Abstract: A bilayer composite thin-film beam structure is described. The structure incorporates a bulk phase change material as small inclusions in one layer of a bimorph. The structure, also referred to as a “phase change composite bimorph” or “PCBM”, curls abruptly, and reversibly, at a phase transition temperature. Large curling and effective expansion coefficients are demonstrated. The PCBMs may be employed in various self-assembly mechanisms and actuators.

Abstract: A circuit breaker closing/opening actuating mechanism and a driving device thereof, the driving device includes: an expansion body (12), and a heater (13), wherein the expansion body (12) is coupled to the force transmitting mechanism (11), when the heater (13) is powered on, the expansive matter (4) inside the shell (2) expands to motivate the force transmitting mechanism (11), so as to realize opening or closing a circuit breaker. The present invention has the following benefits of utilizing the expansion force and displacement generated by matter phase transforming when temperature changes to expand, for the circuit breaker to close or open, so as to realize remote controlling and automatic controlling of an electric switch. The present invention has simple structure, and acts reliably.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for thermal safeguarding of an electric device comprising several monitored components and/or monitoring points. According to the invention, the system comprises at least one thermosensitive element and one actuator coordinated with this thermosensitive element, wherein the thermosensitive element is configured as a sleeve or tube, to which the monitored components or monitoring points are thermally coupled, such that it undergoes a change in length or volume above a threshold temperature, and is connected to the actuator such that the actuator triggers an action in dependence on the change in length or volume of the thermosensitive element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker closing/opening actuating mechanism and a driving device thereof, the driving device includes: an expansion body (12), and a heater (13), wherein the expansion body (12) is coupled to the force transmitting mechanism (11), when the heater (13) is powered on, the expansive matter (4) inside the shell (2) expands to motivate the force transmitting mechanism (11), so as to realize opening or closing a circuit breaker. The present invention has the following benefits of utilizing the expansion force and displacement generated by matter phase transforming when temperature changes to expand, for the circuit breaker to close or open, so as to realize remote controlling and automatic controlling of an electric switch. The present invention has simple structure, and acts reliably.

Abstract: A thermal actuator (1) having a plurality of passive stable states (21, 22) is provided. The thermal actuator (1) comprises an actuator body (3), an actuating arrangement (10)and a thermal control arrangement (15). The actuating arrangement further comprises a phase change material, yielding a volume change upon a change in phase of the phase change material. The actuating arrangement(10) change state due to the volume change. The thermal control arrangement (15) has at least a first and a second thermal controlling means (16, 17), wherein at lest one of themes individually controllable in order to have a localized control of the change in phase and thus the state of the actuating arrangement(10). A method for switching a thermal actuator (1) according to the invention is also presented.

Abstract: A thermal actuator comprises a substantially straight beam. The beam has a beam length and a beam mid-point. The beam comprises a plurality of beam segments. Each beam segment has a beam segment width, the beam thus forming a corresponding plurality of beam segment widths. The beam segment widths vary along the beam length based on a predetermined pattern. As the beam is heated by an included heating means, the beam buckles. The buckling of the beam, in turn, causes the beam mid-point to translate or move in a predetermined direction. The beam mid-point movement, in turn, operates an included optical waveguide switch. The heating means comprises any of Joule heating, eddy current heating, conduction heating, convection heating and radiation heating.

Abstract: A thermal actuator comprises a substantially straight beam. The beam has a beam length and a beam mid-point. The beam comprises a plurality of beam segments with beam segment lengths. Each beam segment has a beam segment neutral axis, thus forming a corresponding plurality of beam segment neutral axes. The beam segment neutral axes are offset along the beam length based on a predetermined pattern. As the beam is heated by an included heating means, the beam buckles. The buckling of the beam, in turn, causes the beam mid-point to translate or move in the predetermined direction. The beam mid-point movement, in turn, operates an included optical waveguide switch. The heating means comprises any of Joule heating, eddy current heating, conduction heating, convection heating and radiation heating.

Abstract: A thermal actuator comprises a plurality of substantially straight and parallel beams arranged to form a beam array. The midpoint of each beam is attached or coupled to an orthogonal coupling beam. Each array beam has a beam heating parameter with a corresponding beam heating parameter value. The beam heating parameter values vary across the beam array based on a predetermined pattern. As the beams are heated by an included heating means, the distribution of beam temperatures in the beam array becomes asymmetric, thus causing the beam array to buckle. The buckling of the beams in the beam array, in turn, causes the attached coupling beam to move in a predetermined direction. The coupling beam motion, in turn, operates an included optical waveguide switch. The beams in the beam array are heated by any of Joule heating, eddy current heating, conduction heating, convection heating and radiation heating.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a wall plate unitarily molded of thermoplastic resin, a first metal plate holding a temperature sensing section, and a second metal plate holding a cam shaft. A fulcrum of a lever and a fulcrum of adjusting plate are protected by the wall plate and they are not exposed to the outside. Since both the fulcrums are not exposed to the outside, the fulcrums are free from being touched with foreign matters. This thermostat thus prevents a temperature set therein from changing.

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 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 known thermal actuator includes a capsule, which contains a diaphragm controlling the position of a stem. A thermal expansion substance like wax is contained in the capsule which operates as a thermostat in a thermostatically controlled valve such as a thermostatically controlled mixing valve. The stem of the actuator is connected with a valve body movable between two valve seats for a hot and cold medium, respectively, and the capsule is placed in the area of the mixed medium for transmitting the heat of the mixed medium to the thermal expansion substance. In order to present a simple and more effective actuator that can react promptly at changes of temperature and which does not require an extra temperature sensor, the capsule includes an oblong cuplike sensor body, the surface of which is at least partly deformed in such a way that its thermal transmittance area is increased.

Abstract: A switch for reacting quickly to a neutron emission. A rod consisting of fissionable material is located inside a vacuum tight body. An adjustable contact is located coaxially at an adjustable distance from one end of the rod. Electrical leads are connected to the rod and to the adjustable contact. With a vacuum drawn inside the body, a neutron bombardment striking the rod causes it to heat and expand longitudinally until it comes into contact with the adjustable contact. This circuit closing occurs within a period of a few microseconds.

Abstract: A self-actuating reactor shutdown system incorporating a thermionic switched electromagnetic latch arrangement which is responsive to reactor neutron flux changes and to reactor coolant temperature changes. The system is self-actuating in that the sensing thermionic device acts directly to release (scram) the control rod (absorber) without reference or signal from the main reactor plant protective and control systems.To be responsive to both temperature and neutron flux effects, two detectors are used, one responsive to reactor coolant temperatures, and the other responsive to reactor neutron flux increase. The detectors are incorporated into a thermionic diode connected electrically with an electromagnetic mechanism which under normal reactor operating conditions holds the the control rod in its ready position (exterior of the reactor core).

Abstract: A control system for the automatic or self-actuated shutdown or "scram" of a nuclear reactor. The system is capable of initiating scram insertion by a signal from the plant protection system or by independent action directly sensing reactor conditions of low-flow or over-power.Self-actuation due to a loss of reactor coolant flow results from a decrease of pressure differential between the upper and lower ends of an absorber element. When the force due to this differential falls below the weight of the element, the element will fall by gravitational force to scram the reactor.Self-actuation due to high neutron flux is accomplished via a valve controlled by an electromagnet and a thermionic diode. In a reactor over-power, the diode will be heated to a change of state causing the electromagnet to be shorted thereby actuating the valve which provides the changed flow and pressure conditions required for scramming the absorber element.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to thermal control apparatus wherein a change in temperature is transmitted from a sensing bulb through a capillary to a control device. More particularly this invention is related to a novel, fail-safe control device for use in conjunction with a temperature sensing bulb, capillary, and control device in an oven or other heating facility whereby a loss of pressure within the bulb, capillary, control device system will cause the heating device to be shut off and thus will prevent the oven or other heating facility from being overheated.