Abstract: A bimetal valve has a valve seat movable intermediate a closed and open configuration relative to a port. An arm is connected to the valve seat having at least a bimetal portion. An electric heater selectively applies heat to the bimetal portion to transition the valve from closed to open, with many embodiments being biased in the closed configuration. A built-in fuse is provided in series with the heater between first and second electrical connections providing an electric supply to the electric heater.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating flow of fluid received from a fluid source has an inner cylinder with inlet and outlet apertures, and an outer cylinder that also has inlet and outlet apertures. The inner cylinder is nested within the outer cylinder and rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder to control an amount of registration of the outlet apertures of the inner and outer cylinders to regulate flow of fluid through the apparatus. A motor is coupled to the inner cylinder by an axially symmetrical motor output shaft and mating recess of the inner cylinder, with crush ribs to eliminate axial play. The motor mounting arrangement is configured to mount the motor to the outer cylinder such that the motor floats within the motor mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically defrosting a refrigeration system only during times of non-peak energy demand. The device is a defrost delay module that plugs into the current defrost timer supplied with frost-free refrigerators. The defrost delay module includes a microprocessor that utilizes a clock to define peak power consumption periods. If the defrost cycle will occur during a peak power period, the delay module interrupts the normal operation and prevents defrosting of a refrigerator or freezer until the peak power periods has passed. The delay module is able to learn the operating characteristics of the defrost timer such that the delay module can be retrofit to existing appliances.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating flow of fluid received from a fluid source has an inner cylinder with inlet and outlet apertures, and an outer cylinder that also has inlet and outlet apertures. The inner cylinder is nested within the outer cylinder and rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder to control an amount of registration of the outlet apertures of the inner and outer cylinders to regulate flow of fluid through the apparatus. A motor is coupled to the inner cylinder by an axially symmetrical motor output shaft and mating recess of the inner cylinder, with crush ribs to eliminate axial play. The motor mounting arrangement is configured to mount the motor to the outer cylinder such that the motor floats within the motor mounting arrangement.

Abstract: An actuator is provided for controlling temperatures in a multiple compartment device wherein the actuator includes a housing and a linear oscillator disposed within the housing. The linear oscillator is coupled with an integral push rod, wherein the linear oscillator is adapted to reciprocably move the push rod along its longitudinal axis. In addition, the actuator includes a holder including a rigid member and a pin aperture. The sliding member has a knob on one end and first clip connector at an other end, the sliding member having a range of motion limited by the rigid member. The push rod has a second clip connector coupled to the first clip connector. A lever arm has a first end and a second end, the first end including a protruding member and the second end including a lever arm aperture and a lever arm pin. The knob is pivotably engaged with the lever arm aperture and the lever arm pin is pivotably engaged with the pin aperture. The protruding member is adapted to pivotably couple with the damper.

Abstract: A rotary damper assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid includes inner and outer hollow cylinders, each having one or more side wall apertures, the inner cylinder being nested within the outer cylinder in a manner to permit relative axial rotation of the cylinders about a common longitudinal axis, the inner cylinder receiving the fluid flow at an axial inlet, and the flow of fluid through the assembly being proportional to the degree of alignment of the cylinder apertures.