Abstract: A toaster includes a housing, with a first cavity for toasting bread and a second cavity outside of and separate from the first cavity. The housing also includes at least one slot for receiving bread into the first cavity, and the first cavity is provided with heating elements to toast the bread. The toaster also includes control circuitry for the heating elements with a thermal fuse. There is a first saturation temperature range for toasting bread and a second saturation temperature range which corresponds to a runaway condition. The thermal fuse is positioned in the second cavity and has an actuation temperature between the first saturation temperature range and a the second saturation temperature range, as measured in the second cavity.

Abstract: A trigger device for a power switch includes a bi-metal which is arranged near to a current path of a power switch in order to control triggering, as well as a bi-metal mounting device into which the bimetal is inserted and which is designed to enclose the bi-metal, in an arrangement substantially parallel to a current path of a power switch, such that heat radiated from the current path heats the bi-metal more or less across its whole length.

Abstract: A trip device is disclosed, the device comprising: a power source side heater connected to a power source side of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) to receive current; a load side heater connected to a load side of the MCCB to receive the current; and a bimetal including a direct heat unit contacting the power source side heater and an indirect heating unit facing the power source side heater, wherein the bimetal is partially fixed between the power source side heater and the load side heater and is curved when over-current or short-circuited current flows in the MCCB.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A protector assembly and method for protecting motor windings from an overload condition. The assembly comprises a thermally responsive protector, a skirt, and a sleeve. The protector comprises a housing, an end cap, at least one terminal, and a thermally responsive member. The end cap covers an open end of the housing. The terminal extends through the end cap. The thermally responsive member is within the housing and adapted to be electrically coupled to the motor winding via the terminal. The protector is adapted to be positioned in heat-transfer relation wit the motor winding in a manner such that the thermally responsive member is responsive to an overload condition of the motor winding. The skirt and sleeve are of dielectric materials. The skirt is positioned on the protector in a manner such that the skirt surrounds the end cap and the terminal. The skirt is between the end cap and the sleeve.

Abstract: A protector assembly and method for protecting motor windings from an overload condition. The assembly comprises a thermally responsive protector, a skirt, and a sleeve. The protector comprises a housing, an end cap, at least one terminal, and a thermally responsive member. The end cap covers an open end of the housing. The terminal extends through the end cap. The thermally responsive member is within the housing and adapted to be electrically coupled to the motor winding via the terminal. The protector is adapted to be positioned in heat-transfer relation wit the motor winding in a manner such that the thermally responsive member is responsive to an overload condition of the motor winding. The skirt and sleeve are of dielectric materials. The skirt is positioned on the protector in a manner such that the skirt surrounds the end cap and the terminal. The skirt is between the end cap and the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally controlled, electrical switching device 1, which displays a bimetal element 2, an adjustment apparatus 3, and a switch-contact apparatus 6, which, on the one hand, can be adjusted by means of the bimetal element, and on the other hand, with respect to its switching point, works in conjunction with the adjustment apparatus 3. The fixed end 7 of the bimetal element 2, a fastening end 8 of the switch-contact apparatus 6, a support element 9 for the adjustment apparatus 3, and connection contact lugs 10, 11 are arranged on a carrier device 12. In order to improves the switching device 1 with respect to its mechanical characteristics and with respect to the necessary individual parts, the carrier device 12 consists of a single-piece holding block 13, formed of insulating material, with a number of essentially parallel-running reception slots 14, into which can be inserted the individual parts held by the carrier device 12, i.e.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprises a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having an electrically conductive spring element carrying a movable contact element. A first counter-contact is provided that coacts with said movable contact element to constitute a first switching contact pair that is opened and closed as a function of the temperature of the switching mechanism. A first heating resistor is provided for influencing the temperature of the switching mechanism at least in one switching state of the latter. The first heating resistor is provided on the movable contact element.

Abstract: A temperature controller 10 comprises a bimetallic switching device 35 which switches at an excess temperature to protect an electrical device. The bimetallic switching device is accommodated in a housing 12 which has an electrically conductive base and an electrically conductive cover to close this. The cover and the base are connected by an insulation. A first electrical component 17 is connected in series between terminals of the temperature controller at least when the bimetallic switching device is open. A second electrical component 25 being arranged on the bottom of the base is also provided for the bimetallic switching device. The second electrical component 25 is connected in series with the bimetallic switching device 35 between the terminals 37, 39 of the temperature controller 35 at least when the bimetallic switching device 35 is closed. The first electrical component is a he a ting resistor R.sub.H or an insulator 41 with a comparable mechanical construction.

Abstract: A temperature controller 10 with a bimetallic switching device comprising a bimetallic disk and current-carrying spring disk 22, displaying a first heating resistor assigned to the bi-metallic switching device which has the effect of a self-locking function when the bimetallic switching device is actuated. The bimetallic switching device is assigned a second heating resistor which switches the bimetallic switching device when the current flowing through the temperature controller 10 becomes too high to protect a consumer against excess current. The bimetallic switching device is hereby provided as change-over switch and is connected to both heating resistors 53, 54 in such a way that in each of its switch positions is takes over the current flowing through the temperature 10 controller via a current-carrying part 22.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device 10 has a fixed 26 and a movable 32 contact electrically connected to a pair of terminals 14, 16 and a snap acting bimetallic member 34 which is responsive to a thermally resistive element 28, connected in series with the contacts between the terminals to cause the contacts to move from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The device further includes a current bypass path 24 adapted to be connected in parallel with the thermally resistive element 28 and a second thermally responsive bimetal member 24 b to cause the electrical connection. Additionally, a heater block 18 can be provided between the terminals 14, 16 which has a resistance significantly higher than that of the thermal resistive element 28.

Abstract: A toast shade selector includes a rotatable shaft interposed between aligned openings in upstanding plates of a mounting bracket. A cam on the shaft is rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to regulate the toasting time intervals. A spring carried by the shaft biases the cam against an adjusting nut and also biases a portion of the shaft into one of the openings. Both the shaft and the cam are made from sheet metal.

Abstract: A resistance unit has a temperature fuse between a resistance and a terminal for deactivating a resistance circuit when the motor reaches the permissible maximum temperature.The resistance unit having resistance connected in series with a plurality of terminals for controlling the speed of a motor comprises at least one temperature fuse electrically interposed between one of the terminals and one end of a corresponding one of the resistances for deactivating the resistance circuit when the resistance unit is overheated.

Abstract: A safety cutout device for electric loads, particularly for use in pressing irons and portable heating apparatus, has a temperature switch, such as a bimetallic switch, which is adapted to be connected in series with the electric load. An electrical component adapted to be connected in parallel with the load and having an open and a closed switching state, and being normally open, is connected in series with a resistor adapted to be connected in parallel with the load and arranged in heat transfer relationship with the temperature switch and for heating the temperature switch to its operating temperature to open the switch. A further resistor, which continuously bridges and heats the temperature switch to an extent sufficient to maintain the temperature switch in its actuated open position, is connected in parallel with the temperature switch and adapted to be connected in series with the load.

Abstract: A motor protector having a can and an internal electrical contact is hermetically sealed to a disk-shaped header of conductive material, the header having a flattened edge for orientation in the can during fabrication of the protector and having spaced conductive pins sealed in and insulated from the header. A heater-support having holes for fabrication is bonded to one conductive pin, a bimetallic element on the support has a plane parallel to the axes of the pins and has a contact element normally contacting the can contact. A heater is bonded to each of the electrically conductive pins spaced from the movable contact and in a plane parallel to the axes of the conductive pins. In making the motor protector a fixture has one depression with pins mating with the support apertures and has a second depression receiving the header in an upright position and adjacent the first depression.

Abstract: A three phase hermetic protector for electrical apparatus has a pair of terminals extending through a header with first and second elongated heaters mounted on the terminals and extending away from the header. A rigid support is attached to the header between the terminals and extends away from the header and mounts a third elongated heater extending back toward the header. A snap acting disc is cantilever mounted on the free end of the third heater and mounts thereon a pair of movable contacts adapted to move into and out of the engagement with stationary contacts mounted at the free ends of the first and second heaters. The rigid support mounts a calibration screw beneath the free end of each of the first and second heaters to independently adjust the vertical position of the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A thermally actuated switch having a bi-metal switch arm carrying a contact, a cooperating contact, a heating resistor and a holding resistor. The switch is enclosed in a sealed housing and circuit connections extend from the switch contacts, heating resistor and holding resistor to the exterior of the housing. The heating position thereby closing or opening the switch contacts, depending on whether the contacts are normally-open or normally-closed. After switch actuation, the heating resistor continues to supply heat to the switch arm to hold the arm in its actuated position. The connections from the heating and holding resistors to the exterior of the housing enable the connection of external variable resistors in circuit with the heating and holding resistors whereby the time required for the switch to actuate and the time to switch remains actuated may each be varied.

Abstract: A pair of heaters (16,18) are mounted within a breaker housing (2) in spaced relation to a temperature responsive actuator element (30) for indirectly heating that element in response to current flow in the heaters. Each heater is provided with a wiring terminal member (6,8) for selectively individually connecting one or the other heater in circuit with a branch circuit to be protected. One heater (16) is selected to generate greater amounts of heat than the other heater (18) when subjected to the same current levels.

Abstract: A thermal relay is disclosed which provides a bi-metal snap disc actuator system. The actuator system includes a central divider of material having relatively low thermal conductivity and a metallic disc cup mounted on each side of the central divider. A bi-metal snap disc is located in each disc cup and a separate heater is provided to respectively heat the discs. The discs are mounted so that they tend to move toward each other at normal environmental temperatures and a bumper is interposed between the discs to cause them to move in with snap action in the unison. The actuator operates two switches. In one embodiment, one switch is normally closed and the other switch is normally open. In another embodiment, both switches are normally open.

Abstract: A motor protector has a tubular metal housing with open and closed ends, has a contact welded to one inner side of the housing near the closed housing end spaced from an opposite inner side of the housing, has a terminal sealed in the open housing end, and has a bimetal member extending from the terminal into the housing along the housing axis in spaced insulated relation to the housing to move into and out of engagement with the contact in response to temperature change. The protector is compact and hermetically sealed and is calibratable by housing deformation without loss of hermetic sealing. In some embodiments first and/or second heaters connected to selected motor windings via sealed terminals are compactly accommodated in the housing along respective sides of the bimetal member.

Abstract: A control for modulating the duty cycle of diesel engine glow plugs has two heat sensitive, normally closed switches each thermally coupled to a respective positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater in turn thermally coupled to and mounted on a common heat sink. The heat sensitive switches are serially connected to each other, to an ignition switch and to a glow plug relay. The PTC heaters are connected to a point between the heat sensitive switches and the relay and to ground. A third PTC heater is mounted on the heat sink intermediate the first and second heaters and thermally coupled to the heat sink. The third heater is connected to an alternator and serves to cut off power to the glow plugs after a selected after glow stage. The two heat sensitive switches can be selected to open at approximately the same temperature for a random operating mode or at slightly different temperatures for a sequential operating mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric temperature setback device which is placed in proximate relation to a conventional thermostat and is operatively controlled by a timing device for providing local warmth to the thermostat at pre-determined times and for pre-determined intervals. The setback device includes spades with integral female lamp connectors for arraying a plurality of incandescent lamps in series across an electrical circuit. By so doing, the voltage to each lamp is proportionally reduced, decreasing the filament temperature of each lamp and thereby increasing the amount of heat energy produced proportional to the amount of light energy produced.

Abstract: One reed of a pair of parallel reeds has a rod extending to opposite sides of the pair. A bimetallic snap disc can be heated to snap against one end of the rod and thus flex the reed to engage a contact on that reed with a contact on the other reed and thus close a circuit to be controlled. A resilient latch holds that reed in its flexed position, even after the disc cools and snaps back to its normal configuration, until a second snap disc is heated and pushes the rod and reed back to its open-contact position. A selectively operable switch serves to provide electric current to a selected one of a pair of resistance heaters, one heater being near each of the snap discs.

Abstract: An electric time switch mechanism is provided comprising a plurality of units each having an operating thermal expansion member, for example, a bimetallic member. Electrical heating means are provided for the thermal expansion member and a switch is activated by the thermal expansion member. The units are connected in series in such a way that the activation of a switch turns off the heating means of the associated thermal expansion member and turns on that of the following units. The switches remain in the activated state after activation and are resettable by external activation.

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.