Abstract: A temperature sensor has a heat-sensitive element contained within a chamber, the heat-sensitive element changing from a first configuration to a second configuration at a predetermined temperature, and a biased member biased towards the chamber. The biased member initially is prevented from entering the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the first configuration and enters the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the second configuration. In some aspects, the first configuration is solid and the second configuration is liquid and a selectively permeable element is provided to allow the heat-sensitive element to exit the chamber in the liquid configuration. An indicator can be provided that has a plurality of feet initially held in a retained configuration by the biased member until the biased member enters the chamber to release the feet for sliding motion of the indicator.

Abstract: A temperature control switch comprises a switch casing, which contains a springy slice, where the springy slice is provided with a thermostatic bimetal strip on its bouncing end. The thermostatic bimetal strip is provided with an electric heating device, where the first end and second end of the device are respectively connected in series between a first control terminal and the thermostatic bimetal strip. The elevated end of the thermostatic bimetal strip links one end of an uplifted metal slice to form an incompletely fixed link point, while the other end of the uplifted metal slice features a swaying contact, which corresponds to the contact point that a second control terminal joins. When subjected to heat, the one end of the thermostatic bimetal strip deforms, enabling the swaying contact to separate from the contact point, thus preventing the contact point from being damaged by the heat.

Abstract: A thermal actuator includes a thermal detector, an actuator unit and a connecting circuit for electrically connecting the thermal detector in parallel with the actuator unit. The thermal detector includes a first contact member and a second contact member normally remained in contact with the first contact member. However, the second contact member will bend to uncontact with the first contact member when an overheated or over-cold temperature occurred around the thermal detector, so that the current normally flowing through the thermal detector will flow to the actuator unit too. Therefore, a heat wire wrapped around an actuating piece of the actuator unit generates heat to increase the temperature around the actuating piece. When the temperature around the actuating piece increases to a predetermined extent, the actuating piece bends so as to provide an actuating action.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly, which is responsive to both current overload and thermal overheat or over-cold, includes a circuit breaker switch containing a current release device arranged in a housing to be responsive to a current overload and operative to permit a respective contact spring to move a corresponding movable contact away from a fixed contact upon the occurrence of a current overload and independently of the position of a switching rocker; and a thermal release actuator received in the housing for can automatically providing an actuating action to operate another respective contact spring to move another corresponding movable contact away from another fixed contact when a temperature of a predetermined surrounding zone is overheated or over-cold.

Abstract: A temperature regulator operating with a hydraulic expansion capsule or diastat (5) has a lever mechanism (30) for force transmission between the diastat and the switch spring (21) of a snap switch (20). For protecting the switch spring against overloading, into the lever mechanism is integrated a buffer or shock absorber, which is elastically flexible above a limit force associated with the operating force of the switch spring in the switching point and below the limit force is substantially rigid. The standard unit formed by the shock absorber and the lever mechanism is formed by a rocker (31) in the form of a sheet metal bent part, which has a L-shaped pivot lever portion (40), with which is constructed in one piece a stop-limited opening clip spring (41) pretensioned in the opening direction.

Abstract: A thermal actuator includes a thermal detector, an actuator unit and a connecting circuit for electrically connecting the thermal detector and the actuator unit. When a second contact member is normally remained uncontact with a first contact member of the thermal detector, the thermal actuator is an open circuit and not function. However, when the second contact member bends to contact with the first contact member due to an overheated or over-cold temperature around the thermal detector, the thermal actuator is in a close circuit and the electric current flows to an actuator unit thereof. A heat wire wrapped around an actuating piece of the actuator unit generates heat to increase the temperature around the actuating piece. When the temperature around the actuating piece increases to a predetermined extent, the actuating piece bends so as to provide an actuating action.

Abstract: A resilient element such as a thin flat plate or disc spring, commonly known as a "Belleville" spring, which is capable of deflection along an axis normal to its surface is modified to include an amplifying segment disposed in a central aperture in the form of an approximately "W" shaped strip connected at its ends to opposite positions on the inner margin of the central opening. The central portion of the "W" forms an inverted "U" which is subjected, after positioning within the central aperture, to torquing stress in the plane of the material to bring the ends of the open end of the "U" slightly closer together than the inner edges of the "U" nearest its closed end. One of a pair of Switch contacts is mounted on the closed end of the "U" shaped portion of the device opposite another contact carried on the switch base.

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: A mechanical displacement amplifier is disclosed in which a displacement amplifying spring member essentially in the shape of a shallow V is positioned between a reference point structure and a displacement member so as to buckle in response to movement of the displacement member towards the reference point structure. A dimple is provided adjacent the buckling point of the spring member to prevent it from straightening entirely. A thermostat embodying the mechanical displacement amplifier is also disclosed, in which a push rod between a microswitch and the buckling point of the spring member actuates the microswitch. A temperature adjustment dial positions the reference point structure, and a temperature sensing unit is the displacement member.

Abstract: A pressure responsive switch in which a bellows abuts against a leaf spring at substantially the same point where a switch actuating rod abuts against the leaf spring. Within the casing, the bellows is attached to a first inner end and a switch section is provided at a second inner section. The actuating rod extends in a direction of the bellows expansion between said bellows and the switch section. A first end of the rod is positioned opposite the bellows. The leaf spring is interposed therebetween to counteract the bellows expansion and exert balanced force to the actuating rod.

Abstract: A contact mechanism for a temperature switch using a thermally expandable member wherein a plate making a circular arc motion is provided at a tip of a piston which is moved by the thermal expansion member, and a coil spring is mounted between a middle of a movable member having a fulcrum in an almost center of the plate and a stationary end of a terminal. The movable member is reversibly mounted. The plate is moved by the motion of the piston. When a point of power of the movable member is shifted, the movable contact is shifted instantly to the stationary contact side, and the movable contact slides on the stationary contact by the motion of the piston. The coil spring doubles as the return spring.

Abstract: A thermostat, comprising: a metal casing; a snap switch having a snap spring disposed in the casing; a thermal expansion system, having an expansion member which acts on the snap spring, and having a setting element; an insulator arranged between two side parts of the casing, interconnecting the latter and forming one end face of the thermostat, and having fixed electrical contacts projecting therethrough; and, a contact bridge arranged on the snap spring, but electrically insulated therefrom, the contact bridge being engageable with the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A condition responsive electrical switch construction having a frame carrying an electrical switch and a condition responsive device having a movable wall for causing movement of a lever that is pivotally carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the switch to operate the same as the lever is moved by the wall to a certain position in opposition to the force of a range spring also carried by the frame. A cradle-like member has a base operatively associated with the range spring so as to be held thereby against the wall to be moved in unison with the wall and has arms engaging the lever to cause the lever to move in relation to movement of the wall. The switch has a pair of movable contact members disposed on opposite sides of a fixed contact member and each is biased in a direction to tend to place the same in contact with the fixed contact member and each having an offset loop therein.