Abstract: A rotary damper is provided. The rotary damper includes a first housing plate having a substantially flat substrate with a first plurality of windows; a rotary disc having a substantially flat substrate with a second plurality of windows, wherein the rotary disc is in rotatable communication with the first housing plate; and a motor that drives rotation of the rotary disc relative to the first housing plate such that the rotary disc rotates from a first configuration in which the second plurality of windows overlaps with the first plurality of windows of the first housing plate to at least a second configuration in which the second plurality of windows on the rotary disc and the first plurality of windows on the first housing plate do not overlap. Also provided is a refrigeration/freezer unit utilizing the rotary damper to control airflow between a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simultaneously changing multiple liquid level settings in a liquid-level switch including a diaphragm actuated pressure switch apparatus having a first and a second switch, through use of an actuator apparatus including a single control knob shaft rotatably connected to the pressure switch apparatus and having a first and a second cam fixedly attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, the first cam being operatively connected to provide a biasing force against actuation of the first switch, and the second cam being operatively connected to provide a biasing force against actuation of the second switch.

Abstract: A damper in a refrigeration system having a first compartment and a second compartment connectable through a passageway is provided. The damper comprises a damper door, a temperature responsive unit, and a heating element. The damper door is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The temperature responsive unit is operatively coupled to the damper door. The heating element is coupled to one end of the temperature responsive unit to conductively heat the temperature responsive unit when activated. The temperature responsive unit expands to move the damper door to the open position in response to conductive heating from the heating element.

Abstract: A flow-through rotary damper assembly providing highly efficient, essentially laminar fluid flow therethrough is provided. The rotary damper assembly includes a cylindrical outer body and a cylindrical inner body that are rotatable in relation to one another. The outer body defines apertures in relation to one another to allow fluid flow without requiring fluid direction change. The inner body defines a flow passage having inlet and outlet apertures that may be aligned with the apertures of the outer body to allow fluid flow therethrough, or may be rotated out of alignment to block fluid flow. The outer body includes an aperture on one end to allow fluid flow to a third compartment. The inner body also includes an end aperture that may be aligned therewith. The damper provides selectable fluid flow between each of the compartments depending on the relative position of the cylindrical inner body member.

Abstract: A programmer/timer having a cam disk that includes concentric cam tracks having multiple working heights formed on one face thereof. The programmer/timer further includes a plate assembly that includes multiple cam followers for engaging cam disk and a plurality of single pole double throw switches configured for multiple working heights disposed for actuation by cam followers.

Abstract: A programmer/timer having a cam disk that includes concentric cam tracks having multiple working heights formed on one face thereof The programmer/timer further includes a plate assembly that includes multiple cam followers for engaging cam disk and a plurality of single pole double throw switches configured for multiple working heights disposed for actuation by cam followers.

Abstract: A pressure switch having a pressure responsive diaphragm with a backing plate for operating a snap-acting switch. The switch has a cantilevered contact blade spring with an adjustment screw providing a reaction support at the free end. The middle portion of the contact blade spring provides a preload bias against the diaphragm backing plate. The blade spring includes a moveable electrical contact on a tang formed in the middle region and includes an over-center spring for effecting a snap action of the moveable contact against stationary contacts. The actuation-deactuation differential is determined, independently of the pressure setting for switch actuation, by setting the position of the stationary contacts.

Abstract: An appliance controller and its control shaft as well as a method for attaching a control knob to a control shaft are presented. The controller includes a control shaft body having a central bore and including at its forward end two cantilevers having outwardly facing detents. These detents are adapted to engage an engagement slot of a control knob. The control shaft body also includes at its rearward end two slots forming rear cantilevers having positioning detents. A locking rod is positioned within the bore of the control shaft body. It has a forward end adapted to prevent inward deflection of the forward cantilevers when it is in a locked position. This forward end is further adapted to preclude outward deflection of these cantilevers during insertion. The rearward end of the locking rod includes radially extending tabs which prevent the locking rod from being removed from the housing of the controller.

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.