US 12,452,962 B2
Robust versatile monolithic resistive system for tailored heating
Jonathon Robert Heinrich, Albuquerque, NM (US); Frans Hendrik Ebersohn, Palmdale, CA (US); and Randall James Sovereign, Santa Clarita, CA (US)
Assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/829,525.
Prior Publication US 2021/0307117 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. H05B 3/14 (2006.01); H05B 3/03 (2006.01)
CPC H05B 3/145 (2013.01) [H05B 3/03 (2013.01); H05B 2203/003 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heating element, comprising:
a monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure that is not a filament, wherein:
the monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure has a top side, a bottom side, and a thickness dimension;
the top side and the bottom side are concave in shape; and
the monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure has a bulk resistivity between 0.45 and 1.0 Ω·in. and a local resistance between 0.05 and 50Ω; and
a plurality of electrodes attached to the monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure, wherein application of an electric current between the plurality of electrodes causes current to flow in a plurality of discrete paths throughout the monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure and generates a heating profile of one or more focal points on the top side of the monolithic, reticulated vitreous carbon structure.