Abstract: A sliding type adjustment mechanism for changing settings of a diaphragm type pressure switch adjusted by moving an external lever to move a plunger for changing the preload on the diaphragm. An external metal mounting bracket has a pair of spaced parallel slots which serve as ways. A plastic slider with a cam surface engaging the lever has a pair of lugs, each of which engages one of the slots for guiding the slider on the bracket. The slider has an integrally formed spring tab providing friction against the bracket to hold the slider in a selected position. A recess in the bracket relieves the tab friction at the limit of the slider travel to allow the lever to bias a steep-ramp portion of the cam surface to move the slider to an initial position.

Abstract: A thermally responsive load cycling switch assembly user adjustable for varying the time of cycling current to load connecting terminals and having a contact blade cantilevered from an insulator block pivoted in the switch housing. A bimetal blade actuator means is also cantilevered from the block and includes heater means to cause the bimetal to effect movement of the contact blade. A separate blade spring cantilevered from the block enables the block to be pivotably preloaded. A spring blade is cantilevered from the actuator means to enable separate preloading of the bi-metal for temperature calibration. A flexible jumper blade connects the contact blade to one of two load terminal connectors for series and parallel operation. A manually operated arming switch is series connected between one powerline terminal and one of the load terminals. A stationary contact disposed for closing a circuit with the contact blade is connected to the opposite powerline terminal.

Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigerator having a motorized cam actuated switch for controlling the water fill valve and motor hold switch. The cam tracks for each switch has an undercut radial step. The switches each have a lower contact blade and upper contact blade with an intermediate blade of longer length. A spacer attached to the upper or lower contact blade maintains a predetermined minimum spacing therebetween. The lower contact blade drops first over the step allowing the upper blade to close against the intermediate blade energizing the water valve and opening the lower contact set. The intermediate blade then drops over the step, closing the lower contact blade set and the spacer holds the upper contact set open for deenergizing the water valve. A similar fast action switch is employed as a motor hold switch during periods when the ice sensing thermostat is open.

Abstract: A switch assembly for remote selection and two-way operation of individual motors for vehicle rearview mirror adjustment. A quadulateral touch frame is gimballed by means of a nested yoke on a housing for movement about two orthogonal axes and is superposed for contacting an actuator frame having four spaced pins extending commonly therefrom through the housing, each for actuation of an individual switch mounted on a circuit board. User movement of any one of the four sides of the touch bar actuates a pair of the switches, only one of which is snap-acting. A separate selector nested in the touch frame operates sliding wipers for selected switching between pairs of contacts on the circuit board for selection of operational mode for the four main switches.

Abstract: A pressure responsive assembly including an actuator rod coupled to a pressure source through a rolling type diaphagm. The other end of the actuator rod is connected to a wiper assembly. A first part of the wiper assembly contacts a coil of resistance wire to provide a first signal indicative of the pressure. A second part of a wiper assembly moves into and out of contact with a switch contact pad as the sensed pressure crosses a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor including a diaphragm having a first side in fluid communication with a Venturi and a flow conduit. With flow through the conduit, the diaphragm travels downwardly, the extent of travel being determined by the flow rate. A permanent magnet assembly is coupled to the second side of the diaphragm for movement therewith and a Hall effect sensor assembly is fixed on the housing along a line which is an extension of the line of travel of the permanent magnet. Accordingly, the output from the Hall effect sensor is related to the distance between the magnet and the sensor and, thus, to the flow rate through the conduit. In order to prevent fluid from backing up into the vacuum area under the diaphragm when fluid flow is stopped, a check valve is interposed between the Venturi and the diaphragm. The check valve includes a ball having a lower density than the fluid which cooperates with a valve seat in the passageway leading to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure switch and transducer arrangement combines into a single unit both a power contact switch for providing power to an automobile fuel pump in response to a predetermined minimum oil pressure and a magnet/Hall effect sensor for providing an analog signal indicative of the oil pressure for use by the automobile on-board microcomputer. The arrangement includes an actuator rod movable by a diaphragm in response to oil pressure. The end of the rod remote from the diaphragm is coupled to a contact washer for providing the power switching function and also to a magnet which cooperates with a fixed Hall effect sensor, which sensor provides an output corresponding to the air gap between the magnet and the sensor. The magnet and the washer are coupled to the actuator rod in such a manner that even after the washer makes contact with the power switching terminals, the actuator rod and magnet are free to continue moving as the oil pressure continues to increase.

Abstract: A momentary contact rocker switch utilizes a pair of torsion springs as movable switch contacts, with fixed terminal posts being used as fixed contacts. The terminal posts are grooved in the region of contact with the torsion spring to provide a wiping action. This wiping action, along with the high electrical contact forces provided by the torsion spring, eliminates the need for silver contacts.

Abstract: The electric motor drives high and low speed drive pinions through reduction gearing. A low torque capacity clutch is located in the reduction gear train to the low speed pinion to permit the user to turn the manual shift to position the timer. The various program cams are driven by a drive member carried by an arbor on which the cams are mounted. The cams are independently spaced relative to the arbor and housing so any may be omitted as desired. The pulsing cam is mounted on the arbor and driven by the high speed pinion. The switch blades are essentially straight, the only forming being at the contact end where contact position or pressure will not be affected.

Abstract: The timing (program) cam is driven at timing speed through a gear train which includes a clutch. When a delayed start is desired the timing cam must be positioned at the start of a cycle so a lever sensing the cam position will move a tiltable jackshaft to an active position in which the worm gear on the shaft can be engaged by a manually set ratchet segment while a cam moving with the segment de-clutches the timing speed drive. The worm gear rotation drives the ratchet back to zero at which time the clutch is engaged and normal timing begins. The number of ratchet teeth engaged with the worm gear determines the length of the time delay.

Abstract: The rotating program drum of the timer operates the timer switches in a predetermined sequence. One or more timer switches can be disabled to omit the function of the switch. Means are rotatably mounted in the frame to move a passive switch blade away from the active blade so the active blade cannot contact the passive blade. In two embodiments the disabling means operates on a switch at the end of the program drum while a third embodiment can operate on any of the switches operated by the drum.

Abstract: The motor drives the timing drum continuously at low speed through a gear train having a one-way clutch. The motor also drives the input of a second one-way clutch having a drive on its output engageable with the spaced teeth on the interrupted gear formed on the hub of the drum. When the low speed drive rotates the drum to a position in which a tooth on the hub can be engaged by the drive gear the drum is rapidly advanced until contact with the tooth is lost. Switches operated by the cams on the drum are sequenced rapidly during rapid advance. When the drum is manually advanced both clutches are overridden.

Abstract: The impulse drive mechanism has a drive pawl which is periodically retracted sufficiently to engage a tooth at maximum tooth spacing to advance the sequence control cam a maximum step. If a lesser step is desired (can be used) the ratchet tooth spacing is decreased and the masking device which incorporates a follower engaging the cam on the inside of the ratchet is moved into position to prevent engagement of the pawl with a tooth at greater spacing. The cam drum can be advanced in small angular increments when only tolling time and the angular increment can be increased to accomodate sequential switching during the advance step if required.

Abstract: The timer has switches including upper and lower passive blades and an active blade therebetween. The distal end of the lower passive blade has depending spacers which straddle the cam upon which the follower on the distal end of the active blade rides. The spacers reference the lower passive blade off the hub of the drum type program cam. The lower passive blade is provided with a rest or stop for the upper passive blade limiting downward movement of that blade. With precision molding, both passive blades are accurately referenced from the cam hub and the location of the follower which actuates the active blade is precisely located. Accuracy of switching is increased without increased precision in manufacture. Use of two cam tracks permits simultaneous actuation of the active and "passive" blades to effect faster switching. It is possible to provide a "make-make" arrangement instead of the double throw arrangement.