Abstract: An electrical appliance comprising a heating element, the heating element including a heating wire, the heating wire encased within an iron shell, the iron shell having an exterior surface, and a first coating layer disposed on the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the first coating layer is stainless steel. The appliance also includes a power supply. The power supply includes a heating element, a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the appliance, and a temperature controller in communication with the temperature sensor to maintain the appliance within a desired temperature range. The power supply also includes at least one electrical contact rod operatively engaged with the appliance to supply electrical power to the heating element, and at least one contact receptacle adapted to accept the at least one electrical contact rod. The at least one contact receptacle has a length proportional to the electrical power supplied to the appliance to prevent overheating of the power supply.

Abstract: A multi-use thermal cup device is provided that includes a cup, a sensor, a thermometer, a user interface, and an electronic controller. The cup has at least one heating element disposed between its inner and outer walls. Electro-mechanical connection points are included on the outer wall of the cup and the electronic controller, which are sized to allow the controller to be connected to the cup at a distance sufficient to insulate the controller from heat dispersed from the cup. An insulating air gap is formed between the cup and the electronic controller to protect the controller from any dissipating heat. The controller is programmable to direct the power supply to the heat conductors and to control the function of any device connected to the sensor in response to information received from the sensor and the user-defined sampling parameters.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes a main bimetal for detection of an overload current, a shifter associated with the main bimetal, a release lever working according to a displacement of the shifter, a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts by reversing action caused by rotation of the release lever, and a manipulation structure for manipulating the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism. The manipulation structure includes a reset bar for returning the contact reversing mechanism to an initial state. The reset bar is arranged to change-over between a manual reset state in which the reset bar can be pushed-in and an automatic reset state in which the reset bar is pushed-in and turned from the manual reset state and held in that state.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay is provided with an external case, and an adjustment dial with a cam inserted into an adjustment dial insertion hole provided in the external case for adjusting a settling current. A press-fitting section is provided at one of the adjustment dial and the adjustment dial insertion hole, and a locking section is provided at the other of the adjustment dial and the adjustment dial insertion hole. The press-fitting section is press-fit and retained in the locking section.

Abstract: Methods and systems for actuating a negative rate switch. A negative rate switch comprising a plunger and a resilient actuator thereof can be provided, wherein a highest plunger force occurs at a free position and a lowest plunger force occurs at a full over travel position. The negative rate switch can be configured such that when the resilient actuator provides resilient actuating force to overcome a free position force associated with the free position, the plunger moves without interruption through a total range of travel thereof and when the resilient actuating force drops slightly below a full over-travel plunger force associated with the full over travel position, the negative rate switch overcomes the resilient actuating force to return the plunger to the free position thereof without interruption.

Abstract: A thermal overload open-phase tripping device includes in a case bimetals corresponding to different phases; a differential shifter mechanism composed of a push shifter and a pull shifter, linked to operating ends of the bimetals, and an interlocking plate; and a compensating bimetal for transmitting output from the shifter mechanism to an opening and closing mechanism section of a breaker main body. The push and pull shifters are slidably supported to extend over interphase partition walls in the case, and a case cover is placed and held over the push and pull shifters. Rib-shaped projections projecting from an inner surface of the case cover and facing the top surfaces of the shifters are provided as shifter position guides to constrain inclination of the shifters moving in accordance with bending displacement of the bimetals to hold the shifters horizontally.

Abstract: An adjustment and control unit for gas burner valves provided with a bimetal rod-and-tube thermostat which is arranged on a rocker supporting the flow control element of a valve. A translational motion actuator is arranged so as to push on the rocker, on the opposite side with respect to the thermostat, and is kinematically connected to a knob by way of coupling elements which convert rotary motion into a translational motion. The coupling elements provide two distinct transmission ratios, each at specific rotation positions.

Abstract: A temperature limiter includes a switch head with a switching contact and a temperature sensor having elongate expansion elements of different thermal expansion coefficients. The expansion elements are fixed relative to one another in one end zone and movable relative to one another in the other end zone. Slidably supported in the switch head is a ram which abuts against the movable expansion element and has an end portion constructed to allow application of welding or soldering. A switch sleeve is placed over the ram end portion and adapted to actuate the contact. The switch sleeve is movable relative to the ram during a calibration phase, until reaching a position which is determinative for calibrating a desired response temperature of the switching contact. In this position, the switch sleeve is then securely fixed to the end portion by fusion welding or soldering.

Abstract: A solenoid type magnetic trip assembly for a molded case circuit breaker includes an armature biased against an adjustable stop by a tension spring to set the initial gap for the magnetic trip, so that the spring bias remains constant for the full range of the initial gap. The armature includes an elongated magnetically permeable member mounted by a frame to slide longitudinally along a pair of guide rails. The frame defines a trip surface axially aligned with the elongated magnetically permeable member which engages a trip arm on a trip bar to trip the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined level of overcurrent. A bimetal providing a thermal trip function is cantilevered from a support spaced from the trip bar by the armature, but has a terminal portion at the free end projecting toward the trip bar and through which the elongated magnetically permeable member of the armature extends.

Abstract: A probe thermostat is shown having a single, stamped metal channel having a first coefficient of expansion coupled to a rod having a second, different, coefficient of expansion. An electrically insulating block is mounted on the channel which in turn cantilever mounts a pair of electrically conductive arms spaced one over the other with electrical contacts disposed on the arms in facing relation to one another. A molded plastic adjustment cam snaps into slots formed in the channel to adjust the position of the lower arm. A hinge formed in the channel and connected to the rod causes movement of the top arm as the temperature of the thermostat changes to cause the contacts to move into and out of engagement with each other.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch is shown having a body supporting a temperature sensing probe formed of a rod of one thermal coefficient of expansion connected to a channel of a different thermal coefficient of expansion. The difference in expansion between the rod channel is translated through a hinge to an overbalance type switch mounted on the body. The temperature at which the switch actuates is adjustable through an element movable toward and away from the switch by a cam mechanism as well as an independent threaded adjustment. The switch is shown in one embodiment as having an integral movable switch arm and loading spring and in a second embodiment as having a discrete movable switch arm and a discrete loading spring.

Abstract: A dual temperature probe-type thermostat is illustrated in which a rod and tube probe is mounted at one end with a swivel on the switch body. The swivel structure is simplified to provide a bearing member engaged and positioned by the rod during swiveling movement. Both switches are operated by a single operator which is guided and positioned solely by the switches themselves. One switch is provided with a calibration cam to eliminate any need for selective assembly.

Abstract: A snap-action thermal switch adapted to be operated by an expansion element. The switch includes a switch reed pivotable between two switching positions, a switch spring exerting force components in a longitudinal direction and in a pivoting direction of the switch reed. One end of the spring engages the switch reed and the other end of the switch spring is articulated to an adjusting element adjustable by an operating piston of the expansion element in such a way that, after attaining a predetermined position of the operating piston, the force component of the switch spring acting in a pivoting direction on the switch reed reverses direction with respect to the switch reed after traversing a zero position. At least one second pivotable switch reed is provided, with the second switch reed being articulated, through its own switch spring exerting a force component in a longitudinal direction and a force component in a pivoting direction of the second switch reed, to the adjusting element.

Abstract: A thermostat useful for an appliance, which uses a snap action stressed-leaf spring having two stable stressed configurations for the making and breaking of a circuit. Stressing of the spring is provided by differential movement of parts of a heat probe.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which is easily installed in a standard thermostat mechanism to limit the range of temperature to which the thermostat may be adjusted. The device is a generally flat template which is internally installed in the thermostat and physically limits the amount of movement available to the temperature setting member of the thermostat. The thermostat range limiter is easily removed by removing the thermostat cover to facilitate using another limiter having a different range. However, its internal location thwarts overcoming the limited range by the average user of the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermostat having an ambient temperature responsive element, a switch mechanically coupled to the temperature responsive element for control thereby so as to cause reverse switch operations above and below a temperature setting, means for controlling the relationship between the switch and the temperature responsive element to establish a desired temperature. The temperature responsive element includes a manually operable thermostat setting member. The thermostat also contains support means including a removable cover. The manually operable thermostat setting member protrudes through the support or the cover. A range limiter is mounted in the thermostat so as to limit the movement of the manually operable thermostat setting member. The range limiter is readily removable after the cover is removed.