An electrically traced tubing bundle includes one or more tubes and an electric heating element, encased in insulation and covered by a jacket. The heating element is given a discontinuity at a point intermediate the ends of the tubing bundle. A power extension supply wire extends from a powered end of the bundle to the discontinuity and is connected to the remote portion of the heating element. At the discontinuity, the end of the near portion of the heating element is terminated. The end of the remote portion of the heating element is terminated at the remote end of the tubing bundle.

A control system for controlling an operation of a resistive heater includes a dielectric parameter determination module, a prediction module, and a heater operation control module. The dielectric parameter determination module determines a material property of a dielectric material of the resistive heater when the resistive heater is in an active mode. The prediction module predicts a life expectancy of the resistive heater based on the material property of the dielectric material. The heater operation control module changes operation of the resistive heater based on the material property and the life expectancy.

A control system for controlling an operation of a resistive heater includes a dielectric parameter determination module, a prediction module, and a heater operation control module. The dielectric parameter determination module determines a material property of a dielectric material of the resistive heater when the resistive heater is in an active mode. The prediction module predicts a life expectancy of the resistive heater based on the material property of the dielectric material. The heater operation control module changes operation of the resistive heater based on the material property and the life expectancy.

A control system for controlling an operation of a resistive heater includes a dielectric parameter determination module for determining a dielectric parameter of the resistive heater when the resistive heater is in an active mode, and a diagnostic module for diagnosing performance of the resistive heater based on the dielectric parameter.

Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to electronic cigarettes; more particularly, to electronic cigarettes including a power supply portion. In various embodiments, the eCig power supply portion includes a sub-assembly housing substantially containing a battery, an airflow sensor, and controller circuitry. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to an eCig power supply portion further including a hemicylindrical port and/or electrical contacts aligned along a longitudinal axis of the power supply portion.

An inline heater includes a heater core that includes a heat spreader assembly comprising a tubular heat spreader that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and that comprises an external surface. The heat spreader assembly includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. At least one conduit extends helically about the longitudinal axis of the heat spreader between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to define a fluid heating flow path that fluidically connects the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The heat spreader assembly further comprising an electrically operated heating element for heating the heat spreader.

A device for emanating materials in the environment, preferably by heat evaporation, including: a supply for materials; an emitter of materials, for emitting the materials from the supply to surrounding environment, by application of power from a power supply according to an operation mode; an operation mode adjusting mechanism for adjusting the operation mode of the emitter, by controlling the power delivered to the emitter according to a determined transfer function. The transfer function is modular, so that it can be changed or completely replaced while keeping at least partially the adjusting mechanism in the device.

An electric heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) includes a metal sheath (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601) defining an interior space, an electric heating element, arranged in the interior space, an insulating material filling and electric terminals. At least one electric terminal is a plug contact (108, 109, 208, 209, 308, 309, 408, 409, 508, 509, 608, 609) made in one piece, which has a section (108b, 109b, 208b, 209b, 308b, 309b, 508b, 509b, 608a, 609b) arranged in the interior space with a contact point (110, 111, 210, 211, 310, 311), which is arranged in the interior space and at which the plug contact is connected conductively to the electric heating element directly or via an auxiliary wire (212, 213, 312, 313, 612, 613). A process for manufacturing such an electric heater is provided.

Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to electronic cigarettes; more particularly, to electronic cigarettes including a power supply portion. In various embodiments, the eCig power supply portion includes a sub-assembly housing substantially containing a battery, an airflow sensor, and controller circuitry. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to an eCig power supply portion further including a hemicylindrical port and/or electrical contacts aligned along a longitudinal axis of the power supply portion.

A heating device 10 including a heat-generating member 20 and a support member 30 that supports the heat-generating member 20 and comprises bio-soluble inorganic fibers, wherein the bio-soluble inorganic fibers do not contact directly the heat-generating member 20 or contact of the bio-soluble inorganic fibers with the heat-generating member 20 is reduced.