Forced Air Type Patents (Class 392/360)
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Patent number: 6737615Abstract: A heat conductor coil for heating a flowing gaseous medium is configured to be attached to a support configuration and has a heat conductor wound in windings following an ascending line of a coil to form the heat conductor coil, wherein the ascending line of the coil defines a circumferential surface of the heat conductor coil. The heat conductor is deflected alternatingly in opposite directions within the circumferential surface of the coil out of the ascending line of the coil. The heat conductor coil is attached to a support plate by securing elements having a securing part for holding a winding of the heat conductor coil and a foot part for attaching the securing element to the support plate. The securing part is a tubular section with a substantially closed mantle surface and receives a winding of the heat conductor coil.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: MicroHellix Systems GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Lange, Ingo Schehr
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Publication number: 20040071455Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air appliance (1.1) comprising an electric heating body (4) and a fan (9) for producing a hot air flow (28). The inventive hot air appliance (1.1) is provided with a catalytic odour filter (21) which is subjected to the airflow (27) from the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Juergen Allwohn, Detlef Mattinger, Stefan Uhl
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Publication number: 20040033063Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventor: Bai Bing
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Publication number: 20040028395Abstract: A disconnectable hot air nozzle device is provided with a nozzle holder 2 having an introducing portion 2c and a hook shaped retaining portion 2d, an attachment 3, and a cover 4 vertically replaceable for a predetermined amount relative to the attachment and having a retaining pin 4a, with the retaining pin being introduced from the introducing portion 2c of the nozzle holder 3 into a retaining portion 2d. The nozzle holder 2 and the attachment 3 are disconnectably fixed with each other, with the abutting surfaces provided on the nozzle holder 2 and the attachment 3 being brought into abutment with each other by a force applied from a urging member 5 to the nozzle holder 2 via the retaining pin 4a.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: Yoshihiro Hagihara
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Patent number: 6674049Abstract: A storage drum heater has an elongated housing and is typically used in a vertical orientation between storage drums arranged on a pallet. In one embodiment, the housing has closed ends and vertical sides that intersect four vertical, diagonal surfaces at their vertical edges. A column of holes is located in each diagonal surface, upper holes being axially spaced from lower holes. The housing contains a blower fan and a resistive heating element for heating air expelled by the blower. A battery is located in the housing and provides electrical power for operating the fan and the heating element. The fan draws air into the housing through the lower holes, then blows the air across the heating element and out of the housing through the upper holes, preferably into the V-shaped interstitial space between drums.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventor: Harold H. Hughes
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Publication number: 20030219240Abstract: An electronic control circuit for use with a heater, a fan, a humidifier or any device utilizing a power mode switch and a condition sensor, the electronic control circuit including a single control switch for controlling both power output and responding to a sensed condition. The electronic circuit includes a microprocessor, preferably in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit to provide the circuit logic. The single control switch is preferably a push-button switch which places the unit in the selected mode of operation. The electronic control circuit also includes a thermistor or humidity sensor to sense conditions and, depending upon the set temperature/humidity by the control switch and the sensed condition the unit will operate accordingly. The unit can also operate in a manual mode, thereby bypassing the sensor operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: The Holmes Group, Inc.Inventors: William Levy, Robert A. Sherwood
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Patent number: 6647203Abstract: A power distribution system for an air handler is reconfigureable by way of selectively connectable plug-in connectors. The air handler includes a blower associated with a first plug-in connector that is selectively connectable to a second plug-in connector of a heater and a third plug-in connector of an electric air cleaner. If the air handler includes a heater but not the electric air cleaner, then the blower connector plugs into the heater connector. If the air handler includes an electric air cleaner but not a heater, then the blower plugs into the connector of the air cleaner. And if the air handler includes both a heater and an electric air cleaner, then a three-way electrical connector couples the blower to both the heater and the air cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Helt, Stephen A. Guy
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Patent number: 6624397Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Inventor: Art K. Tateishi
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Publication number: 20030116559Abstract: A method of producing a thin film heating element is provided which can be used in manufacturing a transparent thin film heating element of desired shape with an increased heat emission property and an excellent durability. Also provided is a heating device of the type incorporating the thin film heating element produced by this method. The inventive method comprises the steps of, applying heat- and oil-resistant ink on a predetermined surface area of a base element, allowing the ink to run dry, spraying conductive chemical composition on the base element to form a conductive thin heater film, removing the ink out of the base element, printing a thin film electrode leading to the thin heater film, and baking the base element into a thin film heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventor: Sung-Don Park
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Patent number: 6560892Abstract: An air blowing tool includes a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22) and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and defines a heating space (23) for accommodating a package (3) to be heated. An annular outlet (221) is defined in the inner wall. The annular outlet communicates with the annular passage and with the heating space.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yueh Liang Chung, Yang Jinn Chen, Lipei Huang
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Patent number: 6546645Abstract: An air blowing tool includes a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22), and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and defines a heating space (23) for accommodating a package (3) to be heated. A plurality of evenly distributed outlets (221) is defined in the inner wall. Each outlet is defined at an acute angle relative to the annular passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Hon Hai Precision, Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yueh Liang Chung, Yang Jinn Chen, Lipei Huang
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Patent number: 6516140Abstract: An electric furnace comprising an integral front panel containing a plurality of louvers. The interior of the furnace contains a flow channel to direct air towards the top of the furnace. At least some of the louvers will direct air into the flow channel. The air is then conditioned and delivered back to the home.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Daniel James Arnold, Tabraiz Ali Khan
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Publication number: 20030016953Abstract: An electric heater having 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: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventor: Bradley J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20020168183Abstract: An electric furnace comprising an integral front panel containing a plurality of louvers. The interior of the furnace contains a flow channel to direct air towards the top of the furnace. At least some of the louvers will direct air into the flow channel. The air is then conditioned and delivered back to the home.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: York International CorporationInventors: Daniel James Arnold, Tabraiz Ali Khan
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Patent number: 6471510Abstract: An air blowing tool comprises a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22), and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and forms a heating space (23) for placing a package (3) to be heated. A plurality of outlets (221) evenly defined in the inner wall. Each outlet is generally perpendicular to an adjoining portion of the annular passage, and generally perpendicular to an adjoining portion of the heating space.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yueh Liang Chung, Yang Jinn Chen, Lipei Huang
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Publication number: 20020125859Abstract: In a vehicle air-conditioning system, a supply of electric power to a first electric heater and a supply of electric power to a second electric heater are duty controlled at the same duty ratio in such a manner that the supply of the electric power to the second electric heater is phase shifted by one half of a period from the supply of the electric power to the first electric heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Yuji Takeo, Ken Matsunaga, Hisashi Ieda, Mitsuyo Oomura
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Patent number: 6430364Abstract: A heater protective device of a cooling system includes a couple of thermostats and one thermal fuse. The thermostats are secured to opposing sides of one metal plate. When a temperature of each thermostat rises due to the heat conducted through the metal plate and substantially reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher, an internal connection of the thermostat is turned off, i.e., is opened. When the temperature of the thermostat decreases substantially below 40 degrees Celsius, the internal contact of the thermostat is turned on, i.e., is closed. The metal plate is secured to a heat receiving bracket that is secured to a heater cover and that is heated upon receiving radiated heat from the electric heater. A thermal fuse extends through the metal plate in a thickness direction of the metal plate and is secured thereto.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Koji Kishita
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Patent number: 6321033Abstract: A portable electric appliance including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path therebetween; a conditioner disposed in the air flow path and operable to condition air in the air flow path; a power source; and an electrical switch connected between the conditioner and the power source and having an actuator movable between an inactive position and at least one active position, the switch in its one active position transmitting power from the source to the conditioner, and in its inactive position preventing power transmission therebetween. Also included is a lock mechanism including a release element adapted for predetermined movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, the actuator and release element being shaped and arranged to require independent manipulation by, respectively, first and second body parts; and in its locked position the element prevents the given movement of the actuator, and in its unlocked position allows the given movement of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Walter Birdsell, John Lapetina, William J. Montague, Jr.
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Patent number: 6154606Abstract: A radiant heater mounting heating elements in a sealed housing with a ceramic heat transmitting wall. A fan is mounted in the housing to cool the heating elements and in practice provide additional heat. There are also vent assemblies which prevent water such as rainwater or even water from, for example, a hose entering into the heater and causing failure.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignees: Edward Duggan, Michael Francis CarneyInventors: Christian Guy Naylor Shaw, James Gerard Tangney
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Patent number: 6122437Abstract: An electric heater has a housing defining a heat-transmitting window and reflector assembly is mounted in housing that has a heat reflective surface. A heating element extends within the reflector assembly between opposite ends of the housing and radiates heat energy which is reflected by the reflector assembly. A pair of bracket arms are rotatably attached to opposite ends of the housing for securing the heater to a ceiling. A control switch mounted within one of the bracket arms and a control knob secured to the switch are substantially centered on the heater's axis of rotation. A U-shaped support assembly is used to mount the heater to the ceiling so that the heater is detachably connected to the support assembly. The support bracket can be mounted to the ceiling by a single wood bolt extending through an aperture provided centrally in the support assembly. As a result, the heater can be swiveled about the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing CompanyInventor: James B. Johnson
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Patent number: 6035097Abstract: An electrical heating unit, particularly for a hair drier, comprises a first wire heating element, in particular a spiral coil wire heating element (2) having a heat conductor support comprising at least one support plate (4, 5, 6), and a heat conductor winding (7) arranged thereon. This spiral coil wire heating element serves to heat the stream of air flowing through the hair drier. At least one second wire heating element is provided, serving the function of adapting the electrical voltage for a further electrical load, particularly as a series resistor, for a direct-current motor fitted with an impeller to produce the stream of air. The second wire heating element (3) comprises a frame-type heat conductor support (8) and a heat conductor winding (9) arranged thereon which fills the free area of cross section of the heat conductor support (8). Further, the second heating element (3) is secured to the first heating element (2).Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Jurgen Behrendt, Boris Wonka, Wilfried Rolf, Robert Jung
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Patent number: 6034354Abstract: A dust collection electrode with catalyst to be provided on the electronic dust collector is manufactured simply at low cost without using a furnace. To the surface of the metal tube of the sheathed heater a low temperature curing type heat resistant inorganic adhesive is applied. Thereafter, a catalyst such as Zeolite is adhered to the heat-resistant inorganic adhesive. Next, the sheathed heater is energized to make self-heating, and using said heating, the heat-resistant inorganic adhesive is heated to cure, thereby fixing the catalyst layer to the surface of the metal tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasumasa Hironaka
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Patent number: 5934369Abstract: A thermal storage controller apparatus and methodology to establish the heat-loss of a dwelling and thereby charge the thermal storage system accordingly, and maintaining a history of the environment to adjust the thermal storage capacity. The system includes the apparatus to control slave thermal storage systems based on the readings from the main thermal storage system.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Inventors: Nazir Dosani, Nizar Ladha
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Patent number: 5930454Abstract: A refrigerator having an apparatus for thawing frozen food includes food case mounted on the lower side of a partition for partitioning cooling compartments from each other, and a heater and a blowing device installed in the partition. The operating time of the heater and the blowing fan is counted in a timer. A user accommodates frozen food in the food case and sets a time for thawing by the timer. Then the frozen food is thawed by the operation of the heater and the blowing device. Thus, the frozen food can be thawed conveniently and rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Daewoo Electronics., Ltd.Inventor: Hong-Min Cho
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Patent number: 5889260Abstract: An electrical heating device employing positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors as heating elements, which provides direct contact between the thermistor heating elements and the radiation units on both sides with no intervening members and which also provides the electrical current to the heating elements via the radiation units.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Body Heat Ltd.Inventors: Gad Golan, Yuly Galperin
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Patent number: 5879516Abstract: Improved kugelrohr or apparatus for distilling or separating liquids. It includes a rugged, reliable air oven and drive unit with numerous safety features. One or more external guards eliminate burn hazard and risk of accidental contact. A thermal isolation support isolates the oven from its rest surface. A grounded heating element eliminates shock hazards. The oven is fitted with a grommet or bushing to support a flask connected to one or more additional flasks in a series. The outlet of the last flask in the series is connected to a drive tube via a flexible coupling. The drive tube is connected to a rotary bearing assembly mounted on a drive unit. The oven and the flasks may include impellers for circulating air to enhance heating efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1996Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Inventor: David H. Kasman
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Patent number: 5866881Abstract: A multi-layer jacket with convection heating mechanism including a jacket having a pair of long sleeves and a front closeable opening. Also included is a heater coil adapted to produce heat upon the receipt of power. A convection fan is positioned adjacent the heat coil and is adapted to draw air from air inlet apertures of the jacket and further produce a heated air current upon the receipt of power. Further provided is a convection tube having a first end situated adjacent the heater coil opposite the convection fan for receiving the heated air current from the heater coil and convection fan. The convection tube is serpentinely situated throughout the jacket for distributing the heated air current throughout an interior of the jacket. Finally, a heater control mechanism is provided for allowing a user to control the amount of heat generated by the heater coil and the convection fan.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Inventor: James D. Jones, III
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Patent number: 5825974Abstract: An electrical heating apparatus, for example, a fan heater, comprises at least an electrical heating element (14) and a motor (14) for driving a fan. The apparatus also comprises a switch device arranged to provide the apparatus with two operating modes. In the first mode the heating element and the motor are connected in parallel, and in the second mode the heating element and the motor are connected in series. The first mode provides a relatively high heat output and/or high airflow to distribute the heat quickly. The second mode provides quieter operation at a similar or lower output power level, for example, to maintain a given temperature while causing less disturbance to people in the vicinity of the fan heater. A further heating element may be arranged in parallel with the motor in the second mode of operation so as to provide a potential divider for supplying the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Duncan N. Hutton, Richard Hingley
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Patent number: 5805767Abstract: A heater, especially a portable electric space heater, that includes safety features selected from at least one of the following, which may turn off the heater or trigger an alarm or both: motion sensors for determining whether an object is within an unsafe distance of the heater; temperature sensors for determining whether the internal temperature of the heater is rising too fast, or is too much above ambient temperature so that it represents an unsafe condition, or is above a preset safe level.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Inventors: Gary Jouas, Guy Deluca, Phillip G. Tassicker, Herbert K. Streich
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Patent number: 5758017Abstract: An eyeglass heater includes a fan motor, heater coils, and feedback circuitry for controlling the fan motor and heater coils. A heat conductive housing encloses all components and provides opposed air outlets for directing the heated air upon the work piece (eyeglass frames).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Western Optical Supply, Inc.Inventors: James Hudspeth, Joshua Freilich
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Patent number: 5729908Abstract: An apparatus for the enhanced drying of shoes and boots is provided, having a main housing cylinder having a first end cap secured to a main housing, with a fan motor and screen directing forced air into a heated grid of the main housing cylinder, with the main housing cylinder including directing conduits, with the directing conduits arranged for receiving L-shaped tubes for insertion within boots, and wherein the organization is arranged for disassembly for securing the L-shaped conduits within the main housing during transport and storage of the organization.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1993Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Inventor: Larry Dean Braden
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Patent number: 5704135Abstract: An instant photographic print drying device. The device has a stand which carries a fan and a heating coil. Downstream of the fan the photograph is held in place by clips. A timer is provided which can be set to a prescribed time to dry the photographs. An on/off switch is provided and a momentary switch is optionally present to provide a little more drying time, without resetting the timer. A thermostat might be included to prevent overheating of the coils, and possible overheating and burning of the photograph. Optionally, the clips holding the photograph in place can be connected to a micro-switch, which activates the timer controlling the fan and heating coil when a photograph is placed on the stand.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Inventor: Sohrab Riahi
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Patent number: 5665261Abstract: An electric heating device includes a plurality of heating elements which are assembled to form a block. Such a heating element is formed from two metal plates, with the interposition of PTC elements. In order to increase the heat transfer, the metal plates are provided with corrugation ribs. Each heating element includes a pair of metal plates which are angled off essentially in the form of an L such that the angled-off sections are connected in a frictionally locking manner to each other. The angled-off sections are arranged at opposite ends of the heating elements and angled in opposite directions, the length of the angled-off sections of the metal plates being dimensioned such that angled-off sections of one pair of metal plates are in mutual abutment with angled-off sections of respectively adjacent pairs of metal plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.Inventors: Herbert Damsohn, Karl-Gerd Krumbach, Michael Loehle, Eberhard Zwittig
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Patent number: 5652826Abstract: A radiant electric space heater is provided with a high heat limiting capillary tube thermostat and with a grill which is pivotally mounted so that it may be pivoted to an out-of-the-way position for cleaning. The capillary tube thermostat extends along a wire forming part of the grill and into the housing of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Thomas H. Mills
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Patent number: 5636318Abstract: An air circulation heating apparatus, for example a hair drier or an electric radiator, is controlled by an infrared sensor which measures at a distance the thermal radiation emitted by an object heated by the apparatus. The sensor is placed in the flow of hot air to ensure reliable operation of the apparatus and to ensure that the sensor supplies correct measurement data. A screen is provided adjacent the sensor in the path of the airflow which prevents the flow of hot air from hitting the sensor directly.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Remy Polaert, Jean-Pierre Hazan, Jean-Louis Nagel
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Patent number: 5619612Abstract: A motor is located in the air inlet area is enclosed in a shock proof housing. The housing is of a cylindrical configuration, comprising a solid rear wall and a front wall which contains air inlet openings small enough to prevent access to the live electrical parts, the enclosure is further provided with a circumferential air outlet positioned between the front and rear walls. A motor is located in the air inlet area to facilitate its cooling by the entering air. A centrifugal blower impeller is mounted on the blower shaft, with its inlet coinciding with the inlet opening. The impeller is surrounded by a cage shaped heating element consisting of a multitude of inter connected strips of a resistance alloy, which are supported on two plastic rings. The circumferential air outlet is provided with a multitude of guide vanes that help direct and diffuse the air emanating from the heating elements while preventing contact with the heating element from the outside.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1994Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Appliance Development Corp.Inventors: Dov Z. Glucksman, John A. Deros
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Patent number: 5571432Abstract: A heating and ventilating apparatus for a motor vehicle having either an internal combustion engine or an electric propulsion motor, where the heat given off by the engine or motor is insufficient to provide heating requirements for the cabin of the vehicle under all conditions, comprises an air inlet chamber associated with a blower, and an air outlet chamber which feeds at least one outlet duct, leading to the cabin. A heating branch is interposed between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber, with heating means arranged in the air heating branch. The heating means comprise a radiant heater having pure or passive resistance, together with a radiant electric heater having a positive temperature co-efficient resistance, the two heaters being connected electrically in series in a circuit which is supplied by a voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1993Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Valeo Thermique HabitacleInventor: Jean-Charles Sarbach
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Patent number: 5562844Abstract: In an electric radiator having a frame in which an arranged heat output elements, which include PTC resistors, and heating elements including fins, which abut on these heat output elements. The heating elements are supported by two oppositely disposed frame bars in such a way that they apply pressure to the heat output elements, said frame bars including rails having a U-shaped cross-section with flat legs extending from a central leg which is provided with longitudinally extending bulging portions separated from the central leg to impart spring properties to said bulging portions which is applied to the heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: David & Baader - DBK- Spezialfabrik elektrischer Apparate und Heizwiderstande GmbHInventors: Franz Bohlender, Josef David
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Patent number: 5488218Abstract: Activation and deactivation of a plurality of heating elements in an electric heating system are separately controllable in accordance with the present invention. Individual heating elements are sequentially activated in response to a demand for heat. A predetermined time delay is imposed between successive activations of the heating elements to allow time to satisfy the demand for heat before another heating element is activated. Normally, the heating elements are also deactivated sequentially in response to a reduced demand for heat, with a predetermined time delay between successive deactivations to allow time to respond to the reduced demand for heat before another heating element is deactivated. A temperature sensor is located in the air discharge plenum of the heating system for sensing the temperature of the discharge air. The discharge air temperature is used to control the operation of the heating elements, a two-speed heat pump, and the "off cycle" of the heating system blower.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1993Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Olsen, Joe R. Powell, Russell C. Tharp, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 5471763Abstract: A nozzle attachment for a hair dryer has a cylindrical element for connecting a flow-directing member to the nozzle of a hair dryer. The flow-directing member deflects the air coming from the hair dryer by a certain acute angle. The flow-directing member is rotatable relative to the cylindrical element. Vanes are provided within the flow-directing member. They are slanted to the direction of air flow from the hair dryer, so that impingement of air on the vanes causes the flow-directing member to rotate thus providing air flow having a continually varying flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Wik Far East LimitedInventor: John McArthur
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Patent number: 5377298Abstract: A PTC semiconductor heating device includes: two half shells combinable for forming a housing of the semiconductor heating device, a plurality of linear arrays of PTC semiconductor heating elements parallelly mounted in the housing with each linear array containing a plurality of PTC semiconductor heating elements longitudinally disposed in a side-by-side linear arrangement in said housing and each linear array of PTC heating elements being sandwiched in between every two neighboring thermally and electrically conducting units respectively connected to two poles of a power source and longitudinally juxtapositionally mounted in the housing each thermally and electrically conducting unit including a corrugated fin plate formed with a plurality of continuous square waves and clamped by a pair of conducting plates, and a plurality of resilient embedding plates each embedding plate resiliently inserted in between every two neighboring thermally and electrically conducting units for firmly tensioning, packing and rType: GrantFiled: April 21, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Inventor: Chiung-hsiang Yang
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Patent number: 5334818Abstract: A heating element for an air flow comprises a channel shaped bracket including a base and side walls at right angles thereto within which is mounted a pair of mica sheets arranged parallel to the base and at right angles to the sides and connected to the sides by ribs longitudinally of the sides with transverse slots within which the sheets slide. Each sheet is wrapped with a heating wire formed into helical coils so that each side of the sheet carries a plurality of parallel helical coil portions with connecting portions wrapped over the edges of the sheet. The sheets are symmetrical and one is inverted relative to the other. Each sheet carries at ends thereof a male and a female connector of the blade and receptacle type so that the blade of one sheet engages into the receptacle of the other sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Temro Division, Budd Canada Inc.Inventors: Gary C. Edwards, Ronald H. Schaefer
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Patent number: 5299278Abstract: An electric forced circulation space heating system has a first heat exchanger provided with electric heating elements for heating a heat exchange fluid, such as antifreeze or oil, pumped through a closed loop including first flow passages of a second heat exchanger having second flow passages in heat exchange relationship with the first flow passages thereof. A blower forces room air through the second flow passages of the second heat exchanger to be heated by the heated liquid flowing through the first flow passages thereof. A third heat exchanger downstream of the second heat exchanger has first flow passages with an inlet receiving heated air from the second flow passes of the second heat exchanger and an outlet for discharge of the heated air into the space to be heated.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Inventor: Kenneth E. Heller
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Patent number: 5296678Abstract: The conventional sun visor of a vehicle is provided with a fan system including a heater for defrosting and defogging the vehicle windshield. The fan system includes a fan subassembly body mounted in an opening in the sun visor by a retainer subassembly including first and second retainer frames having flanges insertable into the fan subassembly body for securing it in the visor opening. First and second grills are mounted over the faces of the subassembly body by mechanical fasteners which extend through the body and retainer frames. An electric heating element is mounted on at least one of the grills for heating the airstream geneated by the fan of the fan subassembly. The fan and heating element are selectively powered by the vehicle electrical system through an on-off switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Inventor: Allen C. Schnorf
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Patent number: 5270521Abstract: In a heating apparatus including a plate-shaped positive temperature coefficient thermistor having a pair of electrode films, a pair of terminal plates of an elastic metal material are provided on the pair of electrode films of the thermistor, and there is further provided a spacer including a mounting through-hole which passes through the spacer in a thickness direction thereof. The spacer receives the thermistor in the mounting through-hole so as to position the thermistor therein between the pair of terminal plates. Each terminal plate comprises at least one extending portion extending in a longitudinal direction thereof from one portion of one end thereof, and the extending portion comprises a stopper piece which is folded toward the spacer, the stopper piece including a hook-shaped engaging stopper at an end of the stopper piece.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Shikama, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Kiyofumi Torii
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Patent number: 5268988Abstract: A hair treatment apparatus includes a rotary arm having an air flow passage, an electric fan for blowing air through the passage to an outlet for impingement onto the hair being treated and an electric heater installed in the passage for heating the air. The rotary arm is rotatably attached at a tiltable angle to an obliquely downwardly facing body cover supported on a support rod and housing an electric motor driven drive mechanism for reciprocally rotating the arm in a path defining a conical surface about the body cover. The tilted angle of the arm is adjustable to change the apex angle of the conical surface described by the arm during rotation. The rotary drive mechanism can slip should the arm be blocked by an external force. A photo sensor position detecting arrangement controls the limits of the reciprocal rotation of the rotary arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: Takara Belmont Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Miyamoto, Yuji Kakuya, Masaharu Shindo
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Patent number: 5256857Abstract: A heater particularly adapted for use in automotive applications as a passenger compartment heater or the like has a housing with an opening and has a plurality of heat-exchanging fin members and self-regulating electrical resistance heater discs of positive temperature coefficient resistivity (PTC) disposed in the housing to heat air or other fluid which is passed through the housing opening in heat-transfer relation to the fin members. A thermally conductive grease is positioned between the PTC heater discs and fin members to enhance heat transfer. Springs resiliently position the fin members, grease and heater discs in thermally and electrically conductive relation to each other between terminals accessible from the housing exterior to retain the fin members, grease and heater discs engaged during thermal expansion and vibration for reliably energizing the heater discs to heat the fin members over a long service life.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1990Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Jeffrey A. Curhan, Daniel R. Pimentel, Peter G. Berg
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Patent number: 5243683Abstract: A hair dryer includes a plurality of elongated positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) semiconductor heating units disposed in transverse side-by-side spaced relation in a linear array in a central air flow passage of an elongated tubular duct connected to a discharge port of a casing having an air fan rotatably mounted in the casing for blowing air through the air flow passage of the duct, each PTC heating unit defining a longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air flow passage of the duct and a plurality of elongated spaced fins longitudinally juxtapositionally mounted on the PTC semiconductor heating unit transversely of the longitudinal axis of the PTC heating unit, whereby upon a powering of the PTC heating unit and the fan to heat air as blown by the fan, the heated air will be guided in the tubular duct by the plurality of elongaed spaced fins to produce laminar air streamflow helpful for smoothly setting and drying hair or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1992Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Inventor: Chiung-hsiang Yang
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Patent number: 5239163Abstract: An electric heater for air supplied to the passenger compartment of an automobile has a plurality of extruded tubular metal members in side-by-side spaced parallel relationship within an open electrically insulative frame. Each tubular member has a pair of spaced heat sinks with a plurality of spaced lamenallae extending therebetween to form air flow passages. A plurality of PTC heating tablets are positioned in the space between the opposed outer surfaces of the heat sinks of adjacent tubular members, with one face of each PTC tablet fixed to one heat sink by a rigid electrically conductive adhesive and the other face thereof is fixed to the adjacent heat sink by a flexible electrically conductive adhesive. The heat sinks have integral platforms on which the PTC tablets are positioned with the edges of the tablets projecting beyond the edges of the respective platforms.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1991Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Arnoldus M. Brouwers
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Patent number: 5206476Abstract: A supplementary passenger compartment heating assembly for use in conjunction with an automobile HVAC system having a forced air duct opening to the compartment includes a generally rectangular cross section air distribution duct molded integrally with the forced air duct from a heat conductive PTC polymer material. The air distribution duct has a pair of sides separated by a plurality of ribs extending therebetween so as to provide increased heat transfer area to the air forced therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John B. Fresch, Thomas P. Warszawski