With External Or Auxiliary Heating Means Patents (Class 337/102)
  • Patent number: 11549299
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door system comprising: at least one travelable door element; at least one running rail for guiding the door element; and at least one light barrier element for detecting a free travel path of the door element, wherein the at least one running rail has a cut-out at or in which the at least one light barrier element is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs- und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Hörmann, Michael Schwetje, Marc Hornschuh
  • Patent number: 11462866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plug power cord, which includes a plug including a main body, a live wire contact and a neutral wire contact, and a load wire. The load wire is connected with the live wire contact, and a protector is arranged between the load wire and the live wire contact, or, the load wire is connected with the neutral wire contact, and a protector is arranged between the load wire and the neutral wire contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Jiangmen Changshun Mechanical & Electronical Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongye Huang
  • Patent number: 10908215
    Abstract: This monitoring unit (1) for monitoring an electrical circuit breaker (D) includes: a central body including: an interconnection device (120) capable of receiving primary voltages (V1) from the circuit breaker, and comprising an electrical power circuit (1220) for converting the primary voltages to secondary voltages (V2); a control device (110), for measuring the secondary voltages (V2) delivered by the power circuit (1220), a removable electrical power supply module (20), comprising a power converter (203), configured to transform the collected primary voltages (V1) into an additional secondary voltage (V2?) and to supply electrical power to a shared electrical power supply bus (1102) of the control device (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Willy Martin, Thierry Ourth, Olivier Theron, Theo Deletang, Vincent Lababsa, Patrick Prieur
  • Patent number: 10375858
    Abstract: Disclosed is a housing for electronic/electrical that includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other at regular intervals to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached or detached to/from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. Here, when the temperature increase beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. At a low temperature environment, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Sam Choi, Han Saem Lee
  • Patent number: 10204755
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal trip compensation structure including a tripping bar having an ejector pin, a bimetal strip, a compensating component, a support for the compensating component, and an adjustment component. One end of the bimetal strip is connected with the support. The support receives and supports the compensating component. The adjustment component is capable of adjusting a position of the compensating component relative to the support. The compensating component has an inclined slant surface which is set in such a way that a gap between the inclined slant surface and the ejector pin of the tripping bar when the bimetal strip is deflected after the occurrence of short circuit is less than the gap between the inclined slant surface and the ejector pin of the tripping bar when the bimetal strip is not deflected before the occurrence of the short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Junjie Zhou, Zhenzhong Liu, Yibo Li, Junchang Shi, Zakaria Boughalem
  • Patent number: 10081902
    Abstract: A controlling method for a dryer is applied to a dryer, in which at least one of a heat pump system and a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than that of the heater. The controlling method includes, when both the heat pump system and the heater are selected as the heat sources, turning the heat pump system on, turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on, turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed, and turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kiwook Jung, Junseok Lee
  • Patent number: 10056211
    Abstract: A heat-reactive switch includes an airtight container with a housing and a lid plate, two conductive terminal pins fixed in through-holes in the lid plate, a fixed contact point fixed on one of the conductive terminal pins, a heater connected to the other conductive terminal pin and to the lid plate, a heat-reactive plate connected to the housing internal surface, the bending direction becoming inverted at a predetermined temperature, and a mobile contact point provided at the end of the heat-reactive plate. A heating element has a plurality of serpentine portions made from a metal plate in ribbon form, disposed between the lid plate and the heat-reactive plate so as to be parallel thereto. At least two of the serpentine portions are disposed to face each other while sandwiching the conductive terminal pin. Each portion follows the inner peripheral surface of the housing and have planar portions facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: UBUKATA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hori, Yoshio Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10026563
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, comprising an electrical-switching mechanical device in a housing having at least one first thermally deformable assembly including a beam held in at least two different locations by at least two arms secured to edges of the housing, the beam and the arms being metallic and situated within the same first metallization level and an electrically conductive body, wherein the said first thermally deformable assembly has at least one first configuration at a first temperature and a second configuration when at least one is at a second temperature different from the first temperature, wherein the beam is at a distance from the body in the first configuration and in contact with the said body and immobilized by the said body in the second configuration and establishing or prohibiting an electrical link passing through the body and through the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Antonio Di-Giacomo, Christian Rivero, Pascal Fornara
  • Patent number: 9831056
    Abstract: A protection device comprises a resin base, PTC component, bimetal component, arm and upper plate which are housed in a resin housing wherein the base includes a terminal integrated with the base by insert molding. A resin cover is formed by insert molding to cover the PTC component, bimetal component, arm and upper plate which are superposed in this order over the terminal within a space in the base. The space in the resin base is substantially closed by the upper plate, the base and the cover are integrally bonded to define the resin housing, the terminal and the arm are electrically connected in series in a normal state, and in an abnormal state where the bimetal component is activated, the terminal and the arm are electrically cut off, while the terminal, PTC component, bimetal component, and arm are electrically connected in series in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Mochizuki, Katsuaki Suzuki, Arata Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9742246
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of low speed windings and a plurality of separate high speed windings. A first type of thermal overload protector is coupled with at least one of the low speed windings and a second type of thermal overload protector is coupled with at least one of the high speed windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Vehige, Alex V. Wiegmann, Ryan M. Bastien
  • Patent number: 9691576
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, a housing accommodating the switching mechanism, two first connections between which first connections the switching mechanism makes or interrupts an electrically conductive connection depending on the temperature of said switching mechanism, and a heating resistor that is arranged on an outside of the housing and is connected electrically in series with the two connections. The heating resistor is a sheet-like metal part that is welded to the housing and carries a further connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: THERMIK GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Mitschele, Hans-Christian Liehr
  • Patent number: 9653240
    Abstract: A circuit breaker 1 comprises: a fixed-contact piece 2 with a fixed contact 21; a movable-contact piece 4 with a movable contact 41; a thermal actuator element 5 thermally transformable to move the movable-contact piece; a PTC thermistor 6 for conducting electricity between the movable-contact piece 4 and the fixed-contact piece 2; a main body 71 of a package provided with a holding recess 73 housing the above-mentioned components; and a cover 81 hermetically covering the holding recess 73. The fixed-contact piece 2 is embedded between an internal wall 74 and an external wall 75 of the main body 71. The PTC thermistor 6 is housed in an opened hollow 73d. In a planar view of the circuit breaker, a through-hole 76 penetrating through the external wall 75 overlaps with the opened hollow 73d, but does not overlap with the centroid O of the opened hollow 73d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSULITE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Namikawa, Takuya Sunada
  • Patent number: 9455109
    Abstract: An overload release is disclosed, in particular for a circuit breaker, including a metal strip which is made of at least two different types of metal and around which a heat conductor is wound. In an embodiment, the mechanical and electrical connection of the metal strip can be completely or partly disconnected, such that no current flows over the mechanical connection of the metal strip in the completely disconnected case and a portion of the current flows over the mechanical connection in the partly disconnected case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Dürr, Xaver Laumer, Bernhard Rösch
  • Patent number: 9396636
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure detector for a fire alarm system includes a housing having an internal surface defining an interior volume. Also included is an alarm switch located within the interior volume of the housing and comprising a first deformable diaphragm responsive to an increase in pressure of a gas disposed in a sensor tube to indicate an overheat condition. Further included is an integrity switch located within the interior volume and comprising a second deformable diaphragm disposed in contact with an electrical contact during pressurization of the gas within a predetermined pressure range and in an electrically open condition when the pressure of the gas is less than the predetermined range. Yet further included is a mica sleeve located within the interior volume of the housing and disposed along at least a portion of the internal surface of the housing to insulate the alarm switch and the integrity switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Wallace, David Frasure, Mahamadou Yamoussa
  • Patent number: 9000880
    Abstract: A thermal protector has superiority in current responsiveness or thermal responsiveness with a simple configuration that does not need a separate manufacturing step of incorporating a resistor. At a stage of press processing for cutting from an original material, a movable plate body part 16 of a movable plate 4 is partitioned into a narrow-width part 17 and a wide-width part 18 by a slim hole 19. The movable plate 4 is assembled to a fixed conductor 2 with columns 9 of an insulator 3, a bimetal 5 is assembled to the movable plate 4, the entire configuration is pressed down by a resinous block 6, and the entire fixing part is fixed by melting tips of the columns 9. The wide-width part 18 serves as a normal movable plate, whereas the narrow-width part 17 serves as a conductor in a normal state and as a resistor against an overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 8981891
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 8749341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an external operation thermal protector incorporating two thermal plates, each having a first resistance element module having a first polymer PTC element and a second resistance element module having a second polymer PTC element fixed to a body casing together with the fixed end of a movable plate interlocked with a bimetal and a second terminal. Two gaps for absorbing the volume expansion caused when each polymer PTC element generates heat are provided between the plates and the inner walls of the body casing. The current for an external load between a first terminal and the second terminal is interrupted by externally energizing the second terminal and a second connection unit, the current interruption is self-sustained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Publication number: 20140091894
    Abstract: An overload release is disclosed, in particular for a circuit breaker, including a metal strip which is made of at least two different types of metal and around which a heat conductor is wound. In an embodiment, the mechanical and electrical connection of the metal strip can be completely or partly disconnected, such that no current flows over the mechanical connection of the metal strip in the completely disconnected case and a portion of the current flows over the mechanical connection in the partly disconnected case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Dürr, Xaver Laumer, Bernhard Rösch
  • Patent number: 8519816
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to an external operation thermal protector incorporating a polymer PTC element that is operable in a safe state in which a hot spot does not occur even under volume expansion due to thermal expansion at the time of heat generation. A terminal plate of a resistance element module having a polymer PTC element is caulked above a column and fixed to a body casing together with the fixed end of a movable plate interlocked with a bimetal and a second terminal. Another terminal plate of the resistance element module is arranged with a gap, for absorbing the volume expansion caused when the polymer PTC element generates heat, with respect to the inner wall of the body casing. The current for an external load between a first terminal and the second terminal is interrupted by externally energizing the second terminal and a third terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 8461956
    Abstract: An over-current protection device includes a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a resistive device and a temperature sensing switch. The first conductive member includes a first electrode foil and a second electrode foil those are formed on a same plane. The resistive device is laminated between the first conductive member and the second conductive member and exhibits positive temperature coefficient or negative temperature coefficient behavior. The temperature sensing switch can switch the first electrode foil and the second electrode foil between electrically conductive status and current-restriction status, e.g., open circuit, according to temperature variation. The threshold temperature of the temperature sensing switch is lower than the trip temperature of the resistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun Teng Tseng, David Shau Chew Wang
  • Patent number: 8111523
    Abstract: A wiring board for use in mounting an electronic component includes a switch element portion interposed in a signal transmission line including a wiring layer linked to an electrode terminal of the electronic component. The switch element portion has such a structure as to change the shape thereof depending on a temperature, and to disconnect the signal transmission line when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A conductor layer which constitutes a portion of the signal transmission line is formed at the bottom of a cavity formed in an electronic component mounting surface side of the wiring board. One end of the switch element portion is fixedly connected to the wiring layer, and another end thereof is in contact with the conductor layer when the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sunohara, Kei Murayama
  • Patent number: 7961073
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Yingco Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 7800477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal protector which is comprised of a bimetal blade, a moving electrical contact, a fixed electrical contact, and a electrical resistor, wherein the bimetal blade has a fixed end and a moving end, wherein the moving electrical contact is positional toward the moving end of the bimetal blade, wherein the moving electrical contact has a minimum volume of 0.0003 in3, wherein electrical resistor generates sufficient heat to keep the bimetal blade above a reset temperature and to maintain the bimetal blade in a bent position wherein the moving electrical contact remains away from the fixed electrical contact during periods of continued application of the electrical current, wherein the reset temperature is above ambient temperature, and wherein the thermal protector is capable of at least 60 cycles of operation at a peak amperage of at least 90 amps at 120 volts of alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Thermtrol Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Komer
  • 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: 7688175
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Publication number: 20090295532
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Craig J. Puhalla, David E. Little, Kelly J. McCarthy, Robert W. Mueller, Wilbert E. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7515029
    Abstract: A starter of single-phase induction motor having main winding and auxiliary winding energized by alternating current power source, including a casing, a positive characteristic thermistor connected in series to the auxiliary winding, an auxiliary positive characteristic thermistor connected parallel to the positive characteristic thermistor, a bimetal, and an enclosed compartment accommodated in the casing for enclosing the snap action bimetal and auxiliary positive characteristic thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Sahashi, Akihiko Matsuya, Shinichi Iwasaki, Motoi Okada, Kazuo Itoh
  • Publication number: 20080307786
    Abstract: The multistable actuator (10) includes: a mobile part (12) intended to be moved between at least two stable positions, movement means (14, 16) for moving the mobile part, guide means (122, 186, 24, 246, 247, 248, 249) for guiding the movement of the mobile part (12), and support means (20, 22, 28, 30, 246, 247, 248, 249) for holding the mobile part (12) in each of the stable positions that it occupies, wherein the movement means (14, 16) are two opposing movement means made of a shape memory alloy. Application in a tactile interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Moustapha Hafez, Jean-Marc Alexandre
  • Publication number: 20080247777
    Abstract: A heating assembly for a printing device includes a heating device configured to be energized or deenergized. A switching device includes a bimetallic element efficiently thermally coupled to the heating device and configured to deenergize the heating device in a defined period of time in the event of an over temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 7330097
    Abstract: In a direct current cutoff switch1, a PTC 5, which is a non-linear resistor, is parallel connected to a contact circuit composed of a fixed contact 4-2 and a movable contact 8-2 via electrodes 5-1. When the switch is closed, no current flows in the PTC 5 with a prescribed resistance value at 25° C., since voltage between both the electrodes 5-1 is almost “0”. When the switch is opened in order to cut off current, the contacts form a closed circuit since the PTC 5 is parallel inserted between the fixed contact 4-2 and the movable contact 8-2. For this reason, it is difficult for surge voltage to occur and an arc hardly occurs between both the contacts. The PTC 5 instantaneously heats due to passing current, reduces the resistance value and passes peak current. Then, the resistance value rises and becomes stable in a high value such that weak current which is negligible at 42V, which is rated voltage. Thus, current is substantially cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 7298239
    Abstract: A thermal protector (1) including two fixed contacts (13A, 13B) provided at the end part of conduction terminal pins (5A, 5B) projecting into a metallic enclosed container (100), a support (6) arranged in a case, an oscillatory heating resistor (8) supported by the support and having two movable contacts (9A, 9B) facing the fixed contacts, and a heat responsive body (10) interposed between the heating resistor and the support and coupled with the heating resistor through a coupler (12). When an overcurrent flows through the heating resistor to generate heat therefrom and the temperature of the heat responsive body reaches a set level, the heat responsive body is inverted. Inverting motion of the heat responsive body is transmitted to the heating resistor through the coupler, and the current path is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ubukata Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Yamada
  • Patent number: 7265652
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Yingco Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 7102481
    Abstract: A low current motor protector (10, 10?) has an oblong metal housing (12) defining a switch chamber and formed with an open end. The housing has opposing flange portions extending transversely from the open end. Spaced apart lid portions (18a, 18b; 18a?, 18b?) are received on and clamped to the flange portions with an electrically insulating gasket (16) having a central opening interposed between the housing and the lid parts. The lid parts are formed with a recessed ceramic heater seat disposed in the switch chamber having spaced apart contact shelves (18f) which receives a ceramic heater (20) which is maintained in place and provided with contact force by a spring clip (22, 22?) attached to one of the lid parts. In another embodiment a coil heater (30) is electrically connected between lid parts (28a, 28b) and is disposed in a recess formed by a dome configuration (28f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan J. Stiekel, Young-Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 6995647
    Abstract: A low current motor protector (10, 10?) has an oblong metal housing (12) defining a switch chamber and formed with an open end. The housing has opposing flange portions extending transversely from the open end. Spaced apart lid portions (18a, 18b; 18a?, 18b?) are received on and clamped to the flange portions with an electrically insulating gasket (16) having a central opening interposed between the housing and the lid parts. The lid parts are formed with a recessed ceramic heater seat disposed in the switch chamber having spaced apart contact shelves (18f) which receives a ceramic heater (20) which is maintained in place and provided with contact force by a spring clip (22, 22?) attached to one of the lid parts. A thermostatic switch is mounted in the housing and has a movable electrical contact movable into and out of engagement with a stationary electrical contact on one of the lid parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jan J. Stiekel
  • Patent number: 6825750
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Yingco Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 6803850
    Abstract: A heater element for use in a circuit breaker whose initial shape can be varied to achieve various trip ratings for different circuit breakers. The material composition of the heater element and the bimetal strip indirectly heated by the heater element are kept the same. The electrical resistance presented to current passed through the heater element is varied by varying the shape of the heater element. The shape of one heater element relative to another heater element varies according to one geometric parameter. The geometric parameter may be surface geometry, thickness, or cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: David Norman Richter
  • Patent number: 6794964
    Abstract: A bi-stable microswitch (1) including a pair of contacts (4, 5) and an armature (10,11) movable between a first position and a second position to selectively break or make the pair of contacts, the armature being latched in the second position by a magnetic path including a permanent magnet (3) and a magnetizable element (7) having a first temperature, wherein the armature is resiliently biased towards the first position when latched, and is movable from the second position to the first position upon heating of the magnetizable element to above the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Dinesh Kumar Sood, Ronald Barry Zmood, Lijiang Qin
  • Patent number: 6756876
    Abstract: A current interrupter (10, 10′) includes bimetallic member (18) as a switching member having a formed portion (18a) providing snap action movement between oppositely dished configurations. An integrally formed extended length portion (18b) having a stiffening feature extends from the formed portion and mounts a movable contact at its free end. Stiffening feature embodiments include folded opposed marginal edges and one or more longitudinally extending ribs formed in the extended length portion. In one embodiment, the bimetallic member is cantilever mounted in a housing member (14). In another embodiment, a bimetallic member (18D) has first and second extended length portions (18b) extending from opposite sides of a formed portion to provide a circuit interrupter with a double break system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven K. Sullivan, Karl A. Kohm, Kevin R. French
  • Publication number: 20040004533
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 6664885
    Abstract: A device is described for latching an actuator to a substrate where the substrate includes a thermally activated material located on the substrate and a heater capable of heating the thermally activated material until it softens. The actuator includes a contact area that is spaced above the thermally activated material in a non-contact position. The actuator is movable from the non-contact position to a contact position where the contact area contacts the thermally activated material of the substrate. A method of latching actuator is also provided including heating the thermally activated material until it softens and moving an actuator into the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Bromley, Karl Vollmers, Bradley J. Nelson, Kamal Mothilal, Kevin Roberts
  • Patent number: 6639502
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor is disclosed having an electric motor, a compressor unit, and an overload protector within a hermetically sealed housing. The overload protector includes a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to the electric motor, a heater element thermally coupled to the switching device, and a control circuit controlling the heater element. The overload protector allows the disconnection of power to the motor due to factors and conditions specified in the remotely located control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Kent B. Herrick
  • Patent number: 6636141
    Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a bimetal member anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. An incoming power wire is connected to the bimetal member near the contact point with the electrical conductor. A heating element, such as a coil, is coupled to the bimetal member, and is controlled by a switch control signal. When the switch control signal is not asserted, the heating element is inactive, and power is delivered through the incoming power wire across the end of the bimetal member to the electrical conductor, from which it can be further distributed to the load. When the switch control signal is asserted, the heating element heats up causing the bimetal to bend until the contact with the electrical conductor is broken. The electrical path from the incoming power wire to the electrical conductor (and hence, to the load) is then broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yingco Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Publication number: 20030102954
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor is disclosed having an electric motor, a compressor unit, and an overload protector within a hermetically sealed housing. The overload protector includes a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to the electric motor, a heater element thermally coupled to the switching device, and a control circuit controlling the heater element. The overload protector allows the disconnection of power to the motor due to factors and conditions specified in the remotely located control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Kent B. Herrick
  • Patent number: 6542062
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor is disclosed having an electric motor, a compressor unit, and an overload protector within a hermetically sealed housing. The overload protector includes a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to the electric motor, a heater element thermally coupled to the switching device, and a control circuit controlling the heater element. The overload protector allows the disconnection of power to the motor due to factors and conditions specified in the remotely located control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Kent B. Herrick
  • 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: 6057751
    Abstract: An overheat and overload sensing device includes a thermal sensor (such as a thermal regulator) and a breaker connected in parallel and used to cut off a power supply in case of current overload. The thermal sensor usually disposed near a heat source can respond automatically to cut off a local circuit in time in the case of overheat that will make the breaker become overloaded to break off power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Hung, Chun-Wei Hsu
  • 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: 5892429
    Abstract: A switch for opening and closing an electrical circuit comprises a temperature-dependent switching mechanism and a housing containing a switching mechanism. The housing has an electrically conductive lower housing part and an electrically conductive cover part electrically insulated from and closing off the lower housing part. The electrical circuit is to be connected to the lower housing part and the cover part. As a function of temperature the switching mechanism electrically connects the lower housing part to the cover part. At least one resistor is provided directly on an inner surface of the housing such that the resistor is switched in series with the switching mechanism between the cover part and lower housing part, as a function of temperature, when the switching mechanism is in a first switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsass
  • Patent number: 5854584
    Abstract: A device for protecting a fractional-horsepower motor from overheating. The motor is intended to accommodate a high heat load. Its power supply accommodates a make-or-break switch. A bimetal component opens the switch once a certain temperature has been attained. The bimetal component is mounted on a support. The switch, the bimetal component, and its support are electrically connected in series. There is a specific ratio between the electrical impedance and heat capacity of the bimetal component and those of its support, and they are extensively in surface-to-surface contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Dieter Rogelein