Thomas J Caterina

US Patent:

20080290086, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

May 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/119434

Inventors:

Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US
David Naylor - Draper UT, US

Assignee:

Powerblanket LLC - Salt Lake CIty UT

International Classification:

H05B 3/06

US Classification:

219530

Abstract:

A heating unit for use in heating buckets or barrels. The heating unit includes a first pliable cover layer and a second pliable cover layer. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers and configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The heating unit further includes a thermal insulation layer. The heating unit includes a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. The heating unit further includes one or more fasteners allowing the heating unit to be wrapped around a bucket or barrel and secured by the one or more fasteners.

US Patent:

20090056244, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Sep 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/212529

Inventors:

Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US
David Naylor - Draper UT, US

Assignee:

Flatwork Technologies, LLC - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H05B 3/18

US Classification:

5216911

Abstract:

The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.

US Patent:

20090107972, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Nov 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/264493

Inventors:

David Naylor - Draper UT, US
Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US

International Classification:

H05B 3/34

US Classification:

219162, 219528

Abstract:

A heating unit for use in heating a propane tank is disclosed. The heating unit includes a first pliable cover layer and a second pliable cover layer. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the sides and one or both ends of a propane tank.

US Patent:

20090107975, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Oct 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/258240

Inventors:

Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US
David Naylor - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

H05B 3/34
H05B 1/00

US Classification:

219213, 219494, 219492, 219528

Abstract:

A heating unit for use in heating pallets. The heating unit includes side modules and a lid module. Modules include cover layers. Modules may include a pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers and configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. Modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. Modules may include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. Modules may include a seam formed in a fashion that facilitates folding of the modules in a fashion which allows support members to support a module on an edge of the module.

US Patent:

20090107986, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Nov 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/264469

Inventors:

David Naylor - Draper UT, US
Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US

International Classification:

H05B 3/02
B23P 11/00

US Classification:

219538, 29428

Abstract:

A heating unit for use in evenly distributing heat to a surface or object. The heating unit includes a first pliable cover layer and a second pliable cover layer. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and the second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source.

US Patent:

20090114633, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Oct 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/260021

Inventors:

David Naylor - Draper UT, US
Kevin Day - Santa Clarita CA, US
Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US

International Classification:

H05B 3/02
H05B 3/34
H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219213, 219528, 219489

Abstract:

A portable pouch for use in heating temperature sensitive materials is disclosed. The pouch includes a heating unit with one or more fasteners attached around its outer edges. The heating unit can be folded to allow the one or more fasteners to secure opposing outer edges of the heating unit together to form a pocket for substantially enclosing the materials to be warmed. The heating unit can be electrically connected to a direct current power source. The heating unit includes first and second cover layers enclosing a heat generating element and a carbon-based heat spreading element. A thermal insulation layer is also positioned between the first and the second cover layers. The heating element is adapted to generate and evenly spread heat over the interior surface of the pocket to evenly heat the materials disposed within the pocket.

US Patent:

20090114634, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Nov 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/264480

Inventors:

David Naylor - Draper UT, US
Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US

International Classification:

H05B 1/00
H05B 3/34
H05B 1/02
H05B 3/06

US Classification:

219213, 219528, 219531, 219492, 219489

Abstract:

A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.

US Patent:

20090127251, May 21, 2009

Filed:

Nov 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/264460

Inventors:

David Naylor - Draper UT, US
Thomas Caterina - Boise ID, US

International Classification:

H05B 3/50

US Classification:

219530

Abstract:

The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.