Patents by Inventor Marcel P. Hofsaess

Marcel P. Hofsaess 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).

  • Publication number: 20240055206
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch, comprising a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a switching mechanism unit and a switching mechanism housing, in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and held captively therein. Furthermore, the switch comprises a switch housing, in which the switching mechanism housing is arranged and held captively therein. The switching mechanism housing surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing circumferential side extending between and transversely to the first and the second housing sides, and on the first housing side comprises an opening through which a movable contact part of the switching mechanism interacts with a stationary contact part arranged on the switch housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20240055205
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch, comprising a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a switching mechanism unit, and having a switching mechanism housing, in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and held captively therein, wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises a first base body composed of electrically conductive material. The temperature-dependent switch furthermore comprises a switch housing having a second base body composed of electrically insulating material, in which the switching mechanism housing is arranged and held captively therein, wherein the switch housing comprises a stationary contact part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20240055204
    Abstract: Temperature-dependent switch, comprising a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a switching mechanism unit, which comprises a movable contact part coupled to a bimetallic snap-action disc, and having a switching mechanism housing, in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and held captively therein. Furthermore, the switch comprises a switch housing, in which the switching mechanism housing is arranged and held captively therein, wherein the switch housing comprises a stationary contact part, which acts as a mating contact to the movable contact part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11901144
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch with a housing, which comprises a cover part having an upper side and a lower part having a raised peripheral wall, the upper section of which is bent onto the upper side of the cover part and thereby holds the cover part on the lower part, wherein two contact surfaces are provided outside at the housing and a switching mechanism is arranged in the housing, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed state, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces, and an open state, in which the switching mechanism interrupts the electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces. A sealing ring is arranged on the upper side of the cover part, which sealing ring is in sealing contact with the bent upper section of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20240029974
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for a temperature-dependent switch, having: a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc having a first through hole; a temperature independent snap-action spring disc having a second through hole; and an electrically conductive contact member including a main body that passes through the first through hole and the second through hole. The contact member includes a support shoulder projecting radially from the main body, a first locking element projecting radially from the main body and arranged on a first side of the support shoulder, and a second locking element projecting radially from the main body and arranged on a second side of the support shoulder opposite the first side. The temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the snap-action spring disc are arranged between the locking elements and the support shoulder and are each held captive, but with clearance, by these on the main body of the contact member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20240029975
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for a temperature-dependent switch, having a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, a temperature independent snap-action spring disc, an electrically conductive contact member to which the bimetal snap-action disc and the snap-action spring disc are captively held, so that the bimetal snap-action disc, the snap-action spring disc and the contact member form a switching mechanism unit captively held together, and a switching mechanism housing which captively holds the switching mechanism unit. The switching mechanism housing surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing peripheral side extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11881369
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature and activate the closing lock, which holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11749479
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, once activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11476066
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11469066
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11393647
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch with a housing, which comprises a cover part having an upper side and a lower part having a raised peripheral wall, the upper section of which is bent onto the upper side of the cover part and thereby holds the cover part on the lower part, wherein two contact surfaces are provided outside at the housing and a switching mechanism is arranged in the housing, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed state, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces, and an open state, in which the switching mechanism interrupts the electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces. A sealing ring is arranged on the upper side of the cover part, which sealing ring is in sealing contact with the bent upper section of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11342144
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising a housing, which comprises a cover part and a lower part, wherein an insulating foil is arranged between the cover part and the lower part. The temperature-dependent switch further comprises a first external contact surface provided externally on the housing, a second external contact surface provided externally on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in the housing. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second external contact surfaces. The insulating foil is at least partially coated or printed with a sealing agent which, for sealing the housing, contacts the cover part and/or the lower part in a sealing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20220148830
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch with a housing, which comprises a cover part having an upper side and a lower part having a raised peripheral wall, the upper section of which is bent onto the upper side of the cover part and thereby holds the cover part on the lower part, wherein two contact surfaces are provided outside at the housing and a switching mechanism is arranged in the housing, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed state, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces, and an open state, in which the switching mechanism interrupts the electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces. A sealing ring is arranged on the upper side of the cover part, which sealing ring is in sealing contact with the bent upper section of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11282662
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch having a housing that comprises a cover part and an electrically conductive lower part. The switch further comprises a first external contact surface arranged on the upper side of the cover part, and a second external contact surface provided externally on the housing. Still further, the switch comprises a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is arranged in the housing and that, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second external contact surfaces. A circumferential cutting burr acting as a sealing means is furthermore provided, that penetrates into the insulating foil or the cover part, wherein the cutting burr is arranged on a sealing ring that is connected to the lower part by means of a non-positive, positive and/or firmly bonded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11264194
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprises first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member and a temperature-dependent snap-action part, which transitions between geometric low- and high-temperature configurations based on a temperature of the switch. Switching the snap-action part from its geometric low- to high-temperature configuration moves the switching mechanism from a first to a second switching position and thereby opens the switch. A closing lock prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping it in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a fusible medium which melts when a melting temperature of the medium is exceeded, contacts, in a molten state, a part of the switching mechanism when it is in its second switching position, and solidifies again and thereby locks it in its second switching position when the temperature of the switch falls below the melting temperature of the medium again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11217409
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch which comprises a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a current transfer member. The switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, either closes the switch by pressing the current transfer member against the first and the second counter contact and thereby establishing an electrically conductive connection between the two counter contacts via the current transfer member, or opens the switch by keeping the current transfer member at a distance from the first and the second counter contact and thereby interrupting the electrically conductive connection. A closing lock is provided, which keeps the switch open when it has been opened for the first time. The closing lock comprises a spring washer which directly interacts with the current transfer member and mechanically locks the latter permanently when the switch has been opened for the first time so that the switch remains permanently open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 11195679
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch includes a housing with a top face and an outer face that runs transversely to the top face. The switch includes a first outer contact area that is arranged on the top face. The switch includes a second outer contact area that is arranged at the housing. The switch includes a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is arranged in the housing and configured to establish or open an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second outer contact area depending on a temperature of the switching mechanism. The housing is disposed in a metal mounting cap that includes a wall. An upper rim of the wall protrudes beyond the top face of the housing. An inner side of the wall bears at least partially against the outer face of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20210166900
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising a housing, which comprises a cover part and a lower part, wherein an insulating foil is arranged between the cover part and the lower part. The temperature-dependent switch further comprises a first external contact surface provided externally on the housing, a second external contact surface provided externally on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in the housing. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second external contact surfaces. The insulating foil is at least partially coated or printed with a sealing agent which, for sealing the housing, contacts the cover part and/or the lower part in a sealing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20210118636
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Publication number: 20210090834
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess