The present invention relates to methods and electro-thermal heating elements in which the electro-thermal heating element comprises a cut-out. Forming at least one multi-resistance patch for the cut-out and attaching the at least one multi-resistance patch to the electro-thermal heating element proximate to the cut-out.

The present disclosure provides a refrigeration device including a circuit having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve orderly connected by a refrigerant flow path. The refrigeration device further includes a first sensor to sense ambient temperature, second sensor to sense evaporator inlet temperature, a microwave module disposed proximal to the evaporator to generate microwaves, and a controller coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor and the microwave module. The controller determines whether a difference in temperature value between the ambient temperature and the evaporator inlet temperature is equal to or greater than a first predetermined temperature value, and initiates operation of the microwave module to heat an inlet of the evaporator when the difference in temperature value between the ambient temperature and the evaporator inlet temperature is equal to or greater than the first predetermined temperature value.

A multifunctional assembly having a resistive element a conductive element in electrical communication with the resistive element, the conductive element defining at least one of a plurality of multifunctional zones of the resistive element, wherein the conductive element is configured to direct a flow of electricity across at least one of the plurality of multifunctional zones of the resistive element in a preselected manner.

A deicing system may include one or more walkway cassettes, a temperature control element, and a control unit. Each walkway cassette may include a casing and a heat tracing; cable in good thermal contact with the casing. The temperature control element may include a comparatively smaller casing and a heat tracing cable in good thermal contact with the casing, and may exhibit similar heat loss characteristics to the walkway cassettes. The temperature control element may include a temperature sensor on a top surface of its casing, which may generate temperature data and send the temperature data to the control unit. The control unit may provide power to the temperature control element and the walkway cassette(s) in parallel based on the temperature data. The temperature control element may be placed in proximity to the walkway cassette(s), and may be exposed to substantially the same environmental conditions as the walkway cassettes.

A self-regulating heater may comprise a first substrate including a first silicone layer and a first polyimide layer. A positive temperature coefficient heating element may be formed over the first polyimide layer. A second substrate may be located over the positive temperature coefficient heating element. The second substrate may include a second silicone layer and a second polyimide layer.

An assembly is provided for a structure. This assembly includes a composite skin and a thermal anti-icing system. The composite skin extends between an exterior surface and an interior surface. The thermal anti-icing system includes a susceptor and a waveguide. The susceptor and the waveguide are integrated into the composite skin between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The waveguide is configured to direct microwaves to the susceptor for melting and/or preventing ice accumulation on the exterior surface.

An assembly is provided for an aircraft structure. This aircraft structure assembly includes an acoustic panel and a thermal anti-icing system. The acoustic panel includes an exterior surface. The thermal anti-icing system includes a susceptor and a microwave system. The susceptor is configured with the acoustic panel. The microwave system is configured to direct microwaves to the susceptor for melting and/or preventing ice accumulation on the exterior surface.

Aspects of the invention generally relate to a display sign heating apparatus, method of making and using the same and more particularly to a display sign for preventing or mitigating snow and icing from interfering with the display.

Configurations are described that provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. These configurations allow successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling an electro-thermal heating system in a wind turbine blade, comprising measuring a supply voltage to the electro-thermal heating system, determining a duration of a variable time based enforced off period based on the measured supply voltage, and inserting the variable time based enforced off period between subsequent switching duty cycles that controls the electro-thermal heating system. The present invention also relates to a wind turbine that comprises one or more wind turbine blades wherein each wind turbine blade comprises an electro-thermal heating system and a processor adapted to perform the method.