Abstract: The present invention provides an adverse condition detection apparatus that enables a user to test the apparatus in close proximity without having to endure fully operational alarm noise. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a detector, a transducer, and a test system. The detector provides an adverse condition signal in response to detecting an adverse condition (e.g., smoke). The transducer is operably connected to the detector for receiving the adverse condition signal. The transducer generates an operational alarm in response to receiving the adverse condition signal when the detector detects the adverse condition. The test system is operably connected to the transducer and causes it to generate a test alarm in response to a user activating the test system. However, the test alarm, at least initially, is lower in audibility than the operational alarm.

Abstract: An electrical device (20), in particular an energy regulator or infinite switch, comprises a body portion (22) with one or more electrical elements (33, D, B, C, 47) mounted thereto. The body portion (22) and the electrical element(s) (33, D, B, C, 47) mounted thereto define an assembly having a minimum dimension which is termed the “thickness” of the assembly. At least one terminal (25, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63) is also mounted to the body portion. The terminal has a mounting portion (27) and a contact portion (26) with the mounting portion (27) extending transversely to the thickness dimension to thereby result in a low-profile electrical device.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation (“PWM”) generation circuit is described. The circuit includes a main PWM generator, a trimming signal generator, and a summer. The main PWM signal generator generates a main PWM output which is modified by the summer in accordance with a trimming signal produced by the trimming signal generator. In particular, the main PWM signal may be lengthened, shortened, or preserved by the summer circuit. Accordingly, the main PWM signal is trimmable, without direct modification thereof by using the trimming signal generator.

Abstract: An angular position sensor is couplable to an actuator for angular positional sensing of a shaft thereof. The sensor includes a base for mounting to the actuator. A diametrically magnetized permanent magnet ring is coupled to, and axially aligned with, the shaft. Further, a magnetic material cylindrical sleeve is coupled to the said base and disposed circumferentially around the magnet ring such that the sleeve is separated from said magnet ring by an air gap. A pair of diametrically opposing cylindrical segments are coupled to the sleeve by a circular support member and extend through the magnet ring. The cylindrical segments having a slot between them in which a hall effect transducer is disposed. The transducer senses the magnetic field flux of the magnet ring in the slot and thereby produces a signal indicative of the shaft's angular position.

Abstract: An article adapted to pass a cable through a housing includes a substantially solid body, including front and rear ends. A side surface of the body provides a groove extending into the body from the front to the rear end. The groove is sized to carry a selected size electric cable. The body also includes connective structure adapted to removably connect the body to the housing. The article also includes a sheet of nonconductive material extending across the groove at the front end of the body. The sheet provides a circular opening sized to allow the cable to pass therethrough. The sheet also has a slit extending from the side surface to the circular opening. The sheet is fabricated of a resilient material and is structured to allow the cable to be inserted through the slit and into the circular opening such that the cable extends along the groove and extends into the housing from the rear end of the body when the body is connected to the housing.

Abstract: A bellows valve assembly installed in a fluid pathway includes a valve body, a bellows housing positioned adjacent the valve body, and a valve actuator. The valve body is equipped with an inlet, an outlet, a valve bore positioned between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A valve closure element having a sealing surface is positioned in the valve bore and is engageable with the valve seat to restrict fluid flow through the valve bore. The valve closure element also has a valve stem that extends from the valve bore through the bellows housing. The valve stem has a lower portion characterized by a first average diameter and an upper portion characterized by a second average diameter that is at least 25% smaller than the first average diameter. The actuator is engageable with the upper portion of the valve stem to move the sealing surface relative to the valve seat.

Abstract: A ribbon port burner for a gas range comprises a base defining a gas inlet portion and a gas plenum portion. The gas plenum is defined by a bottom wall portion which terminates at its outer periphery in generally vertical outer side walls. The burner also includes a cap which is positioned in fixed spaced relation to the bottom wall such that the cap forms an upper wall of gas plenum portion. In this position the cap's relation to the side walls defines a ribbon port of essentially constant cross-sectional area continuously around the periphery of the burner. The burner also includes an ignition port in the bottom wall for accommodating insertion of an ignition system within the plenum. Preferably, a gas ignition portion is defined within the gas plenum portion defining a segregated volume. The burner side walls terminate in an acutely angled surface, as does the outer portion of the lower surface of the cap, such that an essentially constant cross sectional area is maintained to form the ribbon port.

Abstract: A switch harness assembly for the manually operated burner control valves on a range top gas burner manifold. A pair of continuous uninterrupted parallel electrical lines have individual cam operated igniter switches each adapted for rotary driving engagement with the shaft from one of the burner valves. Each switch has a pair of contact members with portions which pierce the insulation of one of the pair of leads for making electrical connection. The switch housing is assembled over the leads and cam drum. Grease provides a seal between the cam drum and housing to improve foodstuff spill resistance and an annular grease trap about the cam drum protects the contacts from the grease.

Abstract: A utility data gathering system is disclosed as comprising a register including a series of index members coupled to a meter mechanism. Each index member includes a plurality of contacts and a switch arm moveable with its index member. The meter mechanism is responsive to utility consumption for moving the index members to positions indicative of the utility consumed, whereby each switch arm completes in normal operation a circuit with just one of its plurality of contacts dependent upon the position of its index member. A digital computer is programmed for performing first and second scans of each contact of each index member to obtain corresponding first and second sets of data indicative of a completed circuit through the switch arm and contacts of each index member. The completed circuit data obtained from each of the first and second scans are compared and if the circuit data of the first and second scans are different, an alarm manifestation is generated.

Abstract: In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output the desired baking temperature. These inputs are selected by a user in response to rotation of a user interface knob mounted on a control panel. The control panel provides visual indication of oven cooking temperature selections through a first arc around the knob, and user selectable oven features (such as, e.g., OFF/CANCEL, BROIL, and CLEAN) in a second arc around the knob. The control device comprises a hub having a portion adapted to be drivably coupled to the user interface knob. The hub also includes a flange which has at least one cam. The device also includes a variable resistance element having a rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the hub.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly is provided for use with a valve body. The valve body includes a valve member for controlling flow of fluid through the valve body, which is mounted to a valve stem having an external connector portion. The valve body includes engagement structure, and the valve actuator is removably engageable with the valve body via a latching member movable into and out of engagement with the engagement structure. The valve body is configured such that a valve actuator providing either normally closed or normally open operation can be mounted to the valve body. The valve actuator includes a motor having an output engageable with a drive gear, which in turn is engageable with the valve stem when the valve actuator is mounted to the valve body. The actuator can be changed from providing normally open operation to providing normal closed operation simply by replacing one drive gear of the valve actuator with another.

Abstract: A latching coil valve device is provided, comprising a body providing an inlet and an outlet; an actuatable valve unit connecting said inlet to said outlet, and latching mechanisms for latching the actuatable valve unit in open or closed positions, respectively. The actuatable valve unit comprises a solenoid and a pilot operated valve comprising a primary valve member and a pilot valve member. The solenoid comprises a coil assembly and a plunger assembly. Energizing the coil of the solenoid moves the plunger to open and close the valve. The latching mechanism for latching the actuatable valve unit in the open position comprises a permanent magnet and the latching mechanism for latching the actuatable valve unit in the closed position comprises a coil spring. Only a momentary pulse of voltage needs to be applied to the coil of the solenoid in order open or close the valve. Once in the opened or closed positions, the permanent magnet or the coil spring, respectively, latches the valve.

Abstract: A method of non-releasably quick-connecting a tubular metal conduit to the inlet of a non-metallic valve body. A closure having a tube-receiving bore is then pre-assembled with a frictionally engaging spring washer and seal rings therein and is then secured to the valve inlet preferably by non-metallic weldment. The tubular conduit is then inserted into the bore and radially compresses the seal rings and is frictionally engages the spring washer to prevent subsequent removal of the conduit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a burner cap for a gas range includes the steps of providing an amount of non-porous aluminum and forming the aluminum into the shape of a burner cap such that the non-porous nature of the aluminum is maintained. In one embodiment, the non-porous aluminum is a slug at ambient temperature which is placed in a die and slowly forced into a die by an advancing a ram to form the burner cap. In another embodiment, the non-porous aluminum slug is machined to form the burner cap.

Abstract: A control unit and a related method of operation for controlling the temperature of the water circulated in the radiant loop of a hydronic heating system. The control unit includes temperature setting dials that can be used to adjusts the reset curve used to determine the desired secondary, radiant loop water temperature. The control unit generates a linear reset curve between two setpoints such that the control unit can calculate a desired secondary loop water temperature based on the reset curve and the present outdoor air temperature. The control unit monitors the temperature of the water returning to the boiler from both the primary loop and the secondary, radiant loop. The control unit monitors the return water temperature over a first interval and, based on the rate of change in the return water temperature, calculates a predicted return water temperature at a second interval in the future.

Abstract: A stem seal having first and second wiping members circumjacent a stem is disposed within a bore. A lubricant-bearing ring is disposed about the stem within the bore between the wiping members, under compression therefrom. Projections from the wiping members intrude into the lubrication ring so as to depress the central surface areas thereof. Similar projections are used to center a coil spring against one of these seal members and against an additional seal member. By forming the lubricant ring of open-cell loam or mesh construction, superior lubricant bearing capacities may be achieved.

Abstract: A novel shape memory alloy electrical switch is disclosed, including both momentary and especially a latching relay. The switch/relay disclosed is particularly useful in low power control of appliances, including i.a. refrigerators. Used with a microprocessor, microcontroller, or like device to control the shape memory alloy switch/relay, an adaptive control routine may be included which facilitates an especially low-power dissipation, highly effective appliance control module, especially suitable for refrigerators. The disclosed refrigerator control module can be manufactured at low cost with high reliability.

Abstract: A valve control circuit is disclosed for operating a modulating valve which can be operated between a completely open and a completely closed position. The modulating valve control circuit includes a microcontroller which receives an input signal from an external temperature controller. The microcontroller monitors and controls the position of the modulating valve by first determining the number of rotations of the bi-directional driving motor required to move the valve from a completely open to a completely closed position. After determining the number of rotations for a complete valve stroke, the microcontroller positions the valve stem in the correct position according to the input setpoint as compared to an input range. The microcontroller positions the valve stem in direct relation to the proportion of the input setpoint signal with respect to the range desired.

Abstract: A novel shape memory alloy electrical switch is disclosed, including both momentary and especially a latching relay. The switch/relay disclosed is particularly useful in low power control of appliances, including i.a. refrigerators. Used with a microprocessor, microcontroller, or like device to control the shape memory alloy switch/relay, an adaptive control routine may be included which facilitates an especially low-power dissipation, highly effective appliance control module, especially suitable for refrigerators. The disclosed refrigerator control module can be manufactured at low cost with high reliability.

Abstract: A fuel control system, parts therefor, and methods of making are provided. The fuel control system includes a fuel control valve unit (FCU) and a fuel conduit having an end secured in a fuel outlet opening in a housing of the fuel control valve unit. The end of the conduit is disposed in a certain desired axial position in the fuel outlet opening relative to the housing, the housing has a movable part. In a first position of the movable part, the end of the conduit can be axially moved from a position outside the housing to the certain desired axial position. In a second position, the movable part cooperates with a securing device on the end of the conduit to secure the end in the certain desired axial position thereof.