Fusible Link Patents (Class 219/517)
  • Patent number: 5141580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection component equipped with an electrical resistor for the welding of elements made of heat-fusing plastic. According to the invention, the resistor takes the form of a single wire coated with an electrically insulating layer and having points of intersection, the coating layer fusing at a temperature between the fusion temperature of the components to be joined together and their temperature of thermal damage, so that short-circuits are generated on the wire and so that the stopping of the supply of current to the latter is commanded. The invention is used particularly for the thermal welding of polyethylene pipes used in the gas industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Gaz De France
    Inventors: Denis Dufour, Francois Fortin
  • 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: 4959528
    Abstract: A portable, self heating, container assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes an electrically heated double-walled insulated vessel having a lower end portion telescopically, rotatably and removably received in a tubular socket of a separate base unit. The socket bottom has a pair of electrical contacts connected through a power switch and fuse to a power cord adapted to be plugged into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. The pair of contacts are engageable with cooperating electrical contacts on the vessel bottom for energization of the heating element upon the vessel being received in the recessed in the socket. The vessel bottom and socket have cooperating spaced, interengageable radial locking flanges arranged to securely lock the vessel and base unit together upon rotation of the vessel relative to the base unit after the lower end portion of the vessel is placed in to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: John R. Malloy
  • Patent number: 4927366
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly adapted to be securely attached to a portion of an electrically heated garment for allowing electrical current to be supplied through the connector assembly to at least one heating wire in the garment. In a preferred embodiment the connector assembly includes: a removable male plug for securely receiving a portion of a conductor; a female receptacle for securely receiving a portion of at least one heating wire of the garment and removably connecting with the male plug in a mating fashion, thereby electrically connecting the conductor and the heating wire; and a plurality of sewing wings integrally formed with the female receptacle and protruding outwardly therefrom for facilitating quick, easy and secure attachment of the receptacle to the garment by way of a sewing machine. In one configuration, the connector assembly is also adapted to house therein a removable fuse for providing further safety protection to a wearer of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Environwear, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Tommerson, Kevin L. Brekkestran
  • Patent number: 4835366
    Abstract: A floating electric water heater for heating livestock watering tanks which maintains the watering tank substantially ice free during low temperatures, thereby providing access to water by a plurality of animals. More particularly, the heater includes a housing supporting an electric heating element for immersion in water to be heated and to a device in the housing for monitoring and regulating operation of the heating element. The device in the housing comprises a temperature responsive switch, which is located in the housing out of contact with the water, and a thermal conductor having both a first end affixed in a thermally conductive manner to a portion of the heating element immersible in the water and a second end affixed in a thermally conductive manner to the temperature responsive switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Owen, Kenneth D. Hartman
  • Patent number: 4833894
    Abstract: An automatic ice maker for household refrigerator/freezers includes a mold in which water is frozen to form ice cubes which are then ejected from the mold into an ice bin. An electric heater is provided to heat the mold after the water is frozen to release the cubes for ejection. Electrical power is provided through power leads to energize the heater when the ice is frozen; and the power is subsequently interrupted after the mold heats up to a predetermined level to release the ice cubes for ejection. A heat responsive fuse is positioned as a safety protection in-line in one of the power leads to interrupt electrical power to the heater upon the occurrence of an overtemperature condition to prevent damage to the ice maker and to the refrigerator/freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Paul B. Chesnut
  • Patent number: 4780286
    Abstract: An insecticide dispenser capable of setting off a charge of insecticide to fumigate a room and then automatically shutting itself off before the completion of the dispensing of the charge of the insecticide, whereby the dispenser can be safely left unattended during the fumigation of a room. The dispenser includes a container for the insecticide and a fusible member that will break during the volatilization of the insecticide thereby to break the electrical circuit and turn off the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Donald G. Parent, Wayne Boucher
  • Patent number: 4777345
    Abstract: An insecticide dispenser capable of setting off a charge of insecticide to fumigate a room and then automatically shutting itself off before the completion of the dispensing of the charge of the insecticide, whereby the dispenser can be safely left unattended during the fumigation of a room. The dispenser includes a container for the insecticide and a fusible member that will break during the volatilization of the insecticide thereby to break the electrical circuit and turn off the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Steven T. Manchester
  • Patent number: 4728779
    Abstract: A PTC heating device which is widely applicable as a heating source to a variety of electronic apparatuses such as an electronic mosquito destroyer an electronic jar and the like. The PTC heating device includes a porcelain casing in which an electrode structure comprising a PTC thermistor having electrodes arranged on both surfaces thereof and two electrode plates interposing the thermistor therebetween is received in a manner such that terminals of the electrode plates is downwardly led out through the porcelain casing. The PTC heating device also includes a heat radiating plate arranged through an insulating plate on the electrode structure and provided at flanges thereof with a plurality of holding pawls which are located at positions apart from the terminals of the electrode plates on a bottom surface of the porcelain casing to securely hold the heat radiating plate and the porcelain casing together and ensure an adequate insulating distance between the holding pawls and the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignees: TDK Corporation, Fumakilla Limited
    Inventors: Sho Kotani, Michikazu Takeuchi, Sumihiro Yasuda, Kengo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4697069
    Abstract: A tubular heater in which a safety fuse or a PTC-element, a sensor for an electronic circuit or a thermostat is disposed as an overload safety means in the non-heated end region of the tubular heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventor: Ingo Bleckmann
  • Patent number: 4687903
    Abstract: A soldering iron bit is heated by an electrical heating element including a resistive element consisting of granular boron carbide packed in a quartz tube embedded in a piece of copper. A first power lead is electrically connected to the boron carbide at one end of the quartz tube. This first power lead passes through and is electrically insulated from the piece of copper. The second power lead is electrically connected to the boron carbide at the other end of the quartz tube, either directly or via the piece of copper. In use, connection of the first and second leads to an electrical power source causes the resistive element to generate heat in a very fast manner and to transmit this heat to the piece of copper. The piece of copper may be connected to or constitute the soldering bit and can be provided with a built-in thermostat comprising a meltable salt inserted in a hole provided in the piece of copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Danny Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4687905
    Abstract: A water heater with a plastic tank is provided with an electric immersion heating element assembly having a mounting plug in which is mounted a sheathed heating element having two generally parallel legs and a bight portion. A well projects from the mounting plug along and substantially parallel to the legs in heat exchange relation therewith and contains a thermal cutoff adapted to be electrically connected in series with the first end of a two-ended electric resistance element in the sheathed heating element. A thermally conductive bridge mechanically and thermally connects the legs of the sheathed heating element to the well. The legs of the sheathed heating element are bent back upon themselves and a bracket, connected to the two reaches of at least one leg, permits relative axial movement but prevents lateral movement of the reaches of the legs with respect to one another. The mounting plug is made of solid copper or copper alloy, as is the sheath and well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Donald M. Cunningham, Mark A. Bartels, T. Randall Markum
  • Patent number: 4670078
    Abstract: A system for heat-sealing thermoplastic conduits involves a thermoplastic sleeve surrounding an electrically conductive heating wire arranged in a coil. A bridging conductor is located adjacent the heating element, but is separated from it by an insulation layer of predetermined thickness. When the sleeve is heated by supplying electric power to the heating element, the entire heating element generates heat during a first phase in which fusion pressure is applied between the sleeve and pipes being connected. The bridging connector is forced into contact with selected coils of the heating element to initiate a second phase. In the second phase, the heat produced in the area of the selected coils is automatically reduced by short circuiting such coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Thalmann, Ernesto Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4647756
    Abstract: The electric heating element in an apparatus for sterilely cutting and welding together a pair of thermoplastic tubes incorporates within the heating element a fusible signal means connected in parallel electrical circuit with the resistor of the heating element for indicating previous use of the heating element. The fusible signal means is capable when intact of providing a signal to a microprocessor controlling operation of the apparatus indicative of previous nonuse of the heating element and is automatically destructed upon energization of the heating element resistor during the first use of the heating element so as to be incapable of providing such nonuse signal upon a subsequent energization. If the nonuse signal is not generated, e.g., the heating element has been previously used, the microprocessor is programmed to reject the heating element, thereby eliminating risks resulting from reusing the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Frank M. Willis
  • Patent number: 4626657
    Abstract: An electric heating appliance such as an electric blanket or the like which is so designed as to prevent damage, for example, extraordinary temperature rising resulting from the deterioration of components when the appliance is erroneously dry-cleaned. In accomplishing this object, the electric heating appliance is provided with a safety means which is dissoluble in a dry-cleaning solution to prevent the circulation of electricity to a heater (6). This safety means is constructed in the manner, for example, that a thin portion (10a) of a cord socket case shell (2) made of plastics dissoluble in a dry-cleaning solution is dissolved when dry-cleaned, and accordingly, a spring plate (3) is dashed out to prevent a plug (9) at the side of a controller (11) from being inserted into cord socket case (1) and (2), thereby obstructing the circulation of electricity to the heater (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Endo, Isao Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4618761
    Abstract: A wire electrode cutting apparatus for use in a wire-cut electric discharge machine mounted between a supply section for the wire electrode and a pulling section therefor, and comprising a device for applying a constant tensile force to the wire electrode and for sensing that the constant tensile force has been applied thereto, and a power supply for applying an electric current to the wire electrode to heat the same when a predetermined tensile force has been applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Inoue-Japax Research Incorporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inoue, Tatsue Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 4618168
    Abstract: A system for heat-sealing thermoplastic conduits involves a thermoplastic sleeve surrounding an electrically conductive heating wire arranged in a coil. A bridging conductor is located adjacent the heating element, but is separated from it by an insulation layer of predetermined thickness. When the sleeve is heated by supplying electric power to the heating element, the entire heating element generates heat during a first phase in which fusion pressure is applied between the sleeve and pipes being connected. The bridging connector is forced into contact with selected coils of the heating element to initiate a second phase. In the second phase, the heat produced in the area of the selected coils is automatically reduced by short circuiting such coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Thalmann, Ernesto Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4575618
    Abstract: A heat-recoverable article which can be connected to a power supply and a switch unit which comprises a thermally-responsive member which can be thermally coupled to the article. The thermally-responsive member, when so coupled, regulates the passage of current through the article. The article heats and recovers and current through the article is regulated automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Nachum Rosenzweig
  • Patent number: 4539466
    Abstract: An electric current feeding to an electric heating unit designed for dissipating a fog formed on a glass window of a vehicle by its thermal effect. The apparatus has one fuse connected with an ignition switch and two fuses connected with input terminals of an electromagnetic relay having two contacts for connection with a heating unit in parallel. The electromagnetic relay is actuated by the ignition switch through an electric timer activated by a manual defogger switch. An electric current feeding system is provided for protecting the contacts of the electromagnetic relay from a short-circuit by melting or breakage by arranging the same such that the manual defogger switch, timer and relay are connected with the vehicle power source through one of the three fuses, respectively. Thereby the apparatus can be rendered entirely inoperative when any one of three fuses is blown, or the circuit connected therewith is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4536641
    Abstract: A thermostatically controlled electric flatiron having a heater circuit of sufficient wattage to achieve abnormally high soleplate temperatures on continuous operation is provided with an overtemperature protection assembly for opening the heater circuit before damaging high soleplate temperature occurs on thermostat failure. The assembly includes first and second members connected in the heater circuit and electrically isolated from the soleplate and each other bridged by a third spring-biased circuit member to complete the heater circuit. A slug of eutectic alloy forms a fusible joint bonding the third member intermediate its ends to one of the first and second members to hold the third member against the spring bias in circuit completing contact with the first and second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Ven L. Chan
  • Patent number: 4533896
    Abstract: A fuse is disclosed for protecting thick film devices. The fuse comprises two blocks of material mounted to the substrate that carries the thick film device. The blocks are mounted in close proximity to one another, in axial alignment, but in a spaced apart relationship. An electrically conductive fusible link (e.g. solder) straddles the two blocks so as to complete an electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Yakov Belopolsky
  • Patent number: 4501956
    Abstract: Electrical resistance heating element including a number of metal strips arranged in a meander-like pattern. In the resistance metal strips, which are made from a non-expensive base sheet material like lead, there is incorporated at least one fuse which will operate if the heat transfer from a randomly placed area of critical size (a critical area) is substantially blocked. The fuse or fuses are preferably constituted by a lead/tin alloy rolled into intimate contact with the lead base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hans A. Bergersen, Eilif Risberg
  • Patent number: 4493985
    Abstract: A welding sleeve for connecting pipes formed of thermoplastic material includes an electrical conductor in the form of an electrical resistance wire. The resistance wire extends around the sleeve and has a pair of opposite ends for conveying current through the wire. The opposite ends of the wires can be connected directly to a source of electrical current, for instance a 220.degree. V.about.line. It is not necessary to provide transformers or timing relays. A melting material is incorporated into the conductor between its ends and it melts through when the energy necessary for welding the sleeve has been developed. After the current is supplied through the resistance wire, the welding process is completed when the predetermined melting material melts through. Such sleeves can be manufactured in a mass production operation, and the sleeves are much safer than the conventional devices used to-date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Geberit A.G.
    Inventor: Hans Keller
  • Patent number: 4459464
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric cigar lighter for use, for example in vehicles, having a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes an elongated fuse member having a fuse and a tube for covering the fuse. The tube has a melting point slightly lower than that of the fuse. Therefore, when the fuse melts and separates in two parts upon overheating of a heating element carried by an igniting of the lighter, the separated ends of the fuse are wrapped by the separated ends of the tube. Thus, even if the separated ends of the fuse member contact some portions of the lighter placed adjacent to the fuse member or other members, a short circuit can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akira Oda, Takashi Ozaki, Masahiko Kato, Kunio Kato, Teiji Kanamori
  • 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: 4424439
    Abstract: A protective control arrangement for heating units of the type comprising the concentric assembly of a resistance heating element embedded in an insulating material and enclosed within a metallic sheath for limiting the propagation of a rupture in the sheath resulting from an arc at a discontinuity in the heating element along a substantial portion of the length of the sheath. The control arrangement of the illustrative embodiment includes a power control triac operatively connected to the heating element for selectively coupling the heating element to an external power supply. A preprogrammed microprocessor operatively connected to the gate terminal of triac is effective to periodically interrupt power to the heating element by opening the switch means for interrupt periods of predetermined duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Payne, Robert V. Chou
  • Patent number: 4419569
    Abstract: A modular heating cable assembly having two cold wires extending the length thereof and a resistance heating wire interconnecting the two wires. The portion of the two wires anterior to the heating wire forms a cold lead, and an element for interrupting the circuit to the heating wire is disposed in one of the wires of the cold lead. The assembly may consist of a cold lead module and one or more heating cable modules, and the element for interrupting the current may be disposed either in the cold lead or in a separate unit disposed between the cold lead module and the heating module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Bristol Corporation
    Inventor: Jerrold L. Colten
  • Patent number: 4415796
    Abstract: An adjustable stacked thermostat assembly, particularly for use in an electric appliance, such as an electric steam iron, includes a lower bimetallic heat deformable blade, an intermediate stiff conductive spring blade carrying a electrical contact and connected to a first electric terminal and an upper less stiff conductive spring blade carrying a cooperating contact and connected to a second terminal, with all of the blades being supported, secured and spaced apart at one end by interposed insulators. In operation movement of the deformable blade is transmitted to the upper blade to make and break the contacts to control heat to the appliance controlled by the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles A. Balchunas
  • Patent number: 4390776
    Abstract: A continuous flexible cable heater having a coil continuous conductor in a plastic casing. The conductor has uncoiled regions spaced therealong between coiled regions to permit bending at a radius less than twice the jacket outside diameter. A heater assembly has the cable disposed on a support in closely folded serpentine planar array. A sensor portion of the continuous cable is folded over and adjacent the upper surface of the planar array and includes fusible protective means to cut off the heater in the event of overheating of the liquid or excess current draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Inventors: Daryl J. Yane, Roger A. Yane
  • Patent number: 4374312
    Abstract: A radiant panel type heating apparatus includes a heating element comprising a sheet of electrically conductive paper which generates heat as a result of resistance to current flow therethrough. The heating element includes spaced apart primary conductor elements comprising thin copper strips which are sewn to the conductive paper to provide uniform distribution of current flow through the paper from one conductor element to the other. The heating element is sandwiched between a main insulative panel member on one side and a heat conductive panel member one the other side to form a heat radiating surface. The heating element is secured in assembly with the panel members by strips of non-conductive and heat resistant double sided adhesive tape. The panel type heating apparatus may be provided in various geometric shapes and includes a thermal switch and fuse assembly to limit the maximum surface temperature of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventor: John W. Damron
  • Patent number: 4360725
    Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an appliance having an electrical heating element includes a fixed contact, a movable contact carried by a spring blade and settable into engagement with the fixed contact to complete the energizing circuit to the heating element by stressing the spring blade, and a torsion spring having an arm engageable with the spring blade to hold the contacts in engagement against the stress bias of the spring blade. A fusible pin retains the arm of the torsion spring in engagement with the spring blade, thus locking the contacts closed. Excessive heat in the appliance causes the pin to soften, thereby allowing the torsion spring to shear the pin and release the movable contact to open the heating element energizing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: SCM Corporation
    Inventor: Roger V. Eeckhout
  • Patent number: 4328387
    Abstract: A fail-safe thermostatically controlled circuit is disclosed for use in high-throughput thermoplastic material melting and dispensing apparatus including a hopper into which solid thermoplastic material is deposited for feeding the thermoplastic material to a grid melter which melts the thermoplastic material whereupon the molten thermoplastic material flows from the grid melter to a reservoir from which the molten thermoplastic material is pumped to an applicator or dispenser. Both the grid melter and the reservoir are preferably heated by electrical resistance heaters energized by separate fail-safe thermostatically controlled circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Kemble
  • Patent number: 4319126
    Abstract: A temperature responsive switching device is provided in which a pair of spaced bimetallic electrical switching arms each are anchored to opposite sides of a mounting block for attachment to the respective power leads of an electrical supply circuit. The free end of the spaced bimetallic arms each contain an electrical contact. A central arm is disposed between the contacts and has a neutral contact mounted thereon such that each of the contacts on the bimetallic arm is biased at room temperature into contact with the central electrical contact. Upon one of the bimetallic arms experiencing a predetermined temperature the circuit is broken by deflection of the bimetallic arm. Upon the switch experiencing a second predetermined but higher temperature, the second bimetallic arm is deflected to open the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ante Lujic
  • Patent number: 4313047
    Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an appliance having an electrical heating element, the overtemperature protector being formed basically of just a spring blade positionable to bring a contact on the surface of the blade into circuit-energizing engagement with a fixed contact, and an insulator-capped fusible pin retaining the blade in that position. Excessive heat in the appliance softens the pin, allowing the spring blade force on the insulator cap to shear the pin and interrupt the circuit. The overtemperature protector is preferably incorporated in a thermostatic control, the fixed contact being supported on a lateral extension projecting from one circuit element of the thermostat assembly and the spring blade being supported within the assembly with an insulating spacer separating it from the thermostat element having the lateral extension. The spring blade is preferably sickle-shaped for compactness despite having a long length for low force to minimize effects of creep of the fusible pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: SCM Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Cox, Roger V. Eeckhout
  • Patent number: 4267430
    Abstract: A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Downey
  • Patent number: 4256181
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing system is automatically actuated in response to flames from a fire on the upper surface of a stove having a vent hood. A pressurized fire extinguisher includes a lever actuated valve spring biased to the open position and contains a supply of fire extinguishing material. A discharge manifold extends between the valve of the fire extinguisher and a plurality of nozzles which are positioned within the vent hood to distribute the fire extinguishing material over the upper surface of the stove when the valve is released into the open position. A fusible link secures a strut which maintains the valve in a closed position. A fuse extends from an area above the upper surface of the stove to a capsule of gun powder which surrounds the fusible link. A fire in the stove top area ignites the exposed end of the fuse which controllably transfers fire to the capsule of gun powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Inventor: Charles C. Searcy
  • Patent number: 4131787
    Abstract: Electrical heater construction having a substantially closed housing containing controls therein and having a bracket unit carrying electrical heaters externally thereof, the housing having connectors detachably interconnected to the heaters externally to the housing and electrically interconnecting the heaters to the controls within the housing to be operated thereby. The housing has an externally accessible detachable arrangement and the bracket unit has a detachable arrangement detachably interconnected to the detachable arrangement of the housing in a manner that is accessible externally to the housing whereby the detachable arrangement of the bracket unit can be detached from the detachable arrangement of the housing without access to the interior of the housing so that the heaters can be detached from and/or attached to the housing without requiring the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Hugh J. Tyler
  • Patent number: 4100397
    Abstract: An electrical heater assembly comprising a heat generating element and a temperature regulating device supported by a heat conducting core of electrically insulating material is constructed to provide a thermal path for conducting heat from the heat generating means to the temperature regulating device with minimum thermal resistance, whereby temperature fluctuation is minimized. The temperature regulating device is substantially encircled by terminal means electrically coupling the temperature regulating device in circuit with the heat generating element. The temperature regulating means is disposed substantially entirely within a cavity in the core so that substantially all of the outer peripheral surface of the terminal means is in friction contact with the surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Yuri Kunimi
  • Patent number: 4068116
    Abstract: An immersion water heater particularly suitable for use in connection with animal watering buckets includes a housing fixed to an end of an electrical conduit and locatable on the bottom of a watering bucket. A U-shaped metallic sheathed heating element projects from the housing into a protective shield comprising plates secured to opposite sides of the heating element by spool-shaped insulator posts received between the legs of the heating element. A temperature sensing member is attached has one end attached to the heating element exteriorly of the housing and a second end extending into the housing. A thermostat and a thermofuse are located in the housing in heat exchange engagement with the second end of the temperature sensing member, whereby in the absence of water around the heating element and temperature sensing member, heat is rapidly transmitted from the heating element through the member to the thermostat and thermofuse to deenergize the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: Nelson Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James E. McKinstry
  • Patent number: 4044224
    Abstract: A protective circuit for a heating element in a polymeric resinous tub dishwasher including an electric-type resistance heating element and a heat-sensible, dual-functioning switch. The switch is connected in the ground circuit so that current passing to ground will cause a fusible link to melt and thereby open the ground circuit. At the same time, melting of the link allows a switch in the power circuit to open, thereby eliminating any power to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Jenkins, LeRoy J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 4034207
    Abstract: An arrangement of electrode for positive temperature coefficient semiconductor (PTCS) for use in heating and drying devices and the like, which PTCS is provided with a pair of electrode plates, each having a fork-like configuration with a plurality of branches or fingers in the form of strips extending forward from its base. The strips of both electrodes are disposed alternately on one of the opposing planes of the PTCS body. Each electrode has an extended portion serving as terminal which is bonded on the other plane of the PTCS body in such a manner that the terminal is not confronted, through the PTCS body, with any strips of opposite electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Tamada, Takashi Shikama, Toshikazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4016400
    Abstract: A safety device for preventing deleterious overheating of an electrical lighter such as used in motor vehicles provides a short circuit in the electrical power supply circuit to the lighter upon occurrence of a dangerous overheating condition so that a circuit breaker in the circuit is actuated to deenergize the lighter. The safety device includes a pair of electrical contacts on the lighter socket separated by a thermoplastic insulating member in heat exchange relationship with the socket and being composed of a material which has a softening point above the normal operating temperature of the lighter but below the temperature at which thermal damage may occur in the vicinity of the lighter when overheating occurs. One of the contacts is spring biased toward the other and the softening of the insulating member allows the contacts to electrically engage under the force of the spring bias to establish a short circuit for actuating the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: Schoeller & Co. Elektrotechnische Fabrik
    Inventors: Georg Seibel, Gunther Ante
  • Patent number: 4006443
    Abstract: A composition resistor incorporates a thermal fuse inert preferably positioned at its center. The insert includes a fuse link which under normal conditions provides electrical continuity between lead wires extending from each end of the resistor. If a current overload occurs, the heat generated by the resistance material raises the temperature at the center of the resistor to the melting point of the fuse link and the fuse link opens circuit before the organic constituents of the resistor begin to decompose or ignite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company
    Inventors: Allan V. Kouchich, Robert Marshall