Abstract: An electric air or gas heater includes a plurality of equal diameter elongated linear serpentine resistive wire heating elements circularly arranged in parallel about a common axis and disposed within a cylindrical chamber having separable air or gas entrance and exit sections at its opposite ends. Each heating element is disposed in a close-fitting ceramic or quartz tube. The tubes are supported by discs at the opposite ends of the chamber which block air or gas flow outside the cross-sectional area of the tubes. Each heating element has a ceramic cylinder extending through the center thereof through which a wire for electrically connecting adjacent pairs of heating elements extends.

Abstract: A clothes steamer which can be secured to a wall such as the wall of a hotel room, the steamer including a housing with a heating element in it. The element boils water which is in the housing and causes a flow of steam along a flexible hose to a nozzle. An audible warning device is provided for indicating that an adequate supply of steam is being generated.

Abstract: A hot air pulse generator, particularly for use as a hair dryer, includes a housing enclosing an electric heater and air blower for generating a continuous flow of heated air through a passageway leading to a nozzle. A gently curved baffle arranged across the passageway upstream of the nozzle cuts off 50-75% of the cross section of the passageway and converges the heated air as a high speed air stream toward one side of the passageway. A butterfly valve freely rotatable through 360.degree. on a spindle disposed at an acute angle is located between the baffle and nozzle in the path of the air stream and is continuously rotated by the air flow to effect an intermittent pulsed air output flow through the nozzle.

Abstract: An electric heating element for the elimination of condensation, frost or the like on windows of motor vehicles, preferably a rear window of a convertible top, is interconnected with an electric blower motor which includes a relay circuit. For safely operating the heating element, the heating element will only be operative when the blower motor is running. A first relay is used for the control of the blower motor and a second relay for the control of the heating element. The second relay, via a line of a control circuit, is connected to a connecting terminal of the blower motor.

Abstract: A fluid heater utilizing a porous ceramic, for example silicon carbide, electrically conductive body as an electrically energized heating element to heat a fluid passing through the pores thereof is provided. A plurality of interconnected annular fluid flow passageways are positioned in the fluid heater so that fluid exiting therefrom surrounds the porous body, further improving the efficiency of the porous fluid heater body. An electrical disc rear contactor is positioned within one end of the cylindrical sleeve to peripherally engage the sleeve and axially electrically engage the body. An electrically conductive disc front contactor is positioned concentrically at an opposite end of the sleeve to peripherally engage the housing in electrical contact relationship and axially engage the body in electrical contact relationship.

Abstract: A forced gas electric heater has a serpentine heating element in series with a preheat coil. Gas to be heated first flows through the preheat coil before flowing through the serpentine heating element. A thermistor is disposed between two adjacent turns of the preheat coil. The thermistor controls the "on" time of a solid state power control device which is in series with the preheat coil and the serpentine heating element.

Abstract: A shrinking frame for foil wrap or hoods to be shrink wrapped on a stack of goods has a shaft-like configuration of the path for producing hot air within the limbs of the frame between the inlet opening and an outlet slit. The resistance heating rods are located in at least one and preferably both of the segments of the U-shaped flow passage.

Abstract: A closed-loop air cooking system for use in a vending machine that vends french fried potatoes and the like, including: a) a closed-loop air duct assembly; b) a cooking basket mounted for rotation within the air duct assembly; c) a fan for forcing air through the air duct assembly; d) a separator for removing entrained particulates from the air stream within the air duct assembly; and e) a heater for heating air that circulates within the air duct assembly. In addition, the cooking system includes a separator for removing oil and other particulates from the closed-loop air stream.

Abstract: A clamshell housing encloses a nail dryer. The housing includes a cover pivotally connected to a base. The cover may be opened by applying leverage to it and exposing a nail drying zone. The cover may be pivotally closed to form a compact package when not in use. A nail drying fan is actuated when the cover is opened thus closing an electrical circuit. The electrical connection is interrupted when the cover is tipped into a closed position.

Abstract: An improved radiator suitable for use with internal combustion engines in motor vehicles is provided. The invention converts conventional radiators, which ordinarilly provide heat to passenger compartments through exchange of heat built up in the coolant, into electrically operable radiators with electric resistance heating elements, commonly PTC resistors. The PTC resistors have self, temperature-regulating properties which prevent over heating. Additionally, sheet metal strips in heat-transmitting contact with the PTC resistors and spring elements acting on the sheet metal strips provide an efficient heat transfer mechanism whereby heat from the resistors is transferred without the self-regulating resistors constantly shutting off.

Abstract: An attachment for a hair dryer, to be secured to the outlet end of the hair dryer, to cause air coming from the hair dryer to orbit and diverge, includes a tubular housing having air inlet and air outlet ends, means associated with the air inlet end to secure the housing to the air outlet of a hair dryer, an air deflector within the housing proximate to the air outlet end, the air deflector being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the deflector including opposed angle vanes on the end thereof nearest the air inlet and having an angled deflector on the end thereof nearest the air outlet, so that air from the dryer passing through the housing will flow past the opposed angled vanes and cause the air deflector to rotate and the air will thereafter be orbitally deflected to one side by the angled deflector. Alternatively, the air deflector can be mounted in a hair dryer itself near the air outlet end.

Abstract: A variable parameter heater for applying heat in a predetermined profile to a work surface. The heater has a plurality of elongated members which are interconnected to form a frame. Elongated members are slidingly adjustable to provide the intended heat profile. Each elongated member contains first and second rows of apertures. Heated air is delivered to the work surface past selectively energized heating elements disposed in the first row of apertures. Cool air where required is delivered to the work surface through the second row of apertures. The heater may include a vacuum probe for depositing or removing components relative to the work surface. The vacuum probe may also direct cool air to the work surface. Mirrors may be mounted upon elongated members to provide enhanced viewing of the work surface. In case of disablement, elongated members are individually removeble for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A pair of plates of good heat and electric conductivity have a plurality of openings and a plurality of foraminous areas. The plates are secured to one another with the openings and foraminous areas of the two plates aligned with one another. The plates are connected to terminals of opposite electrical polarity and are insulated from one another. A plurality of perforated PTC thermistor elements are clamped between the plates and in electrical contact therewith. Each element is aligned with openings in the plates. The openings and foraminous areas are so disposed that the openings associated with the elements are surrounded on at least two sides by foraminous areas.

Abstract: In a hot air hand welding device having a plastic housing (1,3,6) which forms a rod-like grip portion (1) provided with air inlet openings and in which a commutator motor (18) is secured for the drive of a blower wheel (23) that is surrounded by a section (3) of the housing (1,3,6) that adjoins the grip (1) and has a larger diameter, the blower wheel (23) is arranged adjacent to the commutator (20) of the commutator motor (18). In addition the commutator (20) as well as the carbon brushes that contact it, together with the associated brush holders (21), are arranged in the section (3) of the housing surrounding the blower wheel (23).

Abstract: A device for heating a flow of substantially pure gas flowing in a flow direction to temperatures above about 600.degree. C. is disclosed. The device includes a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger surface extending transversely to the flow direction whereby the substantially pure gas flows across the heat exchanger surface. The heat exchanger is made of a ceramic material for heating the pure gas without contaminating the gas flow. An infrared radiation source arranged outside of the flow of pure gas irradiates the heat exchanger surface.