Abstract: A radar device (100) is described that includes at least one transceiver (105) configured to support frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW); radar device (100) and a digital controller (262). A temperature sensor system includes a plurality of temperature sensors (222, 232, 242) coupled to one or more circuits (220, 230, 240) in the at least one transceiver (105). The digital controller (262, 306) comprises or is operably coupled to an over-temperature emulation circuit (308) configured to emulate an over-temperature shutdown state by injecting an over-temperature force signal (290) into the temperature sensor system (270).

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermostat circuit is arranged for dual purpose operation to save pins in a small package. The circuit includes a temperature sensor circuit, a trip-point reference circuit, a switching circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a comparator circuit. The trip-point reference circuit provides a reference voltage that corresponds to a desired trip-point level. The temperature sensor circuit provides a sense voltage that corresponds to temperature. During a normal operating mode the sense voltage is coupled to the input of the amplifier circuit via the switching circuit, while during a test mode the reference voltage is coupled to an input of the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit buffers a voltage to one output pin. The comparator circuit compares the reference voltage to the sense voltage to provide a trip-point detection voltage for another output pin. An input pin is provided for selection of either a test mode or a non-test mode.

Abstract: A normally open thermal switch (200) having a bimetallic disk (18) is configured for operational testing in its installed position when exposed to a changing temperature by a test box (400) having a power source (400a). The in-place testing advantageously confirms triggering action of the switch by an event indicator (400c) at the operational temperatures designed into the switch (200). The temperature of the triggering action is presented on a temperature display (400b) and recorded by a data recorder (400d) of the test box (400). The switch (200) incorporates a heating element (24c) to heat changing the bimetallic disk (18) to snap activate at the operative temperatures. The thermal switch (200) is coupled with the test box (400) to confirm its operation without having to remove the switch from its installed location.

Abstract: A temperature sensing circuit for a ballast for a HID lamp multiplexes the temperature measurement function with another function to reduce the number of pins required for the temperature measurement function performed by the microcontroller of the ballast. The circuit includes a microcontroller having a first A/D input/output pin, a second A/D input/output pin and a multifunction pin, a temperature measurement circuit connected to the second A/D pin, a timing circuit connected to the first A/D pin, and a switch connected to the multifunction pin, temperature measurement circuit and timing circuit. The switch activates the temperature measurement function by connecting the temperature measurement circuit to the multifunction pin in a first position and deactivates the function by disconnecting the temperature measurement circuit from the multifunction pin in a second position.

Abstract: A system for wiring a heating element in an electrical appliance to a conventional thermostat switch in a new manner and a new thermostat for supporting the new wiring system. The new wiring system avoids switching the full heating element current for both hot power leads of a split-phase power system to reduce the amount of wiring needed to wire the thermostat switch to a heating element and a pilot lamp showing that current is being provided to the heating element.

Abstract: A monitoring device for an electrical machining tool, in particular for temperature monitoring with an accumulator-driven machine, includes a switch element (12) for separating an electrical consumer (14) from a current supply device (10). For detection of a first operating parameter (TMOTOR) of the consumer (14) and/or the current supply device (10), a first sensor (16) is provided, whereby the first sensor (16) is connected with a display unit and/or with the control input of the switch element, in order to control the switching process as a function of the first operating parameter (TMOTOR). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrical machining tool as well as a current supply device with the inventive monitoring device and a corresponding method of operation.

Abstract: Electronic device for monitoring the temperature of a medium ensures that the temperature has not reached pre-established index limit values. The device includes contacts for closing an electric charge flow circuit when the temperature reaches an index limit value, an electric charge storage component connected to the charge flow circuit when the contacts close, the charges remain stored as long as the temperature does not reach one of its index limit values, and is able to flow through the charge flow circuit when the circuit is closed by the contacts, the charge storage not returning to the charge state which they had before the charge flow circuit closed if the latter opens again, and a provision for reading enabling the charge state to be determined.

Abstract: A method for testing a heating system with at least one basic unit, which controls activating elements of individual heating circuits, with the basic unit being connected with setting units. To simplify the testing of such heating systems, the elements available in the heating system are arranged hierarchically in steps, with the steps being tested in a predetermined order, one after the other.

Abstract: A temperature-measuring device for a heating/air-conditioning installation, having sensors biased by at least one electrical power-supply source including at least one series branch exhibiting a first and a second terminal coupled to terminals of a power-supply source, the first branch featuring a first (D1) and a second (D2) diode head to tail, connected between the first (2) and the second (3) terminal of the series branch, and also a first (CT1) and a second (CT2) detector connected in series between the first (2) and the second (3) terminal of the series branch, the common point between the first (D1) and the second (D2) diode being connected to the common point between the first (CT1) and the second (CT2) detector, and where a changeover-switching device is included for reversing the direction of the bias so that the first (CT1) or the second (CT2) sensor is traversed by a current.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a auxiliary terminal for completing an auxiliary circuit. The movable contact engages and disengages the auxiliary contact to cycle a first element on and off in response to exceedingly large temperature swings a specified location, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a main circuit and cycle a different electrical element on and off in response to relatively modest changes in temperature changes at the same specified location.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled electronic thermostat system and method that detects the status of a thermostat output relay to determine if the relay has been set to a state as requested by the microprocessor and, if not, providing a boosted or increased voltage to the output relay in an attempt to correct the relay setting. Preferably, the system determines if the output relay is correctly turned off as requested by the microprocessor, and, if it is not, a first boosted voltage value is provided to the output relay in an attempt to turn the relay off. If this fails, a second higher boosted voltage value is provided to turn the output relay off. This continues periodically until an off condition is detected.

Abstract: A portable thermostat testing device for testing the trip temperature of a thermostat includes a testing block having a smooth, flat top surface, heat dissipating legs, a bore and a pair of grooves. A heater is positioned between the pair of grooves and a temperature probe is inserted in the bore. A fan is used to transfer heat to the testing block through convection. A thermostat to be tested is mounted on the top surface and the continuity of the thermostat's switch is monitored by a continuity checker. The testing block is heated by the heater and the temperature across the top surface is kept substantially uniform. The trip temperature is sensed by the temperature probe when the thermostat's switch opens. The testing device is mounted in a sturdy carrying case.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the state of a switch for use in an HVAC system. The apparatus and method are advantageously configured for use within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, in which the sensing of the state of safety switches external to a controller is desirable. A current sensor coupled in series between a current source, a safety switch, and a current load, detects the flow of current from the current source and through the switch and load. A status signal, indicative of the flow of current through the current sensor, is generated for sampling by a microprocessor. The presence or absence of current flow through the current sensor provides an indication as to whether the remotely-located switch is in an open or closed state.

Abstract: A thermal setting process of the bimetal strip consists in securing an adjusting pin to the trip bar by means of laser welding when the bimetal strip reaches a first preset temperature, and then checking tripping at a second temperature with or without action on a positioning screw of the bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a bimetal trip element. The object is to provide a method to adjust bimetal trip elements for electric switching devices, which produces a reliable result in a standard number of adjustment steps. Based on the measurement of the path that a tripping shaft travels until the latching is released and of the force required for this, a processor computes a value, which is used to set-up an adjusting screw. Subsequentially, when the bimetal strip is heated as a function of current, the time it takes the bimetal strip to travel until contact is made with the adjusting screws and also the total tripping time are determined. From these values, the processor computes a correction value to control a screwdriver which adjusts the adjusting screw. An auxiliary device contains a contact slide to incorporate the adjusting screws and the bimetal strips in a signal circuit, as well as a driving arrangement to move the contact slide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the protective circuit associated with a heat pump system wherein both the high pressure switch on the condensor side of the compressor and the low temperature switch on the evaporator side of the compressor are continuously monitored by a low voltage rectifier circuit that relays a signal to a second lock-in relay circuit which in turn initiates and maintains a signal light indicating which switch caused the heat pump system to turn down. Such a device is an inexpensive yet reliable method of diagnosing problems and dangerous conditions with minimum risk to the heat pump.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed and claimed in which a totally enclosed switch is operated by a bimetal snap disc. The housing is provided with a small opening through which a testing probe may be inserted to test the gaging of the assembled device. Such opening is closed by a thin adhesively applied closure element, the application of which cannot alter the operation of the thermostat. A method of testing is also disclosed in which the thermostat is essentially fully assembled and then thermally cycled while a probe extends through a small opening to monitor the position of the movable element of the switch to determine the position within the snap range of the disc at which the switch closes. After the testing, the opening through which the testing probe extends is closed to complete the assembly of the device.