Forced Air Type Patents (Class 392/360)
  • Publication number: 20120328270
    Abstract: An explosion proof forced air electric heater is designed to supply heat to hazardous areas where the atmosphere contains readily combustible gases, vapors or dust particles. The heater employs an air mover which forces air through a metal heat sink with strategically placed electric heating elements. The terminal ends of the heating elements extend into a sealed and encapsulated explosion proof containment chamber which is connected to a centralized explosion proof enclosure. The explosion proof enclosure contains the control features and the electrical connections of the heater along with external accessories. The heating cycle is controlled via an electronic control circuit. The electronic circuit controls the process heating temperature, air mover operation, heating element operation, temperature measuring device operation, and monitors the total operation time of the heating elements while providing process failure feed back to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Arjan Dykman
  • Patent number: 8285127
    Abstract: An inline duct supplemental heating and cooling device provides heated and/or cooled air to a room in a building to supplement the heating provided by the existing furnace or the cooling provided by the existing cooling unit in the building. The device includes an electric heater and fan that are activated and deactivated individually by a controller, which receives room temperature data from a thermostat. The device may include one or more separate safety devices to prevent overheating of heater air or of the device itself. Optionally, a vibration-insulating sleeve may be used to couple the device to an existing ventilation duct of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: TPI Corporation
    Inventor: Eric P Mulder
  • Patent number: 8168927
    Abstract: An apparatus, arrangement and method for supporting a helical wire coil heating element is provided. The apparatus includes a generally circular support frame having an open center portion and a plurality of supporting arms extending radially inward into the open center portion. Insulating standoffs are supported on the supporting arms such that the standoffs extend into the open center portion of the frame. A helical wire coil heating element is attached to each end of the standoff. An arrangement for supporting a helical wire coil heating element includes a substantially closed elongated tubular wrapper having an open interior. One or more generally circular support frames are arranged in the open interior of the wrapper and support insulating standoffs. A method for assembling an arrangement for a supporting a helical wire coil heating element is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Nova Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Kutz
  • Publication number: 20120088202
    Abstract: A heating device for a soldering system. One embodiment of the heating device has at least one heating nozzle equipped with at least two tubular outlet channels. At least one outlet channel of the heating nozzle is arranged at an angle opposite another outlet channel of the heating nozzle. One embodiment of a selective soldering system is also provided. The selective soldering system comprises a heating device and a selective soldering device which is connected downstream from the heating device. The heating device is equipped with at least one heating nozzle in order to guide the heating current in the direction of a flat side of each board to be soldered. At least one heating nozzle is equipped with at least two tubular outlet channels, and at least one outlet channel of each heating nozzle is arranged at an angle opposite another outlet channel of each heating nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Lambertus Petrus Christinus Willemen
  • Publication number: 20120070132
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for heating air with a space heater is presented. The space heater includes a space heater cabinet and a plurality of candles. The space heater cabinet is more than three times as wide as it is tall. The space heater cabinet has a top wall and a bottom wall. The space heater cabinet houses a heating unit, an intake vent, and an exhaust vent. The heating unit can heat air within the space heater cabinet. The intake vent allows air to enter the cabinet and the exhaust vent allows warmed air to exit the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: HEAT SURGE, LLC
    Inventor: RODNEY L. NAPIER
  • Publication number: 20120070133
    Abstract: A forced warm-air heating apparatus, a forced warm-air heating system, and method to heat warm-air using an enclosure containing a plurality of thin film carbon-based heating elements configured and arranged to heat a desired heating space driven by a fan assembly, is described. The plurality of thin film heating elements is further ured and arranged to deflect and divide air flow as it flows through the heating enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: HEATBOX (NZ) LIMITED
    Inventors: Massimo Biscuola, Daryn McDonald, Jacob Van Reenen Pretorius
  • Patent number: 8124009
    Abstract: Aeration drying and disinfecting grain crops in bulk and pretreating seeds includes passing through a bulk of grain crops and seeds disinfecting and drying agents including an ozone and air mixture and surrounding air, subdividing the disinfecting and drying agents into a plurality of streams spaced from one another in a vertical direction, and passing the streams at different heights through levels located at corresponding heights of the bulk of grain crops and seeds transversely in a substantially horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Vitaliy G. Danchenko, Ronald T. Noyes, Larysa P. Potapovych
  • Patent number: 8064756
    Abstract: An airflow directing structure for hand dryers includes an airflow directing case, an air inlet, an air outlet, a heating means, an air intake means and a flow directing channel. The air intake means has a rotary axle which has one end fastened to air intake blades. The flow directing channel has an air intake passage communicating with the air inlet, a tortuous passage communicating with the air intake passage and an air exit passage with one end communicating with the tortuous passage and the other end communicating with the air outlet. The air exit passage and the air intake means are parallel in a juxtaposed manner, and located on the same side with the air intake blades and the air outlet. Thus total size of the airflow directing structure is smaller and the cost is lower, and an optimal heating speed can be achieved to improve drying efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 8027573
    Abstract: An integrated lamp and heater assembly comprises in one embodiment a table lamp and heater intended to be positioned on a table, such as an end table, coffee table, nightstand, or the like and in another embodiment a free-standing floor lamp and heater. The integrated lamp and heater assembly is intended to be positioned proximate to a chair, a bed or other area that is desirous of being illuminated and being provided with a supplemental flow of heated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: James Anthony Byrne
  • Publication number: 20110198340
    Abstract: An electric heating module for a room air conditioning system and methods are presented in which the duty cycle of the electric heater banks are controlled to limit the inrush current during the startup phase of the heater or to supplement the heat generated by the heat pump when the heat capacity of the heat pump nears the heat loss of the room being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Tom C. Zimmer, Tim N. Johnson, Robert Lafleur, Brice Alan Bowley, Shinichi Hirose, Masanobu Amazutsumi, Gregory Michael Thomas, Tohru Ariga
  • Publication number: 20110129203
    Abstract: A room heater comprising a housing having an lower opening at the bottom of the housing forming an inlet to admit a gas into the housing and an upper opening positioned above the lower opening forming an outlet through which the gas exits the housing, and a thermally sprayed heater that provides heat to the gas inside the housing. A method of fabricating the room heater is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: THERMOCERAMIX INC.
    Inventor: Richard C. ABBOTT
  • Publication number: 20110002672
    Abstract: The present room heater includes a housing supporting internal electric heat sources. The housing surrounds the heat sources with an interconnected serial series of chambers made from heat-conducting material. Air is motivated by an electric fan through the series of chambers to effect stepped uniform heating, as well as optimal heating as the air moves through preheat chambers and then closely past the heat sources to an outlet opening. The chambers are made using modular and relatively simply-made components that interfit to form the chambers, such that multiple configurations are possible, including stacked and laterally-adjacent versions. The modular components include a flat part, hat-shaped part, and U-shaped part that interfit to define a first elongated chamber and a second elongated chamber that wraps onto three sides of the first elongated chamber, the hat-shaped part having end-located notches to permit flow of air between the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas E. Krapp, David G. Gish
  • Publication number: 20100326624
    Abstract: An air handling unit has an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed within the enclosure, and a heating element substantially co-located with the heat exchanger within the enclosure. An air handling unit has a cabinet with a first air opening and a second air opening. A blower is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to the first air opening and a heat exchanger is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to an air outlet of the blower unit and also adjacent to the second air opening. At least one heating element is located adjacent the heat exchanger. A method of constructing an air handling unit includes forming an air handling enclosure, mounting a blower in the air handling enclosure, mounting a heat exchanger in the air handling enclosure downstream of the blower, and mounting at least one heating element in the air handing enclosure downstream of the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Stephen S. HANCOCK
  • Patent number: 7809253
    Abstract: A fully integrated drying or heating system utilizes forced air and electrical heaters. A solid cartridge heater is enclosed within a heater cavity of a block. The block includes a separate air cavity in heat transfer communication with the heater through a solid portion of the block. The blocks are shaped and configured to be used in banks of plural blocks, with the operating controls and all the components of the air distribution system and air heating system fully integrated into a modular package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: FlexAir, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman J. Mudry, Mark R. Atkins
  • Publication number: 20100051709
    Abstract: A space heater for heating air includes a duct for transporting air from an inlet to an outlet of the duct; a heating component; and an electrostatic discharge device within the duct for accelerating the gas through the duct from the inlet to the outlet. The electrostatic discharge device may include a high voltage power supply; at least one corona electrode connected to the high voltage power supply; and a collector electrode located proximate the corona electrode and connected to the high voltage power supply so as to induce a motion of the gas in a direction from the corona electrode toward the collector electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Vladimir L. Gorobets
  • Patent number: 7664379
    Abstract: A fan heater including a housing through which air is able to flow in a longitudinal direction, a blower to propel the air and at least one heating element mounted elastically in the housing by means of a fixing element. Moreover the heating element is a PTC element and the blower is mounted separately from the PTC element in the housing. An assembly is also disclosed, which includes a fan heater as aforesaid, wherein at least two adapter plates, each exhibiting at least one fastening element for fixing the fan heater to a location intended for it and devices for fixing optionally one of the adapter plates to a housing in the fan heater, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: STEGO-Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Hartmut Eisenhauer
  • Patent number: 7664378
    Abstract: A fan heater includes a heater body, an electric unit, a plurality of fan assemblies, and a heating element. Each of the fan assemblies is mounted with the adjacent fan assembly to form a fan unit within the receiving cavity, wherein the fan unit is operatively coupled with the electric unit for being driven to rotate by the electric unit. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity in a vicinity of the air outlet, and electrically connected with the electric unit for being heated up at an elevated temperature, wherein the fan assemblies are adapted to draw air flowing from an air inlet to an air outlet via the heating element, so as to heat up the air drawn by the fan unit, and deliver the heated air to a predetermined heating zone from the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Tianyu Gao
  • Patent number: 7615726
    Abstract: An electric heater is provided with an identifying resistor associated with a connection between the heater and a fan control. When the electric heater is connected to the control, the identifying resistor provides information with regard to the capacity of the particular electric heater that is being attached to the control. The control then utilizes this particular capacity to control both the electric heater and an associated fan motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Eugene L. Mills, Jr., Jerry D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7554063
    Abstract: A heating apparatus including a housing defining a volume of air therein having an inlet and an outlet aperture. The heating apparatus also includes a heat generator having an elongate tubular metal sheath extending between an inner end and an outer end, a resistive wire within the sheath, and a substantially nonconducting material for electrically isolating the sheath relative to the resistive wire. The heat generator includes a terminal portion at the inner end and a heating portion extending between the terminal portion and the outer end of the sheath. The terminal portion is adapted for connection to a source of electrical power. Also, the heating portion of the heat generator is positioned in the housing to heat the volume of air. The heating apparatus also includes one or more insulators for electrically isolating the sheath relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Dimplex North America Limited
    Inventors: Kristoffer Hess, Jeffery J. Kube
  • Patent number: 7532810
    Abstract: A portable heater incorporates a housing, heating element, outlet for heat generated by the heating element, and diagnostic testing capabilities that test for defective or abnormal conditions of various safety features and report their status. The features include an object sensing or cover detect function, which operates to disconnect the heater from the primary power source in the event an object is detected that may obstruct the heater outlet, a tilt sensor, which detects whether the heater has been tilted, a fuse, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) breaker. The diagnostic testing function preferably receives power directly from the primary source of power to enable the status of the tests to be displayed whenever the heater is plugged in. Light emitting diodes preferably provide backlighting to icons representing the various features to indicate their status to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaideep Jayaram, Paul Powers, Robert Sherwood, Carlos Alberto Natividad
  • Patent number: 7457533
    Abstract: An electric heating device including a fan for moving a volume of air at a rate substantially corresponding to a speed of rotation of the fan, and a fan motor for rotating the fan over a range of speeds. The device also has a heat generator with one or more PTC elements for generating heat, and for transferring the heat to the moving volume of air. In addition, the device has a control subassembly adapted for proportionate control of the fan motor based on a variable required heat output so that the rate of movement of the moving volume of air varies in proportion to changes in the required heat output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Dimplex North America Limited
    Inventors: Kristoffer Hess, Kelly Stinson
  • Publication number: 20080217324
    Abstract: A thermally sprayed gas heater comprises a gas flow apparatus that propels a gas through a housing; and a thermally sprayed heater bonded to a surface of the apparatus, the heater positioned to heat the gas flow in the housing. In other aspects, a heater system for a turbulent flow gas duct comprises a duct having a gas flow channel, the channel having a shaped surface providing turbulent gas flow in the channel, and a thermally sprayed heater positioned to heat the gas flow in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Richard C. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20080131102
    Abstract: A fan heater including a housing through which air is able to flow in a longitudinal direction, a blower to propel the air and at least one heating element mounted elastically in the housing by means of a fixing element. Moreover the heating element is a PTC element and the blower is mounted separately from the PTC element in the housing. An assembly is also disclosed, which includes a fan heater as aforesaid, wherein at least two adapter plates, each exhibiting at least one fastening element for fixing the fan heater to a location intended for it and devices for fixing optionally one of the adapter plates to a housing in the fan heater, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: STEGO-HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Hartmut Eisenhauer
  • Patent number: 7361868
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrical heating device, especially for motor vehicles, including a closed frame (2) which include rails (3, 4) and cross rails (5, 6), heating elements (7) which include elements made of electrically conductive plastic layers (18) having PCT effect, which are arranged between contact plates (15, 16), heat-conducting secondary surface elements (8) that can be overflown by air and at least one electrically conductive spring element (9), wherein the heating elements (7) and the secondary surface elements (8) are alternatingly arranged next to one another and are braced against each other by the rails (3, 4) and a spring element (9) placed centrally which replaces the secondary surface element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Behr France S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Jürgen Otto, Michel Brun, Yannik Laumonnerie, Grégory Lucas, Pascal Miss, Mathieu Mougey, Christophe Schmittheisler
  • Patent number: 7355146
    Abstract: A heating unit for a vehicle features a radial fan (100) having a housing (110), which housing has an air inlet (116) and an air exit opening (118). The heating unit has an air-directing device (140) that guides an air flow in a pressure chamber (115) of the housing (110) to the exit opening (118). Arranged in the housing (110) is a radial fan wheel (130) that serves to generate a flow from the air inlet (116) via the pressure chamber (115) to the air exit opening (118). Also provided is an electrical heating element, e.g. a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heating element (125), that serves to transfer heat to the air flow generated by the fan. Air-directing elements (632, 634, 636, 638) are provided between the exit opening (118) and the heating element (125), in order to generate an air flow having a more uniform (680) velocity distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ebm-papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Walter Georg Angelis, Wolfgang Arno Winkler
  • Patent number: 7326883
    Abstract: A housing and a base formed integrally with the housing or attached thereto. An array of louvres is attached to or formed integrally with the housing. An electric motor-driven fan is located within the housing and blows air toward the louvres. An electric heating element is situated within the housing between the fan and the array of louvres. This avoids subjecting the fan to excessive heat of the heating element and reduces turbulence of airflow past the louvres, thereby reducing operational noise levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Chung Mei Industries Limited
    Inventor: Carlo Bertani
  • Publication number: 20070297773
    Abstract: A fan heater includes a heater body, an electric unit, a plurality of fan assemblies, and a heating element. Each of the fan assemblies is mounted with the adjacent fan assembly to form a fan unit within the receiving cavity, wherein the fan unit is operatively coupled with the electric unit for being driven to rotate by the electric unit. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity in a vicinity of the air outlet, and electrically connected with the electric unit for being heated up at an elevated temperature, wherein the fan assemblies are adapted to draw air flowing from an air inlet to an air outlet via the heating element, so as to heat up the air drawn by the fan unit, and deliver the heated air to a predetermined heating zone from the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Tianyu Gao
  • Publication number: 20070280651
    Abstract: A fan with a function of far infrared ray emission has a shell, a circuit board mounted in the shell, a stator, a rotator, at least one far infrared radiator. The far infrared radiators will emit far infrared ray, which is further spread with the airflow caused by the rotation of the rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: ADDA CORP.
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7231140
    Abstract: A system for removing snow and ice from a surface that includes a fan and a heating element contained within a hollow cavity open at one end, and a hollow duct positioned above the hollow cavity. The hollow duct is open at both ends; one end is positioned directly above the open end of the hollow cavity, while the other end leads back into the hollow cavity through a hole on the other side of the heating element contained therein. The fan blows air past the heating element and out the open end of the hollow cavity. The heated air melts any snow or ice with which it comes into contact. At least some of the heated air that does not contact any snow or ice is drawn into and through the hollow duct, and back into the hollow cavity where it may be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Edward Gerard Dolton, III
  • Patent number: 7203416
    Abstract: The invention provides a ventilating and heating apparatus for installation in a building structure. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a main housing in which is located a ventilating fan assembly and a heater fan assembly having a heater and a discharge duct terminating in a discharge outlet, wherein the heater is located within and connected to the discharge duct of the heater fan assembly. The heater can be shielded from the discharge outlet by at least one interior wall of the discharge duct. In some embodiments, the discharge duct can have a tapered portion approaching the discharge outlet. In some embodiments, a discharge aperture of a cover is recessed with respect to the discharge outlet of a fan housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Craw, Daniel L. Karst, Christopher J. Nemacheck, Kenneth J. Jonas
  • Patent number: 7180039
    Abstract: A heater is provided that has a temperature sensing control system which can be used for both temperature control and over-temperature protection against element burnout. The temperature control system is comprised of an inlet temperature sensing assembly positioned at the inlet to the heater element and an exit thermocouple positioned in the exit end of the heater element. The exit thermocouple may be used for control the heater temperature and provide over-temperature protection. The inlet temperature sensing assembly is used to detect low or no air flow conditions which could lead to heater element failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Arold, William H. Gosselin, Michael J. Frappier, Joseph P. Stark
  • Patent number: 7177534
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating and ventilating system is provided. The method includes determining a demand for heat and creating an air flow. In addition, the method includes sensing an outlet discharge temperature of the air flow and increasing the temperature of the air flow to a selected value. Generally, the method further includes increasing the air flow velocity, while maintaining the discharge temperature of the air flow to the selected value. The system for controlling a heating and ventilating system includes an input for receiving a demand signal and a heater control circuitry for controlling the heat output of a heat source. In addition, the system includes ventilation control circuitry for controlling the flow of an air source and an outlet air temperature sensor. Finally, the system preferably includes a microcontroller for controlling the heat output and the flow of the air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Air System Components, L.P.
    Inventors: Gordon Jones, Dan Int-hout
  • Patent number: 7119308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forced-air electric heater control system for HVAC systems. One embodiment utilizes two heat sensors which are positioned upstream and downstream, equidistant from the heating element(s). The control system, in this embodiment, takes the difference between the temperature signals, thereby eliminating any radiant heat factor, and the resulting signal is used to control the heater. In other embodiments, the method senses upstream and downstream temperatures, determines air velocity in the duct, determines the amount kilowatts (KW) or other heat per unit time or power based thereon, and enables the power control switch when the resultant is less than a predetermined value. Alternate systems initially test for air velocity by application of nominal power, and then use the measured velocity and the downstream temperature to obtain a control signal for the heater. A pressure differential may be used. The systems compensate for radiant heat factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Zev Kopel
  • Patent number: 7088913
    Abstract: A multi-purpose electric heater that can be configured as a baseboard heater or an upright heater is provided. The heater preferably includes a pair of elongate housings that are coupled to a base in a manner that allows them to be moved between horizontal and upright positions. Each housing may include a rotatable portion that can be oriented to direct heat where desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: JCS/THG, LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Verhoorn, Johnson Hsu, Andrew T. Sarkisian, Donald W. Bryce, Sarah V. Drake
  • Patent number: 7050707
    Abstract: A heater device applied in a desiccant rotor dehumidifier for supplying regeneration hot air to the desiccant rotor comprises a metal case having an air inlet and an air outlet; heating elements supported by insulative material and mounted adjacent to the desiccant rotor; and an insulative plate installed in parallel to the heating elements and parting the heating elements with the air inlet. The insulative plate is formed with a plurality of via holes suitably distributed for the intake air coming from the air inlet passing through, being heated by the heating elements and evenly passing the desiccant rotor through the air outlet. The insulative plate also splits and bypasses a part of the intake air to cool down the desiccant rotor that has been heated and regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Norm Pacific Automation Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 7039300
    Abstract: An electric heater is provided with an identifying resistor associated with a connection between the heater and a fan control. When the electric heater is connected to the control, the identifying resistor provides information with regard to the capacity of the particular electric heater that is being attached to the control. The control then utilizes this particular capacity to control both the electric heater and an associated fan motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Eugene L. Mills, Jr., Jerry D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7038171
    Abstract: A household electric appliance including a heating part and titanium oxide particles to be activated by heating, the heating part being a heating device inherently possessed by the household electric appliance and/or an additional heating device not inherently possessed by the household electric appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignees: Osada Giken Co., Ltd., Hideharu Osada
    Inventors: Hideharu Osada, Hironobu Shibamoto, Shoma Osada
  • Patent number: 7012223
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forced-air electric heater control system for HVAC systems. One embodiment utilizes two heat sensors which are positioned upstream and downstream, equidistant from the heating element(s). The control system, in this embodiment, takes the difference between the temperature signals, thereby eliminating any radiant heat factor, and the resulting signal is used to control the heater. In other embodiments, the method senses upstream and downstream temperatures, determines air velocity in the duct, determines the amount kilowatts (KW) or other heat per unit time or power based thereon, and enables the power control switch when the resultant is less than a predetermined value. Alternate systems initially test for air velocity by application of nominal power, and then use the measured velocity and the downstream temperature to obtain a control signal for the heater. A pressure differential may be used. The systems compensate for radiant heat factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Environmental Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zev Kopel
  • Patent number: 6973260
    Abstract: A portable electric heater producing a vertically oriented, heated exhaust air stream at an elevation above a support surface is provided. A base contacting the support surface and supporting an elongate housing in a substantially vertical position from the support surface. An inlet opening allows air to enter the interior of the housing and a vertically oriented outlet opening allows a heated exhaust air stream to exit the housing. An air blower assembly and elongate electric heating element are disposed within the housing. The air blower assembly has a substantially vertically oriented axis of rotation and the electric heating element is substantially vertically oriented proximate the outlet opening. The flow of the exhaust air stream from the air impeller assembly toward the vertically oriented elongate electric heating element is a substantially direct and straight vector and substantially all of the exhaust air stream passes through the electric heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Orr, Gary S. Beideman
  • Patent number: 6950606
    Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is provided in which an air blower and an electric heater assembly are located in a common housing with the heater assembly projecting into the housing from a wall thereof in transverse relationship to the blower. This configuration eliminates the need for a dedicated space for the electric heater downstream of the blower housing, which reduces the size of the apparatus. The wall of the housing includes an opening through which the heater assembly is insertable into the housing. The heater assembly includes a mounting plate to close off the wall opening and to removably mount the heater assembly with the housing. The heater assembly preferably further includes an open coil electric heater, with a major dimension of the heater being oriented generally parallel to the direction of air flow in the blower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Colby W. Logan, Donald E. Porterfield, Jerry L. Hensley, James W. Pickle
  • Patent number: 6940051
    Abstract: A heater effectively uses a current controlled fan motor in series with a resistance heating arrangement. The fan motor preferably is wound with a gauge of wire to appropriate for the relatively high current provided to the fan motor. This arrangement is effectively used to adjust the fan speed to match the heat output when the heating arrangement has variable heat output. More desirable operating characteristics are achieved without increasing costs and fan motor manufacturing savings are realized. The portable heater preferably produces heat at different outputs and the current used to power the resistance heating arrangement is used to power the fan motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Art K. Tateishi
  • Patent number: 6901213
    Abstract: An electric heater includes a casing having a receiving compartment and an air outlet communicating the receiving compartment to outside and a plurality of radiant conductive fins spacedly supported in the receiving compartment to define an air heating channel between each two radiant conductive fins, wherein each of the radiant conductive fins has at least a guiding slot formed thereon. A heating element is electrically connected to a power source wherein the heating element is transversely extended to the radiant conductive fins through the guiding slots to heat up the radiant conductive fins in such a manner when the radiant conductive fins are heated up for warming an air within the air heating channels, a heat current is created on each radiant conductive fin for creating heat flows flowing from the air heating channels respectively to outside through the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Bai Bing
  • Patent number: 6897416
    Abstract: A heating system with PTC heating elements heats a medium that flows. In order to avoid unnecessary heating up of the PTC elements when the streaming fails, the required heat output that is to be generated by the PTC elements is compared to the electrical power actually consumed and, if a specified threshold value is under-run, the required heat output that was set is reduced accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Zeyen
  • Patent number: 6873790
    Abstract: An elongate heating element that includes an insulative substrate and a resistive coating that heats to a predetermined temperature when an electrical current is passed through the coating. The insulative material forming the substrate is preferably a ceramic such as cordierite, but the invention is not limited to any particular insulative material. An air moving device directs an air stream over the resistive coating in order to heat the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Cooper, Thomas Fich-Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20040197091
    Abstract: A portable electric heater for providing a heated exhaust air stream at an elevation above a support surface is provided. The heater comprises an elongate housing having a sidewall, a top end, a bottom end, and a longitudinal length extending substantially upward from the bottom end to the top end, and a horizontal cross sectional area. A base supports the elongate housing in a vertical and upright position on the support surface. There is at least one inlet opening in the housing allowing inlet air to enter the interior of the housing. An air blower assembly is disposed within the housing interior for receiving the inlet air. At least one outlet opening in the elongate housing allows the exhaust air stream to exit the interior space. At least one electric heating element is disposed within the interior space between the air blower assembly and the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Paul W. Orr, Gary S. Beideman
  • Patent number: 6760543
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing thermal energy comprising a housing defining a first interior space and a second interior space; at least one electric heating element positioned within the first interior space; and an air circulator positioned within the second interior space and adjacent the first interior space, the air circulator receiving intake air from a first flow path and generating exhaust air along a second flow path, the second flow path substantially orthogonal to the first flow path such that the exhaust air flows through the at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Orr, Gary S. Beideman
  • Patent number: 6748163
    Abstract: An electric heater comprises a housing with an air inlet area, an air outlet area, an electric heating element disposed between the inlet area and outlet area, a fan that moves air through the heater, a first high-temperature limit switch mounted on the housing in the air inlet area, and a second high-temperature limit switch mounted on housing in the air outlet area, the first and second switches being electrically connected in series with each other and to the heating element so as to disconnect power to the heating element when either switch is tripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: King Electrical Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bradley J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040105666
    Abstract: Because the air trunk area of the air blowing passage on the downstream side of the air-blowing fan was kept almost constant in a conventional hot-air heater, an electric heater provided in this air blowing passage provided air trunk resistance by itself making it necessary to increase the rotation speed of the air blowing fan thereby resulting in the operating noise growing louder which, in turn, posed a problem. Therefore, an expansion 35 was formed along the air blowing passage 32 that passes from the intake opening 11b through the exhaust opening 12b. This expansion functions as a storage portion that contains the electric heater 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventors: Yokihiko Shimonoma, Keichi Ito, Yoshinori Fujisawa, Yoshimune Yamada
  • Publication number: 20040105665
    Abstract: A portable air temperature controlling device useful for warming air surrounding an aerosolized drug formulation is described. Warming the air of an aerosol makes it possible to reduce the size of aerosol particles produced by an aerosol generation device. Additionally, warming the air forces the size of the aerosol particles to be in the range required for systemic drug delivery independent of ambient conditions. Smaller particles can be more precisely targeted to different areas of the respiratory tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Aradigm Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schuster, Christopher J. Flaim
  • Patent number: 6744976
    Abstract: A hot airflow generation device supplies hot airflows toward a heat-shrinkage film wrapping around an article for heating and shrinking the film to form a package on the article. The hot airflow generation device includes a casing defining a channel through which the article wrapped by the heat-shrinkage film is conveyed. A hood is arranged inside the casing and forms air passages with the casing. Each air passage forms an exit opening. The hood includes walls forming an air intake port in communication with the air passages. An air fan is mounted to the hood for drawing air into the air intake port and driving the air into the air passages. Electric heaters are arranged inside the air passages for heating air flowing therethrough. Air that is drawn into the air intake port and driven through the air passages is heated by the heaters and becomes hot airflow that flow toward the article through the exit openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Benison & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Benker Liao