Abstract A self-regulating heating element comprising a tubular body closed at each end and containing two longitudinal electrically and thermally conductive flat strips arranged parallel to and spaced from each other. Each flat strip is provided along at least one longitudinal edge thereof with an abutting longitudinal resilient heat-conductive strip conforming with the adjacent surface of the inner wall of the tubular body so as to be in resilient heat-exchange contact with such inner surface for conducting heat from the flat strip to the tubular body. At least one PTC resistor is positioned between and in electrical and heat-exchange contact with the parallel flat strips, electrical terminals extending through the tubular body into contact with the flat strips. Such heating elements find particular use as immersion heaters for liquids and as the heat source in hair-curling devices.
A self-supporting, self-regulating heating element, which comprises a longitudinally arranged tubular body closed at each end, two longitudinal electrically and thermally conductive flat strips positioned in said tubular body parallel to and spaced from each other, each of said flat strips being provided along at least one longitudinal edge thereof with an abutting longitudinal resilient heat-conducting strip formed to conform with the adjacent surface of the inner wall of said tubular body so as to be in resilient heat-exchange contact with said adjacent inner surface for conducting heat from said flat strip to said tubular body, at least one PTC resistor between and in electrical and heat-exchange contact with said parallel flat strips, and electrical terminals extending through said tubular body in contact with said flat strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A self-supporting, self-regulating heating element, which comprises a longitudinally arranged tubular body closed at each end, two longitudinal electrically and thermally conductive flat strips positioned in said tubular body parallel to and spaced from each other, each of said flat strips being provided along at least one longitudinal edge thereof with an abutting longitudinal resilient heat-conducting strip formed to conform with the adjacent surface of the inner wall of said tubular body so as to be in resilient heat-exchange contact with said adjacent inner surface for conducting heat from said flat strip to said tubular body, at least one PTC resistor between and in electrical and heat-exchange contact with said parallel flat strips, and electrical terminals extending through said tubular body in contact with said flat strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-regulating heating element according to claim 1, in which each of said at least one resistor is disc-shaped with the ends thereof in contact with the flat strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-regulating heating element according to claim 1, in which the tubular body is cylindrical in shape.