Radiant energy heating system for temperature control of living subjects

Claim 2

A radiant energy heating apparatus for controlling the temperature of living subject comprising: temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of a living subject; control means connected to said temperature sensing means, said control means having an input for connection to a source of alternating current power and an output from which said control means generates half-waves of said alternating current power when the temperature of said sensing means falls below a first temperature and full-waves of said alternating current power when the temperature falls below a second temperature, said second temperature being less then said first temperature, said control means having no output when the temperature of said sensing means is greater than said first temperature; and radiant energy heater means connected to said output of said control means for directing radiant heat to the living subject, said heater means being responsive to said half-waves and fullwaves of said alternating current power and to the absence of any power to generate half-power radiant energy, full-power radiant energy and no radiant energy, respectively.

Claim 3

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said radiant energy heater comprises: a plurality of pre-focussed incandescent lamps arranged to direct substantially all of the radiant energy issuing therefrom into a region occupied by the living subject; and a plurality of infrared filters juxtaposed said lamps and substantially transmitting only the infrared radiant energy issuing from said lamps.

Claim 4

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 2 further including an enclosure for said lamps, said enclosure having a panel with a plurality of openings over which said infrared filters are attached, the heat absorbed by said filters being conducted to said panel whereby the surface temperature of said filters is maintained at a level safe to the touch of an operator of the apparatus.

Claim 5

The radiant heating apparatus of claim 3 wherein said control means comprises: means for generating a direct current signal connected to said temperature sensing means said signal having a magnitude proportional to the temperature of said sensing means; amplifying means having a first and second input and an output, said first input being connected to said means for generating a direct current signal; an adjustable direct current reference potential connected to said second input of said amplifying means for setting said first and said second temperatures; first gate means having two inputs and an output, one input being connected to said amplifying means output and the other input being adapted to receive a signal of alternating polarity in synchronism with said alternating current power, said first gate means generating a control signal at said output only when the output of said amplifying means exceeds a first voltage and the alternating signal is of a first polarity; a second gate means having two inputs and an output, one input being connected to said amplifying means output and the other input being adapted to receive a signal of alternating polarity in synchronism with the alternating signal applied to said first gate means, said second gate means generating a control signal at said output only when the alternating signal applied to said first gate means is of a second polarity and said amplifying means output exceeds a second volTage, said first voltage being proportional to said first temperature and said second voltage being proportional to said second temperature; and switch means connected to said first and second gate means, said switch means connecting said half-waves of said alternating current power to said radiant energy heater when said first gate control signal is generated and said full-waves of said alternating current power when both said first and second gate control signals are generated, said switch means disconnecting said alternating current power from said radiant energy heater when both of said control signals are absent.

Claim 6

The radiant energy heater apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said control means further includes a temperature indicator connected to said amplifier means output for displaying the temperature of the living subject.

Claim 7

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 5 wherein said control means further comprises: a first adjustable reference potential; first comparing means connected to said amplifying means output and said first adjustable reference potential for comparing said amplifier means output voltage with said first reference potential, said first comparing means having an output at which is generated an output signal when said amplifying means output exceeds said first reference potential; a second adjustable reference potential; second comparing means connected to the said amplifying means output and said second adjustable reference potential for comparing said amplifier means output voltage with said second reference potential, said second comparing means having an output at which is generated an output signal when said amplifier means output voltage falls below said second reference potential, said second reference potential having a magnitude less than said first reference potential; driver means connected to each of said outputs of said first and second comparing means and having an output at which a driving potential is generated only when either of the output signals from said first and second comparing means is generated; and audio and visual alarm means connected to said driver means output, said alarm means being activated when said driving potential is generated thereby producing a warning indication when the temperature of said temperature sensing means falls outside a temperature interval determined by said first and second adjustable reference potentials.

Claim 8

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 6 wherein said means for generating a direct current signal proportional to the temperature of said temperature sensor includes a bridge circuit into which said temperature sensor is connected said bridge circuit having an output at which a voltage is generated proportional to the difference between the actual temperature of said sensor and the temperature of said sensor when said bridge is balanced, said bridge having means for adjusting the balance temperature.

Claim 9

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said switch means further includes: first and second amplifiers having inputs connected to the outputs of said first and second gates, respectively; first and second capacitors being connected in a series between the outputs of said first and second amplifiers, respectively; driver amplifier having its input connected to the junction between said first and second capacitors; a transformer having a primary and secondary winding, said primary winding connected to the output of said driver amplifier; and semiconductor switch means having a gate terminal and two circuit terminals, said gate terminal being connected to said transformer secondary winding, one of said circuit terminals being connected to said radiant energy heater means and the other of said circuit terminals being adapted to receive a source of alternating circuit power.

Claim 10

The radiant energy heating apparatus described in claim 8 wherein said audio and visual alarms include: a relaxation oscillator circuit connected to said driver means output; a speaker connected to said relaxation oscillator for converting the electrical oscillations thereof into an audible tone; a free running multivibrator circuit connected to said driver means output; and a lamp connected to said multivibrator circuit, said lamp flashing on and off in response to the electrical oscillations of said multivibrator.

Claim 11

A radiant energy heating apparatus for heating living subjects comprising: a control enclosure having a plurality of pre-focussed lamps with infrared filters and an electronic control unit for controlling the electrical power delivered to said lamps; an adjustable cantilever arm attached to said control enclosure; a supporting post into which said cantilever arm is adjustably inserted; a base cabinet attached to said supporting post; a platform having wheels thereon to which said base cabinet is attached; support members attached to said base cabinet; a basinet adjustably attached to said support members for holding a living subject the temperature of which is to be controlled; and a temperature sensor attached to said living subject and connected to said electronic control unit for controlling the electrical power delivered to said lamps whereby the infrared energy radiating therefrom heats said living subject.

Claim 12

A radiant energy heating apparatus for heating living subjects comprising: a control enclosure having a plurality of pre-focussed lamps with infrared filters and an electronic control unit for controlling the electrical power delivered to said lamps; an adjustable cantilever arm attached to said control enclosure; a supporting post into which said cantilever arm is adjustably inserted; a base cabinet attached to said supporting post; a platform having wheels thereon to which said base cabinet is attached; support members attached to said base cabinet; a basinet adjustably attached to said support members for holding a living subject the temperature of which is to be controlled; and a temperature sensor attached to said living subject and connected to said electronic control unit for controlling the electrical power delivered to said lamps whereby the infrared energy radiating therefrom heats said living subject.