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US 2004/0069769 A1Published application
Load sensing and over-temperature control for a resistive heating device
OwnerSheldon P. Carrinventor
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OwnerSheldon P. Carrinventor
Estimating the term…
A resistive heating device, such as an electric blanket, heating pad or throw, includes one or more resistive heating elements supplied with power from a power supply. The one or more resistive heating elements are constructed of a material which varies in resistance in proportion to variations in temperature. A controller is interconnected with the power supply for controlling operation of the power supply, to control the amount of power supplied to the resistive heating load and thereby the heat generated by the resistive heating load. A load sensing arrangement is interconnected with the controller and with the power output of the power supply. The load sensing arrangement is operable to detect the presence of the one or more resistive heating elements as well as the resistance of the one or more resistive heating elements. In the event resistance of the one or more heating elements exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to a predetermined maximum temperature of the one or more resistive heating elements, or in the event the one or more resistive heating elements are disconnected from the power supply, the load sensing arrangement is operable to discontinue the supply of output power to the one or more resistive heating elements by disabling the controller. The controller must then be reset to an off condition when the one or more resistive heating elements are subsequently connected to the power supply to resume operation.
A resistive heating device, comprising:
In a resistive heating device such as an electric blanket, heating pad or throw having a resistive heating element and a power supply for supplying power to the resistive heating element to generate heat, the improvement comprising a controller interconnected with the power supply for controlling the output of the power supply to control the heat generated by the resistive heating element, and a load sensing arrangement interconnected with the controller and with the one or more resistive heating elements, wherein the load sensing arrangement is configured to detect the resistance of the one or more heating elements and to prevent the supply of power to the controller when the resistance of the resistive heating element exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A method of operating a power supply adapted to supply power to a resistive heating load, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.