A hair styling appliance is described having electrodes and a drive unit. The drive unit is operable to determine a presence of hair between the electrodes. In response to determining that hair is present, the drive unit applies an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat the hair dielectrically.

A hair styling appliance is described having a pair of electrodes, a chamber located between the electrodes for receiving a section of hair, and a drive unit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes to heat the hair dielectrically. The appliance also has a pair of arms having an open position and a closed position. The arms grip the hair when in the closed position, and the chamber has a height of between 1 mm and 10 mm when the arms are in the closed position.

A heating system for a motor vehicle having an electrical supply circuit and an engine liquid cooling assembly includes a housing structure having an inlet duct, an air outlet duct and means such as a fan for creating a flow of air into the inlet and out of the outlet. The electric heater is capable of being heated to 1,800 F. in three (3) seconds or less disposed in said air flow to heat the air passing therethrough. The system further includes means for heating the flow of air by exposure to heated coolant and means for deactivating said electric heater when the air flow is being heated by the heated coolant.

A method for preparing a paving material includes heating an aggregate comprising recycled asphalt pavement using an emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter. The method utilizes solid phase autoregenerative cohesion to prepare a material suitable for use as an aggregate in a hot mix asphalt pavement installation.

A method for preparing a paving material includes heating an aggregate comprising recycled asphalt pavement using an emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter. The method utilizes solid phase autoregenerative cohesion to prepare a material suitable for use as an aggregate in a hot mix asphalt pavement installation.

A device for generating an alternating radio-frequency electromagnetic field in a working area includes an applicator emitting the electromagnetic field, an oscillator providing an alternate voltage and electric current having a predetermined value and a predetermined frequency to the applicator, a power supply supplying a substantially DC voltage to the oscillator, and a control system controlling the electrical parameters of the AC voltage, the AC current and/or the frequency provided to the applicator by the oscillator. The control system includes an input port connected to the electric power network, a first electronic control circuit connected to the input port and substantially instantaneously varying the electrical parameters and instantaneous control of the field emission power, and a second electronic control circuit regulating the operation of the oscillator. The first electronic circuit has an output connected to the power supply. A plant includes the device and a control method for the device.

A device for generating an alternating radio-frequency electromagnetic field in a working area includes an applicator emitting the electromagnetic field, an oscillator providing an alternate voltage and electric current having a predetermined value and a predetermined frequency to the applicator, a power supply supplying a substantially DC voltage to the oscillator, and a control system controlling the electrical parameters of the AC voltage, the AC current and/or the frequency provided to the applicator by the oscillator. The control system includes an input port connected to the electric power network, a first electronic control circuit connected to the input port and substantially instantaneously varying the electrical parameters and instantaneous control of the field emission power, and a second electronic control circuit regulating the operation of the oscillator. The first electronic circuit has an output connected to the power supply. A plant includes the device and a control method for the device.

A method for installing hot asphalt pavement includes heating an aggregate to a temperature of from about 350 F. to about 400 F. using an emitter comprising a birefringent material, the emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter, wherein the aggregate is a recycled asphalt pavement; adding the aggregate to an asphalt in a mill to yield a mixture of aggregate with baked-on asphalt; laying the mixture down over a base to form a first layer of lift; and compacting the first layer.

A method for installing hot asphalt pavement includes heating an aggregate to a temperature of from about 350 F. to about 400 F. using an emitter comprising a birefringent material, the emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter, wherein the aggregate is a recycled asphalt pavement; adding the aggregate to an asphalt in a mill to yield a mixture of aggregate with baked-on asphalt; laying the mixture down over a base to form a first layer of lift; and compacting the first layer.

A method for heat treating a packaged product includes providing a channel with a liquid disposed therein, the channel having a electrodes disposed in and spaced apart along a treatment portion of the channel, pressurizing the liquid in the treatment portion of the channel, transporting the packaged product, including a product disposed within a package, along the channel including transporting the packaged product through the treatment portion of the channel, heating the packaged product in the treatment portion of the channel including causing emission of radio frequency waves between the plurality of electrodes and into the treatment portion of the channel including forming an electrical field in the treatment portion of the channel, and shielding the electrical field in the treatment portion of the channel using a shield which forms a cavity around the treatment portion of the channel, the cavity being configured to substantially confine the electrical field.