Auxiliary Heating Means Patents (Class 337/100)
  • Patent number: 11385719
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device including electrostatic brakes providing haptic kinaesthetic feedback to a user in e.g. assistive, rehabilitation or virtual reality scenarios, as well as tele-manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ronan Hinchet, Herbert Shea
  • Patent number: 10510502
    Abstract: A thermal protector includes, in a fixed manner, a first terminal and a second terminal that are respectively connected to external circuits, at lower left/right ends of the longitudinal directions of a base, and a right end at which a movable plate and a bimetal are superimposed is fixed to the right end of the upper surface of the base and is connected to the second terminal. A fixed contact is fixed to an internal end of the first terminal that is exposed in the left end of the base. A movable contact is fixed at a position facing the fixed contact on the lower surface of the left end of the movable plate. A partition wall that encloses the movable contact and the fixed contact from three directions is provided and bent plate planes are formed on both sides of the movable plate in the vicinity of the movable contact. The bent plate planes adjust the flow direction of hot air in cooperation with the partition wall so as to prevent a malfunction of a breaking arc flying to surrounding conductive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10191095
    Abstract: There is described a system to measure the electrical consumption of a household. This system consists of a network of measuring devices that are attached to wires between electrical appliances and circuit breakers and of a communication and processing unit that receives measurement data from the measuring devices. Low precision sensors based on the Hall effect may be used for obtaining precise measurements of energy consumption by providing a casing for the measuring devices that ensures a fixed, known, and precise alignment with respect to the wire to which it is attached. Low precision sensors based on the Hall effect may also be used by performing a correction calibration of measured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SOCOVAR S.E.C.
    Inventors: Ghyslain Gagnon, Sebastien Jomphe, Daniel Sicard, Michel Dallaire, Dominic Arbour
  • Patent number: 7800478
    Abstract: A heater assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The heater assembly includes a heater element and an elongated bimetal. The heater element includes first and second ends, an intermediate portion disposed therebetween and an aperture disposed proximate the first end. The elongated bimetal includes opposing first and second ends, and is movable between first and second positions corresponding respectively to the separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being closeable, and to the first end of the elongated bimetal cooperating with a trip bar to cause an operating mechanism to open the separable contacts. The second end of the elongated bimetal is coupled to the intermediate portion of the heater element. When the elongated bimetal is disposed in the first position, the first end of the elongated bimetal extends beyond the upper surface of the first end of the heater element into the aperture of the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig J. Puhalla, David E. Little, Kelly J. McCarthy, Robert W. Mueller, Wilbert E. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7446643
    Abstract: An electrical protection system, which can be connected between an electrical power supply and an electrical load, firstly includes a switch switchable between a normal state in which the switch is electrically connected in series between the power supply and the load such that an operating current passes through the switch and the load, and a fault sate in which the switch is disconnected with the load such that no current passes through the load. The switch switches to the fault state in an over-current or an over-temperature situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Yim-Shu Lee, Jianqing Li, Martin Hoi-Lam Chow, Kam-Wah Siu
  • Patent number: 7026907
    Abstract: A thermal protector includes a partition wall which encloses an arrangement portion of a movable contact and a fixed contact from three sides. The partition wall is adjacent the contacts in a range that does not inhibit the opening/closing operations of the contacts, and is formed to be higher than the fixed contact and a gap between the contacts, but not exceed the height of a movable plate to which the movable contact is attached, when the contacts are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Publication number: 20040201443
    Abstract: A potential difference is applied between a movable electrode disposed a facing surface of a movable member, which the facing surface confronts a substrate extended in a predetermined direction or a vibrating member supported on the substrate vibratably in the predetermined direction, and a counter electrode disposed on the substrate or the vibrating member so as to confront the movable electrode. The applied potential difference causes an electrostatic force to act such that an apparent friction between the vibrating member and the movable member is greater than an apparent friction between the substrate and the movable member when displacing the vibrating member in a desired direction relatively on the substrate by vibrating in the predetermined direction, and thereby the movable member is relatively moved in the desired direction on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20040100351
    Abstract: A protector (1) has a metal header (30) that mounts a first terminal (31) and a second terminal (32) electrically isolated from one another. A metallic housing (10) is fixed to the header (30) and forms a chamber. A stationary contact (40) is electrically connected to the first terminal (31), a heater (50) is electrically connected between the second terminal (32) and the header (30), and an arm assembly (60) is arranged inside the chamber, with an end thereof being fixed to the housing. The arm assembly (60) includes an electrically conductive movable plate (70) having a movable contact (77) engageable with the stationary contact (40), a thermally responsive member (80) arranged at a position where it lies over or under the movable plate (70) and an electrically conductive weld slug (90) that fixes the movable plate (70) and the thermally responsive member (80) to the housing (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Mitsuro Unno, Yoshiaki Takasugi, Yukinobu Serizawa
  • Publication number: 20020149463
    Abstract: The switching device contains a strip-shaped actuator element (2) consisting of a shape memory alloy, which is connected to a movable contact part (4b) of a switching contact (4). It is intended that an at least largely extended shape has been impressed into the actuator element at an annealing temperature. It is intended that, in the operating state in which the switching function is not triggered, said element rests on a deflecting element (5) with frictional engagement in such a way that the deflecting element exerts on the concave inner side of the actuator element a counterforce (G) partially counteracting the curving of the latter in this state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Kautz, Matthias Marondel
  • Patent number: 6300860
    Abstract: A switch 10 has an insulating support 16 on which a first and a second external terminal 11, 14 are arranged, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 19 that, as a function of its temperature, makes between the first and the second external terminal 11, 14 an electrically conductive connection for an electrical current to be conducted through the switch 10, and having a switching member 22 that changes its geometric shape in temperature-dependent fashion between a closed position and an open position and in its closed position carries the current. An actuating member is connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member 22. The first external terminal 11 is connected to a planar cover electrode 12, to which the actuating member is fastened with its first end 25. The cover electrode 12 has on its inner side 32 a flat self-hold resistor that is electrically connected between the cover electrode 12 and the second external terminal 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6133817
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch 10 has two connection electrodes 12, 13 mounted on an insulating support 11 as well as a switching mechanism 27 that, as a function of its temperature, makes an electrically conductive connection between the two connection electrodes 12, 13. A resistance element 19 is connected to the two connection electrodes 12, 13 electrically parallel to the switching mechanism 27 and sits on the outside of the insulating support 11 and is retained by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Thermik Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Marcel Hofsass, Michael Becher, Edwin Guttinger
  • Patent number: 5936510
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a case having a sealed interior and an exterior. A contact extends from the sealed interior to the exterior. The contact is fixed with respect to the casing and has an interior contact position. A first blade extends from the sealed interior to the exterior and has an interior end. The interior end of the first blade moves between a first position where the interior end of first blade contacts the interior contact position of the contact and a second position where the interior end of the first blade is spaced from the contact position end of the contact. A separator is disposed between the first blade and the contact in the interior of the case. The separator is made of an insulating material. The separator has a first side facing the contact and a second side facing the first blade. A first conductive contact pad is disposed on the first side of the separator. A second conductive contact pad is disposed on the second side of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Portage Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Wehl, James M. Petro
  • Patent number: 5631794
    Abstract: A differential shunt-type detector circuit includes a voltage-regulator component series combined with one or more than one shunt components in a circuit connected in parallel with, for example, a thermostatic switch element, such that when the terminal voltage of the shunt components is within the voltage-regulator component work range, no shunt or distribution or shunting effect is generated by the voltage-regulator component, while when the terminal voltage exceeds the voltage-regulator component work range, a shunt or distribution effect is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • 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: 5604476
    Abstract: A protective device for an electrical consumer disposed in a consumer circuit. The protective device has sensor elements for detecting an operating state of the electrical consumer, and an electronic evaluation and control unit operatively connected to the sensor elements for evaluating and controlling the operating state of the electrical consumer detected by the sensor elements. The protective device further includes a protective switch responsive to the operating state of the electrical consumer for interrupting the consumer circuit. The protective switch comprises a control circuit including a bimetallic strip and a temperature-dependent resistor for deflecting the bimetallic strip for interrupting the consumer circuit, the bimetallic strip thereby defining a deflecting direction. The protective device further includes a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to the sensor elements, the evaluation and control unit and the protective switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignees: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH, Wilo, GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Ulrich Reichert, Fritz Krasser, Frank Tolksdorf, Stephan Greitzke, Hansjuergen Kech
  • Patent number: 5103202
    Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker comprises a metal base having a raised step to which an elongated compensator bimetal is welded. A metal cover is secured to the base but is insulated therefrom. An elongated armature bimetal is welded to a step in the metal cover and is substantially parallel to the compensator bimetal. The high expansion sides of both the compensator and the armature face downwards, towards the base. An insulated heater wire is wrapped around the armature and is electrically connected between the armature and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Lennon, Douglas C. Carbone
  • Patent number: 4924202
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a compensator bimetal and a main bimetal which deflect in the same direction when heated. Each bimetal carries an electrical contact, which are normally in contact with each other. Upon overload, the contacts open. However, opening of the contacts causes electric current to flow through a heater wire wrapped around the armature bimetal, thereby keeping the main bimetal deflected and keeping the contacts apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Schneider, Stephen T. Manchester
  • Patent number: 4922373
    Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an incandescent lamp socket housing comprises a glass enclosed circuit breaker and an electrical heater in proximate heat transfer relationship therewith. The heater is in series with the circuit breaker so that when the circuit breaker is open, there can be no current flow through the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Ekowicki
  • Patent number: 4837655
    Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an incandescent lamp socket housing comprises a glass enclosed circuit breaker and an electrical heater in proximate heat transfer relationship therewith. The heater is in series with the circuit breaker so that when the circuit breaker is open, there can be no current flow through the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Ekowicki
  • Patent number: 4486732
    Abstract: An ambient compensated motor protector comprising a case having at least one initially open end and an assembly of superimposed members positioned in an insulation sleeve compressed in and sealing the open end of the case, the members including a bimetal strip extending into the case as a cantilever, a heater strip connected only to the free end of the bimetal strip, and a pair of insulation strips, one on each surface of the heater strip, at the sealed end of the case, to insulate the heater strip and bimetal strip from each other at that area of the motor protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventors: Robert M. Wells, Alton R. Wells
  • Patent number: 4349726
    Abstract: The control device has a power regulator for the timed power to the heating system of the electrical apparatus. The heating system is provided with a temperature sensor which, up to a given desired temperature, bridges the power regulator with the aid of a temperature switch, so that full power is supplied to the electrical apparatus heating system. On exceeding the desired temperature, power is supplied to the electrical apparatus via the power regulator.The temperature sensor is additionally heatable by an auxiliary heating system to obtain a variable changeover temperature of the temperature switch (22).The auxiliary heating system is preferably always switched on when the heating system of the power regulator is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: E.G.O. Electro-Gerate Blanc und Fischer
    Inventor: Gerhard Gossler
  • Patent number: 4131657
    Abstract: An electric choke assembly includes a heater to heat a coiled bimetallic spring which opens a choke valve. The heater comprises a double ring electroded thermistor for the purpose of generating two different heating rates which are controlled by a bimetallic thermostat blade located in the same chamber of the assembly as the thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: GTE Sylvania Incorporated
    Inventors: George A. Ball, Jr., George H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4016520
    Abstract: An anticipator for controlling the cycle rate and the drop of a thermostat. The anticipator has means for transferring heat supplied thereto, and means enclosed within the heat transferring means, in preselected space relation therewith for supplying the heat.There is also disclosed a thermostat, a method of making means operable generally for maintaining a desired cycle rate with acceptable droop in a thermostat, a method of making a thermostat, a method of operating a thermostat, and a method of operating an anticipator for a thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wiley M. Hummel
  • Patent number: 3976966
    Abstract: An electrical sequencing relay has an elongated bimetal member with a transverse curvature opposing temperature warp and maintaining the member straight in a longitudinal direction until longitudinal temperature warp forces exceeds the retaining forces of the transverse curvature. A slidable insulative operator is engaged by a free end of the bimetal member to operate an electrical switch when the bimetal member abruptly changes its longitudinal curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Harold A. McIntosh, Hollis L. Randolph, Bradford N. Hull
  • Patent number: 3961300
    Abstract: A thermal timer has a pair of means responsive to oppositely acting thermal differentials established therebetween for pivotally moving generally in opposite directions through a predetermined time cycle.A thermal control system, and circuit for operating an electrical device, and a thermal actuator for a thermal timer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stanley J. Budlane
  • Patent number: RE31367
    Abstract: A combination starting and protecting device particularly useful with split phase motors such as those used with refrigeration compressors is disclosed in which an element of material having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity characteristic and a thermally responsive switch are disposed in the same housing. A thermal coupling of a preselected value between the PTC element and the thermally responsive switch is provided so that a desired reset or "off" time is obtained for the thermally responsive switch without affecting the "on" time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John R. D'Entremont