Diaphragm, Strip Or Ribbon Patents (Class 337/396)
  • Patent number: 10290949
    Abstract: A passively switched resonant chamber includes one or more conductive walls defining a resonant cavity configured to store energy in an electromagnetic field. The passively switched resonant chamber also includes a switching device that includes a first conductive wire having a first end extending into the resonant cavity. The switching device also includes a second conductive wire having a second end extending into the resonant cavity. The second end is separated from the first end by a gap. A phase change material in the gap is configured to switch from a non-conductive state to a conductive state in response to a strength of the electric field in the resonant cavity satisfying a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Tai Anh Lam
  • Patent number: 10164608
    Abstract: Switch comprising at least one PCM portion that can be in a conducting or blocked state depending on the amorphous or crystalline state of the PCM that can change state when it is heated, in which the PCM portion is continuous and has an elongated shape such that an input and an output of the switch are connected to two ends of the PCM portion respectively that are separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the largest dimension of the PCM portion, and comprising a control device of the state of the switch capable of passing heating currents through the PCM portion, approximately perpendicular to the largest dimension of the PCM portion, from at least two input points separated from each other and separated from the ends of the PCM portion, to at least two output points separated from each other and separated from the ends of the PCM portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Didier Belot, Aurelien Larie, Baudouin Martineau
  • Publication number: 20040252005
    Abstract: An method and apparatus for dampening microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices is disclosed. A typical method or apparatus embodiment of the invention includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device including an actuator and a movable element and having a frequency response. A shape memory alloy (SMA) material is applied to the movable element of the MEMS device to provide passive damping to the frequency response of the MEMS device. The applied SMA material typically provides no actuation of the MEMS device. A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process can be used to apply the SMA material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Villhard, Robert J. Atmur
  • Patent number: 6294977
    Abstract: A thermal switch assembly has a contact member of shape memory alloy sandwiched between a pair of electrically conductive outer members. A contact arm on the contact member has a deformed shape at normal temperatures and a recovered shape at elevated temperatures. The contact arm occupies two different positions in its deformed and recovered shapes, and provides a current path between the outer members in one position while interrupting the current path in the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Kalapodis, William F. Quinn
  • Patent number: 6069551
    Abstract: A thermal switch assembly has a contact member of shape memory alloy sandwiched between a pair of electrically conductive outer members. A contact arm on the contact member has a deformed shape at normal temperatures and a recovered shape at elevated temperatures. The contact arm occupies two different positions in its deformed and recovered shapes, and provides a current path between the outer members in one position while interrupting the current path in the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Kalapodis, William F. Quinn
  • Patent number: 6064294
    Abstract: A temperature regulator operating with a hydraulic expansion capsule or diastat (5) has a lever mechanism (30) for force transmission between the diastat and the switch spring (21) of a snap switch (20). For protecting the switch spring against overloading, into the lever mechanism is integrated a buffer or shock absorber, which is elastically flexible above a limit force associated with the operating force of the switch spring in the switching point and below the limit force is substantially rigid. The standard unit formed by the shock absorber and the lever mechanism is formed by a rocker (31) in the form of a sheet metal bent part, which has a L-shaped pivot lever portion (40), with which is constructed in one piece a stop-limited opening clip spring (41) pretensioned in the opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Schwarze, Martin Roth
  • Patent number: 6046666
    Abstract: A known thermal actuator includes a capsule, which contains a diaphragm controlling the position of a stem. A thermal expansion substance like wax is contained in the capsule which operates as a thermostat in a thermostatically controlled valve such as a thermostatically controlled mixing valve. The stem of the actuator is connected with a valve body movable between two valve seats for a hot and cold medium, respectively, and the capsule is placed in the area of the mixed medium for transmitting the heat of the mixed medium to the thermal expansion substance. In order to present a simple and more effective actuator that can react promptly at changes of temperature and which does not require an extra temperature sensor, the capsule includes an oblong cuplike sensor body, the surface of which is at least partly deformed in such a way that its thermal transmittance area is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignees: Damixa A/S, Dauphinoise Thomson
    Inventors: Leif Ingvarsson, Patrick Andre
  • Patent number: 5019456
    Abstract: An article comprises a bent strip 2, the ends (4) of which can be rotated relative to each other to cause the strip to change its shape. One embodiment of the strip is initially in the shape of a split circle. Rotation causes the strip to adopt an intermediate complex shape and then a double circle shape. One application of the invention is as a statue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Philippe
  • Patent number: 4374373
    Abstract: A snap-action thermal switch adapted to be operated by an expansion element. The switch includes a switch reed pivotable between two switching positions, a switch spring exerting force components in a longitudinal direction and in a pivoting direction of the switch reed. One end of the spring engages the switch reed and the other end of the switch spring is articulated to an adjusting element adjustable by an operating piston of the expansion element in such a way that, after attaining a predetermined position of the operating piston, the force component of the switch spring acting in a pivoting direction on the switch reed reverses direction with respect to the switch reed after traversing a zero position. At least one second pivotable switch reed is provided, with the second switch reed being articulated, through its own switch spring exerting a force component in a longitudinal direction and a force component in a pivoting direction of the second switch reed, to the adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Behr-Thomson Dehnstoffregler GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Kurz
  • Patent number: 4368449
    Abstract: A contact mechanism for a temperature switch using a thermally expandable member wherein a plate making a circular arc motion is provided at a tip of a piston which is moved by the thermal expansion member, and a coil spring is mounted between a middle of a movable member having a fulcrum in an almost center of the plate and a stationary end of a terminal. The movable member is reversibly mounted. The plate is moved by the motion of the piston. When a point of power of the movable member is shifted, the movable contact is shifted instantly to the stationary contact side, and the movable contact slides on the stationary contact by the motion of the piston. The coil spring doubles as the return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventor: Kazumi Ubukata
  • Patent number: 4262274
    Abstract: A thermal electric switch having a thermally expansible material operating on an elastomeric diaphragm to operate a switch wherein the switch is an electrically conductible spring element and is operated by a force transmitting arrangement from the diaphragm to effect switching operation with or without snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard L. Howe, Robert C. Pringle
  • Patent number: 4075592
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises three flat terminals secured to an insulating base. The two outer terminals are arranged in the same plane and a third terminal is arranged midway between the outer terminals and has a contact portion which is spaced slightly from the plane of the outer terminals. An expansion strip is stretched between the outer terminals and when cold extends across the contact portion of the third terminal making contact with it. Load current from a circuit to be monitored is applied through the outer terminals and flows through the expansion strip thereby heating the strip so that it bows away from the third terminal. When the load current ceases, the expansion strip cools and contracts into contact with the third terminal thereby applying a voltage to that terminal from either of the outside terminals. A lamp or other current indicator in circuit with the third terminal indicates the stoppage of the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thaddeus Schroeder
  • Patent number: 4053938
    Abstract: A temperature sensing transformer primary switch for a distribution transformer, the switch being mounted within the distribution transformer below the level of the dielectric fluid and being manually operable externally of the transformer for opening the primary circuit and deenergizing the transformer, the switch including a temperature sensing device mounted on the internal end of the transformer below the level of the dielectric fluid to open the primary switch in response to overload temperatures produced on the transformer's secondary circuit. The temperature sensing device includes a compression spring and a wax motor for releasing the energy stored in the compression spring as the temperature of the dielectric fluid reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. The spring is preloaded sufficiently by a manual operation to actuate the switch at the maximum temperature. A pressure responsive switch assembly is provided for opening the primary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: RTE Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Estes
  • Patent number: 4020442
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved composite-type heat-system fire sensing device consisting essentially of a differential sensing element and constant-temperature sensing element, capable respectively of actuating a pair of electric contacts. These two type of sensing elements used in customary devices are difficult to assemble and to adjust. There are also serious problems for production and wider utilization of the sensing device. Further, the elements lack practical utilizability as well as reliability. The sensing device of this invention overcomes the abovementioned problems of the customary devices by effecting sensitivity matching of different operation characteristics of the two sensing elements, and makes it possible to optionally and freely adjust the sensitivity of the sensing device as required in accordance with the conditions of the place of installation of the sensing device so as to ensure a higher reliability and wider application of the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Hochiki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ito, Tadashi Sugiyama, Yoshinori Kaminaka, Yuichiro Yamamoto, Takeshi Tanigawa, Shunichi Shoji, Yoshifusa Saito