Heat retentive inductive-heatable laminated matrix

• US 6,657,170 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TSI SUB LLC
• Original Assignee: Thermal Solutions Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Clothier, Brian L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US10/151,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 219/620, 219/621, 219/622, 219/624, 219/626, 219/634, 219/635, 219/647, 219/649, 219/386, 219/387, 219/221, 219/661, 219/663, 126/246, 126/375, 126/400, 221/2, 221/9, 221/150.A, 221/105.R, 297/180.1, 297/180.11, 297/180.12, 340/572.1, 340/825.37, 994/51, 99D/IG.14
• US Class Current: 219/622
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/12 Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs seats detachably mounted on stadium benches A47C1/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/02 Seat parts adaptation of seats to mounting in tubular chairs A47C5/06; such parts not restricted to chairs A47C23/00; removable upholstered units or cushions A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/748 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2213/06 Cook-top or cookware capable of communicating with each other
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/105 using a susceptor

Abstract

An induction heatable body (22) that quickly heats to a desired temperature, retains heat long enough to be used in almost any application, and develops no “hot spots” even when heated by a heating source having an uneven magnetic field distribution. The induction-heatable body (22) achieves the foregoing while remaining relatively lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The induction-heatable body (22) includes a plurality of induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) each sandwiched between alternating layers of heat retentive material (34a, b, c). The induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) consist of sheets of graphite material that can be inductively heated at magnetic field frequencies between 20 and 50 kHz. The heat-retentive layers (34a, b, c) consist of solid-to-solid phase change material such as radiation cross-linked polyethylene. A food delivery assembly (100) uniquely adapted and configured for maintaining the temperature of sandwiches, french fries, and other related food items is also disclosed. The food delivery assembly (100) includes a magnetic induction heater (110), a food container (112), and a delivery bag (114) for carrying and insulating the food container (112).

Claims

1. An induction-heatable body comprising:

a plurality of magnetic induction-heatable layers each presenting a pair of spaced apart, opposed faces and a thickness between the opposed faces, the layers having a relatively low thermal resistance across the faces and a relatively high thermal resistance through the thickness between the opposed faces; and

heat retentive material located between adjacent ones of the layers and operable to serve as a heat sink upon magnetic induction heating of the layers, the layers characterized by the property of substantially simultaneous heating thereof by an externally applied magnetic field.

2. The induction-heatable body as set forth in claim 1, the magnetic induction-heatable layers being formed of graphite material.

3. The induction-heatable body as set forth in claim 1, the magnetic induction-heatable layers being formed of sheets of pre-formed graphite material.

4. The induction-heatable body as set forth in claim 1, the heat retentive material comprising solid-to-solid phase change polymer material.

5. An induction-heatable body comprising:

a plurality of discrete induction-heatable elements each including graphite material; and

heat retentive synthetic resin material located adjacent the elements and operable to serve as a heat sink upon magnetic induction heating of the elements, the elements characterized by the property of substantially simultaneous heating thereof by an externally applied magnetic field.

6. The induction-heatable body as set forth in claim 5, the discrete induction-heatable elements including layers of graphite sheeting material.

7. The induction-heatable body as set forth in claim 5, the heat retentive synthetic resin material including layers of phase change polymer material.

8. A thermal seat comprising:

an induction-heatable body including

a plurality of discrete induction-heatable elements each including graphite material, and

heat retentive synthetic resin material located adjacent the elements and operable to serve as a heat sink upon magnetic induction heating of the elements, the elements characterized by the property of substantially simultaneous heating thereof by an externally applied magnetic field; and

a cover surrounding the body and including a cushioning component over the body and presenting a seating surface.

9. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, the plurality of discrete induction-heatable elements comprising layers of graphite sheet material.

10. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, the heat retentive synthetic resin material comprising layers of phase change polymer material.

11. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a layer of insulation positioned between the induction-heatable body and the cover for retaining heat within the induction-heatable body.

12. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, further including a phase change layer positioned between the induction-heatable body and the cover for retaining heat released by the induction-heatable body.

13. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, further including an RFID tag positioned within the cover.

14. The thermal seat as set forth in claim 8, further including a thermal switch coupled with the induction-heatable body for use in regulating magnetic induction heating of the induction-heatable body.