Abstract: A pressure gauge system for a tank with a variable flow rate that provides a user with an indication of how much usable time is left in a pressurized gas tank given a particular selected flow rate or operational condition and what pressure of gas is left in the tank.

Abstract: A pressure gauge system for a tank with a variable flow rate that provides a user with an indication of how much usable time is left in a pressurized gas tank given a particular selected flow rate or operational condition and what pressure of gas is left in the tank.

Abstract: A rotary variable resistor includes a resistance circuit module, a fixation frame, a brush assembly and a rotor shaft. The resistance circuit module has a circuit board, an output circuit, three input circuits and a resistance ring. The output circuit includes a brush contact port having an annular brush contact area and an output port extending out from the brush contact port. Each input circuit has a resistor contact end and an input port. The three resistor contact ends are evenly annularly separated. The resistance ring co-axially and annularly spaced to the brush contact port contacts the resistor contact ends. The fixation frame is fixedly mounted on the resistance circuit module. The brush assembly rotatably restrained by the fixation frame bridges the annular brush contact area and the resistance ring. The rotor shaft for driving the brush assembly is connected with the brush assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for attaching an electrical component to a printed circuit board. The apparatus includes a circuit board, an elastomeric connector, a rotary electrical component having a connector housing for holding the elastomeric connector, and one or more fasteners for securing the electrical component to the circuit board with sufficient force to compress the elastomeric connector and thereby ensure electrical contact between the electrical component and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A rotary variable resistor includes a variable resistor body mounted to a console panel, a rotor shaft protruding outward from the variable resistor body, and a control knob coupled to an outer end of the rotor shaft. A single plate-shaped stopper is projectingly provided, along a rotational direction of the rotor shaft, on a front face of the variable resistor body from which the rotor shaft protrudes. First and second restricting portions are provided on the control knob side-by-side along the rotational direction of the rotor shaft to alternately abut against the stopper in defining an actual rotational angle of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A rotary electronic component is capable of preventing misalignment of another component placed in its hollow portion and maintaining the quality of an electronic device on which to mount the rotary electronic component. The rotary electronic component has an approximately annular shape with a hollow portion. The other component placed inside the hollow portion is positioned by the positioning member formed inside the hollow portion.

Abstract: A variable electronic component includes an insulating substrate and a metal rotor rotatably attached to the upper surface of the substrate. The rotor includes a cup-shaped member attached to the substrate and having an upper end formed with an outward flange. The rotor also includes a plate member formed integral with the flange via a hinge portion. The plate member is arranged on an upper side or a lower side of the flange. The cup-shaped member or the plate member is formed with a recess, and the other is formed with a protrusion fitted into the recess.

Abstract: A variable resistor is configured such that a contact of a contact arm is prevented from contacting a driver plate even when the height of a disk section of a sliding contact is reduced so as to reduce the height of the variable resistor. A sliding contact includes an annular driver plate disposed on the top surface, a disk section folded from the external periphery of the driver plate to the back side, and the semi-circular contact arm provided in the external periphery of the disk section opposite to the folded portion. In the external periphery of the driver plate opposite to the folded portion on the back surface thereof, i.e., in a portion of the disk section folded to the back side of the driver plate opposing the contact of the contact arm, a step is provided such that a gap between the driver plate and the contact arm is increased.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent a slider from backwardly tilting toward a rotor and to maintain stable contact between the slider and a substrate. In the variable resistor, a rotor and a slider are provided in a case. A substrate having a collector electrode and an arcurate resistor is mounted in the lower end portion of the case. The slider includes an annular arm portion arranged to achieve sliding contact with the arcurate resistor, a substantially I-shaped arm portion arranged to contact the collector electrode, and a case portion coupled with the annular arm portion and the substantially I-shaped arm portion by a folded-back structure. The base portion extends up to the vicinity of the position corresponding to the tip portion of the annular arm portion. The rear surface of the base portion is supported by the rotor such that the slider is prevented from backwardly tilting.

Abstract: The rotor 2 has an engaging portion 2b and a shaft portion 2c provided at the rotation-central portion of the rotor, a casing 7 has a supporting portion 8 provided at a position opposite to a shaft portion, the shaft portion is formed with a recess 2d, the supporting portion is formed with a conical portion 8c, a conical portion is disposed within the recess, the shaft portion is supported by a conical portion fitted in the recess, and the conical portion is used as a fulcrum, whereby it is made difficult to generate large shavings.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to reliably seal the space between a rotor and a substrate without insert-molding the substrate into a case, and to be produced at a very low cost. This variable resistor includes a hollow square-prism shaped case which is open at the top and the bottom, a substrate which is fitted into the lower opening of the case, and on the top surface of which a collector electrode and an arcuate resistor are provided, a rotor rotatably fitted into the upper opening of the case, a slider mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor and making sliding contact with the collector electrode and the resistor, an annular packing member disposed between the rotor and the substrate for sealing the space therebetween, terminals mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor and the collector electrode, and a metallic cover.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent bending strain from spreading to the conductive portions to a resistor when bending is executed with respect to the external connection portions of metallic terminals. The variable resistor provides a low-profile variable resistor capable of stabilizing the electrical connection between the metallic terminals and the resistor. This variable resistor includes metallic terminals insert-molded in a board, and a slider sliding on the resistor disposed on the board. The slider is rotatably installed on the board by caulking the grommet disposed on a first metallic terminal,and the conductive portions of second metallic terminals are conductive to the resistor. Each of the external connection portions is extended out of the bottom of the board, and is folded upwardly at the position of the corresponding notch.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent bending strain from spreading to the conductive portions to a resistor when bending is executed with respect to the external connection portions of metallic terminals. The variable resistor provides a low-profile variable resistor capable of stabilizing the electrical connection between the metallic terminals and the resistor. This variable resistor includes metallic terminals insert-molded in a board, and a slider sliding on the resistor disposed on the board. The slider is rotatably installed on the board by caulking the grommet disposed on a first metallic terminal, and the conductive portions of second metallic terminals are conductive to the resistor. Each of the external connection portions is extended out of the bottom of the board, and is folded upwardly at the position of the corresponding notch.

Abstract: A rotary variable resistor includes a substrate made of synthetic resin; a first terminal made of metal, embedded in the substrate, and leading from a side surface of the substrate; an annular collector formed on the surface of the substrate; a resistor formed on the surface of the substrate; and a sliding element sliding on the resistor and the collector. In the rotary variable resistor, an exposed part exposed at the surface of the substrate is formed on the first terminal within a range of the width of the annular collector. Since the exposed part of the first terminal is connected to the annular collector within the width thereof, a space for forming a leader of a conventional collector and a compact rotary variable resistor can be obtained.

Abstract: A lead wire connection terminal fitment capable of permitting a plurality of lead wires to be readily press-fitted in a single lead wire press fit groove. The terminal fitment may be in the form of a relay terminal fitment, which includes a metal plate formed with a lead wire press fit groove by machining in which lead wires are press-fitted. A pair of inner surfaces of the metal plate defining the lead wire press fit groove therebetween are formed thereon with a plurality of projections and recesses engaged with an outer periphery of lead wires. The projections biting into the lead wires are so arranged that a space defined between the projections opposite to each other is reduced in width at a position thereof spaced by a distance in a depth direction of the lead wire press fit groove, resulting in being divided into a first space portion increased in width and a second space portion decreased in width.

Abstract: A focus unit of an FBT (fly back transformer) is described, which is installed on a side of the FBT, for adjusting the focus and screen voltages of a cathode ray tube. Focus and screen voltage adjusting round resistor patterns 130 are respectively formed on volume boards 120 of the focus unit, and a supporting shaft 160 is received into a central through hole 140 of the round resistor pattern 120. A connecting pin 170 is inserted into the supporting shaft 160, and a cable 210 is inserted into each of holes of a volume case so as for the cable to be connected to the lower end of the connecting pin 170. A pair of actuation knobs are inserted into a cover, and a slider spring is installed within each of volume bars, while the lower end of the slider spring 230 is movably connected to the round resistor pattern 130. Thus the slider spring for adjusting the focus volume can be easily installed on a volume bar, and the focus and screen voltages can be controlled in a sure manner.

Abstract: A rotating electrical component, in which, on mating surface sides of the flange of the support member and the flange of the operating shaft, on both sides of the center of rotation on the line which passes through the center of rotation of the operating shaft, there are provided projections and recesses which differ in diameter measured from the center of rotation of the operating shaft and can be engaged and disengaged in positions where they will not overlap each other in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A first rotor and a second rotor are prepared. The first rotor has a resistor and inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral electrodes respectively connected to end portions of this resistor. The second rotor has a resistor and inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral electrodes symmetrical with those of the first rotor, provided at a position corresponding to that obtained by rotating the first rotor about the axis of the first rotor by an angle of 180.degree. with respect to the first rotor. A variable resistor selectively uses either one of the first rotor and second rotor. This makes it possible to provide a variable resistor which requires few parts. Also, this makes it possible to reduce the kinds of bending operations that must be performed on the terminals.

Abstract: A rotary operation type variable resistor including a resistor base and a holder, on which a sliding-element supporting member is rotatably retained, are placed in a case provided with only one opening for component insertion. An operating lever is fixedly connected to a shaft portion of the sliding-element supporting member using a speed nut. A resistor pattern is formed by printing on the resistor base in a positional relationship determined by positioning reference portions formed on the resistor base. Positioning reference portions are also formed on the holder, and positioning portions are formed in the case. A resilient-contact member for bringing the positioning reference portions of each of the resistor base and the holder into contact with the positioning portions of the case is also provided on the case.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer device (1) has a rotary potentiometer (4) disposed within a housing (2) and a handle (7) above the housing (2) for rotating a resistive disk (6) of the rotary potentiometer (4). A latching device latches the handle (7) with the upper side of the housing (2) in predetermined rotation positions. At least one spring-loaded latching nose (16) protrudes above the upper side of the housing (2) and cooperates with latching troughs (18) in the lower side of the handle (7). No additional individual components are necessary for making the latching device. The spring-loaded configuration urges the latching nose towards a latched position defined by the latching troughs when it is deflected out of its latched position.

Abstract: A control head for remote actuators on a vehicle heater/air conditioner system comprises variable resistors operated by control knobs to provide variable motor control voltages to the actuators which comprise servo-actuators or a pulse width modulated blower motor. The control head has a molded plastic housing with embedded conductive runners terminating in wipers. A control disk rotatable with each knob has an arcuate resistive film and a pair of arcuate conductors connected to ends of the film. The wipers engage the arcuate elements to apply a supply voltage to the conductors and pick off a control voltage from the resistive film. Alternatively the arcuate elements are on the housing and the wiper is on the control disk.

Abstract: There is provided a variable resistor having a small number of parts and having an excellent heat releasing property. A rotor is rotatably contained in a concave portion of a case. The rotor has a resistive element provided on the bottom thereof and electrodes connected to both ends of the resistive element. Arms of sliders are provided on the bottom of the concave portion of the case in a sliding relationship with the respective electrodes and resistive element. A metal cover is disposed on the upper surface of the case in contact with the rotor.

Abstract: The potentiometer has a housing in which a carrier plate which supports a resistance strip is disposed. A rotary pin is supported on the housing and has a sliding contact connected to the rotary pin for engaging the resistance strip. The carrier plate is rotatably connected to the housing and is embodied for the engagement of a turning tool. It assumes its position with regard to the housing because of a frictional connection. The resistance strip can be oriented with regard to the housing or the sliding contact by rotating the carrier plate relative to the housing and the rotary pin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable resistance device having at least one pair of channels retaining a conductive ball between them. The channels contain a resistive element and a conductive element and movement of the conductive ball within the channels, caused by rotation of the channels relative to each other, provides a variable resistance.

Abstract: Connection of a shaft with an element, in particular the shaft of a rotary setting element with a seating wheel, said connection comprising a recess provided for setting said shaft in said element and an opening by which said recess is connected with the outer edge of the element and through which the connection can be effected by relative movement of the shaft and the element transversely to the axis of said shaft, characterized in that a second element is inserted into the opening in a direction transversely to the axis of the shaft and that interlocking means provided on the first element and the second element cooperate to fix the second element in the opening of the first element.

Abstract: An electric control device for an outdoor lamp includes a control box having a side wall that is formed with a through hole, and a rotary-type variable resistance switch having a main switch housing that is disposed inside the control box and an externally threaded tubular sleeve that extends frontwardly from the main switch housing and through the through hole of the control box. The switch further has a rotatable switch arm which extends axially and rotatably from an interior of the main switch housing and through the tubular sleeve. A nut retains the switch on the control box and is threaded internally to engage the tubular sleeve. The nut has an outer peripheral surface which is formed with at least one annular peripheral groove. A resilient washer is provided on a rear face of the nut and is pressed by the nut to contact tightly the side wall of the control box. An O-ring is provided on the nut in each annular peripheral groove.

Abstract: A variable electronic component includes an insulating substrate, and a rotor made of a metal plate and rotatably supported on the substrate for parameter adjustment of the electronic component. The rotor includes a main rotor member and an upper plate member integral with the main rotor member via a connecting web which is bent so that the upper plate member overlaps on the main rotor member. The upper plate member has an engaging opening for engagement with a turning tool. The main rotor member is provided with a first engaging portion at a position spaced from the connecting web, whereas the upper plate member is provided with a second engaging portion for engagement with the first engaging portion to prevent the upper plate member from angularly deviating relative to the main rotor member when the upper plate member is overlapped on the main rotor member.

Abstract: A variable electronic component has a substrate and a rotor rotatably supported on the substrate for parameter adjustment of the electronic component. The rotor has an opening and a plurality of engaging slots extending from the opening for engagement with a turning tool. Each of the engaging slots is flanked by a pair of tool guides which are inclined downwardly toward the engaging slot.

Abstract: A potentiometer retention mechanism is provided for mounting a potentiometer on the faceplate of a hearing aid. The potentiometer includes a rotatable knob attached to a housing with the housing including a plurality of conductive leads projecting from a back surface of the housing. The mechanism includes an adapter for receiving the potentiometer. The adapter has a device for mechanically engaging the faceplate such that the adapter is secured with the faceplate. The mechanism further includes a plurality of angled leads attached to the adapter whereby the potentiometer leads press against the angled leads such that the housing is secured within the adapter.

Abstract: A variable resistor includes a sliding member having an arm in contact with a substantially circular arc-shaped resistor provided on a substrate and a driver plate portion from which the arm extends. The sliding member is rotatable by a driver, the center of the resistor being a supporting point of the sliding member. The driver plate portion of the sliding member is substantially conical and has driver grooves. The arm is connected to the driver plate portion at both sides of a driver groove adjacent an end of the driver groove. Adjustment of a resistance value is performed by rotating the sliding member with a driver tip inserted in the driver grooves.

Abstract: A lever switch for a vehicle windshield wiper having a base for attaching to a steering column, a rotational shaft rotatably connected to the base, a first switch knob connected to the rotational shaft, and a second switch knob rotatable mounted around a portion of the rotational shaft. The lever switch includes mounting the switch mechanisms for the first and second switch knobs around a portion of the rotational shaft, thereby allowing the rotational shaft to be shortened and the lever switch to be connected at an angle to the base.

Abstract: A variable resistor having an insulating substate provided on the surface thereof with a resistor is molded into a resin case, a part of which is heated and bent to rotatably secure a rotor having a sliding member within the case for rotation with respect to the insulating substrate. The insulating substrate is molded into the resin case to make inside of the case airtight. An annular elastic body mounted between the under surface of a skirt portion of the rotor and the insulating substrate makes the space between the rotor and the insulating substrate airtight, and, at the same time, sets the rotational torque of the rotor to a suitable value. The arrangement of the insulating substrate, the resin case and the rotor having the sliding member, reduces the number of parts used for assembling the variable resistor, and together with the use of continuous strip hoop materials for forming terminals and the sliding member, allows for continuous automated production of the variable resistors.

Abstract: A protective cap for a rotatably-adjustable electrical component mounted to a PW board in an enclosed electronic control unit. The housing of the electronic control unit has a tuning access hole axially aligned with a tapered lead-in port in the center of the protective cap. An adjustment tool is inserted into the tuning access hole and guided into a tuning slot in the adjustable electrical component by the tapered lead-in port in the cap. The cap also protects the rotatable component from damage by a poorly-aimed adjustment tool. The several caps covering the rotatable components on a board as well as the access openings of the housing may be color-coded to assist in component identification.

Abstract: A mechanism for a potentiometer, especially a miniature potentiometer used as a volume control in a hearing aid, onto a face plate includes a metallic band circumferentially surrounding a portion of the housing of the potentiometer. The band includes means for mechanically engaging a surface of an aperture in the face plate such that the housing is secured within the aperture. Preferably, the potentiometer also includes a stop means that engages a shoulder or surface of the face plate of the hearing aid positioning the potentiometer within the aperture a selected distance such that the knob of the potentiometer extends beyond a front surface of the face plate.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer having a cylindrical or partially cylindrical resistance track and at least one electrode pair arranged at the resistance track's edges which are parallel to the cylinder axis. A tap is fixed to an adjusting component which is rotatable around and movable along the cylinder axis. The axial breadth of the resistance track correspondsd substantially to the stroke of the adjusting component along the cylinder axis. At the circumferential edges of the resistance track, at least one second electrode pair is arranged.

Abstract: In an electric regulator unit, a variable electric component has a body which is accommodated in a recess formed in one axial end face of a holder against angular movement relative thereto about an axis of an operating shaft of the variable electric component such that the operating shaft extends away from a bottom of the recess. An assembly of the holder and the variable electric component is accommodated in a recess formed in one axial end face of a knob such that the operating shaft is engaged with a bottom of the recess in the knob. The arrangement is such that when an outer peripheral surface of the knob is manipulated, the knob is angularly moved to move the operating shaft angularly about the axis thereof relatively to the body. At least one friction-torque imparting element is arranged between the knob and the assembly for imparting friction torque to the angular movement of the knob relative to the holder and the body.

Abstract: An arrangement for ensuring contact between resistance paths comprises a base of electrically non-conductive and elastically deformable material such as rubber. To the base is applied an electrically conductive coating. The resistance path is pressed against this layer by means of a covering element, the base being subjected to preloading. In this way, the contact can be ensured between a potentiometer resistance with terminal connections and a plug, around which a short-circuit interval is provided.

Abstract: It should be possible to adjust without difficulty the moment of friction curring during rotation on a variable resistor. A bolt (11) is provided for this purpose for holding a rotating part (13) axially in position with a base component (2). A tap (24) is brought into contact with a resistance track (5) rotating in the base component (2) in a radial direction to the axis of rotation (14). The bolt (11) can at the same time be used for securing the variable resistor (1) and as the electrical connection for the tap (24).

Abstract: In a rotary electric device such as a trimmer capacitor or a variable resistor comprising a rotor contained in a case which is provided with an opening for receiving a screwdriver for rotating the rotor from the outside with a clearance being defined between an edge defining the opening and the rotor, a cover sheet is formed in a state covering the clearance and bonded to both of the case and the rotor, whereby the rotary electric device is closed. When the rotor is rotated in an adjusting stage, the cover sheet is readily broken and respective broken and separated parts of the cover sheet are individually retained by the case and the rotor.

Abstract: In a potentiometer selector switch, it is proposed to arrange on a circuit board, in indirect arrangement, longitudinal contacts consisting of wire bridges which are swept by the wiper of a regulating element forming the actuating element of the switch when the wiper is rotated or displaced. The wire bridges forming the longitudinal contacts are insulated from each other on one side of the circuit board and at least one end of each of the bridges passes through the board to the conductor side where it is connected electrically and fixed mechanically, preferably by dip soldering.

Abstract: A thin type variable resistor for use with a portable radio receiver set, which is far thinner even with a knob than the prior art. The surface of a slider receiver is formed with slider mounting portions which partially rise from the upper surfaces of sliders integrally with said slider receiver. The knob is formed with a recess for fitting the slider receiver. That recess is formed with loosely fitting portions for loosely fitting said slider mounting portions.

Abstract: A potentiometer has a case, a housing, a base and a rotor rotatably arranged in the chamber of housing. The housing is provided with a pair of projections on both side walls thereof and two pair of corner projections at four corners thereof respectively while the case has a pair of bent long legs in which holes are defined to receive the side wall projections of the housing and a pair of bent short walls are arranged to cover the top of the housing. The case may be pushed down upon the housing with the pair of bent long legs thereof being slid down into vertical grooves arranged between the corner projections of the housing until the side wall projections of the housing are slidingly snapped into the holes of the case and thus, the case and the housing may be assembled in one operation.

Abstract: The interior of a rheostatic device, such as a throttle-valve position potiometer having a rotor with sliding spring contact and a housing exposing at least one end of the rotor for operation, is sealed off against environmental effects by at least two hollow cylindrical rotor walls which are located concentrically within each other and extend towards a lid attached to a bottom part of the housing and at least two hollow cylindrical walls of said lid which are concentrically disposed within each other and extend between the rotor walls.

Abstract: To permit external adjustment of a potentiometer (3) having an adjustment head (4), and located within a sealed housing (1), while permitting placement of an adjustment insert (7) from the outside of the housing through a bore (6) thereof, and compensate for manufacturing and positioning tolerances, the insert element is a unitary structure of a tough plastic, such as polyamide (nylon), sealingly inserted through the opening and retained in the opening by snap-over hooks (13) engaging over the inner wall (25) of the housing, and retaining a screw head (8) of the insert element therein. Longitudinal and transverse deviation from alignment of the axis of the opening (6) and the rotation axis of the adjustment element (4) of the potentiometer is obtained by resiliently deflectable cross-joints (14, 14'; 17, 18) formed in an intermediate portion of the insert element, which cross-joints are connected by a S-shaped resiliently deflectable connecting portion.

Abstract: A trimmer control is mounted in a potentiometer knob to provide a compact controller for use in a device such as a hearing aid. The knob of the potentiometer is rotatably attached to a base housing which has a centrally located bore. A bracket extends through the bore of the housing and into a chamber located in the potentiometer knob. The bracket is fixedly attached at one end to the housing. The trimmer control is fixedly attached to the bracket and electrical leads of the trimmer control extend through a bore within the mounting bracket for connection with another circuit. The trimmer control is accessible through an opening in the potentiometer knob.

Abstract: A rotary type illuminated variable resistor wherein a light source is disposed in a case, and first and second optical guide members for guiding light from the light source are respectively disposed in a hollow shaft and a hollow knob. When the knob is rotated, the second optical guide member is also rotated, so that the rotational position of a variable resistance portion mounted on the hollow shaft can be indicated on the end face of the knob by the light.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprising a casing having a short height relative to its diameter and constituting a receptacle for a resistor element and a sliding contact for contact with the latter, the resistor element being supported on the bottom of the casing and the sliding contact being arranged in permanent mechanical and electric contact therewith, being of annular and laminar shape and having a diameter substantially equal to that of the resistor, the shape of which constitutes an incomplete circular annulus having a zone of discontinuity exhibiting a small angle, corresponding to a projection formed on the bottom of the casing and serving as a travel-limiting stop in either direction in order to limit the rotational travel of the axial actuating element, the manipulation of which produces the rotation of the sliding contact on the resistor element.

Abstract: A rotary electric component such as a semifixed variable resistor comprises an insulating substrate having a shaft hole, a resistor mounted on the insulating substrate surrounding the shaft hole, a pair of electrodes mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the resistor at ends thereof, a pair of terminals mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the electrodes, respectively, a shaft rotatably mounted in the shaft hole and having a movable contact held in sliding contact with the resistor, a cover mounted on the shaft over the insulating substrate and covering the movable contact, the cover having a skirt spaced from the insulating substrate by a gap, and a body of synthetic resin mounted on the insulating substrate and a portion formed as a dust wall covering the gap.

Abstract: A rotatable control with an integral switch comprises conductive inner and outer shaft in a concentric configuration. The inner and outer shaft are electrically insulated from one another and frictionally coupled to allow concentric simultaneous rotation. The assembly is covered with a flexible insulating shroud which has a switch contact located on the upper interior surface thereof. Conductive spring members are clipped around the lower portion of the inner and outer shaft to allow electrical connection to a circuit board.

Abstract: An electric thermostat having a knob and potentiometer means with a simple adjusting means to couple the two together. A single clip means made of a resilient material allows for connecting the knob to the potentiometer and allows for repositioning the knob at will during calibration of the thermostat.