Abstract:
There are circumstances in which constant heat distribution produced by an electrical heating device over a regular parallel-sided heated area is not desired. For example, targets used to produce thermal images which will be seen by an infrared sight should produce an irregular heat pattern which approximates the thermal image produced by the target represented. Such electrical heating device comprises a substrate (12), a pair of parallel, spaced apart elongated conductors (20) extending longitudinally of the substrate, and a semi-conductor pattern (16) carried on the substrate and electrically connected to and extending between the conductors. The semi-conductor pattern produces a thermal image for an infrared target. In some embodiments, the thermal image is irregular or circular in shape and the semi-conductor pattern includes a plurality of transversely-spaced bars having relatively wide portions (A,C) outside, and relatively thin portions (B) within, the area producing the thermal image.
Abstract:
Fiber optic lens holder and lamp assembly (30) for use in lighting systems used beneath carpets and other types of floor or wall coverings. The lens assembly (30) includes a housing having a cavity for receiving the lamp (40), an optically transparent web portion adjacent to the lamp cavity, and an annular end portion for receiving a bundle of optical fibers (54). The optical fibers (54) are fused together at one end and are secured in the housing at the other within the annular section. The lens and lamp assembly (30) is installed, typically with a flat cable conductor assembly (10), on the floor prior to laying of the carpet. Holes (24) are cut in the carpet corresponding with the locations for the fiber optic bundles (50). The fiber optic bundles (50) are passed through these holes (24) as the carpet is laid down. After the carpet is laid down, the fused end (56) of each bundle is cut off, freeing the fiber ends from fusion with each other so that the fiber ends are flush with the surface of the carpet. Thus, the invention provides an unobtrusive and durable means for providing emergency or decorative floor illumination.
Abstract:
A heated pipe assembly, particularly useful with plastic pipe, which comprises a pipe having an electrically insulating, longitudinally-extending outer surface, a pair of conductors extending longitudinally of the outer surface generally parallel to and spaced from each other, an organic plastic sheet wrapped circumferentially around the outer surface of the pipe, and a semi-conductor pattern carried on a radially-facing surface of the sheet. The semi-conductor pattern comprises a plurality of generally axially-spaced semi-conductor strips and, between adjacent strips, a portion of the plastic sheet that is free from the semi-conductor pattern. The stripes are on the same side of the sheet as the conductors, and each stripe is in electrical contact with both conductors.
Abstract:
A flexible electric heater (10) which eliminates the need for long copper conductors, simplifies electrical connections and provides for heating closely along the side edges of the sheet heater includes a thin elongated polyester (Mylar) substrate (12) having a semiconductor pattern (14) printed on the surface and having a pair of spaced connector portions (26) and a pair of U-shaped heating portions extending in opposite directions from and electrically connected to the connector portions (26). The U-shaped heating portions each include a pair of leg portions (18) lying close to the side edges of the substrate and joined by a U-shaped end portion (22). The connector portions (26) have a higher electrical conductivity than the heating portions and a metallic conductor (30) is disposed in face - to - face engagement with each of the connector portions (26) and has an area that is less than that of the respective connector portion (26) and an area: perimeter ratio not greater than D/2, wherein D is the major dimension of the conductor (30). A thin polyester cover sheet overlies the substrate (12), semiconductor pattern (14) and conductors (30) and is bonded to the substrate to form a hermetically sealed unit. Connector wires (40) are connected to the conductors (30) by metallic staples (44) penetrating the entire thickness of the heating device (10) including the respective conductors (30).
Abstract:
Heating devices, in which a conductive pattern is carried on an insulating surface and a pair of spaced apart electrodes are electrically connected to the conductive pattern, are characterized in that the conductive pattern in at least one heating area of the device defines a two-dimensional array of areas that are devoid of conductive material (''voids'') within a continuous ''mesh'' of conductive material. In preferred embodiments in which the conductive pattern comprises either a printed conductive graphite ink layer or a vacuum-deposited metal layer, the centers of the adjacent voids are at the corners of equilateral triangles and each void is a hexagon.
Abstract:
A flat, multi-cable assembly, particularly for under-rug use, is provided by laminating a multiplicity of flat tinned-copper strip conductors (12) between a pair of organic plastic insulating sheets (14, 16) both of which adhere tightly to each other but at least one of which is not adhered to the copper strip conductors. One particular use for this type of assembly is to provide the interconnections for illuminable arrows in hallways for direction in case of fire. The copper strip conductors are typically parallel to and spaced-apart (not less than about 1/8 inch) from each other, and the distance between adjacent conductors is typically about equal to (or a major fraction of) the width of the conductors. One of the conductors (12n) includes a plurality of electrically isolated portions each of which is electrically connected to a respective one of the other conductors (12o, 12p, 12q). In a preferred embodiment (figure 5) the latter connections are provided by a plurality of conductor connecting patterns (190o, 190p, 190q) carried on one of the plastic insulating sheets (typically printed thereon using a conductive graphite, nickel or silver ink).