Self-regulating heater
US8835818B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2203/033
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
There is disclosed a self-regulating electric heater assembly arranged to heat an electrically conductive substrate such as a flexible substrate of shape memory alloy for use as an actuator. The heater assembly comprises a plurality of substantially rigid PTC elements arranged in spaced-apart relation to one another in a flexible array, said PTC elements each having a contact surface arranged in contact with the substrate and being urged against said substrate so as to remain in contact with the substrate upon flexure of the substrate. The substrate serves as one of a pair of electrical conductors electrically connected to the PTC elements for the supply of electric current to the PTC elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.