MXPA01003082A

MXPA01003082A - Multi-conductor soft heating element

Info

Publication number: MXPA01003082A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/003082A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Arkady Kochman; Arthur Gurevich
Original assignee: Thermosoft International Corporation
Priority date: 1998-09-25
Filing date: 2001-03-23
Publication date: 2003-11-07

Abstract

A soft heating element (1) utilizing individually insulated electrically conductive carbon (6) or metal containing threads/fibers of metal wires that are woven together with nonconductive threads, into sheets, sleeves or strips. The individually insulated conductive threads/fibers or metal wires (2) can be laminated between layers of nonconductive insulation (14). Nonconductive polymer insulation (14) can be extruded around the non-insulated electrically conductive threads/fibers or metal wires to form strips, sheets or sleeves/pipes. The electrodeconductors (9) are attached to said heating element core (1), which is connected in parallel or in series. The heating element core (1) is shaped in a desired pattern. The thermostats (105) are located in areas of folds in order to control their cycling. When dictated by the heating element design, the electrically conductive threads/fibers have a polymer base, which acts as a Thermal-Cut-Off (TCO) material at predetermined temperatures.

Description

MULTI-CONDUCTOR SOFT HEATING ELEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to soft and flexible electric heaters, and particularly to heating elements, which have a core and electrically conductive wires / fibers, which contain mild or strong carbon or metal. 2. Description of the Previous Technique The heating elements have extremely wide applications in domestic articles, in construction, in industrial processes, etc. Its physical characteristics, such as thickness, shape, size, strength, flexibility and other characteristics affect its ability to use in various applications. Numerous types of thin and flexible heating elements have been proposed. For example, U.S. Patent 4,764,665 to Orban et al. Describes a cloth electrically heated for use in gloves, light wings and aircraft parts. In this patent the fabric is metallized after being formed into a glove structure, after weaving or arranging in a non-woven format. The collective copper bars are used for the introduction of electric current to the metallized textile material. Having been made from a solid piece of cloth with a metallic coating, this heating element does not allow flexibility in the selection of the desired energy density. Metallization of the formed heating element results in a loss of significant economies of scale, only a small number of modalities can be achieved, thus severely limiting the potential application of this invention. The design of the patent? 665 also does not lead to hermetic sealing through the heating areas (there are no empty spaces inside), which can cause a short circuit through the puncture and admission of liquid towards the body of the heating element. This element can not be used at higher temperatures due to the damage caused to the polyaramide, to the polyester or to the metallized cotton fabric, described in the invention.

Another example of the prior art is U.S. Patent 4,713,531 to Fennekels et al. Fennekels et al. Describes a textile structure in the form of a sheet combined with resistance elements. These strength elements comprise metal fibers or filaments with a denier similar to that of natural or synthetic textile fibers, and with a total transverse thickness of 8 to 24 micrometers. The design of the patent? 531 suffers from the following drawbacks: being a product in sheet form, this does not lead to the hermetic seal through the body of the heater (there are no empty spaces), only the perimetric seal is possible, which can result in a short circuit due to the puncture and admission of liquid into the body of the heating element; the threads, which comprise metallic fibers, lack the consistency of electrical resistance per given length, and their stretching, compression or both, will result in very wide fluctuations in resistance, thus limiting the use of this technology in the modes controlled by the strict design and where an uncontrollable energy yield and uncontrollable temperature variability are unacceptable; the threads are very heavy: from 1 to 7 grams per 1 meter of thread; the use of silver fibers makes these threads very expensive; the individual conductors have a large transverse thickness, each having a shell or outer shield of textile or braided elastomer. Another example of the prior art in U.S. Patent 4,538,054 a de la Bretoniere. The heating element of the '54 de Bretoniere patent suffers from the following drawbacks: its manufacture is complex, requiring weaving of the metallic or carbon fibers in the non-conductive fabric in a strictly controlled pattern; the use of metallic wire can result in breakage due to folding and crushing, and this affects the smoothness, weight and flexibility of the finished heater; this can not be manufactured in various forms, only a rectangular shape is available; only the perimetric seal (no empty space inside) is possible, which can result in a short circuit due to the puncture and admission of a liquid into the body of the heating element; The method of interweaving wires and fibers does not result in a strong heating element, the individual wires can move easily, adversely affecting the heater durability, the fabric base of the heating element is flammable and can ignite as a result of a short circuit; This is not suitable for high temperature applications due to destruction of insulating fabric fibers, at temperatures exceeding 120 ° C. A heating element proposed by Ohgushi (US 4,983,814) is based on a proprietary electroconductive fibrous heating element, produced by coating an electrically non-conductive core fiber, with electroconductive polyurethane resin containing the carbonaceous particles dispersed in this. Ohgushi's manufacturing process seems to be complex; it uses solvents, cyanates and other toxic substances. The resulting heating element has a temperature limit of 1000 ° C and results in a foldable but not soft heating element. In addition, the polyurethane, used in the invention of Ohgushi, when heated at high temperature, will decompose, releasing very toxic substances, such as isocyanide products. As a consequence, such a heating element must be hermetically sealed in order to prevent human exposure to toxic degassing. Ohgushi claims the quality self-limiting temperature for this invention, however "activation" of this feature results in the destruction of the heater. He proposes the use of the non-conductive, low-melting polymer core for the conductive fabric heating element, which must be melted before the melting of the conductive layer, which uses the polyurethane binder with the melting point 1000 ° C. In this way, the heating element of the invention of Ohgushi operates as a Thermal Cutting Unit (TCO), which has the low temperature of self-destruction, which limits its application.United States Patent 4,149,066 Niibe et al discloses a thin, sheet-shaped flexible heater made with an electroconductive paint on a cloth sheet This method has the following disadvantages: the paint has a cracking potential as a result of sharp folding, crushing or puncturing; The element is hermetically sealed only around its perimeter, therefore lacking adequate resistance to wear and moisture; e to be used with high temperatures due to the destruction of the underlying fabric and the thermal decomposition of the polymerized binder in the paint; he Assembly has 7 layers that result in loss of flexibility and lack of softness. U.S. Patent 5,861,610 to John Weiss discloses the heating wire, which is formed with a first conductor for the generation of heat, and a second conductor for detection. The first conductor and a second conductor are woven as coaxial spirals with a material that electrically insulates two conductors. The two spirals are woven together one with respect to the other to ensure that the second is traversed transversely, although in separate planes, several times per inch. The described construction results in a cable, which has to be isolated twice; first, on the heating cable and secondly on the sensor cable. The double insulation makes the heating element very thick, rigid and heavy, which could be uncomfortable for the users of soft and flexible products such as blankets and pads. The described cable construction can not provide large heat radiation area per heater length, as would be possible with a strip or sheet of the heating element. The termination with the electrical connectors is very complicated due to the removal of the Two layers of insulation. In addition, in the case of overheating a very small surface area of the blanket or pad (eg, several inches or 'square centimeters), the sensor may fail to detect a very low change in the total electrical resistance of the long heating element. Such heating cable does not have thermal cutting capabilities (TCO) in the case of controller malfunction. Another example of the prior art is US Pat. No. 4,309,596 to George C. Crowley, which describes a self-limiting, flexible heating cable, which comprises two conducting wires separated by a material of positive temperature coefficient (PTC). Said heating cables are placed on strands of non-conductive fibers covered with conductive carbon. This method has the following disadvantages: (a) the wires are wrapped and separated by the robust PTC material, which thickens and hardens the heating element; (b) the distance between the wires is very limited, due to the nature of the PTC material that has a high electrical resistance, this prevents the manufacture of heaters with large heat radiation area; (c) the heater is limited only at a higher, predetermined temperature level, therefore, this heating device is unable to deflect said temperature level when rapid heating to the higher temperature is necessary. The present invention seeks to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and describes the manufacture of a heating element comprising metallic microfibers, metal wires, carbon-coated or carbon-containing or metal-coated yarns / fibers, which is economical to manufacture; does not impose environmental hazards; it results in a core of the soft, flexible, strong, thin and light heating element, suitable for even small and complex assemblies, such as hand tools. A significant advantage of the proposed invention is that it provides for the manufacture of heating elements of various shapes and sizes, with predetermined electrical characteristics, allows a durable heater, resistant to kinking and abrasion, and whose electrophysical properties are not affected by the application of pressure, acute folding, small perforations, punctures and crushing. A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the use of synthetic textile threads covered with metal and carbon that have a thermal clipping function (TCO) to prevent overheating and / or the danger of fire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The first object of the invention is to provide a significantly safe and reliable heating element which can function properly after it has been subjected to acute folding, kinking, small punctures, punctures or crushing, thereby solving the problems associated with the metallic wires of heating, flexible, conventional. In order to achieve the first objective, the electric heating element of the present invention is comprised of electrically conductive, insulated wires / fibers, or metallic wires. The conductive yarns / fibers can be made of carbon, metallic microfibers, metal-coated textile yarns, carbon, conductive ink, or combinations thereof. The proposed heating element can also comprise metallic wires and their alloys. The threads / fibers conductors have the following characteristics: (a) high strength; (b) high proportion of resistance to weight; (c) softness; (d) flexibility; (e) low coefficient of thermal expansion. The core of the heating element described in this invention is comprised of strips, sleeves, sheets, cables, strands of yarn / fiber strands, electrically conductive, which radiate a controlled heat over the entire surface of the heating core. A second objective of the invention is to provide maximum flexibility and softness of the heating element. In order to achieve the second objective, the electric heating element of the invention contains individually insulated, thin conductive fibers / fibers (from 0.01 to 3.0 mm, but preferably within the range of 0.05 to 1.0 mm) or metallic wires, which they are woven or threaded in continuous or electrically connected strips, sleeves / tubes, cables, sheets or bunches. This arrangement can be accommodated and isolated to have empty spaces between the electrically conductive means. Another preferable configuration consists in the extrusion of soft insulating material, such as, but not limited to PVC, polyurethane, temperature resistant rubber, PVC crosslinked or polyethylene around a plurality of wires / conductive fibers or electrical wire conductors, with the proviso that said electrical conductors are separated by the insulating material. A third objective of the invention is to provide the uniform distribution of heat, without overheating and hot spots or zones, whereby the problem of over-insulation and energy efficiency is solved. In order to achieve this goal(a) the conducting wires in the heating elements are separated by conductive fibers or fibers or insulating polymers, (b) one side of the heating element may include a metal foil or a metallized material to provide uniform heat distribution and reflection of the hot. It is also preferable that the soft heating elements of the invention be made without thick padding insulation, which retards the distribution of heat to the surface of the heating unit. A fourth additional objective of the invention is to provide ease in the variation of thermal energy density, whereby a manufacturing problem of several heating devices with different density requirements is solved of electric power. In order to achieve the fourth objective, the wires, fibers or electroconductive metal wires are first isolated by the polymer, creating multiple thin wires, which are then laminated between the woven or non-woven fabric, or interwoven with non-conducting strings in strips , sleeves / tubes or sheets with predetermined width, predetermined fabric density and thickness. It is preferable that the strips and sleeves / tubes, sheets are made from a combination of yarns / fibers with different electrical resistance and / or include high strength, electrically non-conductive polymer or inorganic fibers (such as refractory ceramic or glass fiber) ). A fifth objective of the invention is to provide a high level of temperature control. In order to achieve the fifth objective, at least one of the following applies: (A) at least one thermostat is wrapped by the heating element or located at the site of the multiple folding of the core of the heating element; (B) at least one of the conductive wires or wires, running through the entire length of the heating element, is connected to an electronic device operated by a change in resistance electrical, caused by the change in the integral temperature in the sensor. The sixth objective of the invention is to provide a high level of safety, minimizing the possibility of fire hazard. In order to achieve the sixth objective: (A) multiple thin conductor cables are reinforced by strong wires / fibers and flame retardants, and (B) the conductive means of the heating cables may comprise textile polymeric yarns / fibers containing metal or carbon, which have melting points of 120 ° C to 300 ° C. The melting of the conductive strands / fibers results in the breaking of the electrical continuity in the heating system. In this way, the proposed heating elements can operate as a high temperature fuse or TCO device (Thermal Cut). A seventh object of the invention is to provide ease in manufacturing the core of the heating element, thereby eliminating a problem of impregnation of the entire fabric with stabilization or filler materials to enable trimming to a desired pattern. In order to achieve the fifth goal, all the strips, sleeves / tubes, sheets, ropes and threads are assembled in a desired stable form prior to the manufacture of the heating element. An eighth object of the invention is to provide self-limiting properties of temperature to the core of the heating element, if dictated by the design of the heater, thereby eliminating a need for the thermostats. In order to achieve the sixth objective, the material of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) is used in the selected areas of the core of the heating element. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a heating element containing soft, strong and light electrically conductive wires, which act as conduction means. The heating element is also highly resistant to punctures, cuts, small perforations, sharp folds and crushing. This can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes, and can be designed for a wide range of parameters, such as the input voltage, the desired temperature range, the desired energy density, the type of current (AC and DC) and the method of electrical connection (parallel and in series). A heating element preferably consists of non-conductive fibers / yarns and yarns / strands containing metal or carbon, electrically non-conductive, woven inside, and embroidered on, laminated between or threaded into strips, ropes, sleeves / tubes, sheets or strands of threads. Selected areas of the core of the heating element may contain highly conductive, metal-coated wires to provide redundant circuits in the heater. The core of the heating element can include a material with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) to impart self-limiting properties of temperature. The core of the heating element is formed by folding or assembling the conductive means in a predetermined pattern. The electrodes are coupled to the core of the heating element and are electrically connected in parallel or in series. The core of the soft heating element is sealed to form an assembly containing at least one electrically insulating layer which wraps each strip, cord, sleeve / tube, sheet or ad of ads. The selected areas of the core of the heating element may also contain wires or conductive wires to provide detection of the resistance / current change, caused by the variation of heat. The core of the heating element is formed by folding or assembling the individually insulated conductive means in a predetermined pattern. The electrodes are coupled to the core of the heating element and are electrically connected in parallel or in series. In the case of using an alternating current, the individually insulated wires in the core of the heating element may be connected in such a way as to minimize the electromagnetic field (EMF). The following are some methods for reducing / eliminating EMF in the preferred embodiments of the invention. (a) The use of the voltage reduction transformer; (b) The use of the voltage reduction transformer and rectifier; (c) The use of AC rectifier with filtering capacitor; (d) The provision of a simultaneous opposite current flow in the cables individually isolated from the core of the heating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a plan view of the core of the heating element electrically connected in series according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the core of the heating element connected in parallel, using the design of the multilevel energy output heating circuit, and the optional local area treatments. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the core of the heating element, connected in parallel and consisting of various electroconductive yarns woven into, laminated between or embroidered on an electrically non-conductive substrate. Optional treatments of local area and positive temperature coefficient material (PTC) can be used in this modality. Figure 4 shows a plan view of a temperature sensing device designed to limit a number of thermostats in a heating element, and to provide a more convenient location for the remaining thermostats.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a heating element using the conductive textile material and the positive temperature coefficient material (PTC) to create a heating circuit, controlled by PTC, wide. This heater offers a combination of heating rates. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of a tooth connector used to couple a wire heating cable, bunch, strand or conductive textile cord to an energy guide or other heating cable. Figure 7 shows an isometric view of various embodiments of the heating sleeves, using heating elements. Figure 8 shows a plan view of an embroidered incandescent infrared badge, designed to be visible ugh night vision devices. Figure 9 shows a plan view of a strip-shaped heating element installed in hidden window blades to heat the surrounding air. Figure 10A shows a plan view of the strip of the heating element placed in a zigzag pattern, electrically connected in series, and having a thermostat placed on top of the folding, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10B shows an alternative arrangement of the strip of the heating element shown in Figure HA that uses empty spaces between its sections. Figure HA shows a cross-section of a strip woven with wires / fibers or metal wires, conductors, individually isolated, interwoven with non-conducting wires. Figure 11B shows a cross-section of the core of the heating element, where the conductive and individually insulated wires / fibers or wires are laminated between two substrate layers of the non-conductive material. Figure 11C shows a cross-section of the multi-conductor heating cable where a non-conductive polymer is extruded around the non-insulated conductive wires / fibers or metallic wires. Optional reinforcement threads / fibers are used in the design. Figure 12A shows a cross section of a thermostat placed at the site of the concentration of the heat in the form of a multiple folding over the length of the strip of the heating element. Figure 12B shows a plan view of a thermostat placed at a heat concentration site in the form of a folding at the change of direction of the heating strip. Figure 13A shows an isometric view of the heating element, consisting of a woven sleeve / tube of individually insulated conductive wires / fibers or metallic wires, and non-conducting wires / fibers. The optional reinforcing fibers are used in this design. Figure 13B shows an isometric view of the heating element consisting of a sleeve / tube formed by extruding the non-conducting polymer around non-insulated conductive wires / fibers or metallic wires. The optional reinforcing fibers / fibers are used in this design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of a core of the heating element, smooth, made by interconnecting wires / wires containing metal and / or carbon, conductors, individually isolated, with threads / fibers or non-conducting polymers. Said core is assembled as strips, sleeves, tubes, sheets and ropes. The core of the heating element may contain, electrically conductive metallic microfibers, metal-coated and / or carbon-containing wires, which are combined with non-conductive yarns / fibers or polymers in various proportions and / or fabric patterns in order to increase the electrical resistance of the core of the heating element. For convenience of explanation of the invention, the term "yarn" will mean yarn for sewing, yarn for knitting by stitches, and yarn for knitting, or yarns or threads and other structures composed of individual fibers or a combination of fibers where each individual fiber It is thin enough to make it as soft, flexible and reliable as a fiber, synthetic polymer such as polyester or nylon. For convenience of explanation the term "individually insulated conductive wires / fibers or wires" shall mean thin wires made of wires / fibers or non-conductive and / or conductive metallic wires, twisted or twisted in a continuous bundle which is then isolated by the non-conductive polymer.

The term "metallic microfibers" will mean the metal fibers having a denier size of the synthetic textile fibers. The diameter of each metallic microfiber is smaller than the lowest metallic wire gauge, commercially available. The term "metallic wire" shall mean the metal strand having the diameter greater than the fiber or the metallic microfiber. The wire rope can contain copper, iron, chromium, nickel, or combinations thereof. The core of the heating element described in this invention may comprise one of the following wires / fibers, metal wires or their combination: 1. Synthetic polymeric wires coated with metal with similar or variant electrical characteristics. 2. Inorganic threads coated with metal (made of ceramic or glass fibers) with similar electrical characteristics or variants. 3. Inorganic threads coated with carbon (made of ceramic or glass fibers) with similar electrical characteristics or variants. 4. Threads with similar electrical characteristics or variants, impregnated with conductive ink.

. Metal threads made of metal microfibers with similar electrical characteristics or variants. 6. Metal wires with similar electrical characteristics or variants. 7. Threads / wires, as indicated in paragraphs 1 to 6 above, with the addition of polymeric, non-conductive synthetic fibers. 8. Threads, as indicated in paragraphs 1 to 6 above, with the addition of non-conductive inorganic fibers, including fiberglass. 9. Threads / fibers, as indicated in paragraphs 1 to 8 above, with the addition of carbon / graphite threads. The non-conductive material of the core of the heating element may be in the form of weft or warp knit yarns, extruded or lined insulating polymer, fabric / inorganic, synthetic, woven or non-woven fibers / textile materials. The insulating polymer can be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, cross-linked polyethylene and PVC, or other cable insulation materials. The lamination of the individually isolated, multiple strands / fibers or conductive wires to the substrate is not conductor, can be achieved by placing the wires between at least two layers of non-conductive material and the subsequent thermal fusion of the sandwich assembly. It is also possible to use adhesive or seam to laminate the individually insulated and non-conducting conductive wires / fibers, between the non-conductive material. The metal-coated yarns described below in this invention may comprise soft and highly electrically conductive metals such as silver, gold, copper, tin, nickel, zinc, their alloys or combinations of multiple layers. Such a coating may be applied on carbon / graphite, polymer, glass fiber or ceramic yarns, sputtering, electroplating, electroless deposition or other appropriate metal coating techniques. The metal fiber containing yarns described in this invention may comprise the following metals or their combination: tungsten, nickel, chromium, and iron. The individual metal fibers within the yarns have thickness small enough to make the yarns as soft and flexible as those made of polymeric textiles such as polyester or nylon.

The term "conductive ink" described in this invention will mean electroconductive ink, paint or adhesive comprising electroconductive means, such as carbon, graphite or metal particles / fibers, dispersed in a non-conductive organic stabilizer solution. The term "carbon-containing threads" described in this invention will mean carbon / graphite threads or threads coated with carbon or carbon / graphite-containing material. The term "conductive textile material" described in this invention, will mean the electroconductive yarns / fibers comprising the electrically conductive substrate, with or without the inclusion of non-conductive materials, such as textile / woven or non-woven fiber. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the core (1) of the electroconductive heating element in the form of a strip, folded to form clearances for subsequent sealing, and in patterns as dictated by the design of the heating element. The conductive strip of the core (l) of the heating element consists of electroconductive wires (2), placed longitudinally on a strip to be separated by the non-conducting material. driver. Such placement is achieved through the weaving, embroidery or lamination of individual threads between at least two layers of insulating material. The portions of the core (1) of the heating element may contain localized treatment in order to increase the electrical properties of the finished product, such localized treatment being performed by at least one of the following methods: (a) the use of material (6) that carries carbon or graphite, electroconductive; (b) the use of the material (7) with positive temperature coefficient (PTC); (c) the use of highly conductive bridge wires (5), in order to create redundant electrical circuits. In order to control overheating, at least one temperature control device (12), such as the thermostat, is placed within the plane of the. heating element. The bending and folding along the length of the core of the heating element can be ensured by at least one of the following shape retention means: (a) sewing with electroconductive wires, preferably metal-coated wires, (b) sewing with non-conducting wires; (c) stapling; (d) gluing; (e) riveted; (f) melting or sealing by means of breathable or hermetic insulating material (8).

The core of the heating element is energized through an energy cord (3), which is connected to the heating element with metal electrodes (4). The electrodes are flexible and have a flat shape with a large contact area. It is also preferable to use conductive textile electrodes comprising copper wires and copper wires or copper electrodes, embroidered at the ends of the core of the heating element by highly conductive wires. The electrodes can be coupled to the ends of the core of the heating element by sewing, stapling, riveting or using a toothed connector. In addition to the electrodes, the power cord has the following couplings: (a) the electric plug (11), (b) the optional power control device (10), which may include one, some or all of the following : the AC converter to direct current (AC to DC), the transformer, the power level regulator, or an on / off switch. Depending on the final use of the heating elements, the process of assembling the heating element uses the following operations in any sequence: (a) folding and forming the core of the heating element in a predetermined manner, (b) coupling or embroidering the electrodes to the core of the heating element, (c) coupling the guide wires, the thermostat (s) and the energy cord to the core of the heating element, (d) the lamination of the core of the heating element with the insulating material, (e) securing the mounting pattern of the heating element by form retaining means. It is preferable to use a heat reflection layer on one side of the insulated heating element core, if dictated by the design of the heating element; such a heat reflecting layer may be an aluminum foil or a metallized polymer, electrically isolated from the components of the electroconductive heating element. Figure 2 shows an example of the core (1) of the heating element in the form of strips, folded and placed between the electrodes (9) of electric collective bar, the strips having a straight run and which are coupled to the electrodes of bar parallel collective by sewing, stapling or riveting. The zigzag run, the distance between the peaks, can vary even in the same heating element, whereby the temperature density of the finished element is varied, as dictated by the design of the heating element. As a variation of this design, the length of the strip (1) of the heating element between the electrodes of the collective bar can be formed in a zigzag or in another pattern instead of being straight. This makes possible a variation of the resistance of the heating element without changing the core material of the heating element. The heating element may also consist of parallel, separate conductive strips electrically connected to the busbar conductors. All strips in this embodiment are positioned so as to create clearances between the adjacent strips, in order to provide sealing retention and / or sealing, during insulation by the non-conductive material. The strips are tightly connected to the collective bar conductors (9) by sewing (16), stapling or riveting.

A heating element of this design may contain the optional localized treatment in order to increase the electrical properties of the finished product, such localized treatment may be one of the following methods: (a) the use of carbon-bearing material or electroconductive graphite, (b) the use of the material (7) with positive temperature coefficient (PTC), (c) the use of the electroconductive, bridge threads (5), such as metal-coated wires, in order to create electrical circuits redundant A novel method to control energy performance is used in this mode. By using the third collective bar electrode, shown in the middle part, the output or energy yield can be varied by a factor of 4, at the same time, requiring 4 times fewer conductor wires. This provides a double benefit of a more versatile heater at a lower cost. This heater has two working regimes, high energy performance and low energy performance. In the low energy performance regime, the intermediate collective bar electrode is not energized and has no function other than a bridge circuit, providing redundancy in the path of the electric current. In the regime of high output performance or high energy efficiency, using direct current, when the intermediate collective bar electrode is energized, the external electrodes are interrupted to be fed by an energy guide, with polarity, opposite to that of the intermediate collective bar electrode. When using alternating current, the polarity does not matter, however the power supply circuit is identical to that of a direct current circuit - the intermediate collective bar electrode is powered by the power guide and the outer electrodes are powered by another one. The energization of the intermediate collective bar electrode makes it possible for the heating strips to complete the circuits at half the distance, thereby reducing their resistance by half. This creates two heating circuits, each putting twice the energy of the largest, simplest heating circuit. Therefore, the energy yield from the heating element is increased 4 times. They're possible numerous other variations of this design, based on the desired function. There are examples of the prior art where attempts are made to vary the temperature of the energy efficiency within a single heating element, U.S. Patent 4,250,397 to Gray et al., U.S. Patent 3,739,142 to Johns, and United States 4,788,417 to Graflind. They use all the layered conformation of the heating elements to make possible the variability of the energy. This layered conformation creates significantly heavier, less flexible and more expensive heaters. In addition, because the temperature between the layers is considerably higher than that detected on the outside of the heater, localized overheating, the melting of an insulating layer and causing short circuit and fire can occur. Figure 3 shows an example of heater using various conductive wires (2), such as inorganic or synthetic polymer coated wires, carbon-coated inorganic yarns, conductive ink-impregnated yarns, and / or other types of yarns conductors woven in, laminates between or embroidery on a non-conductive substrate (14), in any pattern as may be dictated by the design of the heating element. The non-conductive substrate (14) for embroidery or lamination can be made of woven or non-woven textile material, vinyl sheet, silicone rubber, sheet or sheet of polyethylene or polyurethane or any other synthetic material. This example of the heating element contains treated, localized, optional areas, in order to increase the electrical characteristics of the heater. These treated, localized areas may consist of wires (5) for electrical circuit bridging, materials (7) of positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and trimmed areas (15). The trimmed areas (15) are only one mode of the empty spaces, necessary to seal and / or melt the outer insulation layer (s). The other modalities of empty spaces may be areas of non-conductive material between conducting wires. The optional PTC material can be located in the intermediate part of the heating element between the conductors (9) of the collective bar electrode, as shown in Figure 3, near at least one bar electrode conductor collective, or combined with at least one of the collective bar electrode conductors as its integral component. The heater is energized by the power cord (3), equipped with the electric power level controller (10) and a male plug (11). It is important to note that the embroidery of a circuit of the heating element provides virtually unlimited design flexibility and is a novel and unique process for the production of heating elements. Embroidery on or lamination of the conductive wires between non-conductive materials reduces the weight and cost of the heating element. Figure 4 shows a novel device (13) temperature sensor, which detects a localized temperature change and, being highly thermoconductive, distributes heat to a thermostat (12) from different heating areas. This makes it possible to place thermostats on the least objectionable sites. For example, in the case of a heating pad, a mattress pad or a heating blanket, the thermostats may be located at the coupling site of the power cord and / or at the edges of an apparatus household appliance The use of this device can also reduce the number of thermostats needed. The device consists of a strip or highly thermoconductive wires placed through the core of the heating element and preferably insulated on one side to prevent heat dissipation. One end of the strip or bundle of heat conducting wires is attached to or wrapped around the thermostat, to enable its rapid activation in the event of overheating of the heating element assembly. The heat-conducting sensor may also be in the form of a patch placed on the top or bottom of a thermostat and having a considerably larger area than the thermostat. Figure 5 shows a heating element, which uses the known positive coefficient (PTC) technology, with the technology of the conductive textile material, creating a novel and synergistic effect. This makes possible the creation of a heating circuit, controlled by (PTC), wide, through the energization of the collective bars (A) and (C), and the heating circuit, controlled by PTC, narrow, through of the collective energization bars (A) and (B), all in one Heater. This mode also allows a heating surface with temperature limits higher than those of PTC, when energized through the collective bars (B) and (C). Numerous combinations or sequences of electrodes (9) of collective bar, material (7) PTC and conductive textile material (1), are possible, depending on the requirements of final use. Figure 6 shows an example of the embodiment of the core (1) of the heating element in a thread form, bunch of threads or a rope. The core of the heating element, covered by the insulating layer (8), is energized through an energy cord, which is connected to the heating element with the pressure connector (4). The tight connection to the heating cable is achieved through the insertion of the toothed connector (17) in a cross section in the heating cable and the subsequent tight torque of the shell of the pressure connector around the tooth (17). This core of the heating element can also be used in a flat heater by placing it in a pattern dictated by the design of the heating element on a shape and / or insulating retaining substrate for form clearances for subsequent sealing by the shape / insulation retention material. Figure 7 shows the example of tubular heating elements designed for heating tubes or as heating sleeves for various heating purposes, including applications in health and industrial applications. Figure 7 (A) shows a heating sleeve with electrodes (4) of collective bar located at the ends and the resistance wires (2) connected to the collective bars in parallel. The optional circuit bridging wires (5) can be used to provide electrical continuity and continuous heating capacity in the case of localized damage to a limited number of heating wires (2). This type of heating element can be used when the length and energy efficiency of a heater are known fixed amounts. A mode shown in Figure 7 (B) is more suitable for heating elements of variable length. This embodiment shows a heating element with the collective bar electrodes (9) placed longitudinally extending the full length of the element of the bar. heating. The resistance wires (2) are connected to the collective busbars in parallel. The optional circuit bridge forming wires (5) can be used to provide electrical continuity in the case of localized damage to a limited number of heating wires (2). Figure (C) shows a variation of the heating element shown in 7 (B), which uses the optional PTC material, in order to control the localized superheat and for the use of the thermostat. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a heating element that uses electroconductive wires (2) to embroider a desired pattern or design on an electrically non-conductive substrate (8). One of the design uses is in the military field and / or in the enforcement of the law, where an identification badge can be embroidered on the uniforms of the personnel, to make possible the identification phase in the dark while They use night vision binoculars. Only one source (18) of energy, small, sufficient to generate 0.015 watts / cm2 (0.1 watt / inch2), will provide adequate heat to be clearly distinguishable through night vision devices. Figure 9 shows a modality of a window blind, heated. This uses conductive textile strips (1) maintained in a desired shape and isolated by fusible interconnection (8). The finished heating element is then installed in a cloth or plastic window shade. The conductive strip is connected through energy guides (3), to an energy source located in the sliding guide of the window blinds. A similar design can be used on ceiling fan blades to heat circulated air or to provide localized heating in modular office divisions. Figure 10A shows a possible embodiment of the invention, wherein a heating element consists of the core of the heating element (101) of the heating element, which has the shape of a strip, which is placed in a zigzag pattern. The sections of the strip are contiguous to each other. The core of the heating element consists of multiple thin wires made of individual insulated wires / conductive fibers or metallic wires (102), placed longitudinally in a strip to be separated by non-conductive material. Such placement is achieved through the weaving of conductive cables with non-conducting wires, or the lamination of the metallic wires or conductive strands / fibers, individually insulated, between at least two layers of insulating material. The ends of the core of the heating element are stripped from the insulation and coupled to the terminals (104) and to the conduction wires (103). The terminals (104) may vary from flat electrodes to special folding splices. The metal wires or individually insulated wires / fibers are electrically connected in parallel in the strip of the heating element in the embodiment shown in the invention. In addition to the terminals / electrodes (104), the power cord (110) has the following accessories: (a) the electric plug (108), (b) the power control device (106), optional, the which can include one, some or all of the following: the AC to DC converter, a transformer, a power level regulator, an on / off switch. An automatic temperature limit control is achieved through the use of an optional thermostat (105) placed directly on the surface of the core (101) of the heating element, preferably at the site of a heat concentration, such as folding (109). As an alternative to a thermostat, if dictated by a particular design, in addition to this, an optional heat sensor (107) may be used. The heat sensors (107) can be in the form of metal wires or wires / fibers, incorporated in the core (101) of the heating element, specifically for this purpose or the individually insulated wires / fibers or metal wires (102) can by themselves being used as sensors. In this way, the detection means can be electrically connected to a separate electrical circuit, specifically designed for temperature control, or it can be connected in parallel with other individually insulated wires / fibers or metal wires. It is important to note that heating yarns / fibers (102), when made from polymeric yarns / fibers, coated with carbon-containing material, or coated with metal, can function as TCO safety devices. One, several or all heating yarns / fibers can give this function, depending on the intended use of the heater and its design parameters. It is desirable that the limiting temperature (melting) for such TCO yarns / fibers be in the range of 120 ° C to 300 ° C. This virtually eliminates the need for the heating element to become a source of ignition in the case of localized overheating, short circuit or other extreme conditions. It is also important to note that the melting temperature can be the same or vary for different heating yarns / fibers within a core of the heating element. Another distinguishing characteristic of the metal-coated or metal-coated polymeric wires / fibers described in this invention is that as the temperature approaches its melting limit, its electrical resistance rises, thus decreasing the energy efficiency of the heating element. This self-limiting temperature capability (TSL) is also a very important safety feature. It is also preferable to use a combination of yarns with different thermal characteristics in a core of the heating element. For example, one strip of the heating element may contain 3 insulated wires of electroconductive fibers / yarns, two of which are made of synthetic threads covered with metal, which have the function TCO, and the third cable made of carbon or metal fibers. The wires of the third cable do not have the TCO function and can resist temperatures, which exceed the TCO fusion limit of two other cables. In the case where the 3 wires have the same electrical resistance, each of them will provide 1/3 of the electrical energy and heat radiated by the heating element. When the temperature of the heating element reaches the TCO limit, two wires will melt and open the circuit, reducing the total power / current generation by 2/3. In this way, the heat generated by the system will be significantly reduced minimizing overheating and fire hazards. It is also possible to use wires / fibers with different thermal characteristics in the same individually insulated wires. For example, a cable may contain synthetic fibers covered with metal, having TCO capacities, and metal or carbon fibers which have very high decomposition temperatures. Figure 10B shows an alternative arrangement of the core (101) of the element of heating, which uses empty spaces between its sections. The ability to provide a very wide flexibility of the design of the heating element and the possibility of providing numerous safety features, such as the thermostat placed on the surface of the heating element at a point of heat concentration, the yarns / fibers or Thermal sensors wires, TCO yarns / fibers, and the TSL feature, makes this invention novel and its technology superior to those of the prior art. Some of the features such as TCO and TSL are available only in heating elements of the prior art, highly specialized, limited and expensive, and are based on expensive manufacturing technologies, which are different from those described in the present invention. It is preferable to use a heat reflection layer on one side of the core of the insulated heating element, if this is dictated by the design of the heating element; such a heat reflecting layer may be an aluminum foil or a metallized polymer, electrically isolated from the components of the electroconductive heating element.

Figures HA, 11B and 11C show alternative examples of the construction of the core of the heating element. Figure HA shows a cross section of a woven strip where the individually insulated conductive wires / strands / wires (102) are delivered with non-conducting wires. It is important to use non-conductive yarns having a low thermal shrinkage, such as fiberglass, in order to prevent deformation of the core of the heating element during the heating operation. This design allows a wide range of core widths of the heating element, from narrow strips to wide sheets. Figure 11B shows a cross-section of a core of the heating element, where the individually insulated wires / fibers or metallic wires (102) are laminated between two strips or sheets of woven or non-woven fabric (112). This design also allows a wide range of heating elements at low cost, from narrow strips to wide sheets. Optional reinforcement yarns / fibers (113) can be added when required by the design. It is also possible to laminate the thin conductor cables (102), only on one strip / sheet of substrate material (112), consisting of fabric, polymer, sheet or other suitable substrate, woven or non-woven. Figure 11C shows a cross-section of an extruded multiconductor cable consisting of non-conductive polymer extruded around electroconductive wires / fibers or metal wires (114). The optional reinforcing threads / fibers (115) can be added to provide the required strength of the heating element. Figures 12A and 12B show details of the placement of the thermostat (105) at the site of the heat concentration. The heat concentration occurs in the folds and where the heating wires / fibers or wires are placed closer together in one section of a heating element than in other sections. Figure 3B shows the positioning of the thermostat on top of the folding produced by a change in the direction of the strip of the heating element it is also possible to the thermostat by the conductive strip instead of placing it on top of the folded surface of said strip. Such preferable placements of the thermostat increase its response to the heat rise, which allows control of the heating system on / off cycle. After the placement of the thermostat at the site of the heat concentration, it is preferable to thermally insulate the site of this assembly in order to avoid heat dissipation from the thermostat. Alternatively to a thermostat, another form of temperature sensing device, such as a thermocouple, connected to the temperature controller may be used. Undesirable and uncontrolled multiple folding of the heating element can occur in several soft and flexible heating units, such as heating blankets and mattress pads. The positioning of the thermostat, having a set temperature limit, on the multiple portion of the heating element simulates conditions similar to those having abnormal high temperature in any part of the unit not controlled by the temperature sensing device. Such a construction significantly reduces the amount of thermostats and assembly costs in folding heating devices that have surface area radiant heat, great. It is also desirable to use other temperature sensing devices, instead of thermostats, such as thermocouples, to provide controlled cycling of the operation of the heating element in the described embodiments of this invention. Figure 13A shows the isometric view of a core of the woven sleeve / tube heating element where the individually insulated conductive wires / fibers or metal wires (102) are interwoven with non-conducting wires (111). The optional reinforcement yarns (113) are added when required by the design. Figure 13B shows an isometric view of an extruded multiconductor sleeve / tube heater, consisting of insulation (115) of non-conductive polymer, extruded around uninsulated heating wires / fibers or metal wires (114). Optional reinforcement fibers / threads (113) are added when required by the design. In addition to the preferred embodiments shown in Figures 13A and 13B, a possible embodiment of a sleeve / tube heater may have a construction consisting of the strands / fibers or individually insulated conductive metallic wires, which are laminated between two layers of woven or nonwoven fabric or polymer. Optional reinforcement threads / fibers can be added when required by the design. It is important to note that individual individually insulated conductive wires / fibers or wires can also be laminated only on a layer of substrate material consisting of fabric, polymer, sheet or other suitable substrate, woven or non-woven. The proposed soft heating elements can be used in a variety of commercial and industrial heater applications, using direct current or alternating current. The main advantage of these heating elements is the high reliability, which is provided by hermetically sealed, soft and durable electrically conductive wires. The proposed soft heating elements can be used in a variety of commercial and industrial heater applications, using direct current or alternating current. The main advantage of the heating elements is the high reliability, which is provided by electrically conductive, soft and durable wires, hermetically sealed. The manufacturing process of the isolated heating elements can be completely automated, it uses commercially available non-toxic, non-volatile and cheap products. Some designs of the insulated heating core can be manufactured in rolls or reels with the subsequent trimming to the desired sizes and the subsequent coupling of the electric power cords and the optional energy control devices. The softness and low temperature density of the conductive heating elements of the invention make possible their use in novel and unique applications. One such application is a heat / cool pad for therapeutic use. This pad combines a surface heating element, a heat / cool preservative gel, and a cooling circuit placed in or adjacent to the gel bag. This design makes possible an alternate application of heat and cold, with the same device. The variation of such a gel bag design can include a heat function only. The uses of such devices that contain gel, are very versatile and can include seat heater / baby carrier, car, heater / food cooler, comfort heating and cooling pads, and other devices. In addition, the use of electrically conductive metal-coated wires, carbon-coated inorganic wires, conductive ink-impregnated yarns, carbon / graphite yarns, non-conductive ceramic or polymer fibers in the heating element has the following additional advantages. : this makes it possible to manufacture smooth thin heating devices and uniform heating, without using conventional metal heating wires; - this provides high durability of domestic heating appliances, which can withstand acute folding, small perforations, punctures and compression, without diminishing electrical operational capabilities; it provides high resistance to tearing and wear due to: (a) the high resistance of the conductive wires and (b) the hermetic or tight around all electrically conductive media, with strong insulating materials; This provides the manufacture of the heating element resistant to corrosion and erosion due to: (a) the high chemical inertness of the carbon-coated inorganic threads and the ceramic threads, (b) the hermetic polymeric insulation of the heating element complete, including electrode connections and temperature control devices, for use in chemically aggressive industrial or marine environments; it offers variation versatility of the electrical conductivity of the core of the heating element due to: (a) the weaving, embroidery or braiding of the electrically conductive wires to the predetermined width and thickness of the strips, sleeves, sheets, ropes or thread of threads; (b) the weaving of the yarns at the predetermined density or type of fabric; (c) weaving, embroidering or braiding the conductive wires that have different electrical density in one unit; (d) weaving, embroidering or braiding the conductive yarns with non-conductive ceramic and / or polymer yarns or fibers; (e) making cuts in different ways to make vary the electrical resistance of the core of the heating element; it provides savings in electricity consumption due to: (a) the installation of the reflective layer of heat and (b) the possibility of placing the heating element with less cushioning and insulation closer to the human body or the heated object; this allows the manufacture of the heating element with electrical connection of strips, ropes, sheets, sleeves / tubes or electrically conductive strands, in parallel or in series; it overcomes the problem of overheated zones due to (a) the high surface area of heat radiation from the core of the heating element, (b) the uniform distribution of heat through the reflecting layer of heat, the reduction of the possibility of burns to the skin or destruction of insulating layers; it provides extremely low thermal expansion of the heating element, due to the nature of the electrically conductive wires, the polymer or non-conductor yarns / fibers. This feature is extremely important for applications in construction (Example: concrete) or for the isolation of multiple layers with different thermal expansion properties; it offers the high degree of flexibility and / or softness of domestic heating appliances, depending on the type and thickness of the insulation; and this provides the technological simplicity of manufacturing and assembling said heating element. In addition, a combination of the electrically conductive wires and the PTC material allows: (a) to provide self-limiting temperature properties to mild heating appliances, eliminating the need for thermostats; (b) increases the need among the collective bar electrodes, decreasing the risk of short circuit between the electrodes of the collective bar; (c) provides greater area of heat radiation, resulting in higher heat efficiency; (d) it provides a barrier for the penetration of the liquids to the parallel busbar conductors in the case of puncturing the core of the insulated heating element. In addition, the proposed heating elements can be used in, but not limited to a: (a) blankets, pads, mattresses, blankets and electrically heated mats; (b) walls, office dividers, window blinds, fan blades, furniture, electric heaters for ceiling and floor; (c) heaters for vehicle seats, scooters, motorcycles, boats and airplanes, (d) safety clothing, clothing, boots, gloves, hats and electrically heated diving suits; (e) delivery of food (eg pizzas) and sleeping bags; (f) de-icing systems for refrigerators, roads, roofs and wings / aircraft / helicopter blades; (g) electric heaters for pipe lines, drums and tanks, (h) electric oven lighters, etc. In addition to the application in heating, the same core of the textile heating element, conductor, can be used for antistatic protection. The aforementioned description comprises different modalities which should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as the provision of illustrations of some of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention. The additional modalities contemplated include; (a) the core of the heating element can include wires made of ceramic fibers, such as alumina, silica, boria, boron nitride, zirconia, chromia, magnesia, calcium, silicon carbide or combinations thereof; (b) the core of the heating element may comprise electrically conductive carbon / graphite or metal coated ceramic fibers, such as alumina, silica, boria, zirconia, chromia, magnesia, calcium, silicon carbide or combinations thereof; (c) the metallic coating can be applied on carbon / graphite threads; (d) the strips can be soaked in a diluted solution of adhesives and dried, to facilitate the cutting of holes during the manufacture of the core of the heating element, and the increase of its electrical properties; (e) the assembly of the heating element may comprise the strips, cords, sleeves / tubes, sheets or electrically conductive wires, which have different electrical resistance; (f) the core of the heating element can be formed in various patterns such as the coil or other desired patterns, including ordinary straight, spiral or "U-shaped"; (g) The electric power cord can be directly coupled to the conductive core of the heating element without the use of electrodes, "it is possible to use adhesive electrically conductive, conductive paint, conductive polymer, etc., to ensure good electrical connection; (h) the conductive core of the heating element may be electrically insulated by soft non-conductive fibers or polymers, by sewing, gluing, melting, spraying, etc., forming a smooth multi-layered assembly; (i) the conductive soft core of the heating element can be electrically isolated by rigid non-conducting materials such as ceramics, concrete, thick plastic, wood, etc; (j) the shape retention means can be applied on any part of the core of the heating element; (k). The core of the heating element can be first isolated by the non-conductive material and then placed in a desired pattern. While the above invention has been shown and described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A soft heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: at least one continuous electrically conductive textile strip of desired length, comprising textile yarns containing metal, as resistance heating means electrical, the strip is placed in a predetermined pattern to fit an area of the heater; at least one empty space between the portions of at least one of the heating strips; a conducting electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating means; an insulating means for isolating at least textile threads containing metal, with the non-conductive medium.

2. The soft heater according to claim 1, wherein the metal-containing textile yarns comprise polymeric, synthetic textile yarns, coated with metal.

3. The soft heater according to claim 1, wherein the textile yarns containing metal comprise inorganic textile yarns coated with metal.

4. The soft heater according to claim 1, wherein the textile yarns containing metal comprise textile, carbon, metal-coated, electrically conductive yarns.

5. The soft heater according to claim 1, wherein the textile yarns containing metal comprise textile yarns containing metallic fiber.

6. The soft heater according to claim 1, further including conditioned local zones, to provide redundant electrical circuits and control of the electrical resistance in said heating strips.

7. The soft heater according to claim 1, further including conditioned local zones, in the selected areas of the heater; local areas comprise a material of positive temperature coefficient, to provide self-limiting capacities of temperature to the heater.

8. The soft heater according to claim 6, wherein the conditioned local zones are the selected areas, comprising carbon-bearing, electrically conductive material.

9. The soft heater according to claim 6, wherein the redundant electrical circuits comprise electrically conductive textile yarns bridging the electrical circuits between the wires of the electric resistance heating means.

10. The soft heater according to claim 1, further including a shape retention means for connecting and maintaining the portions of the heating strip in the predetermined pattern.

11. The soft heater according to claim 1, which also includes a layer heat reflective, placed on at least one side of the soft heater, and electrically insulated from the electrically conductive textile heating strip, and the conductive electrode means.

12. A soft heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: a plurality of textile, electrically conductive, continuous heating strips of desired length, which comprise textile threads containing metal, as a means For electric resistance heating, the heating strips are placed in a pattern. predetermined to fit a heater area; at least one clearance between the portions of at least one of the heating strips; a conducting electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating means; an insulating means for isolating at least the textile threads containing metal, with non-conducting means.

13. The soft heater according to claim 12, further including local areas conditioned to provide redundant electrical circuits and control of the electrical resistance in selected areas of the heating strips.

14. The soft heater according to claim 12, further including conditioned local zones, in selected areas of the heating strips; the local zones comprise a material of positive temperature coefficient to provide self-limiting capacities of temperature to the heating means.

15. The soft heater according to claim 12, wherein the metal-containing textile yarns comprise polymeric, synthetic textile yarns, coated with metal.

16. The soft heater according to claim 12, wherein the metal-containing textile yarns comprise non-metallic, inorganic textile yarns, coated with metal.

17. The soft heater according to claim 12, wherein the metal containing textile yarns comprise carbon textile yarns coated with metal.

18. A soft heater having a durable construction for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heater; a soft heating means, of electrical resistance, comprising textile, non-metallic, metal-coated threads, electrically connected to the conductive electrode means; an insulating means for isolating at least the non-metallic textile threads, coated with metal, with a non-conductive medium.

19. The soft heater according to claim 18, further including conditioned local zones for providing redundant circuits and controlling the electrical resistance in the selected areas of the heating means.

20. The soft heater according to claim 18, which further includes conditioned local zones, in selected areas of the heating means, the local zones comprise a material of positive temperature coefficient to provide self-limiting capabilities of temperature to the heater.

21. The soft heater according to claim 18, further including: at least two conductive electrode means for introducing electric current to the heater, the electrode means is positioned at the edges of the heating means, at least one selected area of the heater comprising the positive temperature coefficient material, at least a portion of the electroconductive fabric material, longitudinally positioned between at least two of the conductive electrode means, provided that each portion of the material of positive temperature coefficient makes contact directly with no more than one conductive electrode means.

22. The soft heater according to claim 21, wherein the coefficient material of positive temperature is connected to the conductive electrode means by incrustation of the electrode means in the material of positive temperature coefficient.

23. The soft heater according to claim 18, wherein the conductive electrode means are thin, metal coated textile yarns incorporated in a matrix of the heating means.

24. The soft heater according to claim 18, further including a heat reflecting layer, placed on at least one side of the heater, and electrically insulated from the heating means of the conductive electrode means.

25. A soft textile heater having a durable construction for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heater; a heating medium of mild electrical resistance, comprising individual textile yarns impregnated with electrical ink conductive, the textile yarns are electrically connected to the conductive electrode means; an insulating means for isolating at least the textile yarns with the non-conductive medium.

26. A soft heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heater; a soft core of the heating element, comprising inorganic, non-metallic textile threads, coated with carbon, as electric resistance heating means, the textile threads are electrically connected to the conductive means; an insulating means for isolating at least one of the inorganic non-metallic wires, coated with carbon, with non-conducting means.

27. The soft heater according to claim 26, further including conditioned local zones, for the provision of redundant circuits and control of the electrical resistance in the selected areas of the core of the heating element.

28. The soft heater according to claim 26, which further includes conditioned local zones, in selected areas of the core of the heating element; the local zones comprise a material of positive temperature coefficient to provide self-limiting capacities of temperature to the heater.

29. The soft heater according to claim 26, further including: at least two busbar conductors, running through a heater length; at least one selected area of the heater comprising the material of positive temperature coefficient, at least a portion of the electroconductive textile material, placed longitudinally between at least two of the collective bar conductors, with the proviso that each of the portions of the Material of positive temperature coefficient is directly connected to no more than one of the busbar 'collective.

30. The soft heater according to claim 28, wherein the coefficient material of positive temperature is connected to the collective bar conductors by means of the incrustation of the collective bar conductor in the material of positive temperature coefficient.

31. The soft heater according to claim 26, wherein the conductive means are thin, metal-coated wires incorporated within the core matrix of the heating element to form the collective bar electrode assembly.

32. The soft heater according to claim 26, further including a heat reflecting layer, placed on at least one side of the heater, and electrically isolated from the heating element and the conductive means.

33. A soft textile heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: an electrically conductive textile sleeve or sleeve of continuous cross section, comprising textile yarns containing carbon, as electric resistance heating means; a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating means; an insulating means for isolating at least one of the textile yarns containing carbon, with non-conducting means.

34. The soft heater according to claim 33, wherein the carbon containing textile yarns comprise yarns impregnated with electrically conductive ink.

35. The soft heater according to claim 33, further including conditioned local zones for the provision of redundant electrical circuits and control of the electrical resistance in the selected areas of the heating means.

36. The soft heater according to claim 33, wherein the conditioned local zones comprise a material of positive temperature coefficient, to provide self-limiting capabilities of temperature to the soft heater.

37. The soft heater according to claim 33, which includes: at least two conductive electrode means for introducing current to the heating means, the electrode means running through the entire length of the heater, at least one local area conditioned in the soft heater comprising material of coefficient of positive temperature, at least a portion of the electroconductive textile sleeve, positioned longitudinally between at least two of the electrode means, provided that a portion of the material of positive temperature coefficient directly contacts no more than one of the means of electrode.

38. The soft heater according to claim 37, wherein the positive temperature coefficient material is connected to the conductive electrode means by incrustation of the electrode means in the positive temperature coefficient matexial.

39. The soft heater according to claim 18, wherein the heating means Soft is a heating cable encapsulated by at least one layer of insulating media.

40. The soft heater according to claim 39, wherein the heating means is a rope.

41. The soft heater according to claim 39, wherein the heating means is a strand of yarn.

42. A soft heater having a durable construction for the incorporation of a plurality of articles, the heater comprises electrically conductive textile yarns with electric resistance heating means, the textile yarns are electrically connected in parallel and placed between two outer conductive electrode means and at least one interior, to introduce the current to the heating means, the electrode means are electrically connected in such a way as to make possible electrical operating modes comprising: the energization of the heater through the outer electrode means starting from of the energy guides with different electrical potential, the energization of the heater is in such a way that the adjacent energized electrode means, including the inner electrode means, have different electrical potential.

43. A soft textile heater having a durable construction, for the incorporation of a plurality of articles, the heater comprises: the electrically conductive textile sleeve of continuous cross section, comprising inorganic textile yarns coated with carbon, conductive, as resistance heating means electric; a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating means; an insulating means for isolating at least the textile threads containing conductive carbon, with non-conducting means.

44. A means for controlling superheating located in a soft heater, comprising an electrically conductive textile strip as electric resistance heating means and comprising at least one thermostat placed on the textile heating strip, at least one flexible thermal conductor coupled to the thermostat placed on a portion of the heater beyond that covered by the body of the thermostat.

45. A soft heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises electrically conductive textile yarns, as electric resistance heating means embroidered in a desired pattern on a flexible non-conductive substrate; and a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating means.

46. The soft heater according to claim 45, wherein the conductive textile yarns comprise non-metallic textile yarns, containing carbon.

47. The soft heater according to claim 45, wherein the textile yarns conductors comprise non-metallic textile threads, coated with metal.

48. The soft heater according to claim 45, wherein the conductive textile yarns comprise textile yarns containing metallic fiber.

49. A flexible heater having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heater comprises at least one section of conductive electrical textile material, as electrical resistance heating means, longitudinally disposed between at least two conductive electrode means, parallel, for the introduction of current to the heating means, with the proviso that at least one of the two electrode means is electrically connected to a material of positive temperature coefficient directly connected to at least two parallel electrode means.

50. The soft heater according to claim 1, further including a heat-conserving gel, hermetically sealed inside a bag by non-conducting means and placed on at least one side of the insulated heating means.

51. The soft heater according to claim 50, further including a cooling circuit to provide alternating cycles of heating and cooling.

52. The soft and flexible heating element according to claim 1, further including the electrical resistance sensor positioned across the entire length of the strip, to provide overheat control capabilities to the heater.

53. A soft and flexible heating element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: at least one continuous, soft and flexible electrically conductive textile strip, comprising metallic wires as heating means of electrical resistance, the strip is cut to a desired length and placed in a predetermined pattern to fit the heated area, under the condition of that the soft heating element comprises at least one free space between the portions of at least one of the strips; a conducting electrode means for introducing an electric current to the strip; an insulating means for isolating at least the heating means with non-conducting means.

54. A flexible soft element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: at least one continuous, soft and flexible textile strip, comprising electrically conductive textile yarns, as electric resistance heating means , the strip is • cut to a desired length and placed in a predetermined pattern to fit the heated area, provided that the soft heating element comprises at least one free space between the portions of at least one of the strips; at least one thermostat, coupled to the surface of the strip in the increased heating area; a conducting electrode means for introducing an electric current to the strip; an insulating means for isolating at least the electrically conductive wires with non-conducting means.

55. The soft and flexible heating element according to claim 54, wherein the improved heating area comprises folded portions of the strip.

56. A soft and flexible heating element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: a conducting electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating element; a soft core of the heating element, comprising non-metallic inorganic textile threads, coated with carbon, as electrical resistance heating means, the threads are electrically connected to the conductive electrode means; at least one thermostat, coupled to the core surface of the heating element in the improved heating area; an insulating means for isolating at least one of the inorganic non-metallic textile yarns, coated with carbon, with non-conducting means.

57. A soft heating element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the heating element; an electrical resistance heating means, comprising textile yarns impregnated with conductive ink, the wires are electrically connected to the conductive-electrode means; an insulating means for isolating at least the textile yarns with non-conductive means.

58. A soft and flexible heating element having a durable construction for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: an electrically conductive sleeve of continuous cross section, comprising textile threads containing metal, as electric resistance heating means; a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the conductive sleeve; an insulating means for isolating at least one of the textile yarns containing metal, with non-conducting means.

59. The soft and flexible heating element according to claim 58, wherein the textile yarns containing metal comprise textile yarns coated with metal.

60. The soft and flexible heating element according to claim 58, wherein the textile yarns containing metal comprise metallic fibers.

61. The soft and flexible heating element according to claim 58, further including at least one temperature sensing means longitudinally positioned in the sleeve.

62. A soft and flexible multi-conductor heating cable having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating cable comprises: metal-coated non-metallic fibers, electroconductive, incorporated in continuous textile yarns as electric resistance heating means , the wires are encapsulated by insulation means and separated from one another by the insulation means, the wire is cut to the desired length and electrically terminated by electrode connectors.

63. A soft and flexible multi-conductor heating cable having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating cable comprises: electro-conducting metal fibers, incorporated in continuous textile yarns as electrical resistance means, the yarns are encapsulated by means of insulation and separated from each other by means of insulation, the cable is cut to the desired length and electrically terminated by electrode connectors.

64. A soft and flexible multi-conductor heating element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: at least one continuous strip, comprising electrically conductive, individually insulated, multiple wires, as heating means of electrical resistance, the cables are placed longitudinally on the strip, separated one from the other by non-conducting means and connected to the non-conducting means; an area of heat concentration comprising at least one folding along the length of the strip; at least one temperature sensor device coupled to the surface of the strip in the area of the heat concentration; a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the strip.

65. A soft multi-conductor heating element according to claim 64, wherein the temperature sensing device comprises a thermostat.

66. The soft multi-conductor heating element according to claim 64, wherein the electrically conductive, individually insulated, multiple wires are electrically connected in parallel.

67. A soft and flexible multi-conductor heating element having a durable construction, for incorporation into a plurality of articles, the heating element comprises: at least one continuous strip, comprising electrically conductive, individually insulated, multiple wires, as heating means of electrical resistance, the cables are connected longitudinally on the strip, separated one from the other by non-conducting means and connected to the non-conducting means; at least one temperature sensor means positioned longitudinally through the entire length of the strip; a conductive electrode means for introducing an electric current to the strip.

68. The soft multi-conductor heating element according to claim 67, wherein the temperature sensing means and the electrically conductive wires are electrically connected in parallel.