Abstract: A vehicle occupant information acquisition device includes a microcomputer, an acquisition unit and an alert unit. The microcomputer controls the vehicle to switch between an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The acquisition unit acquires, from vehicle occupants riding in the vehicle, information relating to driving suitability of the vehicle occupants. In a case in which the microcomputer is switching the vehicle from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode, the microcomputer causes the alert unit to alert one of the vehicle occupants who is determined to be suitable to drive the vehicle based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit that he/she has been selected as the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are a leakage inspection apparatus and a leakage inspection method for inspecting the flow rate of leakage from a tested body disposed in a tested-body chamber 21. The leakage inspection apparatus includes liquid supplying and pressurizing means 11 for supplying a probe liquid to the inside of the tested-body chamber 21 and pressurizing the probe liquid to a high pressure 0.1 MPa or more, vacuum evacuation means 22-b, 23-b and a quadrupole mass spectrometer 34. The tested body 21 is evacuated, the probe liquid is supplied to the inside of the tested body and pressurized to 0.1 MPa or more and the concentration of a probe medium leaked from the tested body and evaporated in a vacuum is measured by the quadrupole mass spectrometer 34, thereby measuring the flow rate of leakage from the tested body. This makes it possible to determine the flow rate of leakage using a liquid as a probe medium and simultaneously possible to perform a pressure tightness inspection at an atmospheric pressure of 0.

Abstract: A thermostat has a switch, a temperature sensor, a lever, a spring, and a control plate. The sensor generates a force to operate switch in response to the ambient temperature. The lever having an arm turns with the force from the sensor to open/close contacts of the switch. The first end of the spring is hooked to the lever to bias a force to the lever in the direction opposite to the force from the sensor. The control plate is hooked to the second end of the spring and is disposed on the lever, allowing a force for turning the lever to increase or to decrease due to turning of the control plate. The control plate turns the arm to perform the forced switch-off operation.

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 method for assembling a condition-responsive electric switch mechanism having a snap-acting bistable spring switch element. The switch mechanism is assembled substantially in its entirety except for the capillary tube. The switch mechanism is then calibrated without the capillary tube using air pressure. Following calibration, the capillary tube is sealingly connected to the bellows, the capillary tube and bellows are filled with the operating fluid, typically a refrigerant, and the capillary tube is sealed to capture the operating fluid within the bellows and capillary tube.

Abstract: A method of testing for leaks in a closed fluid filled system and a system tested by such method are provided, the method comprising the steps of disposing the system in a chamber, disposing a fluid in the chamber under a pressure so that if a leak path of a certain size or larger exists in the system such fluid of the chamber will be forced through the leak path to change the fluid condition in the closed volume of the system, removing the system from the chamber after a certain period of time, then subjecting the system to a certain pressure and temperature condition so that an expandable part of the system will be in an adverse expanded position beyond its normal position for that certain pressure and temperature if the leak path of at least a certain size existed, and then detecting the adverse expanded position of the part of the system.

Abstract: A method of testing for leaks in a closed fluid filled system and a system tested by such method are provided, the method comprising the steps of disposing the system in a chamber, disposing a fluid in the chamber under a pressure so that if a leak path of a certain size or larger exists in the system such fluid of the chamber will be forced through the leak path to change the fluid condition in the closed volume of the system, removing the system from the chamber after a certain period of time, then subjecting the system to a certain pressure and temperature condition so that an expandable part of the system will be in an adverse expanded position beyond its normal position for that certain pressure and temperature if the leak path of at least a certain size existed, and then detecting the adverse expanded position of the part of the system.

Abstract: A thermostatic controller for a waterbed heater of the type where the water bladder is enclosed in a foam casing with the controller disposed between the bladder and the side of the casing. The controller has a liquid filled bulb and capillary temperature sensor disposed in a sensing chamber isolated by dead air from a separate walled switching chamber having a diaphragm type actuator connected to the capillary tube for moving a lever spring biased against the actuator and operable to actuate a snap switch. An adjustment camshaft extends externally of the controller housing for adjusting the bias on the lever for changing the temperature at which the snap switch is actuated.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing(1) which can be secured to the engine block of a motor vehicle and a temperature sensitive element (4) which is in contact with the cooling medium of the motor. In order to guarantee switching dependent on the temperature (T) and the pressure (P) of the cooling medium, in the housing (1) a hermetically sealed bellows-capillary-unit (4) is disposed which responds to temperature (T) and pressure (P) of the cooling medium and around which the cooling medium circulates, being sealed against the housing portion through which the cooling medium flows, a movable switching contact (6) mounted on the bellows-capillary-unit (4) is disposed in a room (7) open towards the atmosphere and covered by a cover (8) and a fixed switching contact is disposed in said cover (8), and the bellows-capillary-unit (4) is filled with a liquid having a vapor pressure curve of between about 1,2 bar at 96.degree. C. and 1,8 bar at 110.degree. C.

Abstract: A large electric hotplate for restaurants and the like is heated by tubular heaters, which are placed in slots on the bottom of a cast hotplate body. An insulation with metal cover plates and a lower plate dish ensures the necessary pressing and thermal insulation. A sensor tube is placed on the outside of the downwardly projecting outer edge of the hotplate body on either side of the hotplate, said sensor tube being connected to a thermostat supplying the tubular heaters by means of several contacts.

Abstract: Prior mounting systems for tuning fork temperature sensors have resulted in unpredictable activity dips within the sensor operating ranges. This problem is eliminated by the mounting and isolation system (32) of the present invention that is adapted to mount temperature sensitive tuning fork (20) to a support structure. The mounting system comprises a mounting member (34) adapted for rigid connection to the support structure, and support means (36) connecting the tuning fork base to the mounting member such that the tuning fork is supported solely by the support means. The support means comprises a low pass mechanical filter that transmits only vibration frequencies that are less than the operating range of frequencies of the tuning fork.

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: A thermostatic switch unit for controlling a freezer or, for example, refrigeration apparatus in automotive air conditioning, includes a switch (1) which is acted upon by a thermostat mechanism responsive to the working temperature of the evaporator so as to maintain this temperature within a normal working range which is presettable by means of a control knob (18) in a conventional manner. By depressing manually a push button (26) mounted centrally in the control knob a spring loaded trip lever (29) is rotated to release a spring loaded lever (35) into engagement with a switch operating plunger (2, 3), closing the associated switch contacts (21) and causing the compressor motor of the apparatus to run until a low temperature, below the preset working range of the equipment, is reached, when the latch mechanism (29, 35) is reset automatically by the temperature sensing bellows (8) acting through the operating lever (4) of the thermostat mechanism.

Abstract: A differential temperature control uses a first temperature expansion element for driving a first pivoted lever supporting a selectively operable switch and a second temperature expansion element for driving a second pivoted lever for operating the switch. The position of the switch operating lever with respect to the switch is achieved by either the first or second temperature expansion element which move the first lever and the second lever, respectively, in direct proportion to a change in the corresponding sensed temperatures. In the case of a movement produced by the temperature expansion element controlling the position of the switch, a similar temperature change sensed by the second temperature element would be needed to "chase" the switch to restore a switch actuation relationship to produce a differential temperature control. A selective adjustment of the spacing of the second lever with respect to the switch is used to change the differential temperature that will produce a switch actuation.

Abstract: A current limiting device including a housing in which a chamber is formed. A pair of spaced electrical terminals are located at opposite ends of the housing to be disposed in communication with the chamber. An electrically conductive fusible metal is disposed in the chamber to provide an electrically conductive path between the terminals. An insulating member is disposed in the chamber between opposite ends of the housing to define a flow passageway between the electrical terminals. The flow passageway may include a constricted portion that has a cross-sectional area and a length that is substantially less than the rest of the flow passageway defined by the insulating member such that with the occurrence of a fault current, vaporization of the fusible metal initially occurs in the constricted portion of the flow passageway. Expansion means are also provided for buffering the pressure rise in the chamber when the fusible metal is vaporized.

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.

Abstract: A temperature responsive control device is provided for controlling an electric oven. The device is comprised of a housing which contains an electrical switching means which is controlled by a temperature sensitive expansible member through a snap-acting spring mechanism. The expansible member consists of a hydraulic diaphragm, a fluid filled capillary tube and a temperature-sensing bulb. The hydraulic diaphragm is composed of two generally circularly shaped plates which are welded together at their edges. The top of the diaphragm contains a circular stud the top of which is conically shaped and is received into a conical bearing recessed into the shaft of a rotatable temperature setting means. One corner of the diaphragm is formed to fit into a notch in the interior of the housing. One end of the capillary tube is inserted directly into a small inwardly extending channel in the edge of the diaphragm and the other end contains the temperature-sensing bulb.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a liquid-filled sensor tube, an expansion diaphragm assembly and a capillary tube maintaining communication between the sensor tube and the diaphragm assembly for introducing into the diaphragm assembly temperature-dependent amounts of liquid for causing displacement of a diaphragm component to thereby actuate a switch. The expansion diaphragm assembly comprises a stable carrier plate to which there is affixed a circular, resilient, expandable diaphragm disc having a flat circumferential edge zone.

Abstract: An expansible box or bellows or diaphram box comprises two corrugated metal sheets secured together in a sealed manner about their rims. The box is arranged between a transmission lever and an adjusting member. A connection piece has a flange portion which lies against the inside of one metal sheet and a tubular portion which passes through an opening in the metal sheet and through an opening in the transmission lever. The connection piece thereby serves to locate the expansible box on the transmission lever. A capillary tube is soldered inside the tubular portion and leads to a temperature sensor. The transmission lever acts on a snap switch.

Abstract: A temperature compensated pressure indicator adapted to be mounted within a pressure container includes a reservoir housing and housing member welded together to form a secondary pressure chamber. A bellows member is hermetically mounted within the secondary pressure chamber and communicates with the exterior pressure of the container. Mounted on the bellows member is a movable magnetic member adapted to slide on a hollow guide post as a result of any pressure differentials. A reed switch assembly is held stationary in the guide post by a pair of band springs. The switch assembly is electrically connected to a source of power and an external indicator such as a light. When the bellows member moves the magnetic member close to the switch assembly due to a pressure differential, the magnetic field closes the switch assembly to activate the light. The indicator is substantially non-responsive to wide variations in the ambient temperature.