Snap-acting Patents (Class 236/48R)
  • Patent number: 4142677
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve comprising a plastic body including a base wall and a peripheral wall and a plastic cap including a base wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the peripheral wall of the plastic body. The peripheral wall of the base has a radially outwardly extending annular rib and the peripheral wall of the cap has a radially inwardly extending rib. The ribs are adapted to pass over one another to provide a snap fit during assembly. The base wall of the body has integral O-ring retaining means for retaining an O-ring. A bi-metallic disc is positioned in said body within the confines of the peripheral wall of the body and normally engages said O-ring. Integral stop means on the cap are adapted to be engaged by the bi-metal disc when the disc is caused to move to a position out of engagement with the O-ring upon increase of the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Tom McGuane Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George C. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 4139151
    Abstract: An electric-thermal switch valve has a body with a first port and at least one second port with a temperature operated valve means including a valve seat and a bimetal element, responsive to temperature, positioned to cooperate with the valve seat to control flow between the first port and the second port. An electrical heating means, including a semi-conductor, having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, positioned in the body, is used to heat the bimetal element when energized whereby switching of the bimetal element at a predetermined temperature, will occur as the combined effect of heat sensed by the body and the heat generated by the electrical heating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William F. Thornburgh
  • Patent number: 4134543
    Abstract: A snap action fluid control valve, the operation of which is controlled by a relatively slow acting thermally responsive actuator member. The valve of this invention is particularly adapted for use in controlling flow of fluid to a fluid operable clutch or the like for operation thereof. The thermally responsive actuator portion of the valve senses temperature of a fluid, the temperature of which is responsive to operation of a fan which is operated through the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne R. Duprez, George J. Briand
  • Patent number: 4133478
    Abstract: A temperature responsive valve is disclosed including a pair of body members which are snapped together and when assembled define a valve chamber. Located within the valve chamber is a bimetal snap disc which seats at its periphery against an O-ring type valve seat when in one position of stability and is spaced from the valve seat in its other position of stability. A spider type spring extends between the cover member and the center of the disc to urge the disc in a direction toward the valve seat. The spring is provided with depending tabs which are positioned adjacent to the side wall of the cavity and function to insure proper location of the spring during assembly of the cover member. The tabs also function to insure proper position of the disc during the operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. Place
  • Patent number: 4130265
    Abstract: An electrically operated switching valve comprising a valve housing provided with a pair of opposed valve ports, a valve member disposed between the valve ports for co-operation therewith and a snap-action valve actuating device for actuating said valve member alternately into engagement with the valve ports. The valve actuating device includes a rectangular plate which is bent in one direction along the longitudinal center line and a strap member extending between diagonally opposite corners of the plate and secured thereto. The strap member has a length which is smaller than the diagonal dimension of the plate so that the plate is deflected under tension applied by the strap member in the opposite direction along the transverse center line of the plate. The strap member is associated with an electric heating wire so that it is heated when the wire is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoji Sakakibara, Nobuyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4117976
    Abstract: An improved multi-function, thermal valve assembly has four ports with two passages sealingly separated one from another; the first passage connecting the first two ports and the second passage connecting the second two ports. Each of the passages has a valve seat contained therein. The valve assembly employs at least one thermally responsive actuating member which is actuable to move a valve switching means in each of the two passages simultaneously to either open or close one or both of the valve seats contained in the two passages thereby changing communication between the first two ports and between the second two ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John Doherty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4103824
    Abstract: This invention relates to the thermostat for coolants to switch coolant flow from a first passage to either a second or third passage. The thermostat comprises a bimetallic spring disc which in one position directs the flow to the second passage and when heated to a predetermined temperature by the coolant switches the flow to the third passage. The thermostat is adjustably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Inventor: Gerd W. Seifert
  • Patent number: 4102496
    Abstract: An electro-thermal gas valve uses a mechanical energy storage device, preferably a C-spring or a coil spring, to effect a snap opening and closing of a poppet in response to the position of a heat warpable bimetal member and, therefore, is relatively insensitive to gas pressure in the valve enclosure. Application of heat to the bimetal member causes relative movement of the opposite ends of the energy storage device to effect over-center travel of one end relative to the other end, whereupon the stored potential energy in the energy storage device is released as kinetic energy to snap the poppet open or closed. The valve is adjustable and due to its relative insensitivity to pressure in fact may be calibrated before the valve container and cover are assembled. A stop mechanism may be provided to assume affirmative support of the energy storage device whether the valve is open or closed, and a light bias spring may be utilized to help maintain the poppet closed until snapped open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: The Tappan Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Perl
  • Patent number: 4076172
    Abstract: A temperature responsive valve assembly including a body having an inlet port and first and second outlet ports, a thermostatic bimetal disk disposed within the body and responsive to a variation in temperature to change the curvature thereof from a first position to a second position, a valve spool following the movement of the bimetal disk and having first and second valve portions, an adjusting member secured to the valve spool at a proper position and arranged to be engageable with the bimetal disk, a first seat member disposed within a first passage between the inlet port and the first outlet port, the first seat member engageable with the first valve portion of the valve spool to thereby control the first passage, and a second seat member disposed within a second passage between the inlet port and the second outlet port, the second seat member engageable with the second valve portion of the valve spool to thereby control the second passage, and the second seat member being adjustably threaded with the b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Inada, Kazuhiko Kitamura
  • Patent number: 4068800
    Abstract: A thermally responsive valve assembly comprising a two-portion valve body, one portion of which includes two nipples each having a passage therein. One of the nipples extends generally axially of the valve body and the other nipple extends generally perpendicularly to the first nipple with the passage in one of the nipples constituting an inlet passage and with the passage in the other nipple constituting an outlet passage with communication between the passages within the first portion of the valve body, and with one of the passages having a valve seat. Valve means are provided in the valve body for movement into and out of engagement with the valve seat, thereby selectively to block communication between the passages. The valve means comprises a dish-shaped thermostatic disk which is responsive to variations in temperature and changes in curvature from a first position in which the disk is bowed away from the valve seat and a second position in which the disk is bowed toward the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John Doherty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4067539
    Abstract: A gas valve has a thermally responsive actuator and an electric heater for heating the actuator normally to produce a displacement output that moves a constrained spring to an over-center position in order to snap open the valve poppet.Portions of the actuator and the poppet holder are aligned such that the actuator portion will interferingly engage the poppet holder portion to move the poppet to its closed position when the heater receives an excessive electric power input causing an excessive mechanical displacement output of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: The Tappan Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Perl
  • Patent number: 4061265
    Abstract: A pressure and temperature responsive valve assembly comprises a single valve housing within which are disposed a first valve operable in response to the pressure difference and a second valve operable in response to the changes in temperature surrounding the housing; said two valves being operable independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kitamura
  • Patent number: 4060158
    Abstract: A control mechanism having spring means and an instantaneously heat-responsive bimetal member used in a drive fluid coupling for cooler fan blades of an engine of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Usui International Industry, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 4029257
    Abstract: A thermally actuated valve includes a snap action bimetal valving member enclosed in a cartridge which is inserted in a hollow fitting arranged for contact with a heated medium such as the coolant of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Jenkins, Ronald E. Reinke
  • Patent number: 4026465
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive actuator is operatively connected to a valve by means of a spring-loaded linkage. The actuator causes a tensioned spring in the linkage to pass over center upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature, thereby fully opening or closing the valve. The invention may be embodied in several forms including an automatic drain for water systems and a fire extinguishing system sprinkler control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Ogontz Controls Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Kenny
  • Patent number: 4026464
    Abstract: An improved, dual function, thermal valve assembly has three ports and two passages connecting these three ports to a common chamber. The assembly employs two thermally responsive actuating members which are actuable to move a valve plug in the chamber at different temperatures to provide a first temperature region wherein the plug seals port one so that only ports two and three are in communication, a second temperature region wherein the plug does not seal any of the ports so that ports one, two, and three are in mutual communication, and a third temperature region wherein the plug seals port three so that only ports one and two are in communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John Doherty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3930613
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive check valve is disclosed in which a bimetallic snap disc functions in one position as the check valve element and in another position to either maintain the valve open as in one illustrated embodiment, or to maintain the valve closed as illustrated in another embodiment. By combining the check valve function and the valving function in a single bimetallic snap disc, a simple and reliable device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. Place