US3890486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquarium-tank heating control
Assignee: EQUIPMENT DEV CORP
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Filing: 1974-09-18
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Heating devices are provided having a resistive heating element for heating a first region and a temperature control electrically coupled to the resistive heating element and positioned in a second region spaced from the first region. The temperature control is adapted to respond to the ambient temperature at the second region and the amount of current applied to the resistive heating element to maintain the temperature at the first region. The resistive heating element may consist of a length of resistive electrical conductor distributed over an area and encapsulated in a flexible waterproof material so as to define a sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Fitzgerald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:13
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/78; H05B3/80; A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/06; A01K63/065; H01; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A heating device comprising resistive heating element means for heating a first region; temperature control means positionable in a second region spaced from said first region for controlling the temperature at which said first region is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the currEnt applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said second region, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite to the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bimetallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region, said resistive heating element means including a length of resistive electrical conductor means distributed over an area; and water-proof, electrically insulating material enclosing said length of resistive electrical conductor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A heating device comprising resistive heating element means for heating a first region; temperature control means positionable in a second region spaced from said first region for controlling the temperature at which said first region is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the currEnt applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said second region, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite to the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bimetallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region, said resistive heating element means including a length of resistive electrical conductor means distributed over an area; and water-proof, electrically insulating material enclosing said length of resistive electrical conductor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
234 words
A heated aquarium, comprising a fish tank, resistive heating element means for heating a first region within said tank; temperature control means positionable in a second region outside of said tank for controlling the temperature at which said first region is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the current applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said second region, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite to the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
234 words
A heated aquarium, comprising a fish tank, resistive heating element means for heating a first region within said tank; temperature control means positionable in a second region outside of said tank for controlling the temperature at which said first region is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the current applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said second region, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite to the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
256 words
In combination, a liquid tank having an internal partition defining a chamber, liquid within said chamber, resistive heating element means positioned within said liquid-filled chamber for the transmission of heat through said liquid and partition to liquid within the balance of said tank; air-exposed temperature control means positionable at a location external to said tank for controlling the temperature at which tank liquid is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the current applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said location, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite To the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
256 words
In combination, a liquid tank having an internal partition defining a chamber, liquid within said chamber, resistive heating element means positioned within said liquid-filled chamber for the transmission of heat through said liquid and partition to liquid within the balance of said tank; air-exposed temperature control means positionable at a location external to said tank for controlling the temperature at which tank liquid is maintained by said resistive heating element means; and electrical cable means extending between said resistive heating element means and said temperature control means for applying current to said resistive heating element means, said temperature control means being adapted to control the current applied to said resistive heating element means in response to temperature at said location, said temperature control means including first and second contact means; first and second bi-metallic element means respectively carrying said first and second contact means in facing relation for displacement thereby into and out of engagement with each other; and a resistive member mounted in series circuit with said contact means and said resistive heating element means and positioned in proximity with a side of said first bi-metallic element means opposite To the side thereof facing said second bi-metallic element means, so that the displacement of said first contact means by said first bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the heat generated by said resistive member and the displacement of said second contact means by said second bi-metallic element means is at least principally in response to the temperature at said second region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 3 including means in said chamber wall opening for providing a water-tight seal between said chamber wall and said electrical cable means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
An aquarium-tank heating system, comprising a resistive water-heating element of relatively large radiation-surface area and adapted for continuous water-immersion in an aquarium tank, temperature-control means adapted for ambient-air exposure adjacent and external to the tank for controlling the temperature at which tank water is maintained by said resistive water-heating element; and electrical cable means including a connection extending between said resistive water-heating element and said temperature-control means for supplying current to said resistive water-heating element means, said temperature-control means including a thermostatic switch and being adapted to control current applied to said resistive water-heating element means in response to ambient-air temperature and the amount of energy applied to said resistive heating element means; said temperature-control means including a local thermostat-heater element in heat-radiating proximity to said thermostatic switch to the substantial exclusion of tank water, and both said heater elements being connected for coordinated and concurrent energizing and de-energizing by said switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
An aquarium-tank heating system, comprising a resistive water-heating element of relatively large radiation-surface area and adapted for continuous water-immersion in an aquarium tank, temperature-control means adapted for ambient-air exposure adjacent and external to the tank for controlling the temperature at which tank water is maintained by said resistive water-heating element; and electrical cable means including a connection extending between said resistive water-heating element and said temperature-control means for supplying current to said resistive water-heating element means, said temperature-control means including a thermostatic switch and being adapted to control current applied to said resistive water-heating element means in response to ambient-air temperature and the amount of energy applied to said resistive heating element means; said temperature-control means including a local thermostat-heater element in heat-radiating proximity to said thermostatic switch to the substantial exclusion of tank water, and both said heater elements being connected for coordinated and concurrent energizing and de-energizing by said switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
An aquarium-tank heating system, comprising a resistive water-heater element of relatively large radiation-surface area and adapted for continuous water immersion in an aquarium tank, and an electric-power supply connection to said water-heater element and including a thermostat-control device adapted for ambient-air exposure external to the tank; said control device including an adjustable thermostatic switch connected for on-off control of electric energy supplied to said water-heater element, a thermostat-heater element in heat-radiating proximity to said thermostatic switch, both said heater elements being connected for coordinated and concurrent energizing and de-energizing, and housing means for the switch and heater element of said control device, said housing means being adapted for continuous external-area exposure to ambient air, whereby energy supplied to said water-heater element is on a duty-cycle basis wherein average water-heating energy matches average tank-heat radiation to local air for a predetermined water temperature in relation to ambient-air temperature and in spite of changes in ambient-air temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
An aquarium-tank heating system, comprising a resistive water-heater element of relatively large radiation-surface area and adapted for continuous water immersion in an aquarium tank, and an electric-power supply connection to said water-heater element and including a thermostat-control device adapted for ambient-air exposure external to the tank; said control device including an adjustable thermostatic switch connected for on-off control of electric energy supplied to said water-heater element, a thermostat-heater element in heat-radiating proximity to said thermostatic switch, both said heater elements being connected for coordinated and concurrent energizing and de-energizing, and housing means for the switch and heater element of said control device, said housing means being adapted for continuous external-area exposure to ambient air, whereby energy supplied to said water-heater element is on a duty-cycle basis wherein average water-heating energy matches average tank-heat radiation to local air for a predetermined water temperature in relation to ambient-air temperature and in spite of changes in ambient-air temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heating system as recited in claim 6, wherein said water-heater element is in the form of an essentially flat, flexible sheet, resistive electrical conductor means being distributed substantially over the plane defined by said sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heating system as recited in claim 6, in which said water-heater element is enclosed by electrical insulating material, and including air-conducting tubes enclosed within said waterproof insulating material and having at least one inlet and one outlet opening projecting outside of said material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
A heating system as recited in claim 6, in which said water-heater element is enclosed by electrical insulating material, and wherein said resistive heating element means is formed in the shape of a rock having said resistive electrical conductor means dustributed over the region of at least a portion of the surface thereof enclosed within said waterproof insulating material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heating device as recited in claim 6, in which said water-heater element is enclosed by electrical insulating material, and wherein said waterproof insulating material is molded to encapsulate said resistiVe electrical conductor means and said electrical cable means as a unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of the heating device of claim 7 and a fish tank, and sand or gravel on the bottom of said fish tank, said sheet-shaped resistive heating element means being positioned beneath said sand or gravel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |