Patents by Inventor James B. Cockroft

James B. Cockroft 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: 4605883
    Abstract: A motor speed control circuit for closed loop control of an electric motor of a household electric appliance is disclosed herein. The motor speed control circuit includes a coil adapted to be placed in proximity with a fan connected to an electric motor and producing a time varying signal in response to rotation thereof. A comparator connected to the coil generates a rectangular wave having a frequency proportional to the frequency of the coil signal. Additional means are provided for converting the rectangular wave signal, a D.C. signal having an amplitude which corresponds to the frequency of the rectangular wave. The D.C. signal is compared to a reference signal at an amplifier to produce an error signal which is fed through an opto-isolator to a conduction angle controlled thyrister. The thyrister is connected to the electric motor and a source of electric power to control the speed of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Cockroft
  • Patent number: 4227128
    Abstract: A motor control circuit is provided for an appliance or the like of the type utilizing a speed adjustment device that controls an adjustable centrifugally controlled governor device. The governor includes a switch contact arrangement which is connected in the triggering circuit of a power switching device, a TRIAC for example, for selectively connecting the motor of the appliance to the power source connections. The switch contacts of the governor device open and close as the rotational speed of the motor increases and decreases respectively from the speed selected on the speed adjustment device. A variable impedance element mechanically coupled to and adjusted by the speed adjustment device is also provided in the triggering circuit of the power switching device in series with the governor switch contacts to vary the triggering of the power switching device as the speed setting is varied. Thus, a variable speed versus motor supply voltage characteristic is provided when the governor contacts are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Cockroft, Peter J. Ernster
  • Patent number: 4187412
    Abstract: An automatic control for egg cookers, baby bottle warmer, etc. is designed around a conventional slide switch of the type normally biased to the open position. Manually actuated means are provided to move the slide switch to its ON position, whereupon a mechanical latch automatically latches onto the knob of the slide switch to hold it in its ON position. When the cooking has been completed, a bi-metal releases the latch and permits the biasing means to open the switch and terminate the heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Ernster, Ernest Canamero, James B. Cockroft
  • Patent number: 4082941
    Abstract: A bag sealer having an electrically heated wire and a pivotally mounted sealing member which is substantially parallel to and normally biased away from the wire. An integral transformer and solenoid are provided for reducing the voltage supplied to the wire and for bringing the sealing member into pressure bearing relationship with the wire. The primary winding of the transformer serves as the solenoid coil while the solenoid armature, upon being closed, completes the transformer. In order to facilitate activating the switch to energize the transformer winding, a lever extends out through the housing. Molded side pieces carry an extruded channel on which is mounted a resilient pressure bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: Oster Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Sukow, Richard A. Smith, James B. Cockroft