The disclosure relates to a PTC heating module for heating a fluid and a method for producing such a PTC heating module. The PTC heating module includes a plurality of PTC thermistors having main surfaces disposed opposite to one another and spaced apart relative to one another in a thickness direction. The PTC thermistors are arranged between two contact plates next to one another transversely to the thickness direction and spaced apart relative to one another. The main surfaces of the PTC thermistors are electrically contacted with a contact surface of the two contact plates. At least one dielectric function element is arranged between the two contact plates and laterally sealingly engages about the respective PTC thermistors to at least partially fill a hollow space between the two contact plates and facilitate enlarging a creepage distance between the two contact plates within the hollow space.

A portable heating apparatus includes a top layer and a bottom layer connected to the top layer to form a cavity. An electric heating element is disposed within the cavity, and a temperature-retaining component, such as a gel layer, is affixed within the cavity adjacent to the electric heating element and adjacent to the top layer. A power cord is in electrical communication with the electric heating element and connectable to a power source to provide power to the electric heating element, the power cord detachable from the portable heating apparatus. The temperature-retaining component is capable of retaining heat generated by the electric heating element and creating a generally uniform distribution of heat across the top layer.

An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away asparagus spears severed by the severing assembly. The severing assembly includes a severing blade carried by a plunger mounted in a pneumatic cylinder. Conduits couple the pneumatic cylinder to a source of air under pressure through a valve unit operable for actuating the pneumatic cylinder to repeatedly fire and withdraw the plunger for repeatedly moving the severing blade back-and-forth along a stroke path between a raised set position and a lowered severing position proximate to the ground. A heater mounted proximate to the valve unit is configured to sufficiently heat the valve unit to enable the valve unit to operate in the presence of an ambient temperature sufficiently low to impair its operation.

An SCR dosing pump assembly for conveying and providing a liquid exhaust gas purification additive includes: a plastic housing; a multi-part aluminum frame having first part and a second part; and at least one positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element configured as an electrically conductive contact between the first part and the second part of the aluminum frame. No further electrically conductive contacts exist between the first part and the second part of the aluminum frame. The multi-part aluminum frame is molded into the plastic housing of the SCR dosing pump assembly.

A method is provided for manufacturing a PTC heating cell with at least one PTC element and contact elements which are made of an electrically conductive material, which are electrically conductively abutted against the PTC element, and which are connected to the PTC element and a corresponding heating cell. In order to improve heat extraction and the connection between the contact element and the PTC element, the contact elements are connected to the PTC element by induction soldering. Also disclosed is a PTC cell in which there is only solder of the solder connection between the thermistor material of the PTC element and the contact element.

An electric heating device comprises a housing with a partition wall which separates a connection chamber from a heating chamber for dissipating heat and from which at least one heating rib protrudes in the direction toward the heating chamber and forms a receiving pocket. A PTC heating device is received in the receiving pocket and includes at least one PTC element and conductor tracks which are electrically connected in the connection chamber for energizing the PTC element with different polarities and which are connected to PTC element r in an electrically conductive manner. A profile member is provided between the PTC heating device and an inner side of the receiving pocket and is connected to the receiving pocket by way of a tongue and groove connection which extends in the direction of insertion of the receiving pocket.

A PTC heating assembly includes a heating cell comprising a PTC element and conductor elements electrically abutting the PTC element. The heating cell is accommodated in a heater housing. The heater housing is manufactured with undersize relative to the heating cell so that the heating cell, after insertion into the heater housing, is held under pretension between mutually opposing walls of the heater housing. Accordingly, in the method according to the invention, the heater housing is elastically widened when the heating cell is inserted into the heater housing.

A facial mask having pathogen inactivation capabilities is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a mask and a pathogen inactivation system coupled to the mask. The pathogen inactivation system is configured to heat and inactivate bacteria and viruses.

A heating cell includes a frame made of electrically insulating material. A PTC element, which is received in a frame opening of the frame. Insulating layers accommodate the PTC element between themselves, are connected to the frame, and at least partially cover a respective main side surface of the PTC element exposed in the frame opening and a frame surface defining the frame opening. Abutment projections project beyond the frame surface and at least partially enclose a circumferentially encircling edge of the insulating layer between themselves.

A system configured for operation below a threshold temperature system includes a power supply, a housing, a temperature-sensitive electronic component, and a heating circuit. The temperature-sensitive electronic component is enclosed within said housing and electrically connected to the power supply, wherein the temperature-sensitive electronic component becomes susceptible to failure when the temperature of said temperature-sensitive electronic component decreases and crosses the threshold temperature. The heating circuit is at least partially enclosed within the housing and comprising a temperature-dependent resistor, the heating circuit electrically connected to the power supply and configured to generate heat energy within the housing when the temperature within the housing decreases and approaches the threshold temperature in order to maintain the temperature of the temperature-sensitive electronic component above the threshold temperature.