With Heater-adjusting, Shunting Or Short-circuiting Means Patents (Class 337/103)
  • Patent number: 10163593
    Abstract: A temperature switch 1 includes first terminal unit 2 having a first terminal 5 and a first fixed contact 6, a switch body unit 3 including a bimetal element 22 in which both ends engage a movable plate 15 holding, via an tongue portion 17, first and second fixed contacts 6 and 8 arranged in an internal center portion of an insulation material 10 at prescribed intervals and also holding a movable contact 18 arranged above them, and a second terminal unit 4 having a second terminal 7 and the second fixed contact 8. The first terminal unit 2, the switch body unit 3, and the second terminal unit 4 are sequentially arranged in line. At an ambient temperature, the bimetal element 22 deforms into a convex shape in the contact direction so as to push out the tongue portion 17 and the movable contact 18 at the center of the convex shape, and the movable contact 18 is closed with respect to the first and second fixed contacts 6 and 8 so that a current flows between the first and second terminals 5 and 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10128073
    Abstract: A thermal trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a number of shunts. The thermal trip assembly includes a load conductor, a bimetal adapted to cooperate with the operating mechanism to open the separable contacts in response to a trip condition, and a bypass heater element structured to be electrically connected to the shunts. The bypass heater element directs the flow of electric current to at least partially bypass the bimetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Craig Joseph Puhalla, Brian Scott Jansto, Richard Paul Malingowski, James Patrick Sisley
  • Patent number: 9697969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuse resistor provided on an electrical circuit to protect the electrical circuit and elements. The fuse resistor includes a substrate on which first and second resistive terminals and fuse terminals are formed, first and second resistive elements surface-mounted on the first and second resistive terminals and dividing applied current or voltage, and a temperature fuse surface-mounted on the fuse terminals and broken by heat generated from the first and second resistive elements. If overcurrent or overvoltage is applied, the first and second resistive elements generate heat and the temperature fuse is broken by the generated heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Doo Won Kang, Hyun Chang Kim, Hwang Je Mun, A Lam Shin
  • 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: 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: 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: 6563088
    Abstract: An electrical plug-like connector, in particular a socket or cigar(ette) lighter in motor vehicles having a sleeve-like guide part for axially accepting a cigar(ette) lighter or a connector plug of an electrical device. A first fixed contact is arranged in the sleeve base region on an insulation carrier. The fixed first contact is acted upon by a counter contact, and the electrically conductive guide part forms a second fixed contact that acts upon other counter contacts. Thermal overload protection is also provided. Parallel to the thermal overload protection and at a distance from the insulation carrier, a sheet metal insert is provided, extending in the sleeve base section. On the underside of the sheet metal insert, an electrically-conductive bimetal-switch spring is fixed such that such that in the non-operative condition the bimetal switch spring acts upon the first fixed contact or upon a side contact connected with the side contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Inter Control Hermann Kohler Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Wolf
  • Patent number: 5615829
    Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an air conditioning system has a selectable cycling rate. A manually variable resistor element is connected in parallel with the thermostat's standard anticipator resistor. In a preferred embodiment, the manually variable resistor element comprises a series circuit formed from a manually operable switch in series connection with a cycling modifier anticipator resistor is connected across the power terminals of the thermostat. By closing the switch, additional heat is supplied to the thermostat's temperature sensing element during the times when the thermostat is not providing power to the air conditioning system. The additional heat causes the thermostat to cycle the air conditioning unit more rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Porter
  • Patent number: 5262749
    Abstract: An electrical safety device is provided with a heat responsive relay adapted to be interposed between a load and a power source. The relay is adapted to open circuit in response to a predetermined temperature. A heater element responsive to the opening of the relay is shunted across the relay. When the relay opens, power is shunted to the heater for maintaining the relay at least at the predetermined temperature thereby holding the relay open while the load remains connected to said power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Opti-Lume Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Z. Kopelman
  • Patent number: 5191310
    Abstract: A thermally responsive load cycling switch assembly user adjustable for varying the time of cycling current to load connecting terminals and having a contact blade cantilevered from an insulator block pivoted in the switch housing. A bimetal blade actuator means is also cantilevered from the block and includes heater means to cause the bimetal to effect movement of the contact blade. A separate blade spring cantilevered from the block enables the block to be pivotably preloaded. A spring blade is cantilevered from the actuator means to enable separate preloading of the bi-metal for temperature calibration. A flexible jumper blade connects the contact blade to one of two load terminal connectors for series and parallel operation. A manually operated arming switch is series connected between one powerline terminal and one of the load terminals. A stationary contact disposed for closing a circuit with the contact blade is connected to the opposite powerline terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: George Obermann, Paul H. Tuma, Ronald S. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5182538
    Abstract: The bimetal thermoswitch consists of an electrically insulating, flat carrier (1), at least two electric terminals (3, 4), which are secured to the carrier (1) and are respectively connected to a fixed contact (10), which is mounted on the carrier, and to a contact spring (8), which is secured at one end to the carrier (1) and at its other end carries a movable contact element (9), which cooperates with the fixed contact (10). The carrier (1) consists of an alumina ceramic slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Limitor AG
    Inventor: Manfred K. Muller
  • 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: 5021762
    Abstract: A thermal cycling switch has an insulated housing carrying a centrally located rotating cam. The cam operates a first ON/OFF switch connectable between a pair of contacts that are connected to one side of a load and one power line. The rotary cam also moves an adjusted contact mounted on an adjustable arm which cooperates with a cyling arm contact to operate as another switch between the other side of the load and another power line. The cycling arm includes a bimetal member which is electrically insulated at the base, as well as a current conducting strip formed of pure nickel metal extending along the low expansion side of the bimetal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Hetrick
  • Patent number: 4908595
    Abstract: A motor protector includes a case having an open end, a terminal plate secured to the case and having a pair of fixed contacts, a disc-shaped bimetal supported in the case and having a pair of movable contacts engaged with and disengaged from the fixed contacts respectively, a temperature-sensitive switch disposed so as to close the open end of the case and sensing the temperature of a sensed object to be turned on when the temperature thereof reaches a predetermined value, and a heater disposed in the vicinity of the bimetal and connected in series to the temperature-sensitive switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Yamada Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Niino
  • Patent number: 4703298
    Abstract: A thermostat comprises a bimetal switch element reacting upon changes in temperatures which on one of its ends is fastened to a frame and on its other end is provided with an electric contact adapted to engage a fixed contact provided on the frame. The frame comprises two mutually parallel sheet-like metallic contact carriers forming a base unit, through which two parallel pins are extending for connection of both contact carriers and on which pins the contact carrierrs, with a tight fit, are slidable to and fro relative to one another while being held in permanent mutually parallel relation during the sliding. The parallel pins in the thermostat are formed of a ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity which serve to electrically space the two metallic contact carriers while also serving as a self-regulating external heating means for the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Philips M. Gerson
  • Patent number: 4646195
    Abstract: A motor protector of the type having a snap acting thermostatic element is shown particularly adapted for use with compressor motors in which a conventional three pin header is mounted on the compressor casing to allow electrical energization of the motor. An improved heat transfer path is formed between the windings of the motor and the thermostatic element of the protector by suspending the protector from one of the motor pins in optimum heat conductive relation therewith and thermally separated from the compressor casing and any component mounted on the other two pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard J. Lisauskas
  • Patent number: 4580123
    Abstract: Thermal protective switches (1) that are used for limiting the temperature of electrical appliances by automatic opening of the circuit should only reset themselves again after a large change in temperature. In this respect, when the load (9) is overheated, the contact (5') fixed to the bimetallic strip (5) is moved clear of the counter-contact (4) into its open position so that the current through the contact assembly is interrupted. If the fault is not put right there is continuous switching or hunting and there is a danger of the contacts of the thermal protective switch becoming welded to each other. For this reason, for stopping the contacts closing again, the design is such that in the open position the contact assembly, is shunted by the PTC resistor (6). The parts are kept in the open position until the load (9) is turned off by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Fritz Eichenauer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hanno Roller, Roland Starck
  • Patent number: 4201735
    Abstract: The device includes a thermostat which is potted or secured by epoxy in a recess in the closed end of a generally cup-shaped, dielectric housing. A generally disc-shaped, aluminum alloy casting is secured coaxially against an opening formed in the bottom of the housing, and against a PTC resistor which is positioned in the opening between the casting and the thermostat, and in electrical contact with the latter. A bimetallic coil is mounted in the open end of the housing with its inner end staked to an integral post on the Al casting, and with its free end mounted to unwind or rotate angularly in the housing with changes in ambient temperature. The Al casting functions as a heat sink which can be trimmed, before being secured in the housing, to calibrate the bimetel coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Fasco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Byam