface, and a side surface extending from a peripheral edge of the first surface to a peripheral edge of the second surface. An electrical connection portion made of electrically conductive material extends from the first surface through the insulating board to the second surface to electrically connect the first surface to the second surface. A surface roughness region provided at the peripheral edge of the first surface.

Abstract: A strip-form silicon carbide furnace heating element is provided having a higher radiating surface area to volume ratio than a conventional tubular element.

Abstract: A heating body is provided. The heating body includes a tube, a heating member disposed in the tube, and a supporting unit disposed along a length of the tube to maintain a predetermined space between the tube and the heating member.

Abstract: The invention provides a retainer system for retaining a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a heater housing shaft having a shaft side wall. The retainer system includes a base, a spring, and shaft engagement means. The spring is formed in and spaced apart from the base. The spring extends radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the base and the spring has a neck that curves radially backwardly, spaced apart from the base and toward the longitudinal axis of the base. The spring also has a contact surface presented outwardly, away from the base. The shaft engagement means are for engaging the shaft side wall and securing the base within the shaft at a desired distance from the resistor. The retainer system can be secured within the shaft with the spring flexed to a desired extent and with the contact surface urged against the resistor to retain the resistor in the shaft.

Abstract: A device for electrically heating a vertically erect chamber comprising several heating zones arranged vertically one above the other. The components of the device, with the exception of the insulating components, are made from graphite materials. Each zone (Z) comprises a number of supports (1), arranged in an essentially even distribution around the chamber for heating, which simultaneously serve as electrical supplies for the heater, and the heater for each zone (Z) is fixed at one end and longitudinally displaceable at the other end.

Abstract: A Resistor bank has first and second supporting member. Held on to the supporting members is a resistor element comprising a strip of resistor material which is bent into a zigzag shape. The strip is continuous and has a non-planar cross section profile. A plurality of insulating spacers mounted end to end on each of the first and second supporting members isolate the element from the first and second supporting members. The engaging surfaces of adjacent spacers are of a complimentary shape thereby to enable each spacer to move relative to each adjacent spacer with any flexing of the relevant one of the supporting members. The element is held by a plurality of clips each at a bend thereof on to a respective one of the supporting members. Each clip has at least one fastening lug for insertion into at least one fastening hole in a corresponding bend in the element.

Abstract: A conductive metal jumper strap has a plate portion with a pair of connection legs forming a u-shape. The connection legs are adapted to connect to terminals to make an electrical connection between two components of a heating device. The plate portion has a bend in it to allow flexing so that the connection legs can make a jumper connection between terminals where the terminal spacing may vary between heating devices.

Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.

Abstract: A heating door comprises a frame. A first panel is mounted to the frame. A second panel is mounted to the frame. A sheet is disposed between the first and second panels. The sheet defines an inner section between the first panel and the sheet and an outer section between the second panel and the sheet. At least one heating mechanism is arranged in at least one of the first and the second section.

Abstract: A multielement resistor may be assembled into a matrix from a plurality of resistor elements (12) of a U shape construction. The elements (12) are suspended from their upper portions by connecting brackets (16) which are supported by a supporting frame (14). Connecting brackets are preferably of electrically conducting material and insulated from supporting frame (14). Power input/output brackets (18) are provided.

Abstract: A positive thermistor device includes a positive thermistor element having a pair of opposed electrodes, each of which receives compressive force elastically applied from a corresponding one of spring contact members to hold the thermistor element at a predefined position in the device. When the thermistor device is destroyed, the element breaks into fragments, some of which remain in contact with the spring contact members. The remaining fragments deviate in position to ensure that they do not conduct electricity, resulting in an open state, wherein any current flow is inhibited through such fragments. More specifically, a positive thermistor disk is held within the device so that it is interposed between conductive spring contact pieces and insulative position-alignment projections, which are cross-diagonally situated with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) supports an electrical heating element (H) which is mounted in an oven (O). When supplied with electricity, the element heats the oven to cook food. During an operating cycle, the heating element expands and contracts along its length. The apparatus comprises a support bar (12) including an elongate plate (16) and bracketry (14) for mounting the plate to an inner wall (T) of the oven. The support bar extends orthogonally of a longitudinal axis of the heating element when the heating element is installed. The plate has spaced openings (18), each of which is sized for a length of the heating element to be fitted in an opening. Each opening comprises a slot one end of which extends into the body of the plate for a portion of the plate to cover the slot. The other end of the slot is open to receive the heating element, the portion of the heating element received in each slot being fitted into the covered end of the slot.

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 housing contains a PTC element which can be easily inserted and removed. Conductive metal retaining elements of the housing are secured to the base of the housing, and retain the PTC element with a generally planar portion parallel to the electrodes of the PTC component. The retaining elements also have slidable contact between the elements and the top of the housing so as to modify the elastic deformation of the element and allow for insertion and removal of the PTC element.

Abstract: An electric heater for ceilings which emits radiant heat includes a radiant plate having heating elements which radiate in a downward direction. The radiant plate is mounted to a top part by a number of elastic/flexible brackets, including pivotable and non-pivotable brackets. The brackets allow the radiant plate to move laterally outward in a horizontal plane when the radiant plate is heated to prevent twisting or other deformation of the radiant plate. The pivotable brackets are mounted near the ends of the heater on all four sides to accommodate expansion of the radiant plate in a horizontal plane. The non-pivotable brackets are mounted at the midpoints of the ends of the heater.

Abstract: A resistor grid assembly has a continuous resistor weave with a plurality of generally parallel, plate-like electrical elements. U-shaped bends join two adjacent elements at adjacent ends. The U-shaped bends are located in a bottom group and a top group. There is a top electrical insulating member adjacent the U-shaped bends in the top group and spaced from the U-shaped bends. There is a bottom electrical insulating member adjacent the U-shaped bends in the bottom group. Stop U-shaped pins having a pair of legs with a pair of shoulders are supported by the bottom electrical insulating member. The legs of each stop U-shaped pin extends into a pair of holes in the bottom group of U-shaped pins and rest upon the shoulders which are spaced from the insulator. Wire U-shaped pins are supported by the top electrical insulating member. The wire U-shaped pins have legs inserted into holes in the U-shaped bends in the top group. The U-shaped bends in the top group are spaced from the top insulator.

Abstract: An electrical assembly in which electrical connection is made to a device having two laminar electrodes and a laminar element between the electrodes, preferably a circuit protection device in which a PTC conductive polymer element is sandwiched between two metal foil electrodes. Connection is made to at least one of the electrodes by a resiliently deformed clip having an active arm which contacts one of the electrodes, and a passive arm which is not in conductive contact with the other electrode. Preferably there is an auxiliary member between the active and passive arms of the clip. The auxiliary member can be an insulator, or a conductive member which is spaced apart from the other electrode but secured to the same face of the PTC element as the other electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a saucepan on the hob plate of a glass ceramic cooking hob associated with a heating element includes measuring the variation in a physical characteristic of an electrical resistive element positioned between the heating element and the hob plate of the glass ceramic cooking hob caused by a body or saucepan being placed on the hob, the variation being evaluated by control means which, on the basis thereof, controls the heating element to change its operating parameters.

Abstract: The heat treatment apparatus according to the invention comprising a process tube for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a heating resistive element made mainly of molybdenum silicide and surrounding the process tube, a heat insulating member surrounding the heating resistive element and having a layer which made of material inert to silicon dioxide and faces the surface of the heating resistive element, and a securing member securing the heating resistive element to the heat insulating member, and made of material inert to silicon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating materials to be deposited onto a substrate provides heat directly to the material to be evaporated by conduction and includes a means for compensating for thermal expansion and contraction of the heat source during thermal cycling. Direct heating provides a quicker response time which is critical for effective performance when making thin film semiconductors by elemental evaporation in a high vacuum chamber. Compensating for expansion leaves the heater uniform, devoid of hot or cold spots encountered when conventional heater elements buckle during thermal cycling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for heating, by infrared radiation, fixed on a wall 3 or beneath the ceiling of a room of a building, comprising a flat infrared radiation emitter constituted by a sheet 5 made of an electrically conducting material connected to a source 15, 16 of supply of low-voltage electric current, characterized in that the electrically conducting sheet 5 forms part of at least one composite band 4 and it is coated, on its face turned towards the interior of the room to be heated, with a thin black layer, with high emissive power, and, on the opposite side, with a sheet 8 forming reflector of the infrared radiation in the direction of the interior of the room.

Abstract: The heat sealing wire of an impulse heat sealer is held against an operating face of a support bar by an insulating fabric which is draped over the wire and secured in a slot formed in the support bar. The securing drape of fabric allows unrestricted expansion and contraction of the hot wire. Also if the slot lies in a curved plane which extends perpendicular to the plane of the support bar operating face, the drape of insulating fabric and consequently the sealing wire follow the same curve so the heat sealer can make seals of a non-linear configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a fuser assembly having a molded housing with a plurality of integral posts disposed along a first surface, an elongated electrically conductive contact strip having at least one set of integral, oppositely disposed spring clips and a pair of upright extending tabs, the spring clips engaging opposite sides of one of the integral posts to secure the contact strip to the housing and align the strip within the housing, a fuser roll with an associated electrical heating element disposed within the housing, one end of the heating element being secured to the end of one of the upright extending tabs, and a thermal cut-off element electrically connected to the heating element with one end of the thermal element secured to an end of the second upright extending tab.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating infrared radiation is provided including an electrical heating element that is able to withstand very high, continuous-use temperatures, surrounding or surrounded by a non-conductive material containing dopants of refractory metal oxides, rare earth oxides, or combinations of both. The material may be shaped about the heating element so that the infrared radiation emissions may be focused and/or directed in a desired manner.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace has a heating chamber heated by metal strip electric heater elements. The elements have insulated mechanical support between their ends to hold them in position in the furnace. Support is provided by assemblies having spaced apart mounting assemblies with a rigid bridge compliantly mounted therebetween. The heater strip is compliantly connected to the bridge. Each mounting assembly has a metal post connected to the furnace heating chamber and surrounded by a ceramic sleeve. The ceramic sleeve is surrounded by two ceramic tubes which hold an end of the bridge therebetween.

Abstract: An electric resistance heater array having an open metal frame with multiple heater wires of heavy gauge, U-shaped Nichrome wire that are vertically spaced across the panel. The lower vertical portions of the heater wire are encased in ceramic sleeves which insulate the wire from the small apertures in the metal frame that support the wire by its constraints upon side to side and fore to aft movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support frame for a resistor element in a heating furnace for glass sheets, said flame providing a substantially continuously extending, elongated rest surface for a resistor element. The support frame elements consist of trough-like castings and are fastened to each other in an articulated manner. The short frame elements are easy to cast and can be assembled into long continuous support frames for resistor elements, the thermal stresses of said frames not passing over the link points. A long continuous support frame structure makes it accordingly possible to employ resistor elements that are long and continuous and thus readily replaceable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistor element assembly for a glass sheet heating furnace and to a method of replacing a resistor element. A resistor element is built by placing successively in longitudinal direction ceramic elements, with a resistance wire wound therearound. Between the ceramic elements are fitted ceramic spacer blocks whose diameter exceeds that of the resistance wire coils. The resistor element is carried by a support frame upon the spacer blocks. A problem to be resolved is to provide a long resistor element, wherein the major variations in length between the components of various materials caused by major temperature variations do not produce deformations in resistance wires. This problem has been resolved by fitting between one end of the support frame and the corresponding end of the resistor element a tensioned spring which compresses the resistor element at all operating temperatures against a limit stop at the other end of the support frame.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices which contain PTC conductive polymer elements and which are used in situations in which the device is mounted onto, or itself comprises, a rigid wall which is spaced apart from the PTC element and through which the electrodes pass. The behavior of the device can be adversely affected if the electrodes, which are prevented from moving by the rigid wall, prevent the PTC element from expanding to the extent necessary to provide the desired PTC effect. The invention includes the use of specially designed electrodes which lessen the danger that the PTC element, when it is tripped, is prevented from expanding to the extent necessary for effective operation.

Abstract: An electrical radiator, particularly for fan-forced heaters, is provided which includes a resistance heating element disposed on an insulating element connected to the housing of the fan-forced heater. The coil winding of the resistance heating element is secured to the insulating element by means of clamping elements and is freely extending therefrom. A bimetallic switch in series with the resistance heating element serves as a heat protective switch and is disposed on a connector bar connected to the insulating element and carrying the electrical connectors for the coil winding. One end of the coil winding is secured on one side of the bar to a first bracket remote from the insulating element and which is rigid with the bar and connected to a first connector. The other end of the coil winding is secured to a second bracket disposed on the other side of the bar near the insulating element and which is rigid with the bar.

Abstract: An electric vapor boiler has a closed vessel (1) containing water, a steam or vapor outlet conduit (4), a conduit (6) supplying liquid and/or returning condensed vapor, and a electric resistance heating device (7) for each high or medium boiler voltage phase immersed in the water. Each heating device (7) includes a bare metallic resistance wire (8) immersed in the water and mounted in such a manner as to vibrate between a pair of vertical open-ended cylinders (13, 14) forming insulating screens. Each wire (8) is directly connected between a phase terminal (11) and ground, that is, the vessel (1) and has a plurality of parallel vertically spaced spires (18) offset symetrically with respect to each other on each side of a generatrix (16) of an oblique surface in the enclosure between the cylinders (13, 14) and extending obliquely to the vertical direction in the vessel (1). The outer cylinder (13) extends above the surface of the water.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing uniform radiant heat to a substrate by means of a plurality of parallel electroconductive heating wires which are maintained in planar relationship upon heat expansion by means of attachment to a movable bus bar attached to a tensioned spring, positioned in contact with a stationary member which limits its movement to a plane parallel to the plane of the heating wires.

Abstract: A capillary tube is shrunk around a wire heating element, fashioned into the desired configuration, and situated between the exterior surface of a cylindrical inner glass tube and the interior surface of a cylindrical outer glass tube, to form an assembly. The space between the adjacent tube surfaces is evacuated as a heat source is moved along the axis of the assembly to heat each longitudinal section of the assembly, in sequence. The element is thermally expanded as the outer tube surface collapses toward the inner tube surface, resulting in the fusion of the adjacent glass surfaces around the expanded element. In this manner, a channel is formed through the fused glass body which has the configuration and dimensions of the expanded element. During cooling, the element returns to its unexpanded condition. This results in a space between the channel walls and the element, permitting the element to expand, when electrically energized, without breaking the glass body.

Abstract: An improved glow plug (10) which is adapted to be continuously electrically heated to a preselected elevated temperature in order to ignite relatively lower-cetane-number alternative fuels. The glow plug (10) includes a ceramic surface ignition element (20) disposed substantially externally of the glow plug body (18) and means (24) for permitting thermal expansion and contraction of the ignition element (20) while maintaining continuous electrically-conductable and gas-impermeable contact between the ignition element (20) and the glow plug body (18).

Abstract: An elongated flexible resistance heating element includes a heat transmitting cover that is generally coextensive with the element. A resilient element is provided adjacent one end of the heating element to accommodate extension of the cover for use of the heater as desired without changing the length of the element or cover. The extensible tape heater of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible resistance wire heating element, a heat transmitting extendable cover arranged coextensive with the heating element, a substantially nonresistive wire connected about one end of the heating element, a spring surrounding the nonresistive wire and abutting the cover at one of its ends, a stop positioned about the non-resistive wire in spaced relation to the end of the cover, and a flexible sleeve extending over the spring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new type of electric kiln suitable for the firing of pottery in small batches as is customarily carried out by hobbyists. In its preferred form the invention comprises an upright cylindrical wall of ceramic fibre thermal insulation mounted on a thermally insulating base and fitted with a lid of similar insulating material. Located within the cylindrical wall is a heating element which is a single multiturn helix of resistance wire of helix diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall. The diameter of the resistance wire may be substantially greater (and the electrical resistance less) than is normally used in electric kilns of similar size thus permitting a greater tolerance to corrosion.The heating element is carried in a set of equispaced ceramic pillars which permit changes in the diameter of the helix while maintaining the separation of the turns of the helix.

Abstract: A ceramic PTCR slug has glass-bonded-aluminum layers bonded to the major opposite surfaces. Patches of silver film are bonded to selected regions of the glass-aluminum layers and stainless steel contacts are spring loaded against the silver patches. The stainless steel contacts provide good thermal isolation to the slug. The low cost contacts are complemented by the minumum use of silver in the electrode. The package provides long life under relatively heavy duty service.

Abstract: A horizontal porcupine coil of electric resistance heating wire is supported against sagging by two superimposed coil-center ceramic tubes containing a conductor for one end of the coil. If one tube cracks it is improbable that the other would crack in the same place, and this keeps to a minimum the possibility of short-circuiting between the conductor and coil.

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 heating device (20) is provided that may be utilized in either a film packaging machine or a thermoforming machine. Heating device (20) includes a frame (32) that carries a plurality of eyelets (36) that are utilized to suspend an elongated ribbon heating element (34) so that apart from contact with the eyelets (36), the elongated ribbon heating element (34) does not contact any other portions of the heating device (20). This construction provides for very rapid heating and cooling response times resulting in an energy savings and a simplified packaging or thermoforming device, while providing accurate heat control.

Abstract: A precision resistor using a resistance metal film etched into a long serpentine strip cemented to a substrate. This substrate is a composite of rigid materials and plastics. The composite thermal coefficient of expansion of the substrate is given a non-linearity which in turn induces a stress related non-linear resistance change in the cemented film when the temperature changes. This stress-induced non-linear change is of approximately the same shape as the inherent non-linearity of the resistance versus temperature of the metal film, but opposite in polarity, over a wide range of resistor operating temperatures. Over that range, a much closer approximation to complete temperature compensation is obtained than previously.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including an elongate resilient synthetic resin channel member for attachment to a vehicle window, the channel member having therein a longitudinally extending channel of re-entrant cross-section. An elongate electrically conductive part is arranged to be received as a snap fit in said channel, whereby one or more conductive heating elements can be trapped between said part and the wall of said channel in electrical connection with said part. The channel member has a surface which supports said part within the channel in a position spaced from the base of the channel in a direction towards the open face of the channel.

Abstract: An improved electric tube furnace is described in which a compressible leaf-spring attachment between the heating element tube and at least one of its supporting electric terminals compensates for linear thermal expansion of the tube without restricting access to the interior of the tube. The use of such furnace in an evacuated atmosphere for high temperature thermal diffusivity measurements is shown.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled heater for heating metal work pieces to within a selected temperature range prior to and during a welding process is disclosed. The heater comprises an electric heating element thermally connected to a heat conductive shoe and electrically connected to a source of electric power via a thermostat assembly. The thermostat assembly includes a heat conductive housing mounted on the heat conductive shoe in intimate thermal contact. The housing contains a thermostat having a thermal sensing area in thermal contact with an area of the heat conductive housing for regulating the amount of electricity conducted to the electric heating element. Accurate control of the temperature of the workpiece is accomplished by constructing the heat conductive housing so that the temperature gradient between the shoe and the thermostat matches the temperature gradient between the shoe and the workpiece itself.

Abstract: A high temperature electrical resistance heater for use within a high temperature furnace. The heater comprises an elongated tubular element which includes a first axially extending helical section of high resistance and a second axially extending tubular section which is contiguous with and electrically and thermally joined to the helical section and of low resistance. An elongated solid or tubular rod is disposed coaxially within the tubular element and is affixed at one end to the confronting end of the helical section. Fastening elements are provided to maintain the coaxial position of the rod within the tubular element and to maintain the helical section in compression. The coaxial ends of the rod and tubular section include electrical terminals for connection to an external power source. In an alternative embodiment, a second elongated tubular element is coaxially disposed within the first tubular element and includes both a helical section of high resistance and a tubular section of low resistance.

Abstract: An expansion joint for metallic foil strip heaters encasing resistive heating elements comprised of a bend formed in the metallic foil strips. The expansion joint is formed by use of a tool for passing a roller in the tool handle over a rigid forming support affixed to the tool bottom forming plate with the metallic foil strip heater placed between the roller and the forming support. The tool is then removed and a flexible metal support hose is affixed to the object to be heated with the bend in the metallic foil strips placed over this support hose. The bend is then affixed to the object to be heated on either side of the support hose.

Abstract: A resistive heater comprising an emitter, including a hot zone center section and lower temperature end sections, disposed within a protective tube with the emitter and protective tube being mounted within end caps with a spring mechanism provided to allow for the difference in expansion and contraction of the emitter and protective tube during heating and cooling.

Abstract: A motor starting relay particularly adapted for use in starting single phase asynchronous motors comprises a resistor element of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity which is compactly arranged within a housing and engaged by electrical contact and terminals means of particular structure and of a material of relatively high thermal resistance in a novel way such that power dissipation or loss by the resistor is reduced to a very low level after it has performed its motor starting function but so that, at the same time, the resistor is adapted to cool more rapidly after interruption of motor operation to permit prompt motor restarting.

Abstract: A furnace for heating work material comprises an outer wall defining a space therein. A first upright cylindrical shell is disposed within the space and defines a work chamber for receiving work material to be heated. A second upright cylindrical shell surrounds and is spaced outwardly of the first shell to form a heater space therebetween. A heater assembly comprises support pins disposed across and supported atop the first and second shells. A generally vertically extending electrical heating element is supported from the support means, is disposed within the heating space, and extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the first shell. The heating element is unconstrained against free thermal expansion and contraction in vertical directions relative to the first and second shells.