Self regulating flexible heater
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJames Surjan, Fred A. Kish, Tilak R. Varma, Edward Bulgajewski, by Antoinette Chiovatero
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-regulating flexible heater for automobiles and other vehicles which is comprised of a breathable substrate (10) to which is applied a coating (14) of a conductive material and a coating (12) of positive temperature coefficient material.
Claims24
A self regulating flexible heater construction for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, comprising:
- a flexible fabric substrate conformable to the shape of a contiguous flexible surface to be heated;
- a layer of a positive temperature coefficient material;
- and
- a layer of a conductive material, wherein the fabric construction has a bulk density of about 0.6 g/cm3 or greater and a thermal diffusivity of about 0.003 cm2/s or greater.
A self regulating flexible heater construction for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, comprising:
- a flexible fabric substrate conformable to the shape of a contiguous flexible surface to be heated;
- a layer of a positive temperature coefficient material;
- a layer of a conductive material, wherein at least one of the layers is applied to the heater in an interdigitated pattern;
- an overlayer of a laminated or sewn secondary breathable woven or non-woven fabric comprised of natural or synthetic fibers which covers the heater, wherein the overlayer is an encapsulating coating, which may be a flame retardant coating, which is applied over the heater;
- and
- wherein the heater is incorporated within the construction of a seat for an automobile.
A self regulating flexible heater construction for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, comprising:
- a flexible fabric substrate conformable to the shape of a contiguous flexible surface to be heated;
- a layer of positive temperature coefficient material;
- and
- a layer of conductive material, wherein the heater has a multiple buss design providing for high and low current settings, comprised of at least a common setting buss, a low setting buss, and a high setting buss, in which current flows from either the common setting buss to high setting buss or from the common setting buss to low setting buss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.