Abstract: A device for sensing pressure at a source thereof comprising a housing with a fluid pressure responsive diaphragm movable therein for defining therewith an expansible chamber for communication with the source of pressure the magnitude of which is to be sensed, and a transducer. The transducer includes a body of magnetoelastic material of generally annular form positioned within the housing and having magnetic properties which vary as a function of the stress to which the body is subjected in response to movement of the diaphragm. Electrical circuitry responds to stress-induced changes in the magnetic properties to produce an electrical signal having a value which is a function of the magnitude of the fluid pressure. The device includes an actuator, which is movable with the diaphragm, for accepting and retaining a sector of the annular body and a cradle generally fixed in relation to the housing for accepting and retaining a diametrically opposite sector of the annular body.

Abstract: An electrical circuit controlling device has a housing with snap action means therein adapted for successive discrete snap action movements. Means is movable in the housing for selectively transmitting a force at different preselected levels onto the snap action means to effect the successive discrete snap action movements thereof. An actuating member is movable in the housing and rockably engaged between the snap action member and a pair of switch elements to successively operate them between circuit controlling modes in response to the successive discrete snap action movements of the snap action means, respectively. A method of operating an electric circuit controlling device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a combination starter-protector device. In this method, a first and second terminal are interconnected, and another of the first terminals is mounted to the terminal mounting piece. The second terminal is associated with an aperture extending through a casing member, and the first named first terminal is extended through an opening in the casing member. The terminal mounting piece is disposed in a position with respect to the casing member to at least in part close the opening therein, and thereby the another first terminal is extended through the opening in spaced apart relation with the first named first terminal. Another casing member is associated generally in mating relation with the first named casing member and the terminal mounting piece, and thereby a chamber is enclosed within the casing members.

Abstract: A method of assembling a combination starter-protector device and mounting it in a preselected assembly position onto at least a pair of plug terminals associated with a housing having a dynamoelectric machine arranged therein and with the at least plug terminal pair connected in circuit relation with a winding circuit of the dynamoelectric machine. The combination starter-protector device includes a pair of separable casing members, a PTCR, an overload protector, and at least a pair of female terminals. In this method, the PTCR, the protector device and the at least female terminal pair are enclosed within the casing members, and a resilient means is releasably secured generally about a major peripheral portion of the casing members for retaining them against separation.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical control having a relay device, a solid state starter device and an overload protector device predeterminately arranged therein and connected in circuit relation.

Abstract: A releasable combination of a separable starter device and a separable protector device adapted for connection in circuit relation with a dynamoelectric machine. A PTCR (positive temperature coefficient resistor) in the starter device and a switch means in the protector device are adapted for association in thermal coupling relation when the starter device and the protector device are in the releasable combination thereof. One of the starter device and the protector device includes yieldable means extending generally circumferentially about at least a major circumferential portion of a part of the other of the starter device and the protector device for releasable engagement therewith so as to releasably maintain the starter device and the protector device against separation from the releasable combination thereof.A method of assembling a releasable combination of a starter device and a protector device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electrical device including current relay means having housing means with at least one female terminal disposed therein and at least one switch means terminal extending exteriorly of the housing means. In this method, a solid state device is disposed at least adjacent the housing means, and the solid state device is connected in circuit relation between the at least one female terminal and the at least one switch means terminal.

Abstract: A combination starter-protector device adapted for removable mounting in electrical contacting engagement onto at least a pair of male terminals of a dielectric plug device secured to an apparatus housing. The combination starter-protector device has a casing, a PTCR disposed therein, and a switch in the casing for association in thermal coupling relation with the PTCR. A spring associated with the casing is adapted for releasable securing engagement with the apparatus housing so as to maintain the combination starter-protector device against displacement from the electrical contacting engagement thereof with the at least male terminal pair of the dielectric plug device when the combination starter-protector device is removably mounted thereto.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electrical device. In this method, a contact plate for a PTCR is disposed exteriorly of a casing therefor, and extensions on the contact plate are deformed into releasable securing engagement with the casing exteriorly thereof.

Abstract: An electrical control having a relay device, a solid state starter device and an overload protector device predeterminately arranged therein and connected in circuit relation.

Abstract: A terminal has means adapted for releasably receiving another terminal, and a tab integral with the receiving means extends therefrom. The tab includes a distal end portion spaced from the receiving means, a pair of opposite side edges between the distal end portion and the receiving means, and slot means in the tab intersecting one of the side edges generally adjacent the receiving means and extending between the side edges generally toward the distal end portion.

Abstract: A switch device has a housing with a chamber therein including at least one surface, and terminal members and switch elements are arranged in the chamber for electrical engagement and disengagement, respectively. A pedestal is integrally formed with the at least one surface and has a free end predeterminately spaced from the at least one surface. The terminal members are engaged with the free end and predeterminately extended beyond the marginal edges thereof so as to shield at least a part of the pedestal from the depositing thereon of any minute conductive material particles emanating in an arc blast from at least one of the terminal members and the switching elements upon the electrical disengagement thereof under load thereby to prevent the establishment of a conductive path of the deposited particles across the pedestal between the terminal members and the at least one surface. A method of making a switch device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A relay device adapted to be removably mounted in plug-on circuit relation with a pair of male terminals. The relay device has a pair of separable housing members releasably secured to each other with a pair of female terminals disposed so as to be generally retained therewithin, and a pair of means is provided in each of the housing members for the passage of the male terminal pairs into electrical contacting engagement with the female terminal pair. A pair of means on one of the housing members is associated with the passage means pair thereof for holding engagement with at least one of the female terminal pair and the male terminal pair so as to prevent the displacement of the one housing member from the female terminal pair in the event of at least a partial separation of the housing member pair when the female terminal pair is in the electrical contacting engagement with the male terminal pair.

Abstract: A combination relay-starter electrical device is adapted for connection in circuit relation with a winding circuit of a prime mover. The electrical device has a pair of terminal means adapted for the connection in the circuit relation with the prime mover winding circuit, and coil means adapted for electrical energization. Means arranged in magnetic coupling relation with the coil means is operable generally for switching between a circuit completing position and a circuit interrupting position upon the energization of the coil means, and means is provided for housing the terminal means, the coil means and the switching means. A solid state device associated with the housing means is connected in circuit relation between the switching means and one of the terminal means so as to be de-energized when the switching means is in its circuit interrupting position.Another electrical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical device has a casing, a solid state component, and a pair of means in the casing for electrical contacting and positioning engagement with the solid state component. A pair of terminal means are disposed in the casing for connection in circuit with the engagement means, respectively, and at least one of the terminal means is adapted for limited displacement movement in the casing upon the mounting association of the terminal means with a pair of mating terminals. The at least one terminal means includes means associated both mechanically and electrically with one of the engagement means and adapted for isolating the one engagement means from the limited displacement movement of the at least one terminal means upon the mounting association of the terminal means with the mating terminals.A method of making an electrical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination starter-protector device for a winding circuit of a dynamoelectric machine. The device has a housing with at least one terminal therein adapted for connection with a power source, and means is provided in the housing for controlling starting of the dynamoelectric machine. Means is mounted to the housing for electrical contact and positioning engagement with the starting controlling means and adapted for connection in circuit relation with the winding circuit. Another circuit is provided between the engagement means and the at least one terminal for supplying power to the winding circuit when the engagement means is connected in circuit relation therewith, and the other circuit includes means in the housing and operable generally in response to a certain thermal condition occasioned upon winding circuit overload for interrupting the other circuit.Other combination starter-protector devices are also disclosed.