Patents Assigned to Robertshaw Controls Company
  • Patent number: 5332874
    Abstract: A control device and method of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a single movable actuator member having two spaced apart plungers respectively operatively associated with and in axial alignment with movable parts of two switch units and having two actuator buttons thereon respectively in axial alignment with the plungers and the parts of the switch units, the member being pivotally mounted to a support of the control device so that the member actuates only one of the two switch units when the member ms moved to one pivoted position thereof by an axial force applied to the button that is in axial alignment with the part of the one switch unit and actuates only the other of the two switch units when the member is moved to another pivoted position thereof by an axial force applied to the other of the buttons that is in axial alignment with the part of the other switch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Orr, Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5328358
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the cap having opposed sides and an annular peripheral edge interconnecting the opposed sides together, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the cap having an annular groove in one of the opposed sides thereof and inboard of the peripheral edge thereof, the burner body having a projection disposed in the groove to hold the cap on the one end of the burner body in its closing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5328357
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and a removable cap closing one end of the burner body, one of the burner body and the cap having an annular surface interrupted by a plurality of radially disposed main grooves that are spaced apart by lands of the annular surface and that define a generally repeating pattern of a set of a certain number of the main grooves and the lands separated from the next adjacent set of the certain number of the main grooves and the lands by one of the lands that is not part of the sets and that has an annular length that is longer than the annular length of any one of the lands of the sets separated thereby, the free end surface of each land that is not part of the sets having a small radially disposed and substantially Y-shaped groove therein that is closed on one end thereof by an annular surface of the other of the burner body and the cap to provide small carry-over flames bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5326029
    Abstract: A control system, a control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device having an axially movable shaft for moving a movable valve into its latching position with an electromagnetic unit and also being rotatable from a first position thereof to a second position thereof to place and hold an electrical switch in an operating condition thereof, the switch being in series with the electromagnetic unit so that the electromagnetic unit can not have an electrical current flowing therethrough unless the switch is in the operating condition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Gilbert Schultz
  • Patent number: 5324918
    Abstract: A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron
  • Patent number: 5324195
    Abstract: A jet burner construction, heating apparatus utilizing the jet burner construction and methods of making the same are provided, the jet burner construction having opposed ends and having a fluted portion disposed spaced from and intermediate the inlet and the outlet of the burner body and having opposed ends, the fluted portion defining a central opening part and radiating portions of the outlet opening of the burner body which is generally located in the middle of the fluted portion, the fluted portion expanding and extending axially beyond the central opening part at one of the opposed ends thereof and comprising part of a flame retainer unit that also comprises a generally ring-like structure between the one of the opposed ends of the fluted portion and the one of the opposed ends of the burner body, the one of the opposed ends of the fluted portion expanding outwardly substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the burner construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Kent K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5321957
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of an air conditioning compressor and method of making the same are provided, the system comprising a thermostat switch and a high pressure switch arranged in series with a compressor switch across two sides of a power source whereby the thermostat switch and the high pressure switch must be in a closed condition thereof with the compressor switch also being in a closed condition before the compressor can be turned on, the system also comprising a low pressure switch that is arranged so as not to be in series with the other switches across the two sides of the power source and a microprocessor having means operatively associated with the low pressure switch to monitor the condition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Dwain F. Moore
  • Patent number: 5318439
    Abstract: A jet burner construction, a heating apparatus utilizing the jet burner construction and methods of making the same are provided, the jet burner construction having wing-like extensions respectively disposed on opposite sides of the burner body thereof for respectively interconnecting with adjacent wing-like extensions of adjacent burner constructions, each wing-like extension having a side edge and an elongated outlet slot extending along the side edge thereof and interconnected with an outlet opening of the burner body through which fuel is adapted to issue so as to burn external to the wing-like extensions, each slot having a certain height throughout the elongated length thereof, each wing-like extension having a chamber therein that interconnects with the chamber of the burner body and is adapted to feed fuel from the chamber to the respective slot thereof along a major portion of the elongated length thereof, each chamber of each wing-like extension having a height throughout the entire area thereof tha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Kent K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5316470
    Abstract: A jet burner construction, a heating apparatus utilizing the jet burner construction and methods of making the same are provided, the jet burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having an inlet leading to the chamber for directing fuel from a fuel source therein and an outlet leading from the chamber and defining an outlet opening through which the fuel is adapted to issue from the chamber to burn externally to the burner body, the burner construction having an insert disposed in the outlet opening, the insert having a central opening part passing therethrough and a plurality of spaced apart opening portions passing therethrough whereby flows of fuel respectively issuing out of the portions and the central part of the insert merge together in a turbulent manner externally of the outlet opening, the burner body being formed of two generally similar integral and one-piece body sections secured together in superimposed relation and each having generally one-half of the outlet op
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Kent K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5314328
    Abstract: A fuel ignition system and method of making the same are provided, the system having a unit for detecting when an igniter has been heated to ignition temperature, the detecting unit comprising a receiving member for receiving at least some of the electrons emitted from the heated igniter and an electrical circuit for determining from the received electrons an emission rate of the electrons and for operating a fuel feeding device to feed fuel to a burner only when the determined emission rate is at a certain level that proves that the igniter is at ignition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Jay R. Katchka
  • Patent number: 5311895
    Abstract: A combination of a fuel manifold and a plurality of like fuel control devices mounted thereto, a manifold for such a combination and methods of making the same are provided, the combination comprising a fuel manifold having a fuel receiving chamber therein and a plurality of like fuel control devices mounted to the manifold and having inlet projections extending into the manifold to receive fuel from the chamber thereof, the manifold having a pair of opposed spaced apart substantially flat front and rear walls and a pair of opposed spaced apart substantially flat side walls interconnecting the front and rear walls together, one of the side walls having a plurality of spaced apart openings therethrough and through which the inlet projections of the control devices respectively extend, the side walls being spaced apart a distance that will permit two of the control devices to have the inlet projections thereof respectively extend through aligned openings in the side walls so that two of the control devices can
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: David D. Martin
  • Patent number: 5310970
    Abstract: A pressure operated switch construction and method of making the same are provided, the pressure operated switch construction comprising a housing having an external surface and carrying an electrical switch unit and a diaphragm assembly therein, the housing having an opening passing through the external surface thereof, the switch unit having opposed sides and an opening passing therethrough in alignment with the opening of the housing, and a compression spring unit carried by the housing and being operatively associated with the switch unit and the diaphragm assembly to control the operation thereof in relation to the compression setting of the spring unit, the spring unit comprising a spring retainer operatively interconnected to the switch unit, an actuator carried by the housing and a compression spring having opposed ends respectively bearing against the actuator and the retainer, the retainer having an intermediate part disposed in the opening of the housing and having a surface and a projection extend
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: William J. Kaigler, Thomas M. Buckshaw, David T. Llewellyn
  • Patent number: 5303733
    Abstract: A pressure regulating unit for providing controlled pressure for use in displacing syrups in a carbonated beverage dispensing system, the unit including a block made of a single piece of metal and having mounting structure integrally provided thereon and a high-pressure gas flow passage provided therein and having a high pressure inlet, the unit also including pressure regulators that are supported on the block and have gas inlets communicating with the high-pressure gas flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: John Nelson
  • Patent number: 5303576
    Abstract: A method of testing for leaks in a closed fluid filled system and a system tested by such method are provided, the method comprising the steps of disposing the system in a chamber, disposing a fluid in the chamber under a pressure so that if a leak path of a certain size or larger exists in the system such fluid of the chamber will be forced through the leak path to change the fluid condition in the closed volume of the system, removing the system from the chamber after a certain period of time, then subjecting the system to a certain pressure and temperature condition so that an expandable part of the system will be in an adverse expanded position beyond its normal position for that certain pressure and temperature if the leak path of at least a certain size existed, and then detecting the adverse expanded position of the part of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Joseph J. Erdelsky
  • Patent number: 5305418
    Abstract: A water heater tank arrangement, control device and shaft extension therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the water heater tank arrangement comprising a water heater tank having a heating unit therefor, a control device carried by the tank and having an operating unit to sense the temperature of the tank and to operate the heating unit in relation to the sensed temperature and a selected temperature of the control device, the control device having a housing and having a temperature selector unit rotatably carried by the housing to set the selected temperature, the selector unit comprising a knob provided with a transverse slot therein, and a shaft extension having opposed ends one of which has drive structure snap-fitted into the slot so that the knob is adapted to be rotated upon the turning of the other of the ends of the shaft extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 5305419
    Abstract: A hot water tank construction, an electrically operated heating element construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the electrically operated heating element construction comprising a heating element and an externally threaded fitting for threading into an internally threaded opening in a wall of the tank, the heating element comprising an outer metallic tubular sheath and an inner conductive heater wire insulated from the sheath, the fitting comprising polymeric material, the heating element construction comprising an electrical resistance electrically interconnected to the sheath and being adapted to electrically interconnect the sheath to the wall of the tank, the polymeric material comprising an electrically conductive polymeric material that also comprises the resistance of the heating element construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Gary J. Cameron
  • Patent number: 5300759
    Abstract: A control system, a control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control system comprising a source of energy, an output producing unit that uses the energy to produce the output thereof, a control device having control structure for interconnecting the source of energy to the unit, the control device having a rotatable shaft that sets the control structure in different positions thereof in relation to the rotational set position of the shaft from an "off" position thereof, the control structure having the amount of the energy passing therethrough from the source to the unit being different for each set position thereof, indicating structure operatively associated with the shaft for visually indicating the set position of the shaft and, thus, the amount of energy being fed by the control structure to the unit, and sensing structure operatively associated with the shaft that senses the set position of the shaft and electronically displays that sensed position of the shaft whereby th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: David M. Dodson
  • Patent number: 5297955
    Abstract: A jet burner construction, a heating apparatus utilizing the jet burner construction and methods of making the same are provided, the jet burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having an inlet leading to the chamber for directing fuel from a fuel source therein and an outlet leading from the chamber and defining an outlet opening through which the fuel is adapted to issue from the chamber to burn externally to the burner body, the burner body having wing-like extensions respectively disposed on opposite sides thereof for respectively interconnecting with adjacent wing-like extensions of adjacent burner constructions, the wing-like extensions each having a side edge and an elongated outlet slot extending along the side edge thereof and interconnecting with the outlet opening and through which fuel is adapted to issue so as to burn external to the wing-like extensions, each slot having a certain height throughout the elongated length thereof, each wing-like extension having a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5294907
    Abstract: A control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device having a temperature sensing unit comprising a rod and tube means utilizing a heat expandable and contractible polymeric member disposed between one end of the rod and an abutment of the tube to tend to cause an outer end of the rod to move toward an actuator of the control device upon the unit sensing decreasing temperature and to tend to cause that end of the rod to move away from the actuator upon the unit sensing increasing temperature, a biasing member being operatively interconnected to the unit to continuously place the tube under compression between an open end thereof and the abutment thereof and to continuously place the rod under tension between the opposite ends thereof to tend to reduce the temperature differential of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Jay R. Katchka
  • Patent number: 5286190
    Abstract: A jet burner construction, a heating apparatus utilizing the jet burner construction and methods of making the same are provided, the jet burner construction comrpising a burner body having a chamber therein and having an inlet leading to the chamber for directing fuel from a fuel source therein and an outlet leading from the chamber and defining an outlet opening through which the fuel is adapted to issue from the chamber to burn externally to the burner body, the outlet opening having a central opening part and a plurality of spaced apart opening portions interconnected thereto and radiating outwardly therefrom whereby flows of fuel respectively issuing out of the portions and the central part of the outlet opening merge together in a turbulent manner externally of the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl