Patents by Inventor Charles D. Branson

Charles D. Branson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4363015
    Abstract: A condition responsive electrical switch construction having a frame carrying an electrical switch and a condition responsive device having a movable wall for causing movement of a lever that is pivotally carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the switch to operate the same as the lever is moved by the wall to a certain position in opposition to the force of a range spring also carried by the frame. A cradle-like member has a base operatively associated with the range spring so as to be held thereby against the wall to be moved in unison with the wall and has arms engaging the lever to cause the lever to move in relation to movement of the wall. The switch has a pair of movable contact members disposed on opposite sides of a fixed contact member and each is biased in a direction to tend to place the same in contact with the fixed contact member and each having an offset loop therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4357748
    Abstract: A fluid flow sensing switch device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and an outlet separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof actuated by the pressure differential. The switch contacts of the switch construction are disposed in the fluid flow passage so as to be exposed to fluid flow therethrough and have a part thereof carried by the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4274546
    Abstract: A housing construction for an electrical switch construction having one housing member partially telescoped inside another housing member to have a pair of opposed ears on the one housing member respectively project through a pair of opposed slots in the other housing member together with a cover member secured to one of the housing members to hold the same in their assembled and telescoped relation. Each slot is defined in part by a pair of opposed surfaces one of which comprises a flexible biasing section. Each ear has opposed edges respectively press-fitted between the opposed surfaces of its respective slot and flexing the biasing section thereof outwardly from its respective other surface whereby the biasing sections hold one of the edges of the ears against the other surface of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4242082
    Abstract: A fluid flow sensing switch device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and an outlet separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof actuated by the pressure differential. The switch contacts of the switch construction are disposed in the fluid flow passage so as to be exposed to fluid flow therethrough and have a part thereof carried by the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4194102
    Abstract: A condition responsive electrical switch construction having a frame carrying an electrical switch and a condition responsive device having a movable wall for causing movement of a lever that is pivotally carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the switch to operate the same as the lever is moved by the wall to a certain position in opposition to the force of a range spring also carried by the frame. A cradle-like member has a base operatively associated with the range spring so as to be held thereby against the wall to be moved in unison with the wall and has arms engaging the lever to cause the lever to move in relation to movement of the wall. The switch has a pair of movable contact members disposed on opposite sides of a fixed contact member and each is biased in a direction to tend to place the same in contact with the fixed contact member and each having an offset loop therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4159800
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4123036
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4085891
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with or against the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4060192
    Abstract: A fuel control system for a main burner having a dual rate pilot burner and a control device for providing a standby flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is above the temperature setting of the control device and for providing a large heater flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device so that only the heater flame will cause a main flow of fuel to the main burner for a heating operation thereof. A diverter valve is provided for diverting the heater flame flow of fuel from the dual rate pilot burner to another pilot burner so that the main flow of fuel to the main burner will cease even though the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device, the diverter valve being controlled by a timer or the like to provide a "cook and hold" feature of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Charles D. Branson
  • Patent number: 4007907
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4007872
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with or against the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4007760
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with or against the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 4003360
    Abstract: An electric ignition system for a gas cooking range that includes a low voltage circuit for energizing one or a plurality of parallel connected electric resistance igniters in response to the operation of a control valve supplying gas to a burner. Each resistance igniter element is connected to the secondary winding of a stepdown voltage transformer in an electrical circuit one side of which is the electrically conductive range body or housing and the second an insulated conductor assembled in the range at the time of its manufacture.The conductor may be coated with porcelain, an insulation material capable of withstanding the high temperature environment within the range without deterioration and breakdown. Both ends of this electrical circuit are easily accessible permitting ready replacement of the resistance igniter element and transformer. The primary side of the circuit is connected to a suitable supply voltage through a normally open switch operated by the gas supply control valve for the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Charles D. Branson
  • Patent number: 4003014
    Abstract: A sleeve of in-situ-solidified-from-melt material, such as a lead glass or the like, surrounds an end segment of a refractory resistance element extending from a junction between a metal supporting member and the end of the element. The solidified-from-melt material is formed not to adversely react with the refractory element and has a coefficient of linear expansion within the range from about 0.5 to 1.5 times the coefficient of linear expansion of the refractory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, William D. Long, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3989064
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The poppet valve member can work with or against the pressure of the fuel from the source thereof when the poppet valve member is being moved to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi
  • Patent number: 3989188
    Abstract: A fuel control system for a main burner having a dual rate pilot burner and a control device for providing a standby flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is above the temperature setting of the control device and for providing a large heater flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device so that only the heater flame will cause a main flow of fuel to the main burner for a heating operation thereof. A diverter valve is provided for diverting the heater flame flow of fuel from the dual rate pilot burner to another pilot burner so that the main flow of fuel to the main burner will cease even though the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device, the diverter valve being controlled by a timer or the like to provide a "cook and hold" feature of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Charles D. Branson
  • Patent number: 3979103
    Abstract: A fuel control device having a passage therethrough for interconnecting a fuel source with a main burner and having a poppet valve arrangement that is directly manually operated for opening and closing the passage so as to control the flow of fuel from the source to the main burner, the poppet valve arrangement having a poppet valve member that is moved relative to its valve seat upon the manual manipulation of a selector of the control device. The selector locks with the control device in the "off" position and the control device has a long and gradual cam surface to permit the selector to be moved to its locked "off" position without excessive "feel".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Branson, Roy C. Demi