Comprising Linearly Expansible Metal Patents (Class 219/512)
  • Patent number: 11814780
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet for receipt of clothes, and an integrated ironing assembly including an induction coil assembly positioned within the cabinet, such as below a top panel of the cabinet, and being selectively energized to generate a magnetic field for heating an ironing tool, such as a ferromagnetic ironing plate, when the ironing tool is positioned within the magnetic field generated by the induction coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Chakradhar Rangu, Neki Jashwant Patel, Neelapala Gopinath Yadav
  • Publication number: 20140263270
    Abstract: A control assembly for a cordless liquid heating apparatus comprises a control for mounting to the liquid heating apparatus and a cordless base connector adapted to supply electrical power to the control. The control assembly comprises a switch arrangement for making or breaking an electrical circuit for supplying power to the liquid heating apparatus. The switch arrangement comprises a fixed contact member provided on the cordless base connector, a moveable contact member mounted on a switch lever provided on the control, and resilient means, separate from and acting on the switch lever, so as to bias the moveable contact member into electrical contact with the fixed contact member. The control comprises one or more temperature-sensitive actuators arranged to act on the switch levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Strix Limited
    Inventor: Vincent Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 8467668
    Abstract: An infrared, room heater system for installation in a wall or on a floor. An electric fan assembly draws room air into a housing, then through three parallel, air transit channels where the air is heated by infrared radiation within and about a heat exchanger assembly, and then back out into the room. One or more ceramic heating elements attached to a first copper plate emit infrared radiation when electrically energized. The first copper plate lies adjacent to, but spaced away from, a second copper plate such that radiation emitted from the heating elements reflects back and forth between the plates. Room air passed between the copper plates is heated by heat radiation concentrated between the plates, thereby achieving both energy and space efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Acepower Logistics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Searle, Alexander Anderson
  • Patent number: 8283609
    Abstract: An on die thermal sensor in a semiconductor memory device includes: a reference voltage generating unit for generating a band gap voltage and generating a reference voltage by using the base band gap voltage; a voltage amplifying unit for outputting a temperature voltage by amplifying the band gap voltage; and a temperature information code generating unit for generating a temperature information code corresponding to a voltage level of the temperature voltage, wherein voltage variation of the temperature voltage is amplified as much as a preset amplifying value and a maximum voltage level of the temperature voltage is maintained lower than that of a power supply voltage used in the semiconductor memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Seok Jeong
  • Patent number: 7223947
    Abstract: An electric heating structure of a domestic appliance includes at least one first electric heating track (23) having a positive temperature coefficient and at least one additional electric heating track (27, 28). A control structure (22, 25, 29) is provided for controlling electric power supply to said first and additional heating tracks (23, 27, 28) and is sensitive to the heating of said at least one first heating track (23) for switching on said at least one additional electric heating track (27, 28) in parallel and in addition to said at least one first heating track (23) when said at least one first heating track (23) has been heated to at least a predetermined extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan, Kai Heng Kwok, Gerard Cnossen
  • Patent number: 7119654
    Abstract: A temperature sensor for radiant heating units with a heating coil disposed in a cup includes a tube with a first end connected to a housing of a switch with a movable contact cooperating with stationery contacts in the housing. A two-section rod, which extends into the housing of the switch and operates the movable contact, is supported inside the tube. The tube and the rod have different thermal expansion coefficients. To prevent a shift in the switching point, the section of the rod that operates the contact terminates outside the hollow space of the cup, and the temperature-induced length changes of this section and of the housing are matched to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Paul Losbichler
  • Patent number: 7075035
    Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling current input to an electrical resistance element such as a seal wire. The system and apparatus of the present invention is a closed loop feedback modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent expansion of the seal wire as it is heated. The feedback mechanism monitors the length of the sealing wire, and adjusts the current applied to the wire, responsive to that monitored length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Shanklin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 6822203
    Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling current input to an electrical resistance element such as a seal wire. The system and apparatus of the present invention is a closed loop feedback modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent expansion of the seal wire as it is heated. When the seal wire expands to a predetermined length, a switch is triggered which interrupts at least a portion of the power supplied to the wire for heating. The interruption continues until the wire contracts to a length less than the predetermined length, whereupon the interruption ceases and heating of the wire resumes normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Shanklin Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin M. Hayward
  • Patent number: 6720538
    Abstract: A heating appliance having an electrical circuit that controls the temperature output of the heating appliance is provided with a bimetallic element that opens upon reaching a temperature level. A potentiometer in the circuit is used to select the temperature level within an acceptable range of temperatures. The potentiometer has a rotatable shaft including a first positioning element. A knob is secured to the shaft and has a second positioning element that engages the first positioning element on the shaft. The first and second positioning elements have portions that may be modified to compensate for variations in the temperature at which the bimetallic element opens. The first positioning element may be a rib, while the second positioning element is a slot in a tubular portion of the knob receives the rib and that may be located in a range of arcuate positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mordechai Lev
  • Publication number: 20040056019
    Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling current input to an electrical resistance element such as a seal wire. The system and apparatus of the present invention is a closed loop feedback modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent expansion of the seal wire as it is heated. When the seal wire expands to a predetermined length, a switch is triggered which interrupts at least a portion of the power supplied to the wire for heating. The interruption continues until the wire contracts to a length less than the predetermined length, whereupon the interruption ceases and heating of the wire resumes normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin M. Hayward
  • Patent number: 6660976
    Abstract: A control unit (3) for controlling an electric household appliance, e.g. a refrigerator, is connected in series with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistive unit (4) which, when supplied with electric current, generates sufficient heat to activate a thermally activated actuating element (6) for selectively turning on/off respective auxiliary switches (9) of the electric household appliance. The thermally activated actuating element (6) includes a temperature-deformable element (7), e.g. a bimetallic plate, the deformation of which is transmitted by kinematic links (10) to a camshaft (8), the cams (12) of which cooperate with the auxiliary switches (9) of the electric household appliance to selectively turn on/off the auxiliary switches (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Industrial Components S.r.l.
    Inventor: Raoul Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6555796
    Abstract: A heater having a shut off device is provided which prevents false over temperature lockouts. The heater comprises a body having walls defining a volume for holding water, a heating element thermally coupled to the body for heating water within the body, and a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the material. The heater also has a shut off switch for shutting off electric current in the heater when the sensed temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature limit, and a manually actuated reset input for resetting the shut off switch to allow current to be applied to the heater. The heater further includes a controller coupled to the shut off switch and the reset switch, wherein the controller determines the presence of a false over temperature event and overrides the need to manually actuate the reset input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sherwood-Templeton Coal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon B. Cusack
  • Publication number: 20020190058
    Abstract: A heating appliance having an electrical circuit that controls the temperature output of the heating appliance is provided with a bimetallic element that opens upon reaching a temperature level. A potentiometer in the circuit is used to select the temperature level within an acceptable range of temperatures. The potentiometer has a rotatable shaft including a first positioning element. A knob is secured to the shaft and has a second positioning element that engages the first positioning element on the shaft. The first and second positioning elements have portions that may be modified to compensate for variations in the temperature at which the bimetallic element opens. The first positioning element may be a rib, while the second positioning element is a slot in a tubular portion of the knob receives the rib and that may be located in a range of arcuate positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mordechai Lev
  • Patent number: 6472646
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive, overheat protection control for a thick film electric heater comprises a bimetallic actuator (68) arranged for making good thermal contact with the heater, and a moveable electrical contact (78) for engagement with a contact provided on the heater. The moveable contact (78) is operatively coupled to the bimetallic actuator (68) such that in use upon operation of the actuator, it moves out of engagement with the heater contact to interrupt the electrical supply to the heater. The bimetallic actuator (68) and the moveable contact are mounted on a common generally U-shaped leaf spring (66) which acts in use resiliently to bias the actuator (68) into thermal contact with the heater and the moveable contact (78) into electrical contact therewith. The control also comprises a creep action bimetallic actuator (110) mounting a contact at one end, the actuator acting as a thermostatic control for the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventor: John Crawshaw Taylor
  • Patent number: 6414285
    Abstract: A thermal protector has a fixed plate provided with a fixed contact at the front end portion. There is a first terminal for external connection in the rear end portion and a movable plate having elasticity so that a movable contact provided in the front end portion is brought into contact with the fixed contact by the elasticity. There is a second terminal for external connection connected to the rear end portion of the movable plate; and a bimetal plate, the front end portion being engaged with the movable plate. The movable plate is driven in a direction such that the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact by reversing when a predetermined temperature is exceeded. A part of the movable plate has a double reconstruction provided by folding, and an increase in cross-sectional area due to this double construction substantially decreases the internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6150641
    Abstract: A temperature sensing and limiting device is described for use in a radiant electric heater (8) incorporating at least one heating element (14). The device comprises an elongate tubular housing (1) adapted to at least partly traverse the heater so as to be heated externally by the heating element. A component (4) is provided within the housing and provides an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature. At least a thermal-sensing portion (11) of a thermally-responsive bimetallic cut-out device (10) is provided within the housing (1), the cut-out device being adapted to deenergize the heater (8) at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins
  • Patent number: 6002115
    Abstract: A temperature controller for an electrically operated cooking appliance which performs as a thermostatic controller at high temperatures and as a simmerstat or time dependent temperature controller at simmering temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Breville Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: John William McClean
  • Patent number: 5804798
    Abstract: A thermal protector having a fixed plate with a fixed contact point at one end, a movable plate having a movable contact point at a position corresponding to the fixed contact point. A bimetal plate which bends when a temperature exceeds a specified level deforms movable plate so as separate the contacts. There are first and second terminals connecting the fixed and movable plates with an external circuit and a heating element connected to the first and second terminals to maintain an open-circuited state. The heating element is flexible and is arranged so as to be deformed following the deformation of the bimetal plate and to always physically contact always with the bimetal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 5607610
    Abstract: A compact protector device having a housing 10 with a fixed electrode 18 and terminal member 12 and a movable electrode 26 and terminal member 14 contained therein. The movable electrode 26 includes a thermostatic bimetal member 26a with a movable contact 28 attached thereto positioned to engage and disengage with a fixed contact 20 attached to the fixed electrode 18 upon action of the bimetal member 26c. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element 24 is positioned in direct heat transfer relationship with the bimetal member 26c and electrically connected between the fixed and movable electrodes 18, 26. The protector further includes an insulating member 22 for compressively holding the movable electrode 26 in electrical contact with the PTC element 24 and forming a fulcrum point for action of said bimetal member 26c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideharu Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5235159
    Abstract: A control system for regulating electrical power input to the resistive heating elements of an electric heating apparatus, including domestic cooking appliances, is provided which employs at least one piezoceramic relay device. The electrical power is applied with the piezoceramic relay device responsive to control signals and with the control circuitry being directly and ohmically connected to the power source. In one embodiment, the control system employs individual piezoceramic relay devices for power regulation to the individual heating elements while in different embodiments a single piezoceramic relay device regulates power input to a pair of the heating elements. A method of operating the controlled apparatus in such manner and an apparatus having such control system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William P. Kornrumpf, John D. Harnden, Jr., Robert P. Alley
  • Patent number: 5233162
    Abstract: An electric lighter for a vehicle includes a lighter plug insertable into a dashboard socket having a bimetallic yoke engageable with an end of the plug for energizing the glow coil of the plug. An overload protective device is disposed in the socket and comprises a bimetallic snap-action disc disposed immediately below the yoke and connected electrically in series therewith. The snap-action disc has a first shape in its operating condition where it completes the circuit to the glow coil through the yoke and assumes a second shape when it snaps to its switch-off position in response to an overload condition to open the circuit to the glow coil. The snap-action disc remains in its switch-off position after cooling and must be manually reset to its operating position to restore operability of the lighter by the engagement of a manually actuated reset device associated with the socket with a peripheral portion of the snap-action disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Schoeller & Co. Elektrotechnische Fabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Alexander von Gaisberg, Alexander Fischer
  • Patent number: 5175792
    Abstract: An advance warning control system for controlling the liquid level in a heating tank including an electrical immersion heater to provide a source of radiant energy, a control means operably associated with the immersion heater and the control means including a first normally open bi-metallic switch and a second normally closed bi-metallic switch which together operate to provide an advance warning upon energization of the first switch to give a predetermined time interval before energization of the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick L. Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 5020128
    Abstract: A tubular electric resistance heater includes a tubular sheath enclosing an electric heater coil. As protective overheat safety device is provided at an end of the sheath and includes an electrically conductive tube disposed in a cavity in the end of the sheath and having a closed end electrically connected to the heater coil. A rod-shaped member made of a thermally deformable material extends through the tube from the closed and projects out of the other end of the tube into activating engagement with a normally closed switch located externally of the tubular sheath and electrically connected in series with the tube and thereby the heater coil. Excessive heater coil temperatures cause the rod-shaped member to deform and actuate the switch to its open position to deenergize the heater coil. The rod-shaped member may be made to a memory-alloy or a plastic which changes its structure, e.g., shrinks, or melts at a certain temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Ingo Bleckmann
  • Patent number: 4937430
    Abstract: In a utility steam generator for small household electric appliances, steam pressure and filling water supply to the boiler is automatically controlled merely by a microswitch and a temperature controller, rather than by conventional devices such as pressure switches and maximum and minimum level controlling devices. The boiler body has a U-shaped pipe closed at both ends to form two legs, which are arranged on two superposed planes, so that the lower leg is the true boiler containing water and a heater and the upper leg is a steam dome. Control of steam pressure is effected by utilizing the variation of curvature of the pipe when the internal pressure varies, with a microswitch being used to switch the electric heating resistance on and off. The microswitch is mounted between the ends of the two legs of the U-shaped pipe, so the microswitch is closed by the two ends approaching one another when the pressure inside the pipe is reduced and the current is fed to the electric heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Termozeta Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cesare Belloni
  • Patent number: 4917006
    Abstract: An expansion thermostat adapted for regulating the temperature of a cooking surface. One end of the cooking surface is secured at one end of a container. Mounted to the other end of the container is a switch which controls the heat. When the cooking surface is heated, the cooking surface expands causing the other end of the cooking surface to release the switch. Releasing the switch turns off heat to the cooking surface. As the cooking surface cools, the switch is pressed. Pressing the switch turns on heat to the cooking surface. The heat to the cooking surface is thus cycled to provide a substantially constant cooking temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Bowen, Kenneth W. Dudley, Joseph C. Maiellano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4892996
    Abstract: A fuel heater adapted to mount in series with a diesel engine fuel line comprises a metal pipe having a resistance heater wound around a first straight portion of the pipe containing a fluid deflector dividing the first portion into a plurality of fluid passages. A U-shaped bend is formed in a second portion of the pipe upstream from the heater. The pipe is flattened to less than half the normal diameter of the pipe in the bight of the U-shaped portion and a bimetal disk thermostatic switch is mounted on the flattened wall of the pipe. When the ambient temperature of the fuel is below a predetermined temperature and is flowing through the flattened pipe, the switch activates the heater, but if the fuel stops flowing or increases in ambient temperature, the switch cuts off the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: TRW Technar Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Mertes
  • Patent number: 4889971
    Abstract: A device for temperature regulation has a contact housing which is provided ith a movable contact spring for breaking a circuit and on which a fastening flange is fastened. Furthermore, there is a tube of low thermal expansion, in which a bar with a high coefficient of thermal expansion is arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable. That end of the tube located on the same side as the switch is supported in a concave receptacle arched in the direction of the contact housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Electrovac Fabrikation Ellectrotechnisher Spezialartkel Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bayer
  • Patent number: 4788415
    Abstract: A power control switching arrangement for controlling energization of a load in response to an external controller, in which a first semiconductor switch is connected in parallel with the series combination of a first normally open thermally actuated switch and a second normally closed thermally actuated switch, to couple the power signal to the load. A first heater for the first thermal switch is connected in parallel with the load. A second heater for the second thermal switch is connected in series with a second semiconductor switch, across the power supply. The second semiconductor switch, when switched into conduction by the controller, enables energization of the second heater. To energize the load, the controller switches the first semiconductor switch into conduction enabling energization of the load and the first heater. Energization of the first heater closes the first thermally actuated switch, thereby shunting the first semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Z. Whipple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4752671
    Abstract: An element protector unit for an electrically heated water boiling vessel comprises primary and secondary bimetals responsive to the element head temperature and each arranged for actuating a respective one of primary and secondary switching contacts connected in the line and neutral sides of the element supply via respective push rods. The secondary bimetal and associated switch contacts provide back-up protection in the event of failure of the primary protection on account for example of welding of the primary switch contacts. The primary and secondary bimetals are partially overlapped in the element protector unit for correspondingly reducing the combined area they present to the element head, and the element head plate is provided with a double-dimple formation having a first portion adapted to nest with one of the two overlapped bimetals and a second portion adapted to nest with the other bimetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Otter Controls Limited
    Inventors: Terrence J. C. Foster, Keith Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4743727
    Abstract: A turntable drive unit of a microwave oven which comprises a spring box disposed below floor of the cooking chamber in the microwave oven, the spring box containing a shape memory alloy plate spring disposed therein, an axle mounted to the spring box through one end thereof and the other end thereof mounted to a food platform, and a shape memory alloy coil spring disposed in the spring box, one end of the coil spring connected to an air control plate disposed in the spring box whereby the food plateform can be automatically rotated by varying the temperature in the cooking chamber in the microwave oven and varying the temperature in the spring box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Whang Joon-Yoen
  • Patent number: 4723067
    Abstract: An electric hotplate (1) with a temperature sensor (21) of a power control device provided in the center of the cooking surface (3) has on the underside of area (5) of hotplate body (2) directly heated by heating resistors (7, 8) a thermal cutout (27) with rod-like temperature sensors (28) projecting freely from a switch casing (29). Switch casing (29) is located outside a cover (17) of underside (4) of hotplate body (2) and temperature sensor (28) is located within said cover. In the case of high switching precision of thermal cutout (27), the limiter switch is still not damaged if the thermal cutout is set to relatively high cut-off temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc U. Fischer
    Inventor: Felix Schreder
  • Patent number: 4697068
    Abstract: A heating unit for cooking points, baking oven muffles or the like is provided on the inside of its outer body (2), in the central zone (10), with two thermal cutouts (17, 18), which are preferably located in a common cutout casing (19) exclusively located in said central zone (10) and sense with their temperature sensors (24, 25) different regions of the heating surface or outer body (2). The differently set thermal cutouts (17, 18) and the heating resistors (7, 8, 9) separately connected into the leads ensure a differentiated disconnection of a more or less large part of the heating power, so that rerliable protection against overheating is ensured, in the case of a compact construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventor: Felix Schreder
  • Patent number: 4667074
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus is formed by connecting a plate or a rod made of good heat-transferring metal to the lower surface of an insulating plate, connecting a spring or a bimetal having shape-memorizing function to one end of the metallic plate or rod and providing a temperature displaying means at a corner portion or an operating part in the front surface of the insulating plate. The induction heating apparatus always displays a correct temperature in an insulating plate even at a high temperature in a cooking pot. Further, there is causing no shaving or peeling-off as seen in a paint in which change in color takes place depending on temperature and a danger of burn can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kubo, Mitsuo Yasuda, Akihide Katata
  • Patent number: 4665307
    Abstract: A thermal cut-out device for a radiant heater includes a probe-type thermally responsive assembly (2), at least a part of which is coated with and/or is surrounded by a radiation reflective material. The probe-type assembly may include a first element (3) in the form of a rod of material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion and a second element (4) in the form of a tube of material having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion. The rod may be coupled to a snap-acting switch assembly (1). One or both of the first and second elements may be coated with or surrounded by the radiation reflective material. Alternatively the tube which surrounds the first element may be made of the radiation reflective material. The radiation reflective material may be a metal such as gold or a suitable element from Group VIII of the Periodic Table or may be a high temperature resistant particulate material such as aluminium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide or tin oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Micropore International Limited
    Inventor: Joseph A. McWilliams
  • Patent number: 4633238
    Abstract: A temperature sensor for a temperature limiter is made up of an outer tube and a number of inner component rods. The temperature sensor extends transversely over the top side of a moulding of a heating system for a glass-ceramic cooking unit. The heating system comprises a central heating surface and an outer connectable heating surface disposed in a circle therearound. Disposed in the zone of the central heating surface is an inner component rod whose coefficient of expansion is lower than that of the outer tube, while in the zone of the connectable heating surface the component rods have a higher coefficient of expansion than the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventors: Gerhard Goessler, Eugen Wilde, Willi Essig, Edgar Hanss
  • Patent number: 4631390
    Abstract: A thermal limiting device for controlling one or more sources of infra-red radiation, preferably tungsten-halogen lamps, mounted in heating apparatus, consists of a metallic wire arranged to de-energize the sources when it is subjected to a predetermined temperature. The wire is accommodated within a quartz tube, which selectively transmits and absorbs infra-red radiation of different wavelengths. An infra-red reflective coating is applied either to the wire or to the inner surface of the quartz tube to prevent infra-red radiation transmitted through the quartz tube from reaching the wire, while infra-red radiation of a particular wavelength, which is absorbed by the quartz tube, heats the wire by thermal conduction and convection, so that the limiter is primarily responsive to radiation only of that particular wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: THORN EMI Domestic Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Peter W. Crossley, Bernard F. Fellerman, Graham H. Goodchild
  • Patent number: 4577176
    Abstract: A temperature regulating device is provided for electrical cooking appliances wherein the heat is provided by heating bodies, or elements, for plural heating zones. The device has a heat resistant bar or rod of high thermal expansion. The rod is enclosed within a tubular jacket formed of two tubes set end-to-end along the rod. The rod is spring mounted for moving an electrical contact of a switch to open and close the switch. The tubes have different coefficients of thermal expansion, the coefficient of the tube nearest the switch being the same as that of the rod, for providing a uniform switching characteristic over a wide range of operation of the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Electrovac Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmut Bayer
  • Patent number: 4574185
    Abstract: The deep fryer comprises an oil tank, an immersed heater (3) controlled by a thermostat (2) which disconnects the heater when the oil reaches a given temperature. The thermostat comprises an auxiliary switch (a) which controls a signal light (a-1) or some other signalling means operating at a temperature 5.degree. to 10.degree. C. below the operating temperature of the main switch (b) which controls the heater. One thus anticipates the time when the required temperature is reached. By immersing the product to be fried at that moment, one eliminates the inertia effect of the thermostat, prevents the disconnecting of the heater, and reduces the drop in temperature. The duration of the cooking cycle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Fredy Wenger
  • Patent number: 4555688
    Abstract: A thermostat for a cooking utensil having a radiation heating body is constructed of an electrical switch actuated by a push rod. The rod extends away from the switch and expands in response to increasing temperature. The rod is held by spring loading within an outer tube of material, typically quartz or ceramic, of substantially lower coefficient of expansion than the rod. To permit adjustment of the thermostat during manufacture, a mating surface between a side wall of a housing of the switch and an end of the tube is constructed by forming an outward spherically shaped bulge in the side wall and an outward flaring of the end of the tube, thereby to permit relative motion between the housing and the tube without fracturing the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bayer
  • Patent number: 4554438
    Abstract: The cooker contains several conventional hotplates in a mounting plate. A thermostat is associated with each hotplate. However, the thermostat is not placed in or on the hotplate, but is instead located on the cooker, particularly between the hotplate and the edge or one of the corners of the mounting plate to protect against localized overheating apart from the hotplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventor: Felix Schreder
  • Patent number: 4544831
    Abstract: In a cooking and heating apparatus, a device for warning personnel of dangerously hot temperature is incorporated within the structure of a thermostat which has a switch for regulating the flow of electric current to a heating element of the apparatus. The thermostat includes a push rod mechanically coupled to a finger-like termination which extends through an aperture in an arm of the regulating switch to engage the arm of a further switch used in activating a warning indication. A collar on the termination engages the arm of the regulating switch subsequent to the activation of the further switch by the rod. The rod expands with increasing temperature and, thereby, initiates the warning at a lower temperature than the temperature of the power cut off by the regulating switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Electrovac Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmut Bayer
  • Patent number: 4539468
    Abstract: An electric immersion heating element dry switch-on or boil dry protector unit for an electrically heated water boiling vessel comprises primary and secondary bimetals (31,32) responsive to the heating element head temperature and each arranged for actuating a respective one of primary and secondary switching contacts (11,12) connected in the line and neutral sides of the heating element supply via respective push rods (38,44). The secondary bimetal (32) is arranged to break later than the primary bimetal (31) in a dry switch-on or boil dry situation giving rise to excessive element temperatures, and to reset before the primary in a reducing temperature situation. The secondary bimetal (32) and associated switch contacts (12) provide back-up protection in the event of failure of the primary protection on account for example of welding of the primary switch contacts (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Otter Controls Limited
    Inventors: Richard A. Phillips, Keith Fletcher, Peter W. Naylor
  • Patent number: 4512295
    Abstract: The tips 14 of any glow plugs 10 which are shorted are protected against enlargement by a separate protective device 28 in each series connection 26 to an individual glow plug opening in a fraction of a second in response to current through the device of a value corresponding to a short of the heating element in the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Jay L. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4508961
    Abstract: An electric radiant heater unit of the kind used in glass ceramic top cookers comprises first and second heater elements disposed adjacent to each other on a base layer of thermal and electrical insulating material, the arrangement being such that, in use, the heat emitted by the second heater element augments the heat emitted by the first heater element. A peripheral wall of thermal insulating material surrounds the heater elements and a thermal cut-out device extends over both of the heater elements. There is also provided means such as a block of thermal insulating material or a heat sink for shielding the thermal cut-out device in the regions thereof which pass over the second heater element from heat emitted by both the first and second heater elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Micropore International Limited
    Inventor: Joseph A. McWilliams
  • Patent number: 4507073
    Abstract: A web manufacturing apparatus including a flexible shaping member that engages fluid material of which a web is formed, a support that extends parallel to the shaping member and a plurality of thermal expansion rods that extend between the shaping member and the support so that the shaping member can be flexed to control the web thickness profile by means of heaters on the thermal expansion rod. Each thermal expansion rod is fixed to the shaping member and is secured to the support via a differential screw mechanism that includes a driven screw and an adjusting screw positioned in tandem in a threaded bore through the support and are coupled so that the driven screw can be turned by turning the adjusting screw. The driven and adjusting screws have internally threaded bores and one end of the thermal expansion rod screws into the bore of the driven screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Fife Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 4503321
    Abstract: Apart from its conventional power main heating system, which is manually controlled by a power control device, an electric hotplate has an additional heating system, which is connected in parallel to the main heating system and in series with a temperature switch and an additional contact, which is operated by the adjusting shaft of the power control device in an upper or medium power range of the hotplate. The temperature switch is a relatively inertly operating thermal cutout with a high switching hysteresis, which in this case serves as a timing element which is not normally switched on again once it has been switched off. Continuously adjustable timing power control units and seven-cycle switches are provided as the power control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc und Fischer
    Inventor: Felix Schreder
  • Patent number: 4467180
    Abstract: A two-circuit automatic hotplate has a switch, which can be controlled both by a bimetallic strip of a power control device and by an expansion member of a hydraulic temperature sensor. The control heating system of the bimetallic strip is in series with a cooking heating system of the hotplate.The electric power levels of the cooking heating systems are preferably selected in such a way that, wherever possible, a current of the same level flows through the control heating system for the bimetallic strip, so that the same bimetallic strip can always be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Karl Fischer
    Inventors: Karl Fischer, Felix Schreder
  • Patent number: 4433231
    Abstract: An electrically heated appliance, such as a steam iron, is provided with an adjustable stacked thermostat assembly having an integrated overtemperature protection control. In the case of a steam iron, the thermostat assembly is mounted on a boss on the soleplate and includes a pair of contacts carried by spring contact blades and adapted to be actuated by a heat deformable bimetallic blade to make and break the circuit to the electric heating element of the iron. The overtemperature protection control includes an electrically conductive rivet electrically connected to one of the electrical power supply terminals of the iron and a U-shaped electrically conductive spring having a first end electrically connected to a conductive member in circuit with one of the spring contact blades and a second end soldered to the rivet by a solder joint fusible at a selected overtemperature to melt and break the circuit between the rivet and the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles A. Balchunas
  • Patent number: 4431904
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric cigar lighter for use, for example in vehicles, having an improved circuit breaker which includes at least two thermostatic contacts mounted on a bottom of a tubular holder for receiving an igniting unit, an end cap secured to the outer face of the tubular holder, a movable contact unit which is movable in the end cap and a spring mounted in the end cap so as to rearwardly urge the movable contact unit. The thermostatic contacts are adapted to contact a bimetallic latch mounted in the tubular holder, and to rearwardly extend into the end cap. The movable contact unit includes a contact member in a form of a cap which, at a front end portion of a cylindrical wall thereof, a rib which is adapted to be engageable with ribs formed at the rear ends of the thermostatic contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Seisakusho Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4431907
    Abstract: A domestic range of the electric type includes a cooking platform providing a plurality of "burner" locations constituted by pancake-shaped surface heating elements formed of spirally wound resistance wire. An elongated boxlike control unit extends upwardly from and across the back edge of the cooking platform. An oven chamber of the pyrolytic self-cleaning type is located below the range platform and includes radiant-type heating elements also formed of resistance wire. A heat-sink-mounted electronic module located within the control unit is protected from damaging high temperatures caused by improper operation of the range by a pair of normally closed temperature-sensitive bimetal actuated switches mounted to the module heat sink, the switches being connected in electrical series relationship between the heating elements and their electrical power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene J. Barnett