Abstract: A device for manually controlling a thermal relay associated with a contactor and housed, together with the contactor, in a case having stop and reset push-buttons, comprises levers mounted for rotation in a support fixed to the front of the box of the thermal relay. Each of the push-buttons engages a respective lever so that the latter is applied on a stop pusher or a reset pusher of the thermal relay. A combined stop and reset operation from the actuation of the stop push button alone is possible because the stop lever bears on the reset lever.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has two thin flat terminals embedded in an electrically insulating housing exposing respective broad flat sides of the terminals in spaced side-by-side relation to each other in a housing chamber. The circuit breaker has a thermostat metal member secured at one end to one exposed side of one terminal to mount the member extending along a chamber wall and has a contact at its opposite end to engage and disengage the other terminal to close and open a circuit in response to a selected current in the circuit. The contact comprises a material which erodes during repeated cycling of the circuit breaker. The thermostat metal member has a portion of reduced cross-sectional area adapted to burn out and separate the member into two sections to open the circuit if the contact welds or sticks to the other terminal. A stop on the housing intercepts movement of one of the member sections after burn out to avoid shorting of the circuit.

Abstract: A hermetic terminal assembly for a housing including a fuse-like area positioned in the outer pin segment of a terminal pin extending in sealed relation through the body member of the terminal assembly which body member can be sealed to a housing wall, the fuse-like area in the outer pin segment being covered with a thermally decomposable coating which in the event of decomposition includes an arc suppressant. A pin guard and lead wire end connection securing device is provided to protect the outer pin segment and to secure the lead wire end connection thereto.

Abstract: A hermetic terminal for carrying electric current into the housing of a hermetic compressor, including a metallic body member formed with three collar portions that define apertures through which respective fusible terminal pin assemblies extend. Each terminal pin assembly includes two electrically conducting pin segments interconnected by an electrically insulating sleeve member having opposite open ends into which respective ends of each pin segment are telescopingly received. The sleeve member and pin segments define a closed cavity in which a cylindrical fusible link is disposed. Opposite ends of the fusible link are received within respective counterbores in axial ends of the pin segments within the closed cavity, and are retained therein by a brazed joint. Each pin assembly is sealingly retained within a respective collar portion of the terminal body by a glass seal, which contacts the insulating sleeve and optionally surrounds one of the joints between the insulating sleeve and the pin segments.

Abstract: An hermetically sealed terminal construction having one or more terminal pin assemblies wherein inner and outer pin parts are interconnected by a fuse link surrounded by a protective capsule defining an expansion cavity, the capsule having a vent port closed by a blow-out plug, the terminal pin assemblies extending through and being hermetically sealed to sleeve forming parts of the supporting base, including a dielectric sealing member which covers the protective capsules, the blow-out plugs and contiguous portions of the adjoining pin parts, the blow-out plugs being adapted to be expelled from the protective capsules upon the build-up of pressure within the capsules caused by disintegration of the fuse links, thereby cutting off the flow of current through the terminal while maintaining the integrity of the hermetical seals by means of which the terminal pin assemblies are mounted to the terminal base.

Abstract: An hermetically sealed terminal construction having a terminal pin assembly wherein inner and outer pin parts are interconnected by a fuse link surrounded by a protective capsule defining an expansion cavity, the terminal pin assemblies extending through and being hermetically sealed to sleeves forming part of the supporting base, including a dielectric sealing member which covers the protective capsules and contiguous portions of the adjoining pin parts, the sealing member being adapted to fracture upon rupture of the protective capsules caused by disintegration of the fuse links, thereby causing the adjoining pin parts and contiguous areas of the sealing member to separate from the remainder of the terminal, thereby cutting off the flow of current through the terminal.

Abstract: A thermal protector including a thermal cutoff and a device having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, both mounted in a common housing and connected in series.

Abstract: The electric heating element in an apparatus for sterilely cutting and welding together a pair of thermoplastic tubes incorporates within the heating element a fusible signal means connected in parallel electrical circuit with the resistor of the heating element for indicating previous use of the heating element. The fusible signal means is capable when intact of providing a signal to a microprocessor controlling operation of the apparatus indicative of previous nonuse of the heating element and is automatically destructed upon energization of the heating element resistor during the first use of the heating element so as to be incapable of providing such nonuse signal upon a subsequent energization. If the nonuse signal is not generated, e.g., the heating element has been previously used, the microprocessor is programmed to reject the heating element, thereby eliminating risks resulting from reusing the heating element.

Abstract: A control system and control device for controlling a heating unit and method of making the control device are provided, the control device having a rod and tube temperature sensing unit for providing linear motion of a part thereof along a substantially straight linear path in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature sensing unit and having a potentiometer unit provided with an electrical output producing unit operatively interconnected to the part of the temperature sensing unit so as to produce a variable electrical signal in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature sensing unit, the electrical output unit being movable along an arcuate linear path by the part of the temperature sensing unit. The potentiometer unit has a member provided with an arcuate surface, the electrical output unit being disposed in sliding engagement with the arcuate surface whereby the arcuate surface defines the arcuate path of movement of the electrical output unit.

Abstract: A terminal construction comprises a body having one or more apertures therethrough, a pin element in each of the apertures and a seal element in each of the apertures hermetically sealing and electrically insulating between the adjacent pin element and the body. Each of the pin elements comprises first and second pin sections and a fusible section which interconnects the first and second pin sections in substantially aligned relation at a point in the extent of the pin element where it is not bonded to the adjacent seal element. The fusible sections are made of a material having a melting point which is well below the softening point of the material from which the seal elements are constructed.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and controlling the flow rate of a fluid which includes a fluid inlet, a chamber communicating therewith, an outlet operatively associated with the chamber and an electric resistance heating element within the chamber provided with appropriate controls so as to selectively and in a controlled manner heat the fluid passing therethrough. A control knob is associated with the device. Respective movements of the control knob control respectively the flow rate and the heating current to the heating element so that a single knob provides either heated or unheated fluid at an outlet. The electrical input to the heating element is controlled by a thermostat, which includes a bimetallic strip. A linkage may be moved by the control knob to, in effect, prevent the bimetallic strip from assuming its circuit-closing orientation even when the temperature of the fluid is low.

Abstract: An open fuse cutout has a built-in lightning arrester. The open fuse cutout includes a supporting insulator with a protective cap fixed to an upper end thereof and containing the lightning arrester disposed laterally or vertically. The lightning arrester element has a charging electrode confronting an upper electrode across a first spark gap and a grounding electrode confronting a grounding member across a second spark gap.

Abstract: A safety plug to an outlet box receptacle, which includes an overcurrent protection device, and engaging devices for engaging the safety plug adapter both to flanged portions of the outlet box face plate and to the electric cord so that it is difficult for a small child to remove the electric cord connecting plug from the adapter, or the adapter from the outlet box receptacle. The adapter may also include a voltage-actuated light-emitting device to indicate when the outlet box receptacle is energized, and a spring-loaded adapter receptacle cover plate.

Abstract: A gravity switch for automatic control of an operative cycle in an appliance, such as a toasting cycle in a toaster oven or the like, includes an imbalanced weight member interposed between a displaceable member that moves in accordance to operation of the cycle and mechanical component parts operative between an OFF position and an ON position. During ON cycle operation, the imbalanced weight member is directly supported against the pull of gravity by the displaceable member. When the cycle operation reaches completion, the displaceable member is sufficiently moved so as to cause the release of the imbalanced weight member which is then free to move under the influence of gravity. This gravitional action initiates an interaction among the mechanical component parts resulting in quick return to the OFF position causing the cycle operation to rapidly terminate.

Abstract: A control system for a heating unit that has controls for comparing a variable electrical signal that has a value in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and a selected electrical signal that has a value in relation to a selected temperature setting to control the operation of the heating unit to tend to produce an output temperature substantially equal to the selected temperature, the controls including a control device having a rod and tube temperature sensing unit for providing linear motion of a part thereof in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and having a potentiometer provided with an electrical output producing part operatively interconnected to the movable part of the rod and tube unit so as to produce the variable electrical signal in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit.

Abstract: A flexible vacuum cleaner hose having an electric lead integral therewith and extending from one end to the other of said hose, a control switch and an overload device carried by said hose and in circuit with said lead, and electric cords extending from the ends of said hose, also in circuit with the lead, providing an overload protected current carrying vacuum cleaner hose for energizing a vacuum cleaner power head.

Abstract: A power breaker apparatus comprises a permanent fuse and resistors connected in parallel to the permanent fuse through a connecting conductor and is connected between a power source and a load to break a current supply to the load when a fault current is passed. At least external surfaces of the parallel resistors near the connecting parts of the connecting conductor are coated by an insulating coat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device allowing a plurality of electrical devices to be operated from the same power source at one time. The device comprises a compact attractive unit housing a plurality of receptacles for receiving electrical plugs commonly used on automotive accessories. An electrically conductive, and rigid bar runs the length of the box and electrically connects the positive pole of each receptacle while mechanically locating the rear of each receptacle.An electrically conductive plate runs the length of the box, serving as both the ornamental facing of the box and electrically connecting the negative pole of each receptacle to the ground wire. The current entering the box runs through an automatically resetting circuit breaker, which operates to prevent damage to the system from an overload of current being drawn through the device.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique inverted L-shaped lever is provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster switch and a toaster timer. The lever is pivotally mounted at the intersection of its legs and a generally horizontal leg extends outwardly from the oven toaster to a position where it may be manually actuated. The other leg extends downwardly for moving the toaster timer to its on position. The generally horizontal leg of the lever includes a downwardly extending latch arm which is movable into engagement with a solenoid armature for holding the lever and the switch in a closed position during a toasting cycle. Thus, at the end of a toasting cycle, the toaster timer actuates the solenoid to release the latch arm and a spring bias of the switch moves the switch and the inverted L-shaped lever to an open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively disconnecting the electric service of individual customers from an electric power supply line by electrical signals transmitted from a central point remote from the customer's premises. A circuit interrupter, such as a circuit breaker or, preferably, a fuse, is connected in series with the circuit of each of the customers, and is operated by a coded signal, transmitted from the central point by radio waves or over telephone or power lines, which is received by apparatus at the customer's premises and thereupon actuates the interrupter. Preferably, the coded signal is transmitted to the customer's premises using the same apparatus used to remotely read the customer's utility service meter, such being an Automatic Remote Meter Reading (ARMR) system of a known type which would also be installed. Also, novel remotely operable fuses which are particularly suited for use as the circuit interrupter in the system are described.

Abstract: An electrical heater assembly comprising a heat generating element and a temperature regulating device supported by a heat conducting core of electrically insulating material is constructed to provide a thermal path for conducting heat from the heat generating means to the temperature regulating device with minimum thermal resistance, whereby temperature fluctuation is minimized. The temperature regulating device is substantially encircled by terminal means electrically coupling the temperature regulating device in circuit with the heat generating element. The temperature regulating means is disposed substantially entirely within a cavity in the core so that substantially all of the outer peripheral surface of the terminal means is in friction contact with the surface of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for microwave ovens and features a fail-safe door interlock switch system. Door interlock switch systems for microwave ovens are designed to stop or interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the magnetron tube upon the opening of the oven door to prevent the escape of microwave energy from the oven cavity through the open oven door. The interlock switch is normally in the power line and malfunctioning can occur in which the power line interlock switch does not open with the opening of the oven door either because of being welded closed or somehow stuck in a closed state. In this invention a fail-safe feature is provided for the interlock system. If a malfunction should cause the interlock power switch to remain closed upon the opening of the oven door, means are present which effectively break the power line to stop the flow of electrical energy to the magnetron tube.

Abstract: An arrangement of electrode for positive temperature coefficient semiconductor (PTCS) for use in heating and drying devices and the like, which PTCS is provided with a pair of electrode plates, each having a fork-like configuration with a plurality of branches or fingers in the form of strips extending forward from its base. The strips of both electrodes are disposed alternately on one of the opposing planes of the PTCS body. Each electrode has an extended portion serving as terminal which is bonded on the other plane of the PTCS body in such a manner that the terminal is not confronted, through the PTCS body, with any strips of opposite electrode.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle device having a main lamp socket and an auxiliary socket adapted to receive an auxiliary lamp operative only upon failure of a main lamp in a main lamp socket. The two sockets are arranged in aligned opposition in a common housing providing a heating chamber in spaced, parallel relation with respect to the screw base ferrules along one side thereof. A slightly curved, elongated bi-metallic switch element extends along and within the heating chamber, having one end affixed to the main lamp socket ferrule and the other end positioned for movement in and out of contact, selectively, with the auxiliary lamp socket in response to temperature conditions in the heating chamber effected by non-operation and operation, respectively of a main lamp in the main lamp socket.

Abstract: Printing apparatus which blows ink drops to the surface of the printing paper so that contours formed by the ink drops are letters, numerical figures and other symbols. A time delay is employed in charging the ink drops to be deposited, depending upon whether ink drops are to be successively or non-successively deposited upon the medium upon which printing takes place. By delaying the charging, compensation for the differences in deflection angle due to the pneumatic resistance and Coulomb force repulsion between successive and nonsuccessive dot deposition is effected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two terminal type thermostat having a switch controlled by a bimetal unit. An accelerator resistor assembly is in the circuit controlled by the switch with the accelerator resistor being in thermal proximity to the bimetal unit. The accelerator resistor assembly includes diode means in parallel with the accelerator resistor with at least two diodes connected in antiparallel relation to each other. In a more specific embodiment at least two diodes are in seris relative to each other.