The Company has developed an innovative new thermal chip which overcomes the reliability and performance problems associated with today's PTC technology as well as the cost and safety issues associated with conventional filament technology. The Company's thermal chip harnesses the power of existing PTC technology while adding its own proprietary technology to achieve a high performance heat-generating solution. The element is fully enclosed by a thermal insulating frame. The Company's PTC thermal chip provides the core capability to adjust the amount of heat emitted as environmental conditions change. Because of this capability, PTC based heating elements can achieve much greater cost effectiveness and higher safety than filament-based heating elements.
Cost effectiveness is achieved in three ways.
First, PTC technology combines the functions of a heating element, thermostat, and control unit in a single component, thereby eliminating the complex and expensive architecture associated with conventional filament-based heating elements and enabling precise temperature specifications. In contrast, filament-based heating elements have a small surface area wrapped in multiple ceramic layers. Large amounts of heat must be emitted from the filament to pass through each of the ceramic layers, causing substantial energy loss. In terms of safety features, PTC-based heating elements can be set at low temperatures and, consequently, they can be used in applications where fuel or another ignitable substance is present. This is in contrast with filament-based heating elements which are limited because of their high temperatures.