Abstract: Systems include one or more medicinal storage containers. For example, an integrally thermally sealed medicinal storage container may include one or more segments of at least one ultra efficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region, one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form at least one integrally thermally sealed medicinal storage region, one or more thermal variant units, and at least one selectively-operable thermal conduction unit.

Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.

Abstract: A process for making microswitches or microvalves, composed of a substrate and used for shifting between a first state of functioning and a second state of functioning by means of a bimetal-effect thermal sensor. The sensor includes a deformable element attached, at opposite ends, to the substrate so that there is a natural deflection without stress with respect to a surface of the substrate opposite it, this natural deflection determining the first state of functioning, the second state of functioning being caused by the thermal sensor which, under the influence of temperature variation, induces a deformation of the deformable element which diminishes the deflection by subjecting it to a compressive force which shifts it in a direction opposite to its natural deflection by buckling.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microsystem, in particular for producing microswitches or microvalves, constituted on a substrate (50) and used for producing a shift between a first operating state and a second operating state by means of a heat actuated device with bi-metal switch effect. The heat-actuated device comprises a deformable element (51) connected, by opposite ends, to the substrate (50) so as to present naturally a deflection without stress relative to the substrate surface which faces it, said natural deflection determining the first operating state, the second operating state being produced by the heat-actuated device which induces, by the effect of temperature variation, a deformation of the deformable element (51) tending to reduce its deflection and submitting it to a compressive stress by buckling effect in a direction opposite to its natural deflection.

Abstract: An overheat and overload sensing device includes a thermal sensor (such as a thermal regulator) and a breaker connected in parallel and used to cut off a power supply in case of current overload. The thermal sensor usually disposed near a heat source can respond automatically to cut off a local circuit in time in the case of overheat that will make the breaker become overloaded to break off power supply.

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.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch assembly having three individual switches vertically stacked one above the other on a base containing temperature responsive bimetal discs that operate the individual switches through actuating rods.

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.

Abstract: A snap action thermal actuator utilizes a pair of mechanically coupled bimetallic members having different temperature characteristics to provide a fast and positive snap action thermal actuator even when a low temperature differential is required. The actuator is particularly useful for controlling the operation of electrical contacts in a thermal switch.

Abstract: Driving element (1) comprising a thin part (2) provided with a zone, ductile in the direction of its thickness in such a way as to occupy at least two positions, in at least one of which said zone is arc-shaped, at least one tab (3, 4) fixed at one end to a face of said ductile zone and extending towards the central part of the zone in such a way that, when the zone is molded, the free end (8, 9) of said tab moves away from or towards the face (5) of said thin part, the resulting amplitude of the movement of the free end of the tab being greater than the amplitude of ductility of the thin piece.

Abstract: An improved control system for controlling the heating and cooling of a building or home including an improved control device forming a component of the control system. The control device includes a lever which can pivot about a central axis intermediate the ends of the lever, each end of the lever having a bimetallic element adjacent to and above a resistance heating element. The outer end of the bimetallic element coupled to one end of the lever engages an adjustable stop. The other bimetallic element is in engagement with a resilient blade which, depending upon its operative position, controls the flow of a fluid through a tube, the fluid flow through the tube being a function of the operative condition of the adjacent bimetallic element. The fluid flow through the tube determines how a fluid-actuated controller is operated to control a valve which provides heating and cooling fluid for heating and cooling a space.

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.

Abstract: A control device is shown for a fuel supply system for an automotive engine having a heater which is energized, deenergized and then reenergized in sequence to heat a thermostat metal coil spring over a selected temperature range to regulate opening of a carburetor choke during engine warm up. Contacts are connected between a power source and the heater and a pair of dished bimetal elements having central apertures therein are arranged in facing relation to each other between the contacts, the bimetal elements being adapted to move to inverted dished configuration as they are heated to respective different temperatures within the noted temperature range. The contacts are engaged with each other through the element apertures when engine operation is initiated, are separated when one of the elements moves to its inverted configuration in response to heating of the element, and are then reengaged as the second element moves to its inverted configuration in response to further heating.

Abstract: An electric circuit interrupter device in which an electric circuit extends through the device. Within the device is a frangible link in the electric circuit. A plunger is engageable with the link. A stack of thermally responsive discs is expandable in length to force the plunger against the link to break the link and to interrupt the electric circuit.

Abstract: A thermal relay is disclosed which provides a bi-metal snap disc actuator system. The actuator system includes a central divider of material having relatively low thermal conductivity and a metallic disc cup mounted on each side of the central divider. A bi-metal snap disc is located in each disc cup and a separate heater is provided to respectively heat the discs. The discs are mounted so that they tend to move toward each other at normal environmental temperatures and a bumper is interposed between the discs to cause them to move in with snap action in the unison. The actuator operates two switches. In one embodiment, one switch is normally closed and the other switch is normally open. In another embodiment, both switches are normally open.

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.

Abstract: A thermally responsive electric switch including two dimensionally identical, bimetallic, snap-over, part-spherical, thermally responsive actuating elements 9, 11, arranged in a nesting, contacting relationship within the end portion 7 of a housing. The first element 9 changes from a first to a second curvature when its temperature rises above a first predetermined temperature, returning to its first curvature if its temperature falls below a second, lower, predetermined temperature. The second element 11 changes from a first to a second curvature when its temperature rises above a third predetermined temperature higher than the first temperature, and thereafter remains in that curvature. A common force transmitting rod 13 bearing on the uppermost element 11 transmits the movement of both elements to a pair of contacts 3 at the other end of the housing, the contacts being in one condition when both plates have the first curvature, and otherwise being in a second condition.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch is provided which comprises a pair of bimetal discs having different temperature-deformation characteristics, a pair of fixed electrical contacts and a movable electrical contact. The movable contact engages one of the fixed contacts in response to a deformation of the pair of bimetal discs or remain free from engagement with either fixed contact. The engagement of the movable contact with one or the other of the fixed contacts and the absence of its engagement with either fixed contact constitute three conditionswhich permits a detection of a temperature of at least three different regions.

Abstract: A thermostat assembly to control heat to an iron soleplate, includes a bimetal blade on a soleplate boss responding to the heat thereto to make and break the electric circuit. To this standard construction an improved thermostat assembly uses a slot in the bimetal blade adjacent its free end, the slot extending partially across the blade at right angles to the longitudinal axis with a second compensating blade deforming in the opposite direction and secured to the first blade between the slot and free end with the axes of deformation of the blades oriented at right angles to each other such that the cross slot provides delay in heat conduction so the contacts first open at a lower main blade temperature than subsequent openings to reduce overshooting of the temperature in the iron soleplate.

Abstract: A thermally operated actuator useful as a relay, flasher, circuit breaker, or the like, in which a bimetal element is movable by heating and cooling in response to an electrical resistance heater and/or current passing through the bimetal element. In one form of the invention ambient compensation is achieved by rigidly clamping one end of the bimetal element to provide a cantilever support, and providing a support at the other end that either clamps or pivotally engages the bimetal element and longitudinally compresses the element, causing the element to buckle into a curved configuration. Heat is applied selectively to the bimetal element adjacent either end to produce a snap action change in the shape of the element between two fixed positions. In an alternative form of the invention, two parallel bimetal elements are linked together to provide ambient compensation while still providing the snap action change in shape in response to selectively applied heat.

Abstract: An adjustable bimetal construction adapted to provide an adjustable throttling range and having a first bimetal member and a second bimetal member, one opposed end of the first bimetal member being operatively interconnected to the frame while the other end thereof is movable relative to the frame and one opposed end of the second bimetal member also being operatively interconnected to the frame while the other end thereof is movable relative to the frame. A device operatively interconnects the other ends of the bimetal members together to provide a combined bimetal action at the other ends thereof which can be adjusted through different positions of the device.

Abstract: A dual temperature thermostat is disclosed in which two bimetal snap discs are connected to separately operate two switch mechanisms. The snap discs are retained in separate, generally concentric disc seats formed in a retainer cup. The body is provided with first abutment surfaces to maintain the inner disc in its seat and a plurality of symmetrically positioned projections which extend through openings in the inner disc and provide abutments which engage the outer disc and maintain it in its seat. The abutments and the seats are proportioned so that the two discs cannot contact each other during their operation.