With Manual Or Other Mechanical Contact Actuating Means Patents (Class 337/115)
  • Patent number: 5142261
    Abstract: A constant-on variable-stroke refrigeration thermostat is disclosed wherein the toggle spring-biased operating lever has a fixed-position stop when the contacts are open and a variable-position stop when the contacts are closed, and wherein an air gap is provided between the actuator prong of the operating lever and the moveable contact blade of the switch contacts to allow the operating lever to travel downwardly with increased momentum before the switch contacts are opened. The primary advantage provided by the present invention is that the thermostat is of a much simpler construction, which results in a lower cost and a higher reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kennett R. Fuller, Ronald W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4774489
    Abstract: A temperature responsive electrical switch device has means operable generally for switching between a pair of switching means, and temperature responsive means is operable generally at a set-point temperature for effecting the operation of the switching means. Means is linearly movable in response to an applied force exerted thereon and arranged in camming engagement with an associated part of the temperature responsive means for setting the set-point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kelly, Kennett R. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4302662
    Abstract: A control instrument is used for the manually continuously adjustable supply of electric power to electric hot plates in the form of individual power pulses. The control instrument contains a switch, operated by a bimetallic member, whose heater is controlled by an electronic circuit and supplies current to the heating means in individual half-waves. An automatic initial cooking device with an electronic timing member is provided which, during the initial cooking phase, reduces the power supply to heater in a predetermined ratio and consequently correspondingly increases the power supplied to the electric hot plate. The automatic initial cooking device is automatically switched on by the control instrument knob. By rotating the control knob beyond a median power limit the automatic initial cooking device is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: E.G.O. Regeltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Kicherer, Wilfried Schilling
  • Patent number: 4214224
    Abstract: A multi-function, pyrolytic self-cleaning oven thermostat for regulating bake and clean temperatures and oven door unlatching. The thermostat includes separate bistable and creep-action switch mechanisms actuated by a single thermally expansive hydraulic wafer responsive to oven temperature changes. An axially movable partially threaded shaft, rotatable between two end positions, is provided for operator adjustment of the temperature switching point of the bistable mechanism. At one end position of the rotative shaft a minimum baking temperature switching point is provided while at the other end position a maximum temperature switching point is established for pyrolytic self-cleaning of the oven. A generally linearly increasing temperature range of bistable mechanism switching points is provided from the minimum to the maximum temperature switching point end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Holtkamp