A heating element for use in a system for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is disclosed. A method for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is also disclosed. The heating element comprises a first coupling member configured to couple to a first side of the interior of a melt tank; a second coupling member configured to couple to a second side of the interior of the melt tank; and at least one elongate strip extending between the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The at least one elongate strip is integral with the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The heating element is configured such that during a heating operation, current flows between the first coupling member and the second coupling member of the heating element, along the at least one elongate strip to thereby radiate heat to materials located within the interior of the melt tank.

A vaporizer heating element has a heating element body formed from a single sheet of electrically conductive material having a constant sheet thickness. A peripheral conduction portion has spaced apart positive and negative support arms each having an interior edge. A central heating portion has a plurality of parallel heating strips, spaces between the heating strips defining flow channels through the element body. The central heating portion is intermediate the interior edges of the support arms. A first bridge strip connects the interior edge of the positive support arm to the central heating portion and a second bridge strip connects the interior edge of the negative support arm to the central heating portion. A plurality of peripheral support tabs extend from exterior edges of the support arms and a plurality of central support tabs extend from the central heating portion.

A vaporizer heating element has a heating element body formed from a single sheet of electrically conductive material having a constant sheet thickness. A peripheral conduction portion has spaced apart positive and negative support arms each having an interior edge. A central heating portion has a plurality of parallel heating strips, spaces between the heating strips defining flow channels through the element body. The central heating portion is intermediate the interior edges of the support arms. A first bridge strip connects the interior edge of the positive support arm to the central heating portion and a second bridge strip connects the interior edge of the negative support arm to the central heating portion. A plurality of peripheral support tabs extend from exterior edges of the support arms and a plurality of central support tabs extend from the central heating portion.

An aerosol generating device is described. The aerosol generating device includes a heating chamber comprising an opening arranged to receive a consumable; a heating apparatus for heating the consumable; wherein the heating apparatus comprises two or more heating segments and at least one insulator; 5 the two or more heating segments are arranged longitudinally along a length of the heating chamber and are configured to be independently heated; and the at least one insulator is arranged between adjacent heating segments. In this way, the device is capable of efficiently heating consumables of different shapes and sizes.

An aerosol generating device is described. The aerosol generating device includes a heating chamber comprising an opening arranged to receive a consumable; a heating apparatus for heating the consumable; wherein the heating apparatus comprises two or more heating segments and at least one insulator; 5 the two or more heating segments are arranged longitudinally along a length of the heating chamber and are configured to be independently heated; and the at least one insulator is arranged between adjacent heating segments. In this way, the device is capable of efficiently heating consumables of different shapes and sizes.

A heating assembly for a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. The heating assembly can have one or more elements arranged to emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns with a radiative flux of at least 3,000 to 5,000 Watts/sq.cm at a distance of 10 cm from the plurality of heating elements, and/or to emit visible light in a wavelength range of 570 to 800 nanometers, and/or emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns with a ratio of the radiating area to the total area of each heating element being 5% to 25%, and/or emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns toward a cooking space with a ratio of a total radiating area of the plurality of heating elements to an area of the cooking space receiving the radiation is 1% to 20%.

A heating assembly for a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. The heating assembly can have one or more elements arranged to emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns with a radiative flux of at least 3,000 to 5,000 Watts/sq.cm at a distance of 10 cm from the plurality of heating elements, and/or to emit visible light in a wavelength range of 570 to 800 nanometers, and/or emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns with a ratio of the radiating area to the total area of each heating element being 5% to 25%, and/or emit radiation in a wavelength range of 0.75 to 10 microns toward a cooking space with a ratio of a total radiating area of the plurality of heating elements to an area of the cooking space receiving the radiation is 1% to 20%.

A radiant heat foot warming device including a top planar surface configured to emanate radiant heat therefrom to warm feet of a user; a bottom planar surface spaced apart from the top planar surface; a plurality of curved sidewalls positioned between and connected to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface; and an adjustable temperature control member positioned on the top planar surface that displays device temperature and further adjustably controls device temperature to regulate radiant heat emanating from the top planar surface.

A radiant heat foot warming device including a top planar surface configured to emanate radiant heat therefrom to warm feet of a user; a bottom planar surface spaced apart from the top planar surface; a plurality of curved sidewalls positioned between and connected to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface; and an adjustable temperature control member positioned on the top planar surface that displays device temperature and further adjustably controls device temperature to regulate radiant heat emanating from the top planar surface.

A sensor for measurements of thermophysical properties having an electrically conductive heating element provided in a circular shape on a base. The electrically conductive heating element is provided on the base in a pattern that is designed to better approximate a perfect circle so that the sensor better represents a circular solid disk source as described in the thermal equations used for measuring thermophysical properties, and thus requires a smaller empirical correction, improving the accuracy and certainty of measurements. The pattern of the electrically conductive heating element on the base is designed to optimize uniformity of heat distribution, thereby avoiding hot spots and, where hot spots are unable to be avoided, evenly distributes such hot spots.