Abstract: Disclosed is a relay for high current equipment, such as, for example, an electric range. The relay provides the interface between the solid state electronics and the high wattage electric heating elements. The relay is comprised of a frame having a non-electrically conductive, flexible substrate, such as a plastic substrate supported at its ends with a shallow V cross section. The substrate has conductive heater elements formed thereon with heater terminals connected to said elements. The plastic substrate has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. A biasing member in contact with the apex of the plastic substrate transmits forces between the substrate and a switch assembly, either creep or snap acting. The upper switch arm preloads or couples a force between the biasing element and the plastic substrate causing a shallow V to be formed in the substrate. When current is applied to the heater terminals and heats the heater element, the substrate expands.

Abstract: Movement of the diaphragm pad occasioned by change in pressure within the diaphragm in response to a change in sensed temperature causes the bowed actuating spring to increase or decrease the degree of flexure to actuate the switch. In order to accommodate the pressure variations induced by a wide range of ambient temperature conditions the diaphragm is preloaded by a second bowed spring. A cam mechanism can be provided to vary the flexure of the preloading spring to thereby adjust the temperature at which the switch will be actuated.

Abstract: An improved self-biased vane structure normally buckled to an abnormal posture by a thermally expansible pull member comprises a piece of resilient sheet metal deformed downwardly relative to a horizontal reference plane between pairs of divergent creases which extend to opposite lateral edges of the piece from respective apex points spaced apart on the longitudinal center line thereof. The vane thus has a pair of triangular end panels between which there are oppositely sloped side or wing panels, and has a transversely, elastically bowed portion between the apex points. The bowed central portion may be creased longitudinally and/or formed with a central opening to give it selected buckling properties. The pull member extends centrally from end to end over the convex side of the vane; when it is heated, as by an electric current passing through it and the vane, the vane snaps toward its natural posture and brings the pull member into cooling contact with its central portion and its end panels.

Abstract: A flasher device includes a terminal with an inner extension carrying a stationary contact thereon, the extension supporting a conductive heat responsive means connected to another terminal of the device and having a movable contact thereon, an insulating member sandwiched between the heat responsive means and the terminal extension by a metal rivet having a head portion bearing against one of the terminal extension and heat responsive means, a shank passing through the insulating member and in spaced relationship to the defining walls of an aperture in the terminal extension through which it passes, and a staked end bearing against a washer insulating it from the other of same. The insulating member preferably has positioning projections extending into correspondingly sized apertures in the heat responsive means and the terminal extension to fix their relative position thereof. A heating coil is electrically connected across the heat responsive means and the terminal extension.