Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein a part of said contact is embedded in said silicon carbide and is bonded to said silicon carbide by said silicon carbide, and wherein said contact is a metal strip and including at least one opening in said contact, said silicon carbide extending into said opening and forming an interference fit with said contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein a part of said contact is embedded in said silicon carbide and is bonded to said silicon carbide by said silicon carbide, and wherein said contact is a metal strip and including at least one opening in said contact, said silicon carbide extending into said opening and forming an interference fit with said contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heating element of claim 1 wherein said opening in said contact comprises a slot extending through one edge of said contact, and wherein said silicon carbide extends through said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The heating element of claim 1 wherein said heating member has an elongate hot zone and a pair of flanking contact zones formed in one piece with said hot zone, said hot zone consisting essentially of silicon carbide particles bonded by regrown silicon carbide and having opening through one elongated surface a central groove, said groove being continuous and following the elongated configuration of said surface through which said groove opens, said groove being deep relative to its width, said contact zones differing from said hot zone in at least one of cross-sectional area and composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The element of claim 3 wherein said electrical contacts are embedded in two ends of said heating member in said contact zones and project therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The element of claim 4 wherein said hot zone has been densified with silicon carbide formed in a porous matrix of silicon carbide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The element of claim 4 wherein said surface through which said groove opens is substantially planar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The element of claim 3 wherein said hot zone is wider in cross-section at said surface than adjacent the bottom of said groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The element of claim 3 wherein said hot zone is formed as a loop, said contact zones being generally parallel to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein a part of said contact is embedded in said silicon carbide and is bonded to said silicon carbide by said silicon carbide, and wherein said heating member contains an electrical resistivity modifying agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein a part of said contact is embedded in said silicon carbide and is bonded to said silicon carbide by said silicon carbide, and wherein said heating member contains an electrical resistivity modifying agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The element of claim 9 wherein said electrical resistivity modifying agent is taken from the class consisting of oxides, silicides, nitrides and halides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein said contact is a metal strip and wherein at least one opening is provided in said contact, said silicon carbide extending into said opening and forming an interference fit with said contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
In an electrical resistance heating element comprising a heating member formed of silicon carbide and at least one electrical contact held to said heating member, the improvement wherein said contact is a metal strip and wherein at least one opening is provided in said contact, said silicon carbide extending into said opening and forming an interference fit with said contact.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The heating element of claim 11 wherein said opening in said contact comprises a slot extending through one edge of said contact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heating element of claim 12 wherein said contact is embedded in said heating member and wherein said silicon carbide extends through said slot in said contact.