Abstract: The temperature sensitive apparatus controls fluid flow from one line to others and includes an elongated wire of a shaped memory wire that changes in length with changes in temperature extended into a valve housing for pivotally moving valve mechanism in the valve housing against the action of a spring from a fluid flow blocking position to a position permitting fluid flow upon heating the wire. The wire is connected to the valve mechanism and extends through a tube, both of which extend exterior of the valve housing with the major portion of the length of the wire being exterior thereof. The tube extends into a connecting member housing that is attached to the exterior of the valve housing and contains mechanism surrounding the tube to heat the wire. The tube is substantially thermally insulated from the interior of the valve housing. The heating mechanism may include a generator for an electric alternating field to induce a heating current in the wire, or an A.C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration unit of the type having a vessel for cooling water and a heat exchanger for the liquid to be cooled mounted in the vessel. Evaporator tubing is mounted on the inner wall of the vessel and a sensor mounted a predetermined distance from the tubing monitors the formation of an ice layer on the tubing. Control regulation which prevents both freezing and undesired heating of the cooling water is based on controlling the compressor providing first and second temperature ranges associated respectively with first and second sequentially generated time periods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toggle type snap switch having an operating arm and a switching arm with a toggle spring hingedly connected between these arms. In one embodiment of the invention the toggle spring is in the form of a plate with a window in one end thereof. The switching arm has separate, relatively moveable snap arm and switching arm sections and a hinge connection is provided between the toggle spring and the switching arm section. The window in the toggle spring has upper and lower edges alternately abuttingly engageable with the free end of the snap arm section for opposite snap positions of the operating arm. The window may have laterally extended slot sections to form a part of the hinge connection between the toggle spring and the switching arm section.

Abstract: The invention relates to refrigerator apparatus and particularly to the defrosting thereof. The thermostat is responsive to evaporator temperature and has first and second displacement ranges for respectively controlling the normal operation and the defrosting operation via first and second switches. A counter counts the cyclical operations of the first switch and at a predetermined count actuates an interrupter switch which is effective to block power to the compressor motor and direct power to the defroster heating apparatus. At a predetermined evaporator temperature the second switch is actuated which serves to reset the counter and this has the effect of ending the defrost cycle and returning the apparatus to normal operation under the control of the first switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure responsive electric switch assembly of a type used as evaporator thermostats for refrigerators. In this unit an actuating element for operating a switch is held in equilibrium by two springs acting in opposition to a bellows which is connected to a temperature sensor capsule containing a liquid-vapor filling. An abutment arrangement is provided for the springs so that, despite a constantly rising pressure in the bellows, the actuating element operated by the bellows has a zero or null displacement range which corresponds to a substantial intermediate pressure range to which the bellows is subjected by the temperature sensor. As there is no movement by the actuating element in this intermediate range, there is an avoidance of wear which would otherwise be caused by this movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure responsive electric switching device of the type in which a switch actuating element is oppositely loaded by pressure influenced operating element and an adjustable spring. The switch actuating element is mounted in a sheet metal carrier and the switch to be actuated is mounted in an insulated housing. The connection between the carrier and the housing involves the cutting of the carrier sidewalls in a manner to form lugs and the providing of grooves in the insulated housing for receiving the lugs. The carrier sidewalls also have cut-outs formed in a manner to economically provide knife-bearings for pivotally mounted elements of the switching device.