초록 ▼

A self regulating heater for use in an early fuel evaporation (EFE) system for an automotive engine includes a thermally conductive thick metal radiator body having a heat receiving side an opposite side provided with a plurality of heat-disturbing fins for transferring heat to a fuel heating zone.

A self regulating heater for use in an early fuel evaporation (EFE) system for an automotive engine includes a thermally conductive thick metal radiator body having a heat receiving side an opposite side provided with a plurality of heat-disturbing fins for transferring heat to a fuel heating zone. A plurality of self-regulating ceramic electrical resistance having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) each have a first side bonded by an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to a first side of a thin thermally and electrically conductive metal plate. The plate has a limited portion thereof secured, for example, by a screw, in electrically conductive relation to the radiator body with the opposite side of the thin plate in closely spaced, facing, heat-transfer relation to the heat receiving side of the radiator body. Coil springs engage the opposite side of each of the discs to connect the heater discs in an electric circuit for energizing the discs to supply heat to the radiator body. A thermally conductive filler material is disposed in the space between the opposite side of the plate and the radiator body to enhance heat transfer to the body. A thermally conductive cover cooperates with the body to enclose the heater discs and a thermally conductive, electrically insulating compound fills the space between the cover and body to improve heat transfer from both sides of the discs to the radiator body. The thin plate permits the heater discs to move relative to the radiator body during thermal expansion and contraction of the body.

대표청구항 ▼

A heater device comprising a cast thermally conducting metal radiator body of substantial size having a first heat-receiving side and having a second, opposite side with a plurality of heat-distributing fin means upstanding therefrom for transferring heat to a zone to be heated, and self-regulating

A heater device comprising a cast thermally conducting metal radiator body of substantial size having a first heat-receiving side and having a second, opposite side with a plurality of heat-distributing fin means upstanding therefrom for transferring heat to a zone to be heated, and self-regulating electrical resistance heater means of ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity arranged for transferring heat to the heat-receiving side of the radiator body, characterized in that the heater means comprises a thin plate of substantial area of thermally conducting metal having first and second sides, at least one self-regulating electrical resistance heater disc of a ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity having one side thereof bonded in electrical and thermally conducting relation to a limited portion of the first side of the thin plate, means securing a limited portion of the thin plate in electrically conductive relation to the radiator body with its second side in closely spaced, facing, heat-transfer relation to the heat-receiving side of the radiator body, and spring means for electrically engaging an opposite side of the at least one to connect the at least one disc in an electrical circuit for energizing the heater means.