AIR WARMER
First Claim
1. A heating element comprising:
- a chamber having and an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow direction that extends from the inlet to the outlet;
a resistive material and at least one substrate positioned within the chamber, wherein a combination of the resistive material and the at least one substrate are folded into a plurality of folds that extend substantially parallel to the flow direction;
the resistive material disposed on the substrate; and
at least one electrical lead operatively coupled to the resistive material such that an electrical current can be delivered through the resistive material.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heating element includes a plurality of folded surfaces which can be resistively heating using electrical current. The heating element can advantageously function both as a heating source and a heat transfer device, as the need for separate fins or other heat dissipation members is eliminated. In some embodiments, the heating element can be included in a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system can include a fluid transfer device configured to deliver a volume or ambient air or other fluid through the heating element. As air moves past the heated folded surface of the heating element, it is heated. Heated air can then be discharged to one or more desired locations.
121 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A heating element comprising:
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a chamber having and an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow direction that extends from the inlet to the outlet; a resistive material and at least one substrate positioned within the chamber, wherein a combination of the resistive material and the at least one substrate are folded into a plurality of folds that extend substantially parallel to the flow direction;
the resistive material disposed on the substrate; andat least one electrical lead operatively coupled to the resistive material such that an electrical current can be delivered through the resistive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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5. The folded heating element of claim 5, further comprising at least one spacer positioned between at least two adjacent folded portions.
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10. A heating element comprising:
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a chamber having and an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow direction that extends from the inlet to the outlet; a resistive material positioned within the chamber, wherein the resistive material is generally folded into a plurality of folds that extend substantially parallel to the flow direction; and at least one electrical lead operatively coupled to the resistive material such that an electrical current can be delivered through the resistive material; wherein the resistive material is configured to heat when electrical current is delivered therethrough; and wherein at least a portion of the heat generated by the resistive material can be transferred to a fluid passing through the chamber.
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11. A climate controlled seat assembly comprising:
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a heating element comprising a resistive material configured to receive an electrical current, wherein the heating element is generally folded into a plurality of folds, wherein the heating element is configured to produce heat when an electrical current is delivered through the resistive material; a fluid transfer device configured to selectively transfer fluids through or in the vicinity of the plurality of folds of the heating element; and a control system configured to control the operation the heating element or the fluid transfer device; wherein fluids transferred toward the heating element are heated before being directed to an occupant of the seating assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification