A self-regulating electric heater cable includes a monolithic heater core of PTC material encapsulating a pair of bus wires, and a conductive layer disposed on an outer surface of the heater core such that the conductive layer levels the voltage generated at the outer surface of the heater core when an electric current is passed through the bus wires. The conductive layer draws the current evenly through lobes of PTC material encapsulating the bus wires. The conductive layer may be a coating, such as a conductive ink or paint, or may be an extruded or wrapped material applied to the heater core. Standard heater cable layers are applied over the conductive layer, including an electrically insulating layer that contacts a portion of the conductive layer and also may be separated, at points, from the conductive layer by one or more air gaps.

A self-regulating heater cable includes a PTC core formed of positive temperature coefficient material and disposed in electrical contact with at least two bus wires. The PTC core may encapsulate the bus wires and space the bus wires apart a predetermined distance via a connecting portion of the PTC core. The connecting portion has a tapered profile, and is thinner at the ends approximate the bus wires and thicker in a portion between the ends, which portion may be toward or at the center of the connecting portion. The thicknesses of the ends and the thicker portion are selected to produce a ratio that is within a range at which the heater cable produces heat at its outer surface with a substantially uniform profile, and primary heat generation of the heater cable has not shifted from the center of the connecting portion to the ends of the connecting portion.

An apparatus for receiving smokable material to enable at least one component of the smokable material to be volatilized is described. In an example, the apparatus comprises a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment is a heating compartment for receiving smokable material in use. The second compartment is an electronics compartment and containing at least one of control circuitry and a power source. The first compartment and the second compartment are substantially hermetically sealed from each other to minimize or prevent air or vapor flowing between the compartments.

An ice protection system and method capable of anti-icing and de-icing aerodynamic structures and surfaces is provided comprising a Resistive Heat Coat (RHC) controller and a heating device. The RHC controller comprises a RHC power circuit topology having a processor and a buck converter. The RHC controller further comprises a RHC control algorithm. The heating device comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements, such as CNT-based resistive heaters. The ice protection systems and methods disclosed can achieve an efficiency of 98% or greater while employing a direct current (DC) power supply and hard switching with a switching frequency of at least 500 kHz.

An improved heating element, comprising: (a) an electrically insulated resistive heating wire; (b) a flexible substrate that supports the electrically insulated resistive wire: (c) one or more electrical connection for an operational component of the heating element, the electrical connection including at least two wires that are joined together; (d) a spacer controlling spacing between the at least two wires approaching the electrical connection; wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection including the spacer is encapsulated in a shrunken heat shrinkable sheath that includes at least one mass of hot melt adhesive within the sheath so that the electrical connection is insulated from fluid penetration.

An electric heating cable is provided with dual heaters, including first and second heating cables encased in at least one polymer jacket. The first heating cable generates thermal energy to heat an object in contact with the exterior surface of the dual-heater cable, and the second heating cable is positioned to pre-heat the first heating cable in order to reduce or eliminate inrush current in the first heating cable when the first heating cable is energized. The first heating cable can be a self-regulating heating cable, and can have a core of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material encapsulating two bus wires. The second heating cable can be a constant-wattage heating cable disposed between the bus wires; the PTC material can form a channel in which the second heating cable is disposed. Control circuitry energizes the second heating cable for a pre-heating time before energizing the first heating cable.

An improved signal light unit for heat trace cables includes an energy storage device that stores energy during normal operation of the heat trace cable. During the normal operation, the light source of the signal light unit has a first illumination status. When there is a fault or other type of interruption in the electrical power in the heat trace cable, the energy storage device can discharge to power the light source. The light source can be illuminated in a different manner when it is powered by the energy storage device than during normal operation. Keeping the light energized in this manner when there is a fault in the heat trace cable and, moreover, making the light illuminate differently when there is a fault compared to normal operation, will facilitate inspection of the facility in which the heat trace cable is installed.

A battery arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a plastic container, having a plastic container base, an electrical line integrated in the plastic container base, a battery unit arranged in the plastic container, an electrical connector which is partially integrated in the plastic container base and provides an electrical connection between the electrical line and the battery unit, a plastic cover, and a temperature control unit which is arranged between the plastic container base and the battery unit, wherein the temperature control unit has a fluid channel through which a temperature control fluid can flow in order to control the temperature of the battery unit.

A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

A heating device for the vehicle interior of a vehicle is configured in the form of an infrared (IR) radiator with a textile-based heating band arranged, in a reflector housing. The textile-based heating band is made of a mixed yarn of basalt and stainless steel. Such a heating device can be installed in a footwell of a vehicle.