Abstract: A thermally activated electrical interrupt device incorporates a thermally activated portion engaging with an electrical interrupt portion. The thermally activated material expands when heated, causing an interrupt control rod to open an electrical contact. When the interrupt device is placed into an interrupt state, a reset mechanism maintains the interrupt control rod in the interrupt state until specifically reset. An actuating shaft is in operational communication with at least one electrical contact. The actuating shaft is maintained in a thermal monitoring position until an interrupt control rod is moved via a thermally expanding material and engages with the actuating shaft, releasing it from the thermal monitoring position. The actuating shaft is projected via a biasing member to cause a change in state of the electrical contact. The actuating shaft remains in the interrupt state until the user resets the switch.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a wall plate unitarily molded of thermoplastic resin, a first metal plate holding a temperature sensing section, and a second metal plate holding a cam shaft. A fulcrum of a lever and a fulcrum of adjusting plate are protected by the wall plate and they are not exposed to the outside. Since both the fulcrums are not exposed to the outside, the fulcrums are free from being touched with foreign matters. This thermostat thus prevents a temperature set therein from changing.

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: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators. The spindle subassembly includes a cam member mounted on a spindle for rotation with the spindle. The cam member provides a cam surface having a first cam rise equivalent in a first range of rotation of the spindle and a second cam rise equivalent in a second range of rotation of the spindle.

Abstract: A housing (10), (54) defines a well which holds a diaphragm assembly (12). The diaphragm assembly has a stud portion (14) that extends through an aperture in the housing and is biased into the housing by a spring (16). The stud portion defines a channel (18) which is received in a slot between arms of a calibration plate (20). Movement of the calibration plate transverse to the axis of the stud portion engages a cam surface (24) to position the diaphragm, more particularly a dielectric button (34) which engages a switch control member (50). As a fluid in a bulb (32) expands, it causes the diaphragm to expand, moving the control member (50) and one end of control spring portion (48) causing contacts (46, 52) to open. When the temperature of the bulb reaches the temperature set by the calibration plate, the control spring portion flexes opening the contacts. To reset the switch and close the contacts, a reset member (92) is depressed.

Abstract: A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm between operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm

Abstract: A housing (10), (54) defines a well which holds a diaphragm assembly (12). The diaphragm assembly has a stud portion (14) that extends through an aperture in the housing and is biased into the housing by a spring (16). The stud portion defines a channel (18) which is received in a slot between arms of a calibration plate (20). Movement of the calibration plate transverse to the axis of the stud portion engages a cam surface (24) to position the diaphragm, more particularly a dielectric button (34) which engages a switch control member (50). As a fluid in a bulb (32) expands, it causes the diaphragm to expand, moving the control member (50) and one end of spring portion (48) causing contacts (46, 52) to open. The temperature or degree of diaphragm extension at which the switch contacts open is adjusted by rotating a shaft (60). As the stem is rotated, a cam follower (76) and cam (70) interact causing a dielectric actuator (64 ) to change the bias force, hence pivot point, of spring elements (44).

Abstract: In an electric switching device (1), particularly constructed as a temperature regulator, the resilient switching arm (14) controlled by a hydraulic expansion cell (12) for operating a snap switch (5) is fixed by means of positively engaging snap connections (32) to plate-like support parts (20) of a sheet metal support body (3) of a body (2), the support parts (20) on either side of the switching arm (14) being at right angles to joint axis (25) of arm (14) as lateral bends to a base plate (30) of support body (3) and receive between them an end portion of an insulator (4) carrying the switch (5). This leads to an extremely favourable taking up of forces, so that the support body (3) can be made from extremely thin sheet metal as a relatively elastic component. It also leads to a very simple assembly of the switching arm (14).

Abstract: A control assembly for a household refrigerator having a mullion partition separating the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment with a front face and a bottom panel forming the top of the fresh food compartment. There is a control bracket mounted on the bottom panel at the rear of the mullion partition and this bracket has a circular aperture with two radial notches. A thermostat having a rotatable stem for adjusting the thermostat setting is mounted on the control bracket. There is a rotatable hub member having a circular central portion with radial lugs slightly smaller than the circular aperture and radial notches of the control bracket. The portion of the central portion that projects through the circular aperture and radial notches is rotated to mount the hub member on the control bracket. There is an aperture in the center of the circular central portion to receive the rotatable stem of the thermostat and it is dimensioned to rotate the stem in unison with rotation of the hub member.

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.

Abstract: A thermostat for use with an oven of an electric or gas range includes a first electrical contact terminal, a second electrical contact terminal and an actuating assembly including an actuating spring arm for opening and closing an electrical path between the first and second contact terminals. The spring arm has a fixed end mechanically and electrically coupled to the first electrical contact terminal by a movable support member and a free end that moves between a contacting position and a noncontacting position with the second electrical contact terminal. The manually operable mechanism is movable to an OFF position and to a plurality of ON positions for selecting an oven operating temperature. The temperature responsive mechanism is movable in response to changes in oven temperature. A positive-off mechanism maintains the noncontacting position of the spring arm responsive to the manually operated mechanism moved to the OFF position.

Abstract: An electrical switch with a thermostatic working element as the actuating element and with a switch element designed as a microswitch. In order to achieve optimal utilization of space and small structural size, the contact support of the working contact of the microswitch, looking at the microswitch in a top view, is mounted laterally-displaced and next to a contact tongue of the microswitch.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed which includes a bimetal element in the form of an elongated strip and a trip mechanism formed by an elongated metal strip and a member having a U-shaped portion operative as a spring and an arm portion projecting from one leg of the U-shaped portion to form a reset lever. The trip mechanism operates electrical contacts on metal strips and has an over-center operation to provide a snap action. The thermostat is connectable in series with a cooking temperature control thermostat of a popcorn cooking machine to protect against dangerously high operating temperatures.

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.

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.