The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 09, 2004
Filed:
May. 29, 2001
James Gregory Stanley, Novi, MI (US);
Judson G. McDonnell, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
James A. Campbell, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An oscillatory or pulsed first signal is applied to a seat heating element that is operatively connected to first and second impedances that isolate the first signal from the source and sink of power to the heating element. In another embodiment, third and fourth impedances are connected to the first an second impedances at respective nodes, and a second signal substantially equal to the first signal is operatively coupled to the nodes. In another embodiment, the first signal is applied to an electrode, and the second signal is applied to the heating element, which shields the electrode from influence by the seat. In another embodiment, the first signal is applied to a first electrode that is shielded from the heating element by a second electrode operatively coupled to the second signal. The impedances may, for example, be provided by inductors or electronic switches.