Abstract: A thermal sensor may include a housing having a thermal contact member, an indicator coupled to the housing, and a thermal sensing element disposed in the housing in thermal communication with the thermal contact member. The thermal sensor may also include an actuator element in communication with the indicator and thermal sensing element. The thermal sensing element may be configured to expand in response to reaching a temperature threshold thereby engaging the actuator element and activating the indicator.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a auxiliary terminal for completing an auxiliary circuit. The movable contact engages and disengages the auxiliary contact to cycle a first element on and off in response to exceedingly large temperature swings a specified location, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a main circuit and cycle a different electrical element on and off in response to relatively modest changes in temperature changes at the same specified location.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, electrical contacts, an actuator arm, a rotatable shaft, and a cam assembly to open and close an electrical power circuit in response to environmental conditions. The cam assembly includes a cam and a cam follower attached to the actuator arm with a bias spring and contacting a cam surface. The cam surface has a first portion for adjusting the temperature calibration of the switch, and a second portion for positioning the cam follower in an OFF position that reduces the load on the bias spring. Thus, spring losses are avoided when the cam follower is in the OFF position, and the switch may be more accurately calibrated and adjusted when the switch is returned from the OFF position.

Abstract: A user adjustable switching controller for duty cycle regulating flow of current to an electrical load such as a resistance heater, particularly for cooking appliances. A load current switch, when closed by a user operated cam also energizes a heat motor which includes a resistive strip attached to one active leg of a U-shaped bi-metal member. In one embodiment the integrally formed load current switch snap spring is securely attached to the heated leg of a U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm pivoted on the base. The other leg of the U-shaped bi-metal is anchored to a base including one of the load-connecting stationary terminals; and, the anchored leg serves to provide ambient temperature compensation. In another embodiment, the integrally formed blade spring of the moveable contact member is pivoted on the active leg of the U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm welded to the base.

Abstract: A fail safe temperature control device which consists of a nonelastic container or bulb adapted to be subjected to temperature changes, a capillary tube and a pressure responsive device. The container generally is located in the area in which the heat is to be controlled, typically an oven or other heated area. The capillary tube is connected to the container at a first end and to the pressure responsive device at a second end. The nonelastic container, capillary tube and pressure responsive device form a closed system which is filled with a thermally responsive material. The pressure responsive device operates a control device, typically consisting of a normally closed contact and a normally open contact.

Abstract: A condition responsive switching apparatus with an alarm feature for use in refrigeration appliances, such as freezers or the like. The switching apparatus includes a contact operator which moves between first, second, and third positions in response to the pressure changes of a bellows. The bellows pressure increases and decreases in response to changes in temperature sensed at the appliance. The apparatus includes a first set of control contacts to provide energization of a compressor and a second set of alarm contacts to provide energization of an alarm circuit. The contact operator has a first dog which opens and closes the control set of contacts as the operator moves through a snap action increment of travel between the first and second positions. An alarm spring opposes the travel of a second dog of the contact operator beyond the second position with a preload force until the excess of the snap action energy of the operator is dissipated.

Abstract: An oven control for self-cleaning ovens provides a hydraulic sensing system having a wafer-like bellows. The position of the bellows is adjusted by a face cam on a control shaft in the BAKE and BROIL modes of operation. The bellows also controls the temperature of the oven for SELF-CLEANING. However, the face cam does not determine the SELF-CLEANING temperature. A door lock operator switch is also operated by the bellows, but is connected so that the adjusted position of the bellows does not affect the door lock operating temperature. Three separate calibration adjustments are provided. The first calibrates the operating temperature in the BAKE and BROIL modes of operation. The second calibrates the SELF-CLEANING temperature, and the third calibrates the door lock operating temperature. A bimetal ambient temperature compensator is provided to compensate for variations in the ambient temperature of the control.

Abstract: A condition responsive switching apparatus with an alarm feature for use in refrigeration appliances, such as freezers or the like. The switching apparatus includes a contact operator which moves between first, second, and third positions in response to the pressure changes of a bellows. The bellows pressure increases and decreases in response to changes in temperature sensed at the appliance. The apparatus includes a first set of control contacts to provide energization of a compressor and a second set of alarm contacts to provide energization of an alarm circuit. The contact operator has a first dog which opens and closes the control set of contacts as the operator moves through a snap action increment of travel between the first and second positions. An alarm spring opposes the travel of a second dog of the contact operator beyond the second position with a preload force until the excess of the snap action energy of the operator is dissipated.

Abstract: A fail safe device for use in conjunction with a temperature sensing bulb, capillary, and control device in an oven or other heating appliance, which fail safe device will prevent a failure of the basic control device from permitting a critical overheat condition to occur in the controlled area.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to thermal control apparatus wherein a change in temperature is transmitted from a sensing bulb through a capillary to a control device. More particularly this invention is related to a novel, fail-safe control device for use in conjunction with a temperature sensing bulb, capillary, and control device in an oven or other heating facility whereby a loss of pressure within the bulb, capillary, control device system will cause the heating device to be shut off and thus will prevent the oven or other heating facility from being overheated.

Abstract: This automobile thermostat valve system is designed to take the place of the common thermostat, so as to enable an automobile to run efficiently in any part of the world where there are various temperature differences. Primarily, it consists of a temperature sensing plug, an electronic temperature reading gauge, a control switch for setting the gauge to the desired temperature range, and a modified thermostat, which is vacuum operated to control the valve stem, which controls the water flow in the engine block and radiator of the automobile.

Abstract: A thermally actuated switch including a motive member which is adapted to move one contact either toward or away from its opposed mating contact in response to an increase or decrease in pressure in a fluid actuating heat sensing system, the fluid system translating temperature into fluid pressure. The assembly further includes a hydraulically actuated high temperature switch which is adapted to be rendered responsive to a preselected temperature, as for example, 550.degree. to 600.degree., the switch being utilized to control an external circuit, as for example, the deactivation of a door lock solenoid. The switch assembly includes two fixed contacts, the positions of which are fixed in response to the position of a cam element. A pair of mating movable contacts are controlled by a temperature responsive assembly, which temperature responsive assembly reacts in response to the sensed temperature of an oven.

Abstract: A control device having a housing carrying a condition responsive unit and an electrical switch to be operated by the condition responsive unit, the housing having a pivotally mounted lever to translate motion from a movable wall of the condition responsive unit to the switch and having a range spring to oppose movement of the movable wall in one direction thereof. An actuator is dispoed between the movable wall of the condition responsive unit and the range spring and is engagable therewith, the actuator being unitary between the movable wall and the range spring and carrying a pin that is operatively associated with the lever to cause pivoting movement of the lever as the actuator is moved relative to the housing. A push rod unit translates motion between the lever and the switch, the push rod unit having a pivot bearing arrangement therein to compensate for different pivot movements of the lever and the switch.

Abstract: A flame probe for use in an automatic pilot ignition system includes both a thermally responsive flame switch and a sensing electrode located in the flame for use in a flame conductivity sensing circuit. Separate conductive paths are provided for the flame switch and for connection to the sensing electrode and the conductive paths are completely insulated from each other.