Resistance heating system

Abstract

A resistance heating system is provided which includes a resistance heater, a source of alternating current electricity connected by conductors to the resistance heater, and a controller comprising a timer arranged to connect the source of alternating current electricity to the resistance heater for a selected time period and to disconnect the source from the resistance following the selected time period. In an embodiment, the resistance heating system is provided with a controller configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles arranged to receive electricity. An electricity conducting cable having a cable plug at one end is configured to be received in the receptacles and has a resistance heater provided at an opposite end. A master timer may be connected with a communication arrangement to the controller. The master timer is arranged to control an electric output of a plurality of the receptacles.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. A resistance heating system comprising:
 a controller configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles arranged to receive electricity, 
 a plurality of electricity conducting cables, each having a cable plug at one end configured to be received in one of said receptacles and having a resistance heater provided at an opposite end, wherein said resistance heater comprises a bolt heater, 
 an individual timer associated with each receptacle arranged to selectively provide such receptacle with electricity during a time interval, 
 a master timer connected with a communication arrangement to said controller, 
 said master timer arranged to selectively provide a plurality of said receptacles with electricity during a time interval, and 
 a switch to permit a user to select a master timer or an individual timer control for each receptacle. 
 
     
     
       2. A resistance heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said individual timers and said master timer include an input arrangement for a user to input a selected time into said timers. 
     
     
       3. A resistance heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said resistance heater comprises a bolt heater. 
     
     
       4. A resistance heating system according to  claim 3 , claim 1, wherein said bolt heater includes a visual indicator to indicate when electrical current is being supplied to said bolt heater. 
     
     
       5. A resistance heating system according to  claim 3 , claim 1, further including an adapter sheath arranged to effectively increase a diameter of said bolt heater. 
     
     
       6. A resistance heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of alternating current electricity provides 480 volt electricity. 
     
     
       7. A resistance heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller includes a visual indicator for displaying a status of each of said timers. 
     
     
       8. A resistance heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is mounted on a portable frame. 
     
     
       9. A resistance heating system comprising:
 a controller configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles arranged to receive electricity,   a plurality of electricity conducting cables each having a cable plug at one end configured to be received in said receptacles and having a resistance heater provided at an opposite end,   a master timer connected with a communication arrangement to said controller,   said master timer arranged to control an electric output of a plurality of said receptacles, and   an illumination display indicator associated with each receptacle to provide an indication of a status of each receptacle.   
     
     
       10. A resistance hearing system according to  claim 9 , wherein said controller is mounted on a portable frame. 
     
     
       11. A resistance heating system according to  claim 10 , wherein said frame is provided with wheels. 
     
     
       12. A resistance heating system according to  claim 9 , wherein said master timer is provided remote from said controller. 
     
     
       13. A resistance heating system according to  claim 9 , wherein said master timer controls electricity flow to each of said receptacles. 
     
     
       14. A resistance heating system according to  claim 9 , wherein said controller includes a user operable selection switch to enable said master timer to control said electric output of said plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
       15. A resistance heating system according to  claim 9 , wherein said master timer includes an input arrangement for a user to input a selected time into said timer. 
     
     
       16. A resistance heating system comprising:
 a controller configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles,   a plurality of electricity conducting cables each having a cable plug at one end configured to be received in said receptacles and having a resistance heater provided at an opposite end,   a timer associated with each receptacle,   an input arrangement for a user to input a selected time into said timers, and   a visual indicator arranged to display a status of each of said receptacles.   
     
     
       17. A resistance heating system according to  claim 16 , wherein said controller is mounted on a portable frame. 
     
     
       18. A resistance heating system according to  claim 16 , further including a remote controller arranged to provide timer control for each of said receptacles simultaneously. 
     
     
       19. A resistance heating system according to  claim 16 , wherein said source of alternating current electricity comprises 480 volts, 3 phase alternating current electricity. 
     
     
       20. A resistance heating system according to  claim 16 , wherein said resistance heater comprises a bolt heater. 
     
     
       21. A resistance heating system according to  claim 20 , wherein said bolt heater includes a visual indicator to indicate when electrical current is being supplied to said bolt heater. 
     
     
       22. A resistance heating system according to  claim 20 , further including an adapter sheath arranged to effectively increase a diameter of said bolt heater. 
     
     
       23. A multiple receptacle controller comprising:
 a portable frame configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles arranged to receive electricity from said source, 
 an individual timer associated with each receptacle and arranged to selectively control an electric output of the associated receptacle, including an input arrangement for a user to input a selected time into said individual timer, 
 a master timer arranged to selectively control an electric output of a plurality of said receptacles, including an input arrangement for a user to input a selected time into said master timer, 
 said input arrangement for said master timer being located on a pendant separate and remote from said portable frame of said controller, said pendant being connected to said controller frame via an electricity conducting cable, 
 a switch associated with each receptacle to permit a user to select a master timer control or an individual timer control for each receptacle. 
 
     
     
       24. A multiple receptacle controller according to  claim 23 , wherein said frame is wheeled. 
     
     
       25. A multiple receptacle controller according to  claim 23 , wherein said switch further permits a user to energize each associated receptacle regardless of the status of any timer associated with said receptacle. 
     
     
       26. A multiple receptacle controller according to  claim 23 , further including a timing circuit to measure a period of time following the termination of energization of the receptacle by the selected timer and an illumination display energized following the termination of said period of time. 
     
     
       27. A heating system comprising:
 a controller configured to be connected to a source of electric current and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles, wherein said electric current connected to said controller is 480 volt three phase alternating current;   a plurality of electricity conducting cables each having a cable plug at one end configured to be received in one of said receptacles and having a heater provided at an opposite end, wherein said heater comprises a bolt heater;   a plurality of switches, configured and arranged such that at least some of said receptacles each have one of said switches associated therewith, which control the presence of current at said associated receptacle;   a plurality of input arrangements, configured and arranged such that at least some of said switches each include one of said input arrangements associated therewith for a user to input a selected switch position to said associated switch; and   a plurality of visual indicators, configured and arranged such that at least some of said receptacles each have one of said visual indicators associated therewith to display a status of said associated receptacle.   
     
     
       28. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein said electric current connected to said controller is alternating current. 
     
     
       29. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein said heater provided with said electricity conducting cable is a resistance heater. 
     
     
       30. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said switches are manual selector switches that are each located adjacent an associated one of said receptacles, and which each include at least the following two switch position modes, which are selectable by the user:
 an off mode in which electricity is prevented from being supplied to said associated receptacle; and   an on mode in which electricity is supplied to said associated receptacle.   
     
     
       31. The heating system according to claim 30, wherein at least some of said manual selector switches include a third mode defined as an automatic mode in which electricity is supplied to said associated receptacle only until a certain stop event takes place. 
     
     
       32. The heating system according to claim 31, wherein said stop event is a length of time on an associated timer running down to zero. 
     
     
       33. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said visual indicators comprise a light for displaying the status of said associated receptacle. 
     
     
       34. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein said visual indicators are arranged adjacent to said associated receptacles. 
     
     
       35. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein said switches are arranged adjacent to said associated receptacles. 
     
     
       36. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said input arrangements each comprise a rotary switch. 
     
     
       37. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of input arrangements each comprise a toggle switch. 
     
     
       38. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said input arrangements each comprise a rocker switch. 
     
     
       39. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said input arrangements each comprise a keypad. 
     
     
       40. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least some of said input arrangements each comprise a number pad. 
     
     
       41. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein:
 at least some of said switches each comprise a timer which energizes said associated receptacle during a selected time; and   said input arrangement associated with each of said timers enables a user to input said selected time into said associated timer.   
     
     
       42. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of switches is a timer. 
     
     
       43. The heating system according to claim 27, wherein said controller includes at least one transformer between said source of electric current and said plurality of receptacles.