Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for a thermal trip of a switchgear (1), comprising a bimetal (3), which is held in a fixed manner on a bimetal support (4), whose free end (3b) is located at a distance from a tripping lever (6), and which increasingly acts upon this tripping lever in a tripping direction (D) as a result of thermal deformation. According to the invention, the distance (A) can be adjusted by deforming the bimetal support (4). The adjusting device is particularly suited for use in circuit breakers or the like.

Abstract: A thermal switch having a thermally, responsive bimetallic member that exhibits a snap-action response and a pair of relatively movable contacts positioned relative to the thermally responsive bimetallic member such that the thermally responsive bimetallic member is positioned to actuate one of the pair of relatively movable contacts by transitioning between one and another of the first and second stable states, the bimetallic member being a bimetallic material fabricated of two materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion and formed in a non-planar shape to achieve a snap-action between first and second stable states as a function of temperature and having an artifact formed as a localized heat-treated area in a surface of a first of the two materials and cooperating with the non-planar shape to achieve the snap-action.

Abstract: The circuit breaker current/time characteristic value at which the bimetal in a thermal trip assembly actuates a trip mechanism is adjusted by an adjustable coupler that includes first and second pivoted members separately rotatable about a common pivot axis. Deflection of the bimetal by an overload current causes rotation of the first pivoted member, which is coupled by a coupling member extending parallel to the common axis into the second pivoted member which rotates to actuate the trip mechanism. A positioner moves the coupling member toward and away from the common pivot axis to adjust the amount of deflection of the bimetal needed to actuate the trip mechanism.

Abstract: The circuit breaker current/time characteristic value at which the bimetal in a thermal trip assembly actuates a trip mechanism is adjusted by an adjustable coupler that includes first and second pivoted members separately rotatable about a common pivot axis. Deflection of the bimetal by an overload current causes rotation of the first pivoted member, which is coupled by a coupling member extending parallel to the common axis into the second pivoted member which rotates to actuate the trip mechanism. A positioner moves the coupling member toward and away from the common pivot axis to adjust the amount of deflection of the bimetal needed to actuate the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A method for post-fabrication modification of the snap actuation properties of a thermally responsive bimetallic actuator by exposing a pre-formed bimetallic actuator to laser energy, thereby permanently altering the thermal response properties of the bimetallic actuator, and a thermally responsive bimetallic actuator having snap actuation properties developed according to the method.

Abstract: A calibrated bimetallic actuator has contoured areas having either raised or recessed generally annular shaped forms about the locations thereon where the actuator is affixed in assembled position on associated electronic components or other devices or where a contact is affixed to the actuator to prevent loss of calibration by restricting transfer of force stresses in the bimetallic actuator during manufacture and assembly thereof into the associated components or devices. The action of the contoured areas on the actuator enables fabrication and assembly of miniaturized electronic components using bimetallic actuators for use in many applications.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes an inversion operation mechanism that is driven by a releasing lever to open or close a contact. The inversion operation mechanism includes a movable plate supported at one end so as to be inverted, and a tension spring for driving the movable plate for inversion. The releasing lever presses a middle of a wire of the tension spring to drive the movable plate for inversion. A projection is formed in the middle of the wire of the tension spring to contact with the releasing lever. Thus, a stable inversion operation can be made regardless of the positioning of an adjustment dial.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) is shown having a movable electrical contact (36) adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary electrical contact (38, 40). A current carrying thermostatic trip member (42) has a portion movable in response to changes in temperature with a motion transfer member (46) transferring the motion to latch/catch mechanism (20, 24, 30, 32). The catch portion (30, 32) comprises a generally U-shaped adjustment element (30) formed of thermostatic material whose legs are fixed to the base (32a) of a catch member (32) which in turn is pivotably mounted in the casing of the circuit breaker. The bight (30c) of the adjustment element is free to move in response to temperature changes relative to the catch member. Overcurrent will cause the thermostatic trip member to transfer motion to the bight of the adjustment element causing the adjustment element and catch member to pivot and release a latch to thereby open the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) is shown having a movable electrical contact (36) adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary electrical contact (38, 40). A current carrying thermostatic trip member (42) has a portion movable in response to changes in temperature with a motion transfer member (46) transferring the motion to latch/catch mechanism (20, 24, 30, 32). The catch portion (30, 32) comprises a generally U-shaped adjustment element (30) formed of thermostatic material whose legs are fixed to the base (32a) of a catch member (32) which in turn is pivotably mounted in the casing of the circuit breaker. The bight (30c) of the adjustment element is free to move in response to temperature changes relative to the catch member. Overcurrent will cause the thermostatic trip member to transfer motion to the bight of the adjustment element causing the adjustment element and catch member to pivot and release a latch to thereby open the circuit breaker.

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: A circuit breaker comprises a connector (17) connected to a bimetal blade (1) having an adjustable inclination. An end of the bimetal blade is embedded in an isolating axle (2) parallel to the plane of the bimetal blade (1), the position in rotation of the axle being adjustable by a screw (5) parallel to the axle comprising a tapered tip pressing on a lever (4) fixed to the axle (2) and perpendicular to the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for compensating the maladjustment of a power control means (2) by changes to the ambient temperature operates at least on a partial path against the flat spring (31) of a correcting device (30), after which at least part of the ambient temperature sensor (20) of the apparatus (1) is fixed against further deflection by a stop (34), so that the actual values of the power setting correspond to the set desired values substantially independently of the ambient temperature. For the correction spring (31) or for the stop (34) it is not necessary to provide a separate component, if use is made for the same of the already present twisting preventer (28) or a carrier (18).

Abstract: A thermally responsive load cycling switch assembly user adjustable for varying the time of cycling current to load connecting terminals and having a contact blade cantilevered from an insulator block pivoted in the switch housing. A bimetal blade actuator means is also cantilevered from the block and includes heater means to cause the bimetal to effect movement of the contact blade. A separate blade spring cantilevered from the block enables the block to be pivotably preloaded. A spring blade is cantilevered from the actuator means to enable separate preloading of the bi-metal for temperature calibration. A flexible jumper blade connects the contact blade to one of two load terminal connectors for series and parallel operation. A manually operated arming switch is series connected between one powerline terminal and one of the load terminals. A stationary contact disposed for closing a circuit with the contact blade is connected to the opposite powerline terminal.

Abstract: A push button actuated excess current protection switch, particularly an on-board electrical system protection switch with manual actuation and bimetal controlled automatic tripping includes a switch latch (7) actuated by the push button (41) and a bimetal tripping device for releasing the switch latch (7) with the bimetal tripping device including a self-heated approximately U-shaped punched bimetal (101) which is connected electrically in series in the current path through the switch. The one free arm end (102) of the bimetal is fastened to the end of a connecting lug (5) fixed in the interior of the switch housing. Its second free arm end (104) is fastened to a connecting piece (106, 106') leading to a mating contact (9') that is fixed to the housing. The base (114) is formed by the deflectable end of the bimetal which is kinematically connected with the switch latch.

Abstract: A one piece member rests against a cam surface at a first end and against an adjustable pivot at a second end, biased thereagainst by an integral cantilever spring of said member, the distal end of which is interlocked in a deflected position to a hook formed in a housing. One end of a bimetal strip is riveted to the second end of the one piece member, the position of the other end of the bimetal strip being determined by manual adjustment of the pivot and the cam.

Abstract: An electric switching device (1) in the form of a timed power control device with an appliance switch (6) operated by a heated thermobimetal (15) and in the form of a snap switch has an adjusting device (39) for modifying the distance between the opposite contact (36) and the counter-stop (37) for the movable switching contact (34), operated simultaneously with the setting of the different setting ranges of the switching device in such a way that in the low setting ranges the switching hysteresis of the appliance switch (6) is made smaller and in the higher setting ranges larger. Thus, in particular the smaller values of the relative switch on duration of the appliance switch (6) can be set much more accurately, so that there is a very precise power control in the low setting ranges.

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 circuit breaker having means for varying the thermal rating characterized by a circuit breaker mechanism including a releasable cradle for automatically tripping contacts to an open position in response to overload current conditions. A trip bar movable in response to movement of a bimetal element and the tie bar including a movably mounted member having an inclined surface for adjusting the spacing between the bimetal element and the movable member.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay of the type which uses a shifter to transmit thermal bending of the main bimetallic element to one end of the temperature compensating bimetallic element which is connected to a release lever which controls the closing of the relay and which includes an adjusting link which has an eccentric stem whose degree of rotation controls the setting of the release lever. As a calibration control to correct for unintended manufacturing variations and aging effects, the adjusting link supports an adjustment pin with an eccentric stem which abuts the eccentric stem of the adjusting dial to provide further control of the setting of the release lever.

Abstract: An overcurrent relay comprises a housing having an external portion, an overcurrent responsive mechanism, disposed within the housing, for opening or closing a pair of contacts in response to an overcurrent, an adjusting screw device for adjusting the operating current of the overcurrent responsive mechanism, the adjusting screw device being rotatably supported by the housing and having serrations on the periphery thereof, and an engaging member mounted on the external portion of the housing for engaging with a serration of the adjusting screw device for preventing an unintentional rotation of the adjusting screw device.

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 control device for use with an aquarium heater, including a control housing, a first contact fastened to the control housing, a second contact responsive to the temperature responsive movement of a bimetallic strip maintained at the control housing and movable between a closed position wherein the second contact abuts the first contact and an open position wherein the second contact is separated from the first contact, a plate spring, the second contact fastened at the free end of the plate spring and with the plate spring mounted on the control housing and movable through an unstable intermediate position between a first stable position wherein the contacts lie abuting one another and a second stable position wherein the contacts are separated from one another, and the plate spring abuting a stop on the control housing and with the bimetallic strip abuting the plate spring and moving the plate spring in response to temperature changes between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An electric circuit breaker or overload protection apparatus includes a thermal element which, on being heated by a fault current, is deflected to initiate a circuit-breaking tripping of the apparatus. A supporting mechanism for varying the rating of the apparatus includes an adjusting member or slide displaceable relative to the thermal element so as to vary the action of the thermal element, a recessed manually-operable externally-accessible knob, and a rotatable boss eccentrically and adjustably mounted in the knob recess and operative upon knob rotation to cause a variance in the displacement of the adjusting member and thus a variance in the rating of the apparatus.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a base plate supporting a switch and an ambient temperature sensing bimetal that actuates the switch. A set-point adjusting cam cooperates with the bimetal. An internally threaded bushing is supported upright on the base plate and is frictionally locked against rotation. The set-point adjusting cam is supported on a threaded shaft which screws into the bushing. The bushing is rotatable for fine calibration of the thermostat, while the threaded shaft is screwed into the bushing through an appropriate number of turns for coarse calibration.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having a solid-state trip unit adjustable over a variety of ratings. One-way adjustment is provided, permitting a reduction in the rating of the circuit breaker and preventing an increase in the rating. A ratchet mechanism and a one-way screw mechanism are provided to implement the one-way adjustment.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker having a thermal element which on being heated by fault current trips the breaker, and including an adjustable member to vary the action of the thermal element thereby to vary the rating of the breaker, said adjustable member comprising a slide displaceable by an eccentric boss rotatable by means of an external knob.