Patents by Inventor James P. Frank
James P. Frank 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).
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Patent number: 6525641Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a defrost terminal for completing a defrost circuit on demand without requiring a separate switch. The movable contact engages and disengages the defrost contact to cycle a defroster on and off in response to temperature changes in an evaporator tube, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a compressor circuit and cycle a compressor on and off in response to changes in an evaporator tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: James P. Frank
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Patent number: 6496097Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a auxiliary terminal for completing an auxiliary circuit. The movable contact engages and disengages the auxiliary contact to cycle a first element on and off in response to exceedingly large temperature swings a specified location, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a main circuit and cycle a different electrical element on and off in response to relatively modest changes in temperature changes at the same specified location.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: James P. Frank
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Publication number: 20020011917Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a auxiliary terminal for completing an auxiliary circuit. The movable contact engages and disengages the auxiliary contact to cycle a first element on and off in response to exceedingly large temperature swings a specified location, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a main circuit and cycle a different electrical element on and off in response to relatively modest changes in temperature changes at the same specified location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 1999Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventor: JAMES P. FRANK
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Patent number: 6307461Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, electrical contacts, an actuator arm, a rotatable shaft, and a cam assembly to open and close an electrical power circuit in response to environmental conditions. The cam assembly includes a cam and a cam follower attached to the actuator arm with a bias spring and contacting a cam surface. The cam surface has a first portion for adjusting the temperature calibration of the switch, and a second portion for positioning the cam follower in an OFF position that reduces the load on the bias spring. Thus, spring losses are avoided when the cam follower is in the OFF position, and the switch may be more accurately calibrated and adjusted when the switch is returned from the OFF position.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, Manuel L. Gonzalez, Ronald W. Poling
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Patent number: 6252492Abstract: A condition-responsive electric switch mechanism for use in controlling a compressor of a refrigeration appliance. The switch mechanism includes first, second and third terminals, an actuator movable as a function of a detected condition and a bistable spring switch element electrically connected to the first terminal. The spring switch element includes a movable contact and is adapted for snap-acting movement between an open and a closed position. In the open position, the movable contact of the spring switch element is spaced apart from a fixed contact mounted on the second terminal. In the closed position, the movable contact engages the fixed contact to electrically connect the first and second terminals. The spring switch element also includes a toggle blade operable by engagement with the actuator for motion through a first switch point. At the first switch point, the spring switch element snaps between the open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Inventors: James P. Frank, Ronald W. Poling, Ted P. Struttmann
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Patent number: 5524333Abstract: A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1995Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Hogue, James P. Frank, Donald E. Nice
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Patent number: 5377082Abstract: A terminal board assembly for a dynamoelectric machine, adapted for supporting an overload device, comprises a body and an overload device support integral with the body and extending therefrom for cradling the overload device when the overload device is supported on the terminal board assembly. The body and the overload device support each include apparatus releasably secured in engagement with the overload device for retaining the overload device against displacement from the overload device support.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 5300741Abstract: A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1993Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Hogue, James P. Frank, Donald E. Nice
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Patent number: 5266761Abstract: A terminal board assembly for a dynamoelectric machine includes a body, a switch device associated with the body and having a movable actuating lever. An enclosures overlays the switch device and includes a pair of at least partially overlapping cover segments associated with the body for extending in part in enclosing relation about the switch device. Aligned passages extend through the pair of cover segments for the extension therethrough of a part of the actuating lever exteriorly of the pair of cover segments. A movable seat strip spans the passages and is associated in sealing relation with the pair of cover segments and the actuating lever part for accommodating the movement of the actuating lever while maintaining the sealing relationship.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1991Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 5198631Abstract: A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Hogue, James P. Frank, Donald E. Nice
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Patent number: 5093592Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a housing, a terminal board and a stationary assembly including a winding with a set of leads. The terminal board has a pair of opposite faces with a peripheral portion therebetween and a set of separate recesses in the peripheral portion. The recesses define with the housing a set of separate passages for receiving at least the winding leads.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 5059841Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a stationary assembly with a winding thereon, and a rotatable assembly is supported by the stationary assembly and associated in magnetic coupling relation with the winding. A switch and terminal assembly is mounted to the stationary assembly, and a centrifugal device is conjointly rotatable with the rotatable assembly for operating the switch and terminal assembly to control the energization of the winding.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1989Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, James L. King
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Patent number: 4958051Abstract: A terminal board for a dynamoelectric machine has a body with a pair of opposite faces. At least one terminal secured to the body includes an electrical connector section extending beyond one of the opposite faces and a deformed end section generally opposite the electrical connector section arranged in spaced apart relation with the other of the opposite face. A switch element is conductively secured to the deformed end section of the at least one terminal and extends in overlaying spaced relation with the other opposite face for switching between a set of switching modes.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1989Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 4922062Abstract: A switch and terminal assembly has a casing, and a plurality of terminals are associated with the casing with some of the terminals defining switch terminals extending both interiorly and exteriorly of the casing, respectively. A pair of switch elements associated with the switch terminals interiorly of the casing are operable generally for switching between a pair of switching modes. A pair of actuators pivotally movable in the casing are operable generally for effecting the operation of the switch elements between the switching modes thereof and include a pair of levers extending exteriorly of the casing for receiving an applied force to effect the pivotal movement of the actuators and the operation thereby of the switch elements respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1988Date of Patent: May 1, 1990Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, James L. King
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Patent number: 4856182Abstract: A method of assembling a switch device with a means for supporting it. The supporting means includes at least one face having a set of bosses thereon, and each boss has a free end and a ledge intermediate the free end and the at least one face. The switch device has an actuating lever with a pair of generally opposite trunnions thereon, and a set of terminals of the switch device each have a deformed end section. In practicing this method, the opposite trunnions of the actuating lever are seated on the ledges of at least some of the bosses. The terminals are associated in preselected positions therefor on a supporting means, and the deformed end sections of the terminals are disposed in overlaying spaced apart relation with at least the ledges on the at least some bosses thereby to capture the opposite trunnions between the at least some bosses and the terminals, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1988Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 4835348Abstract: An electrical switch device has a casing with a viewing aperture therein, and switch actuating means is pivotally movable in the casing between an at-rest position and a switch actuating position. A toggle spring is movable with the switch actuating means for resiliently opposing its pivotal movement from both the at-rest and switch actuating positions. The toggle spring includes visual indicating means conjointly movable therewith for disposition in a viewable position at the viewing aperture in response to the pivotal movement of the switch actuating means from its at-rest position to its switch actuating position.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1988Date of Patent: May 30, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald W. Poling, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 4834679Abstract: A switch and terminal assembly has a casing with a plurality of walls defining a switch means accommodating chamber within the casing. A plurality of terminals are associated with the casing along one of the wall means, and at least some terminals have a pair of electrical connector sections arranged in row formation, respectively. One of the electrical connector sections extends only beyond the one wall, and the other of the electrical connector sections extends beyond both the one wall and another of the walls adjacent the one wall, respectively. A dynamoelectric machine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1988Date of Patent: May 30, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, James J. King
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Patent number: 4781726Abstract: In a method of assembling a dynamoelectric machine, a set of pads on a terminal board are inserted into assembly positions in engagement with a set of slots in one end of a housing for the dynamoelectric machine, and the pads are in part overlaid with the housing about the slots therein. The terminal board is positioned in a preselected position therefor within the housing, and a peripheral portion of the terminal board is disposed at least generally adjacent the housing therewithin when the pads are in their assembly positions. An end frame is mounted in an assembly on the housing in engagement with the one end thereof so as to retain the pads against displacement from the assembly positions thereof past the one end of the housing.A dynamoelectric machine, methods of assembling a switch device with a means for supporting it, and a terminal board assembly are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1987Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
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Patent number: 4757604Abstract: A method of assembling a switch and terminal assembly with an end frame of a dynamoelectric machine. In this method, a casing of the switch and terminal assembly is arranged in an assembly position on the end frame, and a separate ground terminal is associated with the casing so as to be arranged generally in row formation with an electrical connection section of at least some of the terminals of the switch and terminal assembly. The ground terminal is then secured in ground circuit relations with the end frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1986Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, James L. King
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Patent number: 4594773Abstract: A method of assembling a switch and terminal assembly to an end frame for a dynamoelectric machine. In this method, at least one of the assembly and the end frame is moved, and at least a part of deformable portions on hanger brackets of the assembly are sheared against surfaces on the end frame at the intersection of the surfaces with one of the opposite faces of the end frame, respectively. The remaining parts of the deformable portions on the hanger brackets are respectively passed into releasable gripping engagement with the one opposite face of the end frame, and thereby a wall in a casing of the assembly associated with the brackets is maintained against the other of the opposite faces of the end frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1983Date of Patent: June 17, 1986Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James P. Frank, James L. King