Abstract: An electrical wheel brake actuator for motor vehicles, designed to move a brake pad in the direction of a brake rotor and having an electric motor-gear assembly with a rotation-translation converter assembly that includes a nut-spindle arrangement, and an elastic element which is associated with a release end stop of the spindle arrangement in order, together with a control unit, to allow the electric motor to be automatically electrically switched off. The elastic element includes at least two disc springs which are able to form an expanded segmented force-travel spring curve formed from multiple force-travel spring curve portions.

Abstract: A current cut-off device includes a plate-shaped terminal piece having a contact, a movable piece including an elastic portion formed in a plate shape so as to be elastically deformed and a movable contact arranged at one end portion of the elastic portion and having the movable contact so as to be pressed against and in contact with the contact, and a thermally actuated element which biases the movable piece by deforming in accordance with a temperature change and causes a state of the movable piece to be shifted from a conductive state in which the movable contact is in contact with the contact to a cut-off state in which the movable contact is separated from the contact. When the state of the movable piece is shifted from the conductive state to the cut-off state, as the movable contact moves, it gets over the contact.

Abstract: Device for detecting formation of water ice on a substrate has a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet. The magnets are spaced apart and arranged with a north pole of one magnet opposed to a south pole of the other magnet. A container contains a body of water within the space between the permanent magnets. At least one of the magnets is movable in the container. A heat conductor arrangement conducts heat between the substrate and the body of water the container. As heat is conducted from the body of water in the container to the substrate and the temperature of the body of water decreases below the temperature at which the density of water is a maximum, the volume of the body of water increases which drives the first and second permanent magnets apart from each other.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a thermal protection device is provided having an electrical input for receiving input DC power and an electrical output for connection to a load. A heating circuit is coupled to the electrical input for developing one of first and second different heat magnitudes depending upon a temperature magnitude in the housing. An additional circuit is in thermal communication with the heating circuit for providing output DC power to the electrical output when the first heat magnitude is developed and for interrupting the output DC power when the second heat magnitude is developed.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switching mechanism is equipped with a bimetal snap-action disc and a spring snap-action disc, which carries a movable contact part, the bimetal snap-action disc and the spring snap-action disc being captively held in an annular frame.

Abstract: A high amperage circuit breaker and terminal isolation fastener cap is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a base having a cavity formed in a top surface thereof, with a mounting hole located within the cavity. Input and output terminal studs are secured to the base and are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement. The hinged fastener cap comprises a fastener receptacle positioned within the cavity of the base and a cover member rotatably attached to the fastener receptacle via a hinge member, such that the cover member may be rotated to a closed position relative to the fastener receptacle. The cover member includes a dividing flange formed thereon that, when the cover member is in the closed position, forms at least part of a dividing structure positioned between the input and output terminal studs to provide electrical isolation therebetween.

Abstract: A bimetal part (10) for use as an active switching element in a temperature-dependent switch has at least one inner region (13) and an outer region (12) surrounding the at least one inner region (13), the inner region (13) and the outer region (12) being formed such that in certain portions they are in one piece with one another and in certain portions they are mechanically separated from one another and being stamped in opposite directions, and at least one contact area (21) being provided on the inner region (13).

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switching mechanism is equipped with a bimetal snap-action disc and a spring snap-action disc, which carries a movable contact part, the bimetal snap-action disc and the spring snap-action disc being captively held in an annular frame.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, a housing accommodating the switching mechanism, two first connections between which first connections the switching mechanism makes or interrupts an electrically conductive connection depending on the temperature of said switching mechanism, and a heating resistor that is arranged on an outside of the housing and is connected electrically in series with the two connections. The heating resistor is a sheet-like metal part that is welded to the housing and carries a further connection.

Abstract: A thermally responsive switch includes a hermetically sealed container including a metal housing and a header plate, at least one conductive terminal pin hermetically fixed in a through hole, a fixed contact fixed-to the terminal pin in the container, a thermally responsive plate having one end connected via a support to an inner surface of the container and reversing a curvature direction at a predetermined temperature, and at least one movable contact electrically conductively secured to the other end of the thermally responsive plate. Each contact includes a silver-tin oxide-indium oxide system contact. The container is filled with a gas containing helium ranging from 50% to 95% so that an internal pressure of the container ranges from 0.3 to 0.6 atmosphere at room temperature.

Abstract: A thermally responsive switch includes a container including a metal housing and a header plate, at least one conductive terminal pin inserted through a hole of the header plate, a fixed contact fixed to the terminal pin, a thermally responsive plate having one of two ends conductively connected via a support to an inner surface of the container and reversing a direction of curvature at a predetermined temperature, and at least one movable contact electrically conductively secured directly to the other end of the thermally responsive plate. Each contact is comprised of a silver-cadmium oxide system contact. The container is filled with a gas containing helium ranging from 50% to 95% so that an internal pressure of the container ranges from 0.38 atmosphere to 0.68 atmosphere at room temperature such that arc generated during opening of the contacts moves on surfaces of the contacts without spreading from the contacts.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for use with a temperature-dependent switch with a first and a second external connection, has a snap-action disc with a bearing region on which a movable contact part is captively held, wherein the contact part interacts with the first contact area and the snap-action disc interacts with the second contact area, the bearing region being separated from the snap-action disc by a gap extending over more than 180° of its circumferential region.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a snap-action disc, a housing having a lower part and an upper part which accommodates the switching mechanism, at least two stationary contacts provided on the inner surface of the upper part, each of which is connected to an outer connection, and a current transfer member arranged on the snap-action disc that is moved by said snap-action disc. The snap-action disc presses the current transfer member, in a temperature-dependent manner, against the two stationary contacts which serve as bearing areas for the current transfer member. A third bearing area for the current transfer member is provided on the inner surface. The current transfer member is an approximately round contact plate having on its surface facing the stationary contacts, a contact area closed in a circumferential direction around an axis of symmetry of the switch.

Abstract: A thermal trip unit for a circuit breaker having a primary conductive path for conducting a load current is provided. The thermal trip unit comprises a shape memory alloy (SMA) member adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a predetermined thermal condition, a holding member coupled electrically in series with the circuit breaker primary conductive path, said holding member arranged to operatively support said SMA member, wherein said SMA member is configured and disposed within the circuit breaker to trigger a trip response of the circuit breaker at said predetermined thermal condition.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprising a temperature-dependent snap-action disc bearing a contact element and having a geometric high-temperature configuration and a geometric low-temperature configuration, and a bi-stable spring disc with two geometric configurations with temperature-independent stability. The switching mechanism produces an electrically conductive connection between the two counter contacts via the contact element. The spring disc presses the contact element either against the first counter contact or keeps it spaced apart therefrom. The snap-action disc is supported with its rim on the switch during the switching and in the process the spring disc flips from its first stable configuration into its second stable configuration, in which it remains even when the snap-action disc flips back.

Abstract: A thermally responsive switch includes an airtight container including a metal housing and a header plate, conductive terminal pins airtightly fixed to the header plate, a fixed contact fixed to the conductive terminal pin, a thermally responsive plate one end of which is conductively connected to and fixed to the inner surface of the airtight container and the bending direction of which is reversed at a predetermined temperature, and a movable contact fixed to the other end of the thermally responsive plate. In the thermally responsive switch, the movable contact and the fixed contact are composed of a silver tin oxide based contact and gas containing 50% or more and 95% or less of helium is encapsulated in the airtight container in such a manner that gas pressure is equal to or more than 0.35 and equal to or less than 0.7 at ordinary temperature.

Abstract: A thermal protector for opening and closing an electric circuit, includes: a movable plate having a movable contact point mounted on a one end portion thereof and having a terminal mounted on an opposite end portion thereof; a bypass member joined to the movable plate at the end portions of the movable plate on which the movable contact point and the terminal are mounted; and a thermal responsive element for moving the movable contact point of the movable plate by a snap action thereof to open and close the electric circuit, wherein the bypass member is formed of a first metal material having a higher conductivity than a second metal material of which the movable plate is formed, and the movable plate and the bypass member are joined together and are subjected to heat treatment so that the first metal material of the bypass member is softened while the second metal material of the movable plate is precipitation-hardened.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker has a housing formed of a housing base of insulating material and a pot-like housing cover, which is or can be positioned onto the housing base. Two elongate and flat contact arms are partially embedded in the housing base parallel with respect to one another in terms of their longitudinal direction. A fixed contact is arranged at an inner end of a first one of the contact arms. A bimetallic snap-action disk with a free end, forming or bearing a moving contact, is fitted at an inner end of the second contact arm at a fastening point. The fastening point, the moving contact and the fixed contact are in this case on an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact arms.

Abstract: A thermally responsive switch includes a hermetic container including a housing and a header plate hermetically secured to an open end of the housing, a conductive terminal pin inserted through the header plate, a conductive pin, a thermally responsive plate having one of two ends fixed to the terminal pin, a movable contact secured to the other end of the thermally responsive plate, and a fixed contact fixed via an electrical conductor to the terminal pin, the conductor having a fuse part and a heater. The fixed contact is fixed to a ceramic member disposed between the container and the fixed contact. The housing includes a bottom surface including both lengthwise ends between which the conductive pin is interposed. Both ends of the housing bottom surface are deformed axially relative to the conductive pin from an initial state, so that an operating temperature of the switch is calibratable.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch has a housing which has an upper part with a first outer surface and a lower part with a second outer surface, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism which is arranged in the housing and, as a function of its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between two outer connections. A pressure-uptaking structure is arranged on the outside of the upper part and/or the lower part, said pressure-uptaking structure protruding approximately perpendicularly outwards beyond the first and/or second outer surface.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch comprising a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a snap-action disc, a housing having a lower part and an upper part which accommodates the switching mechanism, at least two stationary contacts provided on the inner surface of the upper part, each of which is connected to an outer connection, and a current transfer member arranged on the snap-action disc that is moved by said snap-action disc. The snap-action disc presses the current transfer member, in a temperature-dependent manner, against the two stationary contacts which serve as bearing areas for the current transfer member. A third bearing area for the current transfer member is provided on the inner surface. The current transfer member is an approximately round contact plate having on its surface facing the stationary contacts, a contact area closed in a circumferential direction around an axis of symmetry of the switch.

Abstract: A trip device is disclosed, the device comprising: a power source side heater connected to a power source side of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) to receive current; a load side heater connected to a load side of the MCCB to receive the current; and a bimetal including a direct heat unit contacting the power source side heater and an indirect heating unit facing the power source side heater, wherein the bimetal is partially fixed between the power source side heater and the load side heater and is curved when over-current or short-circuited current flows in the MCCB.

Abstract: A protector for a three-phase electric motor has a container with a housing and a metal plate secured thereto. A protrusion is provided in the housing. Three conductive terminal pins, each with a fixed contact, protrude into the housing through the metal plate. A thermally responsive plate is connected to the three moveable contacts. The thermally responsive plate is dish shaped and reverses its direction of curvature at a predetermined temperature. Three moveable contacts are secured to the thermally responsive plate. An elastic member extends between the protrusion and the thermally responsive plate. A rotation member prevents the thermally responsive plate from rotating, thereby maintaining the moveable contacts in opposition to the fixed contacts. The conductive terminal pins are located at a neutral point side of phase windings of a three-phase motor so that AC current flowing into the three-phase motor is interrupted.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a thermal protector, including the rear end of a movable plate fixed to one end of a resin base and a pair of terminals for connection with an external circuit fixed to the other end thereof. Fixed contacts are formed on the fixed portions of the terminals, and the movable contact of the movable plate is disposed opposed to the fixed contacts. A bimetal element engaged with the center of the movable plate is set to project upward at normal temperature, thus bringing the movable contact into pressure contact with the fixed contacts with prescribed contact pressure. The bimetal element consists of an inversion area wherein the inversion area has no portion overlapping the conduction path area of load current.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEM) buckling beam thermal actuators are disclosed wherein the buckling direction of a beam is constrained to a desired direction of actuation, which can be in-plane or out-of-plane with respect to a support substrate. The actuators comprise as-fabricated, linear beams of uniform cross section supported above the substrate by supports which rigidly attach a beam to the substrate. The beams can be heated by methods including the passage of an electrical current through them. The buckling direction of an initially straight beam upon heating and expansion is controlled by incorporating one or more directional constraints attached to the substrate and proximal to the mid-point of the beam. In the event that the beam initially buckles in an undesired direction, deformation of the beam induced by contact with a directional constraint generates an opposing force to re-direct the buckling beam into the desired direction.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides a thermal actuator for a MEMS-based relay switch. The thermal actuator has an “active” arm that is movably mounted on a substrate. The “active” arm has (i) a thermal expansion layer and (ii) a resistive heater that is electrically isolated from the thermal expansion layer. The thermal expansion layer is adapted to expand in response to a temperature change induced by a control current flowing through the resistive heater, thereby bending the “active” arm and moving that arm with respect to the substrate. Due to the fact that mechanical and electrical characteristics of the “active” arm are primarily controlled by the thermal expansion layer and the resistive heater, respectively, those characteristics can be optimized independently to obtain better operating characteristics for MEMS-based relay switches of the invention compared to those attained in the prior art.

Abstract: A wiring board for use in mounting an electronic component includes a switch element portion interposed in a signal transmission line including a wiring layer linked to an electrode terminal of the electronic component. The switch element portion has such a structure as to change the shape thereof depending on a temperature, and to disconnect the signal transmission line when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A conductor layer which constitutes a portion of the signal transmission line is formed at the bottom of a cavity formed in an electronic component mounting surface side of the wiring board. One end of the switch element portion is fixedly connected to the wiring layer, and another end thereof is in contact with the conductor layer when the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In a bi-metal snap-action disc with an arched main element whose arch projecting in one direction snaps over to an opposite direction when a certain temperature is reached, the main element is provided with a heating element formed by an electrically conductive strand disposed directly on the main element.

Abstract: A microswitch comprises a deformable membrane including two substantially parallel flexure arms, attached to a substrate via at least one end thereof and comprising thermal actuating means. An elongated contact arm, substantially parallel with the flexure arms, is arranged therebetween and attached thereto at the high deformation areas thereof. The contact arm moves in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate upon actuation of the microswitch, and comprises electrostatic holding electrodes and a conducting pad.

Abstract: In a temperature switch, a cut-out portion of the substrate is formed of a first cut-out portion and a second cut-out portion which are made from the side part toward the center. At a fixation part of a movable plate in the temperature switch, a pawl part and an elastic locking part having an L-shaped cross section are formed adjacent to the pawl part on the upstream side in the sliding direction. When the pawl part is fitted in the second cut-out portion, a tip of the elastic locking part abuts an end portion-top surface of the substrate and the elastic locking part reversibly warps upwardly.

Abstract: A temperature control switch comprises a switch casing, which contains a springy slice, where the springy slice is provided with a thermostatic bimetal strip on its bouncing end. The thermostatic bimetal strip is provided with an electric heating device, where the first end and second end of the device are respectively connected in series between a first control terminal and the thermostatic bimetal strip. The elevated end of the thermostatic bimetal strip links one end of an uplifted metal slice to form an incompletely fixed link point, while the other end of the uplifted metal slice features a swaying contact, which corresponds to the contact point that a second control terminal joins. When subjected to heat, the one end of the thermostatic bimetal strip deforms, enabling the swaying contact to separate from the contact point, thus preventing the contact point from being damaged by the heat.

Abstract: A thermostat has a movable place where a spring point and a securing plate portion are integrally formed. The spring point is provided with a movable contact at a position that faces a fixed contact, a protrusion with which a bimetal that counter turns comes into contact, a hole for inserting the head of a bimetal holding point, and a protrusion for holding the bimetal, and the spring point is valley-folded at a folding point so as to face the securing plate portion. The securing plate portion is integrally constituted of a terminal point connected to one external terminal, a fixation point for securing an insulating plate, which has the fixed contact in a manner to hold the plate from both sides, and a holding point folded and set up, penetrating a central hole of the bimetal to hold the bimetal.

Abstract: A thermal switch includes a low abrasive and wear resistant disc seat for holding a bimetallic disc. The disc seat includes a disc body with a flange extending from a periphery of the disc body. A centralized through opening may be located in the disc body to prevent warping of the disc body during its manufacture. In addition, the disc seat may be made from brass where at least a first surface of the disc body is plated with Teflon Electroless Nickel, which may take the form of sub-micron particles of polytetrafluoroethylene with auto-catalytically applied nickel.

Abstract: A bistable MEMS microswitch produced on a substrate and capable of electrically connecting ends of at least two conductive tracks, including a beam suspended above the surface of the substrate. The beam is embedded at its two ends and is subjected to compressive stress when it is in the non-deformed position. The beam has an electrical contact configured to produce a lateral connection with the ends of the two conductive tracks when the beam is deformed in a horizontal direction with respect to the surface of the substrate. Actuators enable the beam to be placed in a first deformed position, corresponding to a first stable state, or in a second deformed position, corresponding to a second stable state, and the electrical contact ensures connection of the ends of the two conductive tracks.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal away from the first terminal, a reverse spring reversing at a set temperature and having an opening part and positioned between the first and second terminals, and a junction spring positioned between the reverse spring and the second terminal without being fixed, integrally having a junction part protrusively positioned and in contact with the first terminal via the opening part, and also having an outer peripheral part in contact with the second terminal. An electric connection between the first and second terminals is formed, and when the reverse spring reverses at the set temperature, a force is applied to the junction part of the junction spring in the direction away from the first terminal, whereby the electric connection is cut.

Abstract: A protector (10) particularly useful for wye-connected three phase electrical motors has a header (12) mounting first and second terminal pins (14) to which L-shaped pin heaters (16) are mounted along with stationary electrical contacts (16b). A generally U-shaped heater and support member (18) has two leg ends welded to the header intermediate to the terminal pins and a snap acting thermostatic disc (20a) is welded through a weld slug to the central portion of the heater and support member. First and second movable electrical contacts (20b) are mounted on the bottom surface of the thermostatic disc positioned to move into and out of engagement with respective stationary contacts upon snapping of the thermostatic disc from one dished configuration to an opposite dished configuration in dependence on temperature of the disc.

Abstract: A protector (1) has a metal header (30) that mounts a first terminal (31) and a second terminal (32) electrically isolated from one another. A metallic housing (10) is fixed to the header (30) and forms a chamber. A stationary contact (40) is electrically connected to the first terminal (31), a heater (50) is electrically connected between the second terminal (32) and the header (30), and an arm assembly (60) is arranged inside the chamber, with an end thereof being fixed to the housing. The arm assembly (60) includes an electrically conductive movable plate (70) having a movable contact (77) engageable with the stationary contact (40), a thermally responsive member (80) arranged at a position where it lies over or under the movable plate (70) and an electrically conductive weld slug (90) that fixes the movable plate (70) and the thermally responsive member (80) to the housing (10).

Abstract: A non-resetable, bimetallic thermal switch. The bimetallic thermal switch includes a bimetallic element, first and second electrical contacts, and a component for electrically connecting and disconnecting the first and second electrical contacts based on movement of the bimetallic element. The switch also includes a non-resetable component configured to disallow electrical reconnection of the first and second electrical contacts after an electrical disconnection has occurred between the first and second electrical contacts.

Abstract: A bistable structure provided by the invention is characterized as including a deflection element that has mechanically constrained end points and a compliant span between the end points that is substantially free to deflect between two stable positions when a force is applied at a point along the span. The deflection element span is provided, as-fabricated, curved in one of the two stable positions and in a mechanically unstressed condition along the length of the span. The as-fabricated curve of the deflection element span includes a curve maxima at a point along the span length that is at least about ¼ of the span length from the end points of the span. The deflection element span is constrained to substantially prohibit development of a second bending mode that is characteristic for the span as the element deflects between the two stable positions.

Abstract: A simplified snap-action micromachined thermal switch having a bimodal thermal actuator fabricated from non-ductile materials such as silicon, glass, silicon oxide, tungsten, and other suitable materials using MEMS techniques.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and the structure of a micro-electromechanical switch (MEMS) device provided with self-aligned spacers or bumps is described. The spacers are designed to have an optimum size and to be positioned such that they act as a detent mechanism for the switch to minimize problems caused by stiction. The spacers are fabricated using standard semiconductor techniques typically used for the manufacture of CMOS devices. The present method of fabricating these spacers requires no added depositions, no extra lithography steps, and no additional etching.

Abstract: A current interrupter (10, 10′) includes bimetallic member (18) as a switching member having a formed portion (18a) providing snap action movement between oppositely dished configurations. An integrally formed extended length portion (18b) having a stiffening feature extends from the formed portion and mounts a movable contact at its free end. Stiffening feature embodiments include folded opposed marginal edges and one or more longitudinally extending ribs formed in the extended length portion. In one embodiment, the bimetallic member is cantilever mounted in a housing member (14). In another embodiment, a bimetallic member (18D) has first and second extended length portions (18b) extending from opposite sides of a formed portion to provide a circuit interrupter with a double break system.

Abstract: A switching device includes a strip-shaped actuator element including a shape memory alloy, which is connected to a movable contact part of a switching contact. It is intended that an at least largely extended shape has been impressed into the actuator element at an annealing temperature. It is intended that, in the operating state in which the switching function is not triggered, the element rests on a deflecting element with frictional engagement in such a way that the deflecting element exerts, on the concave inner side of the actuator element, a counterforce partially counteracting the curving of the latter in this state.

Abstract: A device has an electrical load and a cavity for receiving a temperature-dependent switching mechanism in order to protect the load from overtemperature and/or overcurrent. In the cavity there is a first countercontact for the switching mechanism which is electrically connected to the load, and a second countercontact which is electrically connected to an external terminal for supplying electricity to the load. The cavity is configured for receiving a housingless switching mechanism that, below its response temperature, is in direct contact with the two countercontacts.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter device protects a load circuit from excessive, or overloading levels of current, provides a visual indication of circuit overload and open circuit, and can be reset. A multi-metallic heat reactive strip is snapped by an overload current to open the load circuit and close a light emitter circuit having a current limiting resistor connected to an indicator lamp that provides a visual indication of the open circuit. The multi-metallic strip is manually reset via a push button to open the light emitter circuit and extinguish the indicator lamp and close the load circuit to reestablish operation therein. The circuit interruption device can be made utilizing currently available technology for miniature fusing in tight, confining spaces and/or assemblies that have unusual shapes that restrict access in automobile electrical systems, test instruments, domestic appliances or many other electronic/electrical circuits.

Abstract: There is provided a battery breaker comprising a case, a fixed contact which is mounted to the inner bottom surface of one end of the case and is connected to a terminal extending from the case outwards, an elastic movable piece which is mounted such that its tip end protrudes into the case through the other end of the case and allows a movable contact provided at the tip end to bring into contact with the fixed contact by the spring action, and a convex curved surface-shaped bimetal which has a warping center located in the substantial center or at a position slightly one-sided from the center, is placed between the movable piece and the inner bottom surface except for the above one end of the case so as to cover a projection provided on the above inner bottom surface without interference of an outer periphery of the bimetal with the inner side surfaces of the case, and is warped at a predetermined working temperature to push up the movable piece for separating the movable contact from the fixed contact, whe

Abstract: The invention relates to a bi-stable electric switch comprising a spring (101) that is configured as a bi-stable snap-action spring and carries contact elements (114, 116) on the carrier strip (104) of the spring and comprising at least one drive element made from shape memory material per switch state for actuating the spring, the spring having a plate (110) that is rigidly fixed at one end (102) and that is subjected to a pressure in the direction of its linear extension and evades this by bulging towards one side into one of two stable final states, the regions of the spring in the stable final states taking up different lateral positions and the drive elements (118, 119) acting upon the free end of the plate and as a result of the tilting of free end (104) cause it to snap into the second stable final state.

Abstract: A current interrupter (10, 10′) includes bimetallic member (18) as a switching member having a formed portion (18a) providing snap action movement between oppositely dished configurations. An integrally formed extended length portion (18b) having a stiffening feature extends from the formed portion and mounts a movable contact at its free end. Stiffening feature embodiments include folded opposed marginal edges and one or more longitudinally extending ribs formed in the extended length portion. In one embodiment, the bimetallic member is cantilever mounted in a housing member (14). In another embodiment, a bimetallic member (18D) has first and second extended length portions (18b) extending from opposite sides of a formed portion to provide a circuit interrupter with a double break system.

Abstract: A switching element of a sheet of resilient metal having high and low heat-expansive sides, the switching element having a middle leg carrying an electric contact for making and breaking a circuit with a stationary contact on a substrate below, first and second outer legs each having one end connected to the same end of the middle leg, and an arm of width smaller than ⅓ of the width of said switching arm extended outwards from the connecting area between the middle leg and the outer legs in longitudinal alignment with the middle leg for pulling upwards/pushing downwards by an external force to reverse the middle leg.

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 defrost terminal for completing a defrost circuit on demand without requiring a separate switch. The movable contact engages and disengages the defrost contact to cycle a defroster on and off in response to temperature changes in an evaporator tube, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a compressor circuit and cycle a compressor on and off in response to changes in an evaporator tube.