With Contact Biasing, Pressure Control Or Adjusting Means Patents (Class 337/349)
  • Patent number: 11969742
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a hose nozzle assembly with apertures sized to facilitate heating groundwater based on the expected temperature of the groundwater. The hose nozzle assembly can have a handheld enclosure having a handle portion connected to a body portion, a heating chamber having a heating element configured to heat a fluid, and a spray nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a first aperture configured to provide a first spray pattern at a first flow rate corresponding to a first change in temperature of fluid flowing through the heating chamber and a second aperture configured to provide a second spray pattern at a second flow rate corresponding to a second change in temperature of fluid flowing through the heating chamber. The second flow rate can be less than the first flow rate and the second change in temperature can be greater than the first change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hayden, Sergiu G. Mihu, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Curtis J. Keohane
  • Patent number: 11875958
    Abstract: A method of connecting an electric element (20) to a switch part (10) provided with a fixed contact (11a), i.e., an example of a first contact, a first terminal (12) connected to the fixed contact (11a) and exposed out of the switch part (10), a movable contact (11b), i.e., an example of a second contact, capable of moving to a position at which the movable contact (11b) is in contact with the fixed contact (11a) and a position at which the movable contact (11b) is spaced apart from the fixed contact (11a), and a second terminal (13) connected to the movable contact (11b) and exposed out of the switch part (10) includes: connecting the electric element (20) in parallel to the fixed contact (11a) and the movable contact (11b) between the first terminal (12) and the second terminal (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 11717837
    Abstract: A hose nozzle assembly which is capable of heating water comprising an internal heating chamber with at least one heating element. The hose nozzle assembly is able to heat water from a common garden hose with the ability to control both flow rates and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathleen L Daudish, Christopher M. Hayden, Sergiu G. Mihu, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Curtis J. Keohane
  • Patent number: 10755880
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a housing with a cover part having a lower side and an upper side and with an electrically conductive lower part having a circumferential shoulder and a circumferential wall with an upper section that overlaps the cover part. The switch has a first external contact surface on the upper side of the cover part and a second external contact surface externally on the housing, wherein the upper section of the circumferential wall presses the cover part onto the circumferential shoulder. A temperature-dependent switching mechanism is arranged in the housing and, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and second external contact surfaces. A circumferential cutting burr is arranged on the shoulder in the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Marcel P. Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 7083530
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is disclosed that comprises a striking face, a heel, a toe and a sole bar, wherein a recess is formed in the sole bar. A cartridge comprised of a first material at least partially disposed the sole recess, and at least one pin, comprised of a second material coupled to the cartridge. The first material has a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Wahl, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 6507266
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical protective relay comprising deformable bimetal switches in the event of overload in power lines. A triggering mechanism acts on a flexible blistering segment (20) which can pivot by means of a support (30) on a fixed rest (17) and whereof the stem (21) has an extension (27) formed along the length of the segment and folded back in U- or V-shape to press elastically against a bearing surface (36) of the box so as to cause the segment to exert pressure on the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SA
    Inventors: Bernard Bizard, Daniel Sinthomez
  • Patent number: 6080967
    Abstract: An electric toaster comprising a heating element; and a combined user actuation and thermostat switch assembly connected to the heating element. The switch assembly comprises a thermostat having a bi-metal electrical contact blade and a snap-acting electrical contact blade, and a user actuated member for moving the snap-acting blade towards the bi-metal blade. The switch assembly provides an electrical path between the heating element and an electrical power supply cord without an additional separate user actuated power switch along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Sandor, Charles Z. Krasznai, Charles S. Mertler, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 6078246
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal
    Inventors: George D. Davis, Byron G. Scott
  • Patent number: 6064295
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch (10) comprises a bimetallic switching mechanism (12) that is arranged in a housing (11) having a first housing part (14) made of insulating material and a second housing part (17). The bimetallic switching mechanism (12) is connected to a first electrode (16) that is guided out of one housing part (14), and coacts with a second electrode (19) that is provided internally on the other housing part (17). The bimetallic switching mechanism (12) comprises a spring element (23), working against a bimetallic disk (29), which carries a movable contact (28) that coacts with the second electrode (19). There is provided laterally on the spring element (23) a retaining extension piece (25) at which it is attached to the first electrode (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Thermik Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Becher, Edwin Guttinger
  • Patent number: 5939970
    Abstract: A thermally responsive switch includes a metal housing formed into the shape of a bottomed cylinder and having an open end, a header plate including a metal plate having a through hole and an electrically conductive lead terminal pin inserted through and airtightly fixed in the hole in an electrically insulated state, the header plate being airtightly fixed to the open end of the housing so that the housing and the header plate constitute a hermetic housing, a thermally responsive element formed into the shape of a shallow dish and having a generally central through hole, a fixed contact section provided on a portion of the lead terminal pin located in the hermetic housing, a movable plate support secured to the metal plate of the header plate located in the hermetic housing, a movable plate formed of a leaf spring-shaped conductive metal plate and having one end secured to the movable plate support, and a movable contact fixed to the other end side of the movable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Ubukata Industries, Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takao Tsuji, Hideki Koseki
  • Patent number: 5867084
    Abstract: A switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is received in a housing. The housing has a first housing part on whose inner base a first countercontact is arranged. Also provided is a second housing part, closing off the first housing part, on whose inner base a second countercontact is arranged, such that the switching mechanism creates, as a function of its temperature, an electrically conductive connection between the two countercontacts, to which contact is made from outside through a respective wall of the associated housing part. At least one housing part is made of insulating material. The countercontact in the housing part made of insulating material is arranged in lossproof fashion, for example by casting or injection-molding, in such a way that it is an integral component of said housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsass
  • Patent number: 5790010
    Abstract: An electrical switch incorporating a snap-acting M-blade is actuated by a lever requiring a low actuation force and is actuated by a bridge engaging a critical region of the M-blade's double-loop end to provide an extremely low differential. Together, the means for actuating cover a broad range of applications. Additional features include a snap-acting M-blade actuated by a second snap-acting device, and the lever comprising an integral tab that serves as a pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Pierre P. Schwab
  • Patent number: 5548266
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Apcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5525952
    Abstract: A one-piece resilient switchblade includes contacts on its opposite end portions. A mounting arm extends transversely of the switchblade and is attached to a switchcase under bending stress for biasing the switchblade against a fulcrum. The mounting arm twists and the switchblade bows under influence of the force acting on the switchblade through the fulcrum. A movable bumper changes the fulcrum point to reverse the twist in the mounting arm and the bow in the switchblade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Derek J. Rose
  • Patent number: 5483216
    Abstract: A fixing method and assembly of a temperature responsive element capable of detecting variation in temperature of discharge cooling medium of a compressor exactly and rapidly and preventing the compressor from being burned. A through hole is formed in a cover 6 which covers a path 7B for discharge cooling medium of the compressor. A plug 9 is fixed to the through hole from the side of the path by a fixing member 13. In this case, it is sealed airtightly by means of a packing. Lead terminal pins penetrating the plug 9 is insulatively fixed in the plug airtightly. Leads are connected to one ends of the lead terminal pins projecting outside and the temperature responsive clement 8 is connected to the other ends of the lead terminal pins projecting on the side of the discharge path. The temperature responsive clement 8 is disposed not to come into direct contact with a vessel and the cover 6 of the compressor and is exposed to discharge cooling medium as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignees: Ubukata Industries Co, Ltd., Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasukazu Mizutani, Shigemi Sato, Hideki Koseki, Ryuhei Tanigaki, Takayuki Iio
  • Patent number: 5394056
    Abstract: A capsule containing a precise amount of a substance such as mercury is mounted in an electrode mount assembly on a temperature sensitive member. At elevated temperatures the capsule is moved away from lamp components by the temperature sensitive member to preclude inadvertent release of the mercury into the sealed lamp. After the lamp has cooled, the temperature sensitive member urges the capsule into biased engagement with a cutting wire so that upon supply of current thereto the capsule is melted and opened to release the mercury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger A. Forman, Eric G. Thaler
  • Patent number: 5320162
    Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed having a bimetallic strip actuating a single pole, double throw switch, one throw to sense temperatures below the lower limit of a set point range and the other throw to sense temperatures above the upper limit of the set point range. In typical applications one throw for actuating heating and the other throw for actuating cooling. The bimetallic strip is provided with typically a cantilever support at one end and extends between dimensional spaced double throw contacts at the opposite end. Spacing of the contacts determines magnitude of the set point range. An intermediate beam type support is provided between the cantilever support and double throw contacts. This beam support consists of an adjustment screw acting on one side of the bimetallic strip and a spring directly opposing the adjustment screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: William E. Seaman
  • Patent number: 5043690
    Abstract: A thermal actuator utilizes a bimetallic snap action member such as a disc to actuate a member such as the armature of a switch to effect opening and closing of the switch. A resilient biasing member, such as an elongated curved spring member or a compressible member, engages the bimetallic member on a side opposite that of the actuated member to oppose the force exerted by the actuated member during the operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl H. Wahls
  • Patent number: 4563667
    Abstract: For stopping drift or other undesired changes in the response temperatures of a thermal switch using a bimetallic element for driving a moving contact, the design is such that the moving contact and a counter-contact are supported on a common insulating supporting part and the counter-contact is elastically and yieldingly fixed on the supporting part. The lengths of the bimetallic element and of the a strip supporting the counter-contact that may be moved are different to each other so that the two contacts will make contact at different points thereon and with a rubbing effect for clearing oxide and other undesired coatings forming on the said contacts.For producing such a thermal switch with multiple functions, for example the functions of a temperature automatic controller and a thermal protective device, the counter-contact, that is placed so that it may give way elastically, is acted upon by a further bimetallic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: Peter Hofsass
  • Patent number: 4495481
    Abstract: An electric switch that is temperature responsive is provided for operation in a temperature range that is substantially above normal ambient temperature. A pair of contacts are mounted on respective first and second spring members. The second spring member includes a bimetal compensating portion at the distal end thereof. The second contact is mounted on the compensating portion so that upon increasing the temperature of the switch structure, the second contact moves toward engagement with the first contact to eliminate initial overshoot and to compensate for variable contact weld size between the contacts. An operating bimetal assembly in direct contact with the heated surface being monitored is used to break the contacts. The bimetal assembly includes a bimetal base element and a metal element butt-welded to the distal end thereof. The metal element carries a ceramic button to engage the first or upper spring member to move the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Trigometer, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin D. Hickling, Marvin Barnes
  • Patent number: 4492946
    Abstract: A snap acting thermostat is described which is suitable for miniature construction and utilizes a thermostatic snap acting disc, one edge of which actuates the contacts. The force of the thermostatic disc forces the contacts closed in one temperature condition by acting on the contact end of the contact strip, the entire length of which is resilient. This permits sufficient movement of the contacts for usable voltage and current ratings without excessive metal fatigue in the physically short contact strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Loescher
  • Patent number: 4445107
    Abstract: A thermostatic switch for controlling an electrically heated device, composed of an insulating body carrying a countercontact, a bimetal disc, and a contact spring having a first end secured to the body, a second end which is movable relative to the first end and which carries a contact located to cooperate with the countercontact, and portions mounting the bimetal disc for controlling the movement of the contact as a function of temperature, the contact spring presenting longitudinal edges extending between its ends, wherein the mounting portions include angled extension portions extending from the longitudinal edges of the spring for restraining movement of the disc in the direction transverse to the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Inter Control Hermann Kohler Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Hollweck
  • Patent number: 4445105
    Abstract: A thermostat, operating on the basis of current generated heat, rather than ambient temperature, operates as an equivalent of a snap-action thermostat, though without the necessity for provision of a snap-action dimple, by use of two bimetallic arms, the motion of one being restricted by the casing and a calibration dimple in or on the casing. The two bimetallic arms move, as in a creep action thermostat, upon current generation, with separation of the arms being accomplished when the restricted arm can no longer move to follow the unrestricted arm. Such thermostats are particularly valuable where a high initial inrush of current is experienced, as with an incandescent lamp fixture, when initial opening of the device, on the high current inrush, is not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Portage Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn E. Wehl
  • Patent number: 4426632
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Henry J. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 4218670
    Abstract: A thermostatic circuit breaker includes a movable contact which is movable in response to thermal transformation of a thermostatic disk. In order to easily support the movable contact, the movable contact is secured to an offset spring of electrically-conducting and elastic material and is located at a predetermined position with respect to the thermostatic disk and a stationary contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsukasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4034265
    Abstract: Apparatus for protecting the armature of an electric motor against excessive temperatures comprises a resiliently compressible and expansible pad in the armature circuit and composed of thermally sensitive, non-conductive material containing a plurality of conductive particles engageable with one another when the pad is in a compressed condition to establish a conductive path through the pad. The pad normally is maintained in a compressed, conductive condition by resilient force applying means which is of such resilience as to permit expansion of the pad in response to an increase in its temperature and render the pad non-conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Essex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gideon A. DuRocher, Daniel J. DuRocher
  • Patent number: 3943479
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Australian Controls Industries Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norman Jack Turner
  • Patent number: 3943478
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. Place
  • Patent number: 3936792
    Abstract: A circuit breaker device which is particularly useful with direct current such as in an automotive application comprises a main creep-acting thermostatic strip member mounted on a second auxiliary U-shaped thermostatic member, the U-shaped member being attached to the strip with the high and low expansion layers being dissimilar or reversed in order to obtain increased contact force prior to actuation and faster contact opening and in effect, greater differential after actuation. One leg of the U-shaped thermostatic member is mounted on a base plate, the other leg cantilever mounts the thermostatic strip. A contact is located on the free distal end of the thermostatic strip and is adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact supported on the base plate but electrically insulated therefrom. A special insulator pad mounts the stationary contact and is received on and locked in place on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Senor, George Trenkler