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 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: An automatic water supply shut-off system includes a shut-off valve movable between opened and closed positions in a line leading from the water supply. An electric motor actuates the shut-off valve and is electrically connected to a power source through an electric circuit so that when the circuit is closed the electric motor actuates the shut-off valve into the open position to allow water flow through the line. At least one temperature sensitive switch is disposed in the electrical circuit and is operative to normally close the electrical circuit above a predetermined temperature and to open the electrical circuit at or below the predetermined temperature, whereby the shut-off valve moves to the closed position.

Abstract: A controller for an electric resistance waterbed mattress heater supplied with electric current by an elongate power cord extending between the heater and a power service outlet. The controller includes a small diameter elongate cylindrical housing in which an adjustable on and off switch is mounted and into which the cord is extended and connected with the switch. The switch includes a Bourdon tube to actuate the switch between opened and closed positions when the tube is caused to deflect by changes of pressure therein. A capillary tube is connected with and extends from the Bourdon tube to the exterior of the housing and about which it is formed and supported. An adjusting knob is positioned at one end of the body and is coupled with a part of the switch to move switch parts relative to each other and to the Bourdon tube to adjust and set the operating position of parts of the switch.

Abstract: A system for sensing or detecting changes in and accumulating data relating to variable quantities or conditions, for example temperature, is disclosed. In one instance, the system sensor is a mercury tube thermometer modified with conductors or contacts embedded in the glass walls of the mercury tube. As the temperature rises, the conductive material rises and performs a switching function with the embedded contacts closing an electrical circuit to which the contacts are connected. The circuit components include plurality of logic gates the inputs of which are connected to the switching contacts in a manner such that their outputs are singularly true in a sequence corresponding to the direction of temperature change. In another instance the sensor is a bimetallic strip, coil or thermal Bourdon tube and an arm or pointer needle mounted on an end of the strip or tube rotates in response to changes in the temperature being sensed.

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.