Induction heating system

• US 7,211,774 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Yen-Fu, Dunsmoir, John W., Kinstler, Sheryl S., Kinstler, Francis X.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US11/207,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20070039948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 219/634, 219/730, 219/618, 219/754, 219/600
• US Class Current: 219/634
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/06 Control, e.g. of temperature, of power
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/105 using a susceptor

Abstract

The invention is an induction heating system comprising a first article having a metallic mesh lining; and a second article having a coil for receiving an alternating electrical current; wherein the coil induces a current in the metallic mesh lining when the second pad is placed in close proximity to the first pad and the coil receives an alternating electrical current; whereby the current induced in the metallic mesh lining causes the metallic mesh lining to generate heat that can be applied to a body through contact with the first article. Additionally, this inventive induction heating system may further comprise a controller circuit in the second article for detecting an eddy current in the coil and operating a switch to turn the alternating electrical current off when no eddy current is detected in the coil.

Claims

1. An induction heating system comprising:

a first article having a metallic mesh lining; and

a second article having a coil for receiving an alternating electrical current; and

a controller circuit in the second article for detecting an eddy current in the coil and operating a switch to turn the alternating electrical current off when no eddy current is detected in the coil;

wherein the coil induces a current in the metallic mesh lining when the second article is placed in close proximity to the first article and the coil receives an alternating electrical current;

whereby the current induced in the metallic mesh lining causes the metallic mesh lining to generate heat that can be applied to a body through contact with the first article.

2. The induction beating system of claim 1 wherein:

the first article is a first pad for placement upon a person; and

the second article is a second pad for placement in a bed.

3. The induction heating system of claim 2 wherein the first pad is a blanket.