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, 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 thermostat for an electric/gas oven includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a switch spring arm for moving the electrical contacts into and out of engagement and a pair of actuators for coupling forces to the switch spring arm. An enclosure encloses the switch spring arm and the first and second electrical contacts. The enclosure has axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls for slidably receiving the actuators. A temperature responsive subassembly includes a mechanism for movement responsive to changes in oven temperature and a spindle subassembly including mechanism for movement responsive to manual rotation of a spindle. A frame supports the enclosure and supports both the temperature responsive subassembly and the spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators. A self cleaning temperature calibration mechanism selectively determines a self cleaning oven temperature setting.

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 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: 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.

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: A constant-on variable-stroke refrigeration thermostat is disclosed wherein the toggle spring-biased operating lever has a fixed-position stop when the contacts are open and a variable-position stop when the contacts are closed, and wherein an air gap is provided between the actuator prong of the operating lever and the moveable contact blade of the switch contacts to allow the operating lever to travel downwardly with increased momentum before the switch contacts are opened. The primary advantage provided by the present invention is that the thermostat is of a much simpler construction, which results in a lower cost and a higher reliability.

Abstract: A rotatable control for a broad range, temperature controlling thermostat for a refrigeration compartment of a refrigeration unit enables operation of the refrigeration unit in one of several different operational modes. For example, the refrigeration unit may be operated as a wine cooler or as a standard refrigerator or as a freezer. The control includes a control dial having four, integrally formed, spaced apart stops formed on an inner surface. A stop formed on a cover of the thermostat may be placed between a pair of adjacent stops formed on the control dial to prevent adjustment of the set-point temperature of the refrigeration compartment outside of the particular temperature range associated with the preselected operational mode of the refigeration unit.

Abstract: An adjustable electric thermostat comprises a main housing in which an adjustment shaft is threadedly engaged so that the shaft end inside the housing is displaced when the shaft is turned, a heat transducer mounted on the shaft end, and a switch comprising a channel-shaped, rigid member having a base portion attached on a wall of the housing and opposite branches having notches to support a snap-action blade so that the temperature transducer abuts transversely against an intermediate point in the blade. According to the invention, the channel-shaped member is made of a bimetal plate having the most expansible metal on the outside, so that the branches of the channel-shaped member bend toward each other when the channel-shaped member is heated.

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: 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 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 control device, a slide member therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the slide member being movable in a linear direction and having a cam for acting on a range spring of the control device, the frame of the control device having a substantially flat section provided with opposed sides and with a slot passing through the sides thereof, the slide member having a first part thereof acting against one of the sides of the section and a second part thereof acting against the other of the sides of the section, the slide member having a third part thereof disposed in the slot of the section and interconnecting the first part and the second part together, the first part of the slide member comprising roller bearings disposed in rolling contact with the one side of the section of the frame.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch having a snap acting switch mounted for actuation between the side walls of a U-shaped bracket. A remote bulb-and-capillary thermal sensing capsule provides output motion to a lever for switch actuation. The lever has an edge portion pivotably engaging a reaction support tab on one bracket wall and a rotatable cam provides an adjustable reaction support on the opposite bracket wall. The cam slidably engages an arcuate groove on the lever to maintain the lever transversely and longitudinally positioned on the bracket for switch actuation.

Abstract: A thermostat for use with an oven of an electric or gas range includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and an actuating assembly including an actuating spring arm for opening and closing an electrical path between the first and second contacts. The spring arm has a fixed end mechanically and electrically coupled to the first electrical contact by a movable support member and a free end that moves between a contacting position and a noncontacting position with the second electrical contact. The spring arm is positioned for movement responsive to both a manually operable mechanism and a temperature responsive mechanism. The movable support member enables a coaxial alignment of the manually operable mechanism and the temperature responsive mechanism and provides a floating support for the spring arm, whereby the need for an over-travel mechanism is eliminated.

Abstract: A fluid bulb-sensing type thermostat having a capillary tube from the sensing bulb connected to an inlet port of a fluid pressure sensing chamber defined in part by an expansible diaphragm which moves in response to fluid pressure in the chamber from the bulb to actuate a snap-acting switch. The diaphragm is mounted on a plate which is cantilevered from the thermostat housing, and the at-rest position of the plate with respect to the housing is adjustable by a cam against which the free end of the plate is biased, for calibrating the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermostat has a lever that adjusts the set point of the thermostat. The lever is limited in its movement by a pair of stops. The stops are inserted in a geometrically designed slot and can be readily moved for convenient adjustment.

Abstract: A switch adjusting mechanism is disclosed having a linearly operable actuator with a rotary adjustment for selectively varying the position of a switch operator of the actuator relative to a movable switch contact. The linearly operable actuator and its rotary adjustment are independently operable and serve dual functions of not only accurately adjusting the operating point of switch actuation but also providing precise facile calibration.

Abstract: A thermostat for refrigerators with a constant switching-on and adjustable switching-off temperature uses only one spring, the switching-on and switching-off temperatures being determined by the position of components of the omega switching system.The switching-on temperature of the thermostat and the difference between the switching-on and switching-off temperatures can be adjusted by means of setting screws, whereas the absolute value of the switching-off temperature can be adjusted by a cam.

Abstract: A capsule for use as a temperature responsive element in a temperature sensitive electrical switch. The capsule is provided in a transistor mounting can configuration to facilitate printed circuit board mounting. The capsule contains a fluid and a concave disc. At a predetermined temperature, the disc snaps-over into a convex configuration. Movement of the disc is detected to provide an output signal which is temperature responsive.

Abstract: An adjustable temperature sensor control device wherein mercury in a well is displaced upwards in a capillary with one electrical contact within the well and another electrical contact positioned within the capillary. The displacement of the mercury is accomplished by rotating a knob which is screw thread connected to a stem. The stem moves within the well to displace mercury through the capillary.

Abstract: A control unit having a condition selector, an electrical switch having an actuator unit provided with an adjustable movement differential, a condition responsive device for actuating the switch when the condition responsive device senses certain conditions selected by the selector, and a lever arrangement carried by the unit and being operatively associated with the actuator unit of the switch and the device whereby the device can actuate the switch by the lever arrangement, the lever arrangement having a first adjustable lever operatively interconnected to the selector and acting as a main range lever. The first lever is operatively interconnected to the condition responsive device and to the actuator unit of the switch. The lever arrangement has a second adjustable lever operatively interconnected to the selector and to the actuator unit of the switch for adjusting the movement differential of the actuator unit of the switch.

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.

Abstract: A thermostat for regulating temperature of a space. The thermostat has a pair of means selectively manually movable therein within a predetermined range of temperature settings for setting a selected temperature of the space. Means mounted in lost motion engagement between the setting means is operable generally in response to the selective manual movement of one of the setting means toward a temperature setting defining the selected temperature for driving the other of the setting means toward a temperature setting predeterminately displaced from that of the one setting means within the predetermined temperature range.A method of operating a thermostat is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which is easily installed in a standard thermostat mechanism to limit the range of temperature to which the thermostat may be adjusted. The device is a generally flat template which is internally installed in the thermostat and physically limits the amount of movement available to the temperature setting member of the thermostat. The thermostat range limiter is easily removed by removing the thermostat cover to facilitate using another limiter having a different range. However, its internal location thwarts overcoming the limited range by the average user of the thermostat.

Abstract: A detecting device for detecting heat due to the presence of fire for example. The detecting device includes an open-ended chamber closed by a resilient diaphragm. The diaphragm engages the open end to permit respectively the passage of air via an annular passageway formed between an outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm and a circumferential rim of the open end which it engages for closing the chamber, upon pressure build-up in the chamber due to the external temperature variation. This pressure build-up causes corresponding expansion of the diaphragm to thereby actuate an electrical circuit provided with means for emitting an audible sound. Means are also provided in the detector to make it operative in response to the presence of moving objects.

Abstract: An improved thermostatic switch which employs a pressure linear thermal power element and a simplified diaphragm motion translating and amplifying means while dispensing with need for diaphragm loading spring. It features a one piece motion transmitting lever between the diaphragm and electric switch operator, and an improved snap-action switch operating mechanism. A one-piece molded insulating housing, and an improved knob coupling member on the temperature range adjusting shaft are employed.

Abstract: A thermostat having an ambient temperature responsive element, a switch mechanically coupled to the temperature responsive element for control thereby so as to cause reverse switch operations above and below a temperature setting, means for controlling the relationship between the switch and the temperature responsive element to establish a desired temperature. The temperature responsive element includes a manually operable thermostat setting member. The thermostat also contains support means including a removable cover. The manually operable thermostat setting member protrudes through the support or the cover. A range limiter is mounted in the thermostat so as to limit the movement of the manually operable thermostat setting member. The range limiter is readily removable after the cover is removed.