Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company

Roger Brummell

Angie Privett

Larry Forbis

Mohammad Nosrati

David P Culbertson

Jeremy Ohse

Ken Gaulke

Timothy Tompkins

Jason Miller

Tom Lamantia

Julie Tischer

Richard T Williams

Mark Denis Everly

Sanhong Zhang

Scott H Boehmer

James N Pradun

Jake Spooler

Robert K Frake

Austin Johannes

Kenneth D Ames

Richard T Williams, Jr

Pete Koss

Steven T Jystad

Paul S Whetstone

Mitchell T Diaco

Gerald S Jackson

Christopher Meyers

A method of calibrating temperature of a resistive element having a material with a Curie temperature includes generating a standard resistance-temperature (R-T) curve for the resistive element in isothermal conditions to identify values of the R-T curve and an inflection point at the Curie temperature, generating operational R-T curves for the resistive element over an operational time period, comparing the standard R-T curve to the operational R-T curves, and adjusting the operational curves to the standard R-T curve at the Curie temperature to calibrate temperature of the resistive element.

Resistance calibration and monitoring of thermal systems

A control system for controlling an operation of a resistive heater includes a dielectric parameter determination module, a prediction module, and a heater operation control module. The dielectric parameter determination module determines a material property of a dielectric material of the resistive heater when the resistive heater is in an active mode. The prediction module predicts a life expectancy of the resistive heater based on the material property of the dielectric material. The heater operation control module changes operation of the resistive heater based on the material property and the life expectancy.

Integrated device and method for enhancing heater life and performance

A heating apparatus and method for use in an exhaust gas system is provided that includes a container body defining an exhaust gas pathway, a heater flange component attached to an exterior of the container body, and a heater assembly disposed in the exhaust gas pathway and secured to the heater flange component. The heater assembly includes at least one heater element, a bracket assembly that secures the at least one heater element in the container body, and a conformal bracket for securing the at least one heater element to the bracket assembly.

Exhaust gas heating apparatus

A heater assembly includes a heating member, a mounting member that mounts the heating member to a wall of an external component, and an insulator disposed between the heating member and the wall. The insulator electrically insulates the heating member from the wall and blocks a ground path from the heating member to the wall of the external component.

High temperature tubular heaters

A control system for controlling an operation of a resistive heater includes a dielectric parameter determination module for determining a dielectric parameter of the resistive heater when the resistive heater is in an active mode, and a diagnostic module for diagnosing performance of the resistive heater based on the dielectric parameter.

A process of forming a resistive device such as a load resistor or a heater is provided that includes forming a dielectric layer onto a substrate, a target, or an adjacent functional layer, wherein the dielectric layer in one form defines a single layer of dielectric tape. The dielectric tape is laminated to the substrate, the target, or the adjacent functional layer through a single predetermined cycle of pressure, temperature and time. A resistive layer is formed on the dielectric layer after the dielectric tape is laminated to the substrate. A protective layer is formed over the resistive layer.

Reduced cycle time manufacturing processes for thick film resistive devices

A process of forming a resistive device such as a load resistor or a heater is provided that includes forming a dielectric layer onto a substrate, a target, or an adjacent functional layer, wherein the dielectric layer in one form defines a single layer of dielectric tape. The dielectric tape is laminated to the substrate, the target, or the adjacent functional layer through a single predetermined cycle of pressure, temperature and time, and then a resistive layer is farmed on the dielectric layer, and a protective layer is formed over the resistive layer.

A resistive device for use in providing a resistive load to a target under the application of power from a power source is provided, the resistive device being adapted for electrical connection to the power source through a pair of terminal wires. The resistive device includes a thick film material, and the thick film material defines at least one layer of tape. The resistive device can be, by way of example, a heater or a load resistor, and can also include a substrate onto which a layer of dielectric tape is disposed, a resistive layer disposed on the layer of dielectric tape, and a protective layer disposed on the resistive layer.

Thick film layered resistive device employing a dielectric tape

A method of positioning a tape preform as a layer onto a resistive device substrate during the manufacture of a layered resistive device is provided. The method includes locating the tape preform in a predetermined position and translating one or more of the following relative to each other until a portion of the positioning device engages the tape preform: a positioning device, the resistive device substrate, and the tape preform. The method also includes continuing the translation until the tape preform engages the resistive device substrate and continuing the translation such that components of the positioning device progressively translate around the resistive device substrate and subsequently position the tape preform onto the resistive device substrate. In some forms, the method includes using a controller and/or applying a predetermined cycle of temperature, pressure, and time to the substrate and tape preform.

Method and apparatus for positioning layers within a layered heater system

An apparatus for positioning a tape preform as a layer onto a substrate during the manufacture of a layered resistive device is provided. The apparatus includes at least one positioning member, wherein the positioning member defines a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The apparatus also includes a contact member adapted to engage the tape preform against the substrate. The contact member and the distal end portion of the positioning member are configured to position the tape preform onto the substrate.

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Hannibal, MO, United States of America

Roger Brummell