Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting the rotation of a dial control knob on the high setting of an electric cooking range using one of three methods. The first method adds a detent stop internally to the switch. The second method adds a detent stop externally attaching to the control panel behind the top burner knob. Both of the aforementioned methods are designed to prevent rotation of the control knob to a maximum of 227° rotation. A third limits the on/off cycling of the top element switch while in operation to reduce the overall output of the switch.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes a main bimetal for detection of an overload current, a shifter associated with the main bimetal, a release lever working according to a displacement of the shifter, a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts by reversing action caused by rotation of the release lever, and a manipulation structure for manipulating the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism. The manipulation structure includes a reset bar for returning the contact reversing mechanism to an initial state. The reset bar is arranged to change-over between a manual reset state in which the reset bar can be pushed-in and an automatic reset state in which the reset bar is pushed-in and turned from the manual reset state and held in that state.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of controlling a device having a calibration process. The calibration process has a partial calibration routine and a calibration routine. A detector within the control system is capable of receiving one or more input signals and determining whether a partial calibration or calibration should occur. The first step in the process involves starting the control method where the detector receives input signals or generates it own data within the detector. The detector also determines whether a partial calibration routine or a calibration routine will take place based upon the value of the input signals received. A partial calibration routine will be performed if the input signals to the detector do not favor a calibration.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay is provided with an external case, and an adjustment dial with a cam inserted into an adjustment dial insertion hole provided in the external case for adjusting a settling current. A press-fitting section is provided at one of the adjustment dial and the adjustment dial insertion hole, and a locking section is provided at the other of the adjustment dial and the adjustment dial insertion hole. The press-fitting section is press-fit and retained in the locking section.

Abstract: A concealed adjustable temperature switch includes a fixed plate, an adjusting block threadedly engaged with a screw hole of the fixed plate, a bimetal plate, and a metal plate. Mounted on the adjusting block are upper and lower positioning rings and a fixing ring between the positioning rings. The fixed ring includes a hole through which the adjusting block extends. The fixing ring includes a stop projecting toward the fixed plate. The stop includes two sides having a height greater than a thickness of the fixed plate. A distance between the stop and a center of the hole of the fixing ring is greater than that between a front edge of the fixed plate and a center of the screw hole of the fixed plate and than that between either one of two sides of the fixed plate to the center of the screw hole of the fixed plate.

Abstract: A condition-responsive electric switch mechanism for use in controlling a compressor of a refrigeration appliance. The switch mechanism includes first, second and third terminals, an actuator movable as a function of a detected condition and a bistable spring switch element electrically connected to the first terminal. The spring switch element includes a movable contact and is adapted for snap-acting movement between an open and a closed position. In the open position, the movable contact of the spring switch element is spaced apart from a fixed contact mounted on the second terminal. In the closed position, the movable contact engages the fixed contact to electrically connect the first and second terminals. The spring switch element also includes a toggle blade operable by engagement with the actuator for motion through a first switch point. At the first switch point, the spring switch element snaps between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting striker pin length and armature spring force in a thermal switch. An armature support structure is deformed in order to adjust armature spring force with the result of a spring force which remains constant over time and thermal cycling.

Abstract: A thermal protector includes a header plate and a metal housing having an open end hermetically welded to an peripheral edge of the header plate. The housing is formed into a generally slender shape so as to be suited for mounting on end turns of a stator winding of a three-phase electric motor. A thermally responsive element includes a shallow curved portion at which the element changes states of curvature with snap action in response to different ambient temperatures. The thermally responsive element has two movable contacts secured to it to be disposed symmetrically about a center of the curved portion so that the movable contacts are engageable with and disengageable from fixed contacts respectively. A push piece is disposed in the housing to exert a pushing force on a normally convex side of the thermally responsive element. The pushing force is adjusted by deforming the outer surface portion of the housing for calibration of the operating temperature.

Abstract: A low cost thermostatic switch (10) has first and second scoop shaped terminal members (12, 14) having flanges (12e, 14e) received on ledges (20f) formed on opposed sidewalls (20e) of a housing (20). The terminal members are spaced apart with the distal end portions (20g) of the sidewalls of the housing bent over to clamp the terminal members to the housing with a strip (16) of electrical insulation placed therebetween. A movable contact arm (22, 22', 22") is cantilever mounted on the bottom wall (14a) of one terminal member (14) movable into and out of electrical engagement with a stationary contact (26) mounted on the bottom wall (12a) of the other terminal member.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensitive tip switch comprises a first conductive arm, a second conductive arm disposed in a parallel, spaced apart relation beneath the first conductive arm, a third conductive arm disposed in a parallel relation beneath the second conductive arm, and a temperature sensitive actuator blade disposed in a parallel, spaced apart relation beneath the third conductive arm. The second conductive arm includes a cut-out portion which is capable of downward flexion and the third conductive arm includes a cut-out portion which is capable of downward flexion and which is engaged with the cut-out portion in the second conductive arm. A first pair of normally closed, electrical contacts are mounted on the actuator blade and the third conductive arm. A second pair of normally closed, electrical contacts are mounted on the second conductive arm and the first conductive arm.

Abstract: A push button switch with override interruption structure, including a push button, a switch box, a front cover, a base, a support rod, an electric contact and an override interruption structure. The support rod is disposed under the bottom of the push button and the electric contact is fitted with the support rod, whereby by means of depressing the push button, the electric contact is moved downward to close a circuit. The override interruption structure includes a shaft seat disposed with an L-shaped resilient restricting cantilever having a projection. The override interruption structure further includes a power cutting member formed with a chamber at lower end facing the restricting cantilever. In the case of override, the bimetal blade is thermally deformed to act on the restricting cantilever, making the projection thereof disengaged from the chamber of the power cutting member, whereby the power cutting member is moved upward along with the push button by the restoring force into a power cut state.

Abstract: A condition-responsive electric switch mechanism having a snap-acting bistable spring switch element carrying a movable contact, and an actuator movable in response to a detected condition to operate the bistable spring switch element. The spring switch element is capable of snapping between a circuit open position in which the movable contact is spaced from a fixed contact and a circuit closed position in which the movable contact engages the fixed contact. The spring switch element has a head mounting the movable contact thereon, and a pair of arms extending outwardly from the head being formed free of connection to one another at their distal ends opposite the head. The arms are fixed to a first terminal blade at their distal ends in a configuration deflected from the relaxed position so as to stress the switch element making it capable of snapping between the circuit open and circuit closed positions for a wide variety of preset contact gaps.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a case assembly with two terminals and movable contacts, one of which is on a resilient blade to open and close a circuit through the terminals. A bimetal disc actuates the blade by heating to open the contacts. A base defines an interface with the case assembly and supports the disc; the interface being deformed or crushed sufficiently to position the blade to define the threshold temperature and to couple the base and case assembly together. The deformable interface is preferably formed by upstanding, curved projections on the base and mating with the case assembly. When deformed, the projections are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel of the base so that the disc is centered, but is freely movable. Bendable legs secure a cap in position and lock the case assembly and the base together.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch construction including a housing having a switch arm mounted for movement inside. A bi-metallic snap disk is mounted in the housing and movable in response to temperature change with snap action between two positions of stability. A switch arm actuating plunger is slidably mounted in the housing with its lower end adapted for contact by and snap movement by the bi-metallic snap disk. A creep gap assembly is provided which includes a creep gap screw threadably mounted in the switch arm opposite the upper end of the plunger. Axes of the plunger and the gap set screw are in alignment. The creep space between the lower end of the set screw and the upper end of the plunger is adjustable by rotation of the set screw. A temperature setting adjustment is provided which includes a spring member mounted in the housing with one end of the spring member in direct contact with the bi-metallic snap disk to thereby exert pressure on the disk.

Abstract: A three-phase thermal protector includes a hermetic receptacle composed of an elliptic dome-shaped cover having an opening at one end and a header plate having two terminal pins extending through respective apertures formed in it, and a switch assembly mounted in the receptacle. Two fixed contacts are secured to the respective terminal pins. The switch assembly includes a metal operating temperature calibrating plate with one end welded to the cover, a bimetallic thermally responsive element having one end secured to the calibrating plate and the other end having a central dish-shaped portion, and a thermally-responsive-element support to which the supported end of the thermally responsive element is welded. The thermally responsive element carries two movable contacts symmetrical about the center line.

Abstract: The thermostat comprises a main housing (10) having a metal sheet cover (12) with a bored and threaded boss (18) and an adjustment shaft (20) threadedly engaged in said boss and entering the housing to interact with internal operative members of the thermostat. According to the invention, a plate (28) of yielding material is affixed against the inside of the metal sheet cover, said plate having a bore (30) aligned with the bored and threaded boss, of a diameter slightly less than the shaft diameter, and that the threaded end of the shaft is in interference fit with said bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a three-phase thermal protector having two pairs of fixed and movable contacts for opening and closing the neutral of wye-connected phase windings of a three-phase induction motor.

Abstract: A transfer element (8) is provided in a thermal switch (1) with a housing (2), power supply lines (4) and contacts (5) and (7), with a contact spring (6) and a thermostatic bimetal plate (3). The transfer element is moved up by the snap action of the thermostatic bimetal plate and in so doing takes with it the contact spring (6), opening the contacts. In order to adapt this transfer element (8) in its length precisely to the desired nominal length, a heating into the deformation range of the material forming the transfer element (8) takes place, with a subsequent deformation of the upper edge region. This makes it possible in a simple way to produce the exact nominal length of the transfer element (8).

Abstract: A bimetallic thermostat with dual temperature control has a first male/female screw unit, one of the elements of which is secured to the thermostat's supporting structure and the other to one of the elements of a second male/female screw unit the other element of which is operatively connected with a flexible lamina having a contact. Between the elements of at least one of the two male/female screw unit is a stop to fix the deflection of said flexible lamina affected by a bimetallic lamina of the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermally responsive snap-acting switch consists of an elastic plate cantilever mounted at one end on a header, a thermally responsive element which includes a central dish-shaped portion for inducing snap action and one end of which is connected with the other end of the elastic plate in an opposed relation to the elastic plate, a support one end of which includes a portion receiving a connection between the elastic plate and the thermally responsive element so that it slides and is inclined on the receiving portion, and a projection which exerts a force on the dish-shaped portion of the thermally responsive element to calibrate the operative temperature of the thermally responsive element. The calibration is performed either by employing a screwed stud as the projection or by plastically deforming the receiving portion of the support.

Abstract: A preferably push button-actuated overload protective circuit breaker with bimetal cut-out is devised for being plugged into a flat female plug socket. The circuit breaker comprises a bimetal contact element and a fixed contact element besides each other and consisting each of an elongated punched-out part of substantially flat right parallelepiped shape. They have outer ends protruding out of a circuit breaker housing and lying with their flat longitudinal sections in the same plane, while their inner free ends inside the housing have their flat longitudinal sections lying in two different planes which are parallel with, but spaced from each other. A bimetal snap element is fastened at one end thereof, on the inner free end of the bimetal contact element and overlaps with its opposite slewable end, which bears a bimetal contact post, the inner free end of the fixed contact element and a fixed contact post thereon.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a two piece metal enclosure, a cover and a base. Disposed within the enclosure is a PMB bimetal which is fastened to a step in the cover. The opening time of the circuit breaker can be adjusted by means of the step.

Abstract: A bistable bimetallic element is captured loosely between a housing cover on the one side, and an interior abutment and an end of a movable contact arm on the other side. A dimple in the housing cover provides a fulcrum for the bistable element, so as to permit a large throw of the compact arm and thus a high breakdown voltage rating.

Abstract: A bimetal circuit breaker switch assembly has two parallel, side-by-side arranged snap switches associated with two circuits independent from one another, a plate-like bimetal element which is, at its arcuately moving free end, operatively connected with the actuating ends of the snap switches, and a desired value setter arranged approximately at right angles to the length dimension of the snap switches. To a freely swinging end of the transmitting element there is secured a snap spring which is biased and which is stamped out of the plate material forming the snap contacts. The movable end of the bimetal element is formed of spaced legs bent generally perpendicularly to the bimetal element. The transmitting element includes a first spring plate in contact with the desired value setter and a second spring plate disposed parallel spaced from the first spring plate and divided into two spring legs having free ends bent generally perpendicularly to the spring legs.

Abstract: A condition responsive switching device has a cup-shaped case, a body secured in abutting assembled relationship to the case, the body and case defining a chamber, a switch mounted on the body in the chamber providing a fixed electrical contact and a cantilever mounted leaf spring, the free end of the leaf spring overlying the fixed contact and providing a mobile contact movable into and out of engagement with the fixed contact, a snap disc in the chamber on the side of the leaf spring remote from the body, the snap disc being movable between two positions of stability in response to two different predetermined environmental conditions, the central portion of the snap disc moving from each position of stability to the other position of stability first with a predetermined amount of creep movement followed by snap movement, the disc and spring arm being operably connected so that the switch is closed when the disc is in one position of stability and is open when the disc is in the other position of stability,

Abstract: A snap action type thermally responsive switch comprising a fixed contact secured to a stationary frame, a rectangular thermally responsive plate having a central dish-shaped portion and being secured at one lengthwise end to the stationary frame and carrying a movable contact, the plate being determined at the ratio of length to width to be more than two, a calibrator screw projecting toward the convex side of the dish-shaped portion to depress thereagainst at the normal temperature, the calibrator means being positioned to contact the dish-shaped portion within the region ranging from the central point to a point away from the central point that is equal to one-third of the width of the plate in the direction toward the secured end thereof.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch has a bimetal-and-spring arrangement carrying a movable contact and having a first stable state urging the movable contact towards a stationary contact into an ON position and a second stable state urging the contacts away from one another into an OFF position; and a setting shaft setting the bimetal-and-spring arrangement to a desired temperature value at which the bimetal-and-spring arrangement displaces the movable contact from the ON position into the OFF position. The setting shaft has a relatively low temperature setting range and a relatively high temperature setting range. The switch further has a stopping mechanism having an operative and an inoperative state for preventing the bimetal-and-spring arrangement from assuming the second stable state in the operative state of the stopping mechanism and for allowing the bimetal-and-spring arrangement to assume the second stable state in the inoperative state of the stopping mechanism.

Abstract: A heat responsive electrical switch comprises a small, open ended, generally cylindrical housing in which are mounted two spaced plate members extending in parallel directions from a bottom wall into a switch cavity. The first plate member mounts at its distal free end a relatively inflexible movable contact arm which is adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact mounted on the second plate member. A relatively low spring rate spring is connected between the movable contact arm toward the stationary contact with a selected contact force created by displacing a portion of the spring with a reaction force. The open end of the housing is formed with a plurality of raised plateaus. A thermally conductive cup is received over the open end interfitting with the plateaus. A thermally responsive snap-acting disc and a flexible motion transfer sheet of resinous material can be captured by the cup at the open end of the housing.

Abstract: A combined temperature responsive valve construction and an electrical switch construction wherein the valve construction has a thermally responsive device of the piston and cylinder type operating a movable valve member that is engaged by the piston of the device and operates an actuator of the switch construction, the valve member comprising an axially movable valve stem having opposed ends one of which is engaged by the piston of the device and the other of which operates the actuator. A coiled compression spring has one of the opposed ends thereof engaging a spring retaining part of the other end of the valve stem in a retained manner and the other opposed end thereof engaging the actuator whereby axial movement of the valve stem toward the actuator will tend to compress the spring therebetween.

Abstract: A thermostat construction having a one-piece plunger provided with a wing-like section that is engageable with a switchblade on opposite sides of an opening thereof and through which a post means of the wing-like section extends so as to bear against a temperature setting spring.

Abstract: A thermostat device has control means movable between control positions on a base when a thermostat metal element moves with snap action in response to temperature changes. Angle-shaped mounting brackets of a relatively high strength metal material have respective legs fitted against a boss on the base periphery and a cup-shaped cap of a relatively more formable and more thermally conductive metal is fitted over the thermostat metal element on the base to enclose the noted legs of the brackets.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed and claimed in which a totally enclosed switch is operated by a bimetal snap disc. The housing is provided with a small opening through which a testing probe may be inserted to test the gaging of the assembled device. Such opening is closed by a thin adhesively applied closure element, the application of which cannot alter the operation of the thermostat. A method of testing is also disclosed in which the thermostat is essentially fully assembled and then thermally cycled while a probe extends through a small opening to monitor the position of the movable element of the switch to determine the position within the snap range of the disc at which the switch closes. After the testing, the opening through which the testing probe extends is closed to complete the assembly of the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a slip clutch useful for the fixed adjustability of an indexed knob on a control shaft of a device such as thermostatically controlled gas valve for a water heater. The clutch comprises the assembly of a shaft with a reduced end portion to provide an annular distal shoulder, a ring received over the end and having a radial tab, a spring washer also received over the end of the shaft and resiliently biasing the ring against the annular shoulder and an outwardly flared end of the shaft to secure the assembly. The end of the shaft is hollow form and has internal wrench flats so that the shaft can be immobilized and the ring rotated about the shaft. The control knob is received over the ring and has a radial slot which receives the radial tab.

Abstract: A two-bimetal thermostat provides double motion for enhanced contact actuation and minimum differential. Two bimetal plates are pivotally supported at one end to extend generally parallel. The other, deflectable ends of these bimetal plates, one of which is shorter than the other, have right-angle bends and are biased by a compression C-spring for overcenter snap-action. These deflectable ends are coupled by drive pins to respective contacts of a spring-biased contact pair to be free of the bimetal plates when closed and are actuated thereby to open condition. Differential adjustment is accomplished by adjusting one bimetal plate longitudinally to vary the C-spring load thereby to correspondingly vary the temperature differential between contact closure and opening. Range adjustment is attained by turning a knob which acts through a cam on the pivotal mounts to vary the angle between the bimetal plates thereby to require more or less bimetal bending for contact actuation.

Abstract: A thermal switch having contacts with one contact being movably mounted on a carrier and with movement of the carrier controlled by a bimetal actuator disc. The actuating movement is transmitted through a striker pin of molded ceramic material which is fastened in fixed relation to the carrier by a layer of adhesive of controllable thickness to establish the effective length of the striker pin.The method of manufacturing the thermal switch embodies holding of the striker pin in fixed predetermined relation to components of the thermal switch. During movement of the parts to this position, a mass of adhesive carried at an end of the striker pin is pressed between the end of the striker pin and the carrier to provide lateral flow thereof until said pressing is discontinued to provide a controlled thickness layer of adhesive which is then set with the parts held in a predetermined relation.

Abstract: A snap-acting switch using a planar blade of resilient sheet metal which is stressed to an unstable condition such that with suitable stop members it will occupy two positions of stability. When motivated the blade will snap from one of the positions of stability to the opposite one. A pair of stop members (one or both of which may be electrical contacts) cooperate with the blade alternately as the latter changes in position. The stop members are displaced laterally from each other across the width of a resilient portion of the blade at or near one end thereof and are thus non-coaxial. The switch is an improvement of the switches shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,228, maintains high electrical contact pressure up to the point of snap, and exhibits little or no contact bounce.

Abstract: A low cost multiphase motor protector which employs only one movable contact attached to the center of a bimetallic snap-acting disc. After the disc is calibrated and upon the application or dissipation of heat, the one movable contact either connects or disconnects with a plurality of stationary contact terminals simultaneously.

Abstract: Thermostatic control apparatus comprising a switch, a switch body housing the switch, and an actuator arm extending from the switch body with the arm being movable between the first and second positions for opening and closing the switch. A thermostatic bimetal strip is spaced from the switch body, with one end of the strip being mechanically linked to the actuator arm. A support extends from the body for supporting the other end of the strip. A selectively operable adjustment cam engages the strip between its ends on the face of the strip adjacent the body, this cam being operable for adjusting the thermostatic strip to open and close the switch at various preselected temperatures. A spring biases the strip into engagement with the cam whereby changes in temperature of the strip cause the arm to move between its first and second positions thereby causing the switch to open and close.

Abstract: A thermally actuated energy regulator of the kind including a switch controlled through a heat responsive actuator in the form of a bi-metal assembly. A lever is arranged to act between the actuator and the switch so as to actuate a switch in response to pressure applied to the lever by deflection of the actuator, which deflection occurs when the heater associated with the actuator is energized. The lever reacts against a fulcrum, the position of which is adjustable through a cam, and that adjustment permits variation of the amount of deflection of the actuator necessary to cause operation of the switch through the interacting lever. The switch, actuator and cam are secured to a body section in fixed relationship so that calibration of the regulator is simplified.

Abstract: An adjustable bimetal snap disc thermostat is disclosed in which a leaf spring acts at its center to apply a force to a bimetal snap disc to alter the operating temperature thereof. The force of the spring applied to the disc is adjusted by an operating member which simultaneously moves both ends of the spring with respect to its center. The operating member is located on the side of the thermostat switch remote from the disc and is provided with projections which extend around opposite sides of the switch to the spring. With this structural arrangement, small adjustment travels are required for a given adjusting spring and the thermostat is constructed in a compact manner, which is symmetrical about the center axis of the device.

Abstract: An adjustable bimetal snap disc thermostat is disclosed which is provided with a disc seat having an elongated projection formed of deformable material, such as copper. Heat is conducted along the projection between the disc and a location remote from the thermostat so that the temperature of the disc is responsive, at least in part, to the temperature at such remote location.