Abstract: Apparatuses include a base, a linear beam of paper material connected to the base, and an adhesive surface connected to the base adjacent the linear beam. In its un-deformed state, the linear beam is straight and elongated. A coating (e.g., a flexible moisture barrier) covers only a second side along the length of the linear beam (and does not cover a first side). The adhesive surface is a contact self-adhesive. The linear beam develops a curvature toward the adhesive surface from exposure to an atmospheric excessive moisture level above a previously established moisture level. A sufficient amount of curvature causes the linear beam to contact the adhesive surface, and the linear beam remains permanently attached to the adhesive surface after contacting the adhesive surface, thereby indicating that at some point the previously established moisture level has been exceeded.

Abstract: A sensor module includes an enclosure adapted to hermetically seal an opening or a hole on the outer surface of a casing or packaging, a sensor element and a membrane. The membrane is arranged between the enclosure and the opening or hole of the casing or packaging.

Abstract: A secondary battery that can induce an internal short circuit in accordance with a stimulus, for example, excessive internal pressure or temperature, is provided. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a collecting plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and having a short circuit hole, a short circuit member including a short circuit plate installed in the short circuit hole, a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate and having an opening, and a cap assembly including a cap plate sealing the opening of the case. The short circuit plate faces the cap plate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices to protect electronics of a downhole device from overheating in high-temperature wells are provided. In one example, a method includes, while a downhole device is disposed in a wellbore, providing power to first electronics of the downhole device through a switch and providing power to switch control circuitry that controls the switch. The switch may be disposed on a first substrate and the switch control circuitry may be disposed on a second substrate.

Abstract: A pressure-thermostat (1) includes a body (2) having a cavity (5), a conduit (6) for a fluid and at least a couple of electric switches (8a, 8b) arranged from the opposite part with respect to said conduit (6). An elastic membrane (9) separates, in a fluid-tight manner, the conduit (6) relative to the cavity (5) and is deformable for bending towards this latter. The pressure-thermostat (1) includes a thermostat (12) having a first electric switch (13) activable owing to a thermal deformation of a disk with a diameter higher or equal to 15 mm, arranged in correspondence with the bottom. The thermostat (12) is movable under the action of the elastic membrane (9) away or approaching with respect to the conduit (6). The pressure-thermostat (1) also includes transmission means (34) interposed between the elastic membrane (9) and the thermostat (12) for displacing this latter under the action of the elastic membrane (9).

Abstract: A first mounting plate attachable to the wall has a hub on which a second enhanced mounting plate is rotated by a humidity sensing spring to decrease the setting registered by the mercury bulb switch when moist air is present and increase the setting when drier air is present.

Abstract: A combined pressure responsive electrical switch and temperature sensor device (10, 10′) is shown comprising a base member (12) mounting an electrical switch actuatable by a pressure responsive snap-acting disc (16) attached to a port fitting (22) having an elongated temperature sensing portion (22h, 22h′) extending from the fitting within a threaded bore of the fitting adapted to be inserted in the bore of a fluid pressure source nipple (2). A thermistor (24) is disposed at the distal end (22k, 22k′) of the temperature sensing portion and is electrically connected to terminals (14) of the base member.

Abstract: An integral resistance element combined with a snap-action thermal switch and coupled to an output thereof, the snap-action thermal switch being structured in a normally-open configuration. The resistance element and the snap-action thermal switch share one or more common terminals. The snap-action thermal switch is structured having a pair of terminals being mutually electrically isolated when the snap-action thermal switch structured in the normally open configuration, and the integral resistance element is electrically coupled to provide an output on the pair of electrically isolated terminals.

Abstract: A combined pressure responsive electrical switch and temperature sensor device (10, 10′) is shown comprising a base member (12) mounting an electrical switch actuatable by a pressure responsive snap-acting disc (16) attached to a port fitting (22) having an elongated temperature sensing portion (22h, 22h′) extending from the fitting within a threaded bore of the fitting adapted to be inserted in the bore of a fluid pressure source nipple (2). A thermistor (24) is disposed at the distal end (22k, 22k′) of the temperature sensing portion and is electrically connected to terminals (14) of the base member.

Abstract: A switch having closed and open positions moves from one position to the other in response to either an elevated temperature or an excessive pressure. A switch member of bimetal material or shape memory alloy operates in response to an elevated temperature, and a foil diaphragm that cooperates with a bumper operates the switch member in response to elevated pressure. The diaphragm may rupture to vent excessive pressure in the event pressure continues to rise despite operation of the switch member or due to failure of the switch member to operate.

Abstract: An HVAC control unit is formed of a molded, electrically insulative material. The HVAC control unit has a wall plate and a cover plate. The wall plate attaches to a standard electrical box and has an opening for wires, and a cover plate attaches to the wall plate forming a sensor compartment. A vertical separation wall divides the sensor compartment into two chambers, namely, a temperature sensitive chamber and an electrical component chamber. Electrical contacts extend through the separation wall. The cover plate includes lower and upper ventilation openings to allow unforced air flow from the outside room through the temperature sensitive chamber. The vertical separation wall restricts air flow between the two chambers, closing the temperature sensitive chamber to the electrical component chamber. A gasket seals an edge of the vertical separation wall to further restrict air flow between the chambers. The temperature sensor is placed in the lower third of the temperature sensitive chamber.

Abstract: A dual-functional fuse unit, which is responsive to an electric current and an ambient temperature, contains a current sensing fuse and a temperature sensing fuse element. The current sensing fuse is serially connected with and between lead terminals of the fuse unit directly or through an intermediate conductor member. The current sensing fuse or the intermediate conductor member is urged but kept from moving when the temperature sensing fuse element is in a solid state. When the fuse element melts at a specified ambient temperature the urged current sensing fuse or the intermediate conductor member is displaced by the urging force so that the lead terminals are electrically disconnected from each other. In other embodiment, an urged cutter member in the case is normally kept from moving but is driven to sever the element of the current temperature fuse when the temperature sensing fuse element melts at a specified ambient temperature.

Abstract: An electrical safety circuit for discontinuing the operating power to an electrical device when overheat conditions are present. The safety circuit includes a conductive element in thermal proximity to at least one of the circuit elements of the electrical device that is energized by the operating power. The conductive element is structured so as to quickly break in response to high temperatures. A switching circuit is included which responds to a break in the conductive element by discontinuing the operating power to the electrical device.

Abstract: A switch assembly of the type actuated by an external cam mechanism while immersed in a fluid such as transmission oil, the assembly includes an integral hollow probe with a thermistor for sensing the fluid temperature. The thermistor is assembled on an insert having an elongated support for insertion into the hollow probe. The insert also has electrical connector terminals to which the thermistor leads are connected to form a subassembly insertable in the switch housing and probe.

Abstract: A secure data storage system for a computer has a data storage system with a data interface to the computer mounted on a heat sink structure within a fireproof enclosure. A heat transfer system connected to the heat sink structure and to a wall of the fireproof enclosure transfers heat from the heat sink structure to outside the fireproof enclosure. A thermostat controller mounted outside the fireproof enclosure, upon detecting a temperature indicating of a fire, causes the heat transfer system to cease transferring heat from inside the fireproof enclosure to outside the fireproof enclosure and blocks passage of heat from outside the fireproof enclosure to inside the fireproof enclosure via the heat transfer system. Both passive and active heat transfer systems are disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, security for entered passwords is provided by diverting password keystrokes from a keyboard to a special controller, bypassing the keyboard controller.

Abstract: The temperature limiter comprises a ceramic box (3) communicating with at least one ceramic tube (1) which comprises a pellet (2) of alloy with determined Curie temperature, a magnet (6) fast with a plunger (7) comprising adjustment means (7a, 7b, 8) for recovering the functional clearances, said means cooperating inside the box (3) with an elastic blade (5) stressed so as to perform the role of a return spring to exert a force of pressure capable of controlling opening and closure of the contacts (4a, 5a).

Abstract: An electric switch is shown which is responsive separately to two different conditions, i.e. temperature and pressure. The switch includes a temperature sensing disc and a pressure sensing disc both coupled through several alternate motion transfer arrangements to the movable electrical contact of the switch. Several structures are shown for mounting a switch on a surface so that the pressure sensing disc is exposed to fluid pressure and the temperature sensing disc is thermally coupled to the surface.

Abstract: In a portable electrical adapter removably securable to an electrical wall receptacle for controlling electrical power, including; a housing adapted to house spaced first and second electrical conductors, said first electrical conductor presented at one end of said housing and including connecting structure for electrically conecting said first conductor to said electrical power of said wall receptacle, said second conductor presented at another end of said housing for supplying electrical power from said first conductor, and selectable condition sensing means presented by said housing electrically connected to said first and second conductor for sensing a selected condition in the vicinity of said condition sensing means and electrically connecting said first and second conductor so as to supply electrical power to said second conductor from the said wall receptacle when said variable condition sensing means senses said select condition, and to electrically disconnect said first conductor from said second co

Abstract: Actuator means of the pressure- and/or temperature-responsive type are disclosed for controlling valve means which supply pressure fluid (such as a combustible gas) to a load (such as a gas-fired boiler), characterized in that the actuator means are operable (1) when the boiler pressure exceeds a given limit, (2) when the boiler temperature exceeds a given limit, or (3) when the temperature a given region external of the boiler exceeds a given limit. The valve means is normally in an open condition, said actuator means being operable to close the valve means when at least one of the aforementioned limits is exceeded.

Abstract: A railway track switch is provided with an arrangement for preventing the accumulation on the track switch of snow such as could cause blockage of a moving part of the track switch or other malfunction. The arrangement includes a controllable track switch heating unit operative when activated for heating at least a part of the track switch, and a capacitive snow-detecting unit arranged in proximity to the track switch. The snow-detecting unit detects accumulated snow or ice, and the operation of the track switch heating unit is automatically controlled in dependence upon such detection.

Abstract: A multiple zone forced air type air conditioning system is disclosed in which the amount of atmospheric air admitted to the system is governed according to sensed temperature conditions of air being circulated through the warmest zone. An atmospheric air sensing control unit responds to atmospheric air temperature and moisture levels to minimize introduction of atmospheric air to the system, notwithstanding the temperature of air being circulated through the warmest zone, when atmospheric air temperature is within a predetermined temperature range but contains more than a predetermined amount of moisture, and when atmospheric air temperatures are higher than the temperature range.

Abstract: A control apparatus responding to enthalpy or "total" heat content, temperature and moisture content, of air wherein a moisture responsive element changes in length and is reset by a temperature responsive element to control a switch with means to limit the effect of the moisture responsive element above certain levels of moisture so the switch is controlled only by temperature.

Abstract: A humidity-biased temperature responsive switch for controlling an automobile air conditioning compressor which closes at a warmer ambient temperature when the humidity is low than when the humidity is greater. The switch includes a sensor element having a metal strip and a hygroscopic plastic strip laminated together so that the different thermal coefficients of expansion will cause the free end of a cantilever-mounted sensor to move a contact. Absorption of water from the ambient air causes the plastic to swell and elongate and resultantly moves the contact into a closed position at a lower temperature than when the humidity is low.

Abstract: A multiple zone forced air type air conditioning system is disclosed in which the amount of atmospheric air admitted to the system is governed according to sensed temperature conditions of air being circulated through the warmest zone. An atmospheric air sensing control unit responds to atmospheric air temperature and moisture levels to minimize introduction of atmospheric air to the system, notwithstanding the temperature of air being circulated through the warmest zone, when atmospheric air temperature is within a predetermined temperature range but contains more than a predetermined amount of moisture, and when atmospheric air temperatures are higher than the temperature range.