Abstract: A controlled DC power supply for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed for reducing heat dissipation and power loss. The refrigeration appliance has AC-powered components, such as compressors and fans, and DC-powered components, such as relays and solenoids. The relays operate to supply AC power from an AC input to the AC-powered components. The relays are selectively activated or deactivated by the controller through enable signals in response to factors such as time and/or temperature. The power supply has an AC-to-DC power conversion circuit for converting AC power at an AC input to one or more DC power outputs for powering DC-powered components. When a group of DC-powered components powered by the same DC power output, such as a group of relays, do not require DC power, the controller selectively disables or reduces a portion of the AC-to-DC power conversion circuit to reduce power consumption and heat dissipation therein.

Abstract: An electrical system is provided which includes multiple electrical loads which are powered by an AC voltage source. A synchronization circuit generates a synchronization signal which is representative of the half-cycle of the AC voltage source. A load circuit includes multiple AC line-voltage switching devices and the multiple electrical loads. Each AC line-voltage switching device controls the application of power from the AC voltage source to a respective one of the electrical loads. An input circuit senses the multiple AC line-voltage switching devices and generates a single output signal which is representative of the states of the multiple AC line-voltage switching devices. A processing circuit determines the states of the multiple AC line-voltage switching devices based upon the synchronization signal and the single output signal.

Abstract: A processing system including a processor and a peripheral wherein a configuration input of an address decoder or a device address input of a peripheral device which is not needed to set the peripheral's device address is used to increase the input capability of the processor. A data input signal is coupled to the configuration input or to the device address input such that the peripheral has a plurality of possible device addresses dependent on the state of the data input signal. The processor is configured to attempt communication with the peripheral by checking the plurality of possible device addresses of the peripheral until the peripheral gives a response to the processor. The device address to which the peripheral responds represents the state of the data input signal.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a time base signal from a power line signal produced by an alternating current (AC) power source. The circuit sets the output of a latch to a first state when a positive peak of the power line signal is detected, and sets the output of the latch to a second state when a negative peak is detected. Peaks are detected based upon comparisons between the power line signal and a reference voltage. A reference circuit derives the reference voltage from the power line signal using an AC-to-DC converter to generate a peak voltage signal from the power line signal and a reference generator to generate a reference voltage based upon the peak voltage signal. Positive and negative peaks are detected using positive and negative peak detectors.

Abstract: An electrical timer is provided having an electrical motor connected to a first geneva drive gear via a gear train. The geneva drive gear engages a geneva wheel and is coupled to a cam via a clutch joining the geneva wheel and the cam. The clutch may provide a plurality of indexable operating positions wherein each operating position is angularly displaced from adjacent operating positions by a distance equal to the angular distance between adjacent cusps.

Abstract: A controller for controlling equipment in response to control signals received by the controller. The controller includes control line inputs, a switching arrangement, control outputs and binary switching devices. The switching arrangement is configured to selectively couple each control line input to either zero, one or more than one control output. The binary switching devices may be configured as relays to control the application of an electrical signal, such as a power line input, to electrical devices. A single control signal may control the application of multiple phases of power to one electrical device or control the application of power to several electrical devices. The binary switching devices may also be configured as solenoids coupled to mechanical devices such as valves.

Abstract: An electronic refrigeration and defrost control unit includes a compressor relay, a defrost relay, and a fan relay. The compressor relay includes two hot terminals and one neutral terminal, the defrost relay includes three hot terminals and one neutral terminal, and the fan relay includes three hot terminals and one neutral terminal. The terminals are preferably quick connect terminals which eliminate the need for splicing neutral wires together. The electronic refrigeration and defrost control unit preferably includes a processor control circuit for driving an LED display and driving the defrost relay, fan relay and compressor relay. The control circuit is coupled to a power input which includes a super capacitor for storing power in the event of a brown-out or power shortage condition.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to facilitate mounting a first device to a second device where the first device has a plurality of first apertures and the second device has a plurality of second apertures. The apparatus includes a base member and a plurality of post members affixed to the base member at a plurality of attachment loci. Each post member is substantially in register with a first aperture and with a second aperture when the first device, the second device, and the apparatus are in a mounting orientation. Each post member includes a tab member and a mounting aperture which traverses the post member. For each post member and for each first aperture, the tab member is configured to flex from an initial position to pass through the first aperture when the post member is urged into the first aperture. The tab member returns to the initial position when the post member passes a predetermined distance into the first aperture to captively retain the first device intermediate the tab member and the base member.

Abstract: An improved system for selectively effecting electrical connection intermediate a plurality of electrical leads at a plurality of loci in a housing. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion configured to engage in a predetermined orientation during assembly of the housing. The system includes an electrical bridging member located in one housing portion. The bridging member has a plurality of bias units, each of which is situated substantially at a respective locus of the plurality of loci. The system further includes a bearing member which is located in the other housing portion and includes a plurality of urging units; there is a respective urging unit substantially in register with each respective locus when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are in the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A switch integrally formed with a printed circuit board includes pairs of conductors printed on the board, a switch lever and a conductive sphere. The sphere is located in a hole in the lever and is held down against the conductors by a leaf spring which is riveted to the lever. The lever pivots relative to the board about a stud staked to the board. Each pair of conductors terminate at a depression within which the sphere rests to close the circuit between the pair of conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus interrupts a circuit at a predetermined time. The circuit includes a load and a source of time-varying current. The apparatus includes a relay circuit including a latching relay switch, a first relay coil and a second relay coil, the relay switch switching to engage a first current path when energy is applied to the first relay coil, the relay switch switching to engage a second current path when energy is applied to the second relay coil. The apparatus further includes a switch coupled with the relay means for selectively completing the circuit through one current path of the first current path and the second current path. The apparatus further includes a power supply responsive to the time-varying current for generating a reference voltage, and a timer for measuring a time factor in response to the reference voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus controls an appliance, the appliance including a compressor, a fan, and a heater. The apparatus includes a first switch for selectively coupling a first terminal with one of a second terminal and a third terminal in response to a first control signal. The first terminal is coupled with an energy source and the third terminal is coupled with the compressor. The apparatus further includes a second switch for selectively coupling the second terminal with the heater and the third terminal with the fan in response to a second control signal. The apparatus still further includes a control circuit coupled with the first switch and the second switch for generating the first control signal and the second control signal. A relay drive circuit couples relay coils in series to control the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch. A bypass switch allows a single current to selectively energize one or both relay coils.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating wave solder treatment and other handling of a circuit component during manufacture of the circuit component having first areas configured for wave solder treatment and second areas not configured for wave solder treatment. The apparatus comprises a substantially rigid frame generally symmetrical about a plane and defining an opening which traverses the frame intermediate a first side and a second side. The apparatus further comprises a masking member affixed to the frame and defining a plurality of apertures traversing the masking member to the opening in the frame. The apparatus also comprises a holding device for holding the circuit component in an operational location in fixed relation with the masking member and with the frame during wave solder treatment. Each of the first areas of the circuit component is substantially in register with an aperture of the masking member when the circuit component is in the operational location.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in manufacturing an array of parts, such as printed circuit boards arranged in a multi-board panel. The array includes a plurality of the parts joined by frangible connections at a plurality of connection sites, and comprises a receptacle having a profiled upper face configured to generally retain the array in the receptacle in a predetermined orientation with each respective part having a predetermined locus when the array is in the predetermined orientation. The receptacle includes a plurality of apertures traversing the receptacle which are substantially in register with the connection sites when the array is in the predetermined orientation. The apertures are configured to accommodate punching severance of the frangible connections and passing of punched material from the punching severance through the apertures.

Abstract: A water heating system for a commercial coffee brewer includes a control circuit having a dry bowl cut out circuit. The system includes a control circuit, tank, and heater. The dry bowl cut out circuit receives a differentiated temperature signal and generates a control signal when the differentiated signal is above a predetermined threshold. The control signal represents that the tank is empty. The heater is turned OFF in response to the control signal. Also, the control circuit includes an operating temperature circuit and high limit temperature circuit for controlling the heater. A switch in the heater is electromagnetically coupled to the control circuit.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for regulating air flow between a cooling unit and a compartment in a refrigeration system includes a first baffle element having an array of first air passages, and a second baffle element having an array of second air passages. The first baffle element and the second baffle element are slidingly engaged and are slidingly positionable with respect to each other. The first air passages and the second air passages cooperate to pass air through the apparatus when the first baffle element and the second baffle element are in a first position, and the first air passages and the second air passages cooperate to substantially block air from passing through the apparatus when the first baffle element and the second baffle element are in a second position. The apparatus further includes an actuator coupled with the first baffle element and the second baffle element for slidingly positioning the baffle elements, the actuator having an actuated state and an idle state.

Abstract: A defrost recycle apparatus and method for use with a temperature control system is provided. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer unit for removing heat from an enclosed space. The temperature control system automatically defrosts the heat transfer unit based upon a default defrost control strategy. After the termination of a defrost operation initiated according to the default defrost control strategy, the defrost recycle apparatus determines if the defrost operation was successful (completely defrosted the heat transfer unit) based upon two parameters associated with the defrost operation. In the preferred embodiment, the defrost recycle apparatus determines the success of the defrost operation based upon the temperature in the vicinity of the heat transfer unit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the termination of the defrost operation.

Abstract: A defrost system adapted for use with refrigeration or heat pump systems wherein an evaporator coil defrost cycle is adaptively modified in response to changing environmental conditions. Under normal conditions, a defrost operation is effected at the end of a period of frost accumulation. The period of frost accumulation is adjusted in accordance with deviation from a desired defrost time of the time required to raise the temperature of the coil from a first predetermined temperature to a second predetermined temperature. If a predetermined maximum defrost period is exceeded, the frost accumulation period is set to a predetermined value. During the frost accumulation period, the differential between the temperature of the coil and ambient temperature is determined, and the frost accumulation period terminated and a defrost operation initiated if temperature differential exceeds a target differential.

Abstract: A timer device has the ability to be programmed to skip specified time intervals where it is desired that the operative sequence initiated at predetermined times be avoided. The device has moveable timing elements which can be inserted at selected locations on a rotating timing dial to determine the start, termination and duration of an operative sequence. Additional moveable elements on an associated slip wheel can be inserted at selected locations to determine a time interval during which the operative sequence can be avoided.

Abstract: A defrost system adapted for use with refrigeration or heat pump systems wherein an evaporator coil defrost cycle is adaptively modified in response to changing environmental conditions. Under normal conditions, a defrost operation is effected at the end of a period of frost accumulation. The period of frost accumulation is adjusted in accordance with deviation of the time required to defrost a coil from a desired defrost time. During the frost accumulation period, the differential between the temperature of the coil and ambient temperature is determined, and the frost accumulation period terminated and a defrost operation initiated if temperature differential exceeds a target differential.