With Bimetallic Sensor Patents (Class 361/26)
  • Patent number: 9030787
    Abstract: A motor protector of the present invention includes: a serial current path that is formed between a first terminal and a second terminal and that sequentially connects a fixed contact, the first terminal, a movable contact, a movable plate holding a bimetallic element, an intermediate fixing plate, a first electrode section, a first resistor, a second electrode section, and the second terminal, the fixed contact being held by a base member stored in an insulating resin case that includes an opening sealed by the sealing member; and a parallel current path that is formed between the first terminal and the intermediate fixing plate and that sequentially connects the first terminal, a conductive bottom plate, a second resistor (PTC) 19, and the intermediate fixing plate, wherein, after the first resistor produces heat due to an excessive current and the bimetallic element is thus thermally activated, thereby opening a contact, a current-interrupted state is also maintained because the high resistance of the PTC
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Publication number: 20140104730
    Abstract: A motor protector of the present invention includes: a serial current path that is formed between a first terminal and a second terminal and that sequentially connects a fixed contact, the first terminal, a movable contact, a movable plate holding a bimetallic element, an intermediate fixing plate, a first electrode section, a first resistor, a second electrode section, and the second terminal, the fixed contact being held by a base member stored in an insulating resin case that includes an opening sealed by the sealing member; and a parallel current path that is formed between the first terminal and the intermediate fixing plate and that sequentially connects the first terminal, a conductive bottom plate, a second resistor (PTC) 19, and the intermediate fixing plate, wherein, after the first resistor produces heat due to an excessive current and the bimetallic element is thus thermally activated, thereby opening a contact, a current-interrupted state is also maintained because the high resistance of the PTC
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 8390221
    Abstract: A system for protecting a three-phase electric motor of a compressor, the motor receiving first, second, and third phases from a three-phase power supply, the system including a single-phase line break protector, a first current sensor, and a control module. The single-phase line break protector disconnects the motor from the first phase in response to a temperature being greater than a predetermined temperature threshold. The first current sensor measures a current through the single-phase line break protector. The control module determines a current value based on the measured current, and disconnects the motor from the second and third phases in response to the current value being less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraj B. Jayanth, Wayne R. Warner
  • Patent number: 8339142
    Abstract: In an abnormality diagnosing system for first and second current sensors for measuring a current, an obtaining unit obtains at least one pair of measured values of the first and second current sensors. The at least one pair of measured values is measured by the first and second current sensors at a substantially same timing. A diagnosing unit diagnoses whether there is an abnormality in at least one of the first and second current sensors based on a function defining a relationship between the at least one pair of measured values of the first and second current sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takahumi Oowada
  • Patent number: 8319499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle battery sensor element comprising a resistor element 2 and at least two spatially separated electric contacts 16 positioned on the resistor element 2. To increase the measuring accuracy and to reduce the temperature variance, it is proposed that the resistor element 2 along with the electric contacts 16 is coated with a metal coating 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Auto Kabel Managementgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Frank Gronwald, Franz-Josef Lietz
  • Publication number: 20120075754
    Abstract: A system for protecting a three-phase electric motor of a compressor, the motor receiving first, second, and third phases from a three-phase power supply, the system including a single-phase line break protector, a first current sensor, and a control module. The single-phase line break protector disconnects the motor from the first phase in response to a temperature being greater than a predetermined temperature threshold. The first current sensor measures a current through the single-phase line break protector. The control module determines a current value based on the measured current, and disconnects the motor from the second and third phases in response to the current value being less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nagaraj B. Jayanth, Wayne R. Warner
  • Patent number: 8129928
    Abstract: Provided is a power branching system for driving a plurality of motors by use of a single servo driver, the power branching system capable of protecting each of the motors. The power branching system of the present invention has power lines 15 branched at some midpoint to connect the plural motors 5 and the servo driver 12; a plurality of current sensors 21 provided at branched power lines 15b for detecting currents supplied to the respective motors 5; and controlling means 22 for receiving current data detected by the plural current sensors 21, determining whether or not the detected currents are balanced and generating an alarm signal when the currents are unbalanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Shoda, Yuki Nomura, Toshiyuki Aso
  • Patent number: 8085514
    Abstract: A modular control assembly is provided for on-machine control of a desired machine. One embodiment has a machine mountable base and a replaceable control unit, wherein the machine mountable base has a machine protection device. In various embodiments of the machine mountable base, the machine protection device may have a short-circuit protective device and a disconnect device. In addition, various embodiments of the replaceable control unit may have a variable frequency drive, a soft start device, or an adjustable overload protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7992626
    Abstract: A combination spray and cold plate thermal management system for effectively thermally managing a heat producing device during startup. The combination spray and cold plate thermal management system includes a spray unit thermally managing a heat producing device and a coolant reservoir thermally connected to the heat producing device. The coolant reservoir includes a porous media with coolant channels for storing a volume of the waste coolant after spraying of coolant has terminated. The coolant reservoir is fluidly connected to the spray chamber within the spray unit to receive the waste coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton, Thomas D. Weir, John D. Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 7954334
    Abstract: An inverter system having a semiconductor device, and a railway vehicle using this inverter, provide a more accurate determination of whether an abnormal heat generation from the inverter is associated with an error of the inverter system or is due to other causes, by use of a plurality of temperature detecting elements at a plurality of sites associated with the semiconductor device. An error detection section applies inputs from the temperature detecting elements, captures a trend of the differential value based on the plurality of temperature inputs using period sampling wherein an error associated with the semiconductor device, and not from some other condition such as outside environment temperature, is determined based on differences from, or a change in, the initial trend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Sasaki, Hideki Miyazaki, Katsumi Ishikawa, Keiji Maekawa
  • Patent number: 7889462
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a protective circuit for protection of an appliance, in particular of an electric motor, against thermal overloading. In at least one embodiment, the protective circuit includes a first and a second terminal for connecting a temperature detection element; a detection unit for detecting whether a resistance value of the temperature detector element which is connected between the first and the second terminals, is in a first or a second resistance range; a short-circuit detector for identifying whether there is a short circuit between the first and the second terminals; signaling outputs for emitting signal messages to an evaluation unit when the detected resistance value is in the second resistance range and/or when a short circuit has been identified by the short-circuit detector; and a third terminal, which is connected to the second terminal via a predetermined resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Spindler, Josef Koller, Markus Meier, Johann Seitz, Andreas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 7859213
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a recovery from a locking of a motor includes: a switching unit which supplies a motor current from a current supplying unit to the motor; and a driving control unit which supplies a PWM control signal to the switching unit to control a driving of the switching unit. The driving control unit supplies the PWM control signal with a low duty ratio lower than a regular duty ratio to the switching unit when the locking of the motor is detected depending on a variation in temperature of the switching unit. The driving control unit supplies the PWM control signal with the regular duty ratio to the switching unit when a cancel of the locking of the motor is detected depending on a variation in inter-terminal voltage of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Serizawa, Byungeok Seo, Hiroo Yabe
  • Patent number: 7622876
    Abstract: A method, apparatus or computer program implements an overload prevention approach involving monitoring a speed of a motor; detecting an overload condition of the motor based on the monitored speed; and controlling an operation of the motor according to the detected overload condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Danaher Motion, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Plunkett, Greg Kolacinski
  • Patent number: 7498913
    Abstract: A thermal trip device in which a bimetal (2) is heated by overcurrent and performs trip operation of a circuit by curvature of the heated bimetal (2), wherein at least one part of the surface of the bimetal (2) is made to be black or matte black (7). Thereby, temperature of the bimetal (2) can be highly accurately measured using a no-contact thermometer. Furthermore, a temperature measurement part (8) of the bimetal is provided with a bending part (11), and the surface of the bending part is made to be matte black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kawamura, Hiroyuki Akita, Masatoshi Murai, Hirotoshi Yonezawa, Satoru Naito
  • Publication number: 20080297011
    Abstract: An integrated controller/motor energized by a power supply includes a controller that has controller circuits and a pair of controller lead lines connectable in circuit between the power supply and the controller circuits. The integrated controller/motor also includes a motor that has a first motor winding and a second motor winding each in circuit with the controller circuits and a thermal overload sensor located in direct proximity to the first motor winding and the second motor winding. The thermal overload sensor may be connected in series with at least one of the controller lead lines. A method of protecting an integrated controller/motor from thermal overload is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel E. Delaney, Vijayaraghavan Devarajan, Robert Keith Hollenbeck, Justin Brubaker, Bruce Calvin Ley
  • Patent number: 7307676
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display module arranged to improve brightness and light efficiency of a direct-below-type back light unit. The liquid crystal display module includes a plurality of lamps; a reflection plate arranged to accommodate the plurality of lamps; a plurality of first triangular protrusions protruded from the reflection plate between the lamps; a diffusion plate on the reflection plate; an optical film on the diffusion plate; and a liquid crystal display panel on the optical film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong Man Jeon
  • Patent number: 7206176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit (1) for protecting against overload of an electric motor (2), more particularly an electrically powered air blower for a vehicle, with the purpose of providing sufficient and appropriate protection even when several electric motors are connected in series. Said circuit is provided with at least one switching element (6) for controlling two series connected electric motors (2) independent of revolutions, in which a switch element (14) configured as a make contact element (12) is connected in parallel to the electric motor (2), said switch element causing short circuiting of the corresponding electric motor (2) in case of overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Bielesch
  • Patent number: 7161318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a regulating device (1) for a motor, comprising a housing (2) which can be associated with said motor and in which a control unit (5) and an actuator (6) are arranged. Due to heat-related reasons, said device can only be used in an encapsulated manner, for example close to a motor. In order to solve this problem, the actuator (6) comprises an electromagnetic switching element (8a,8b) and the control signal (7) for the same is designed as a timing signal which is measured—taking into consideration at least one heat source inside or optionally outside the housing (2)—in such a way that the operating temperature of the electromagnetic switching element (8a,8b) is below an upper authorised limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Hauselt, Josef Kaser, Annemarie Lehmeier, Martin Meinke, Karl Niedermeier, Christoph Nöth, Jens Ulrich, Roman Wunschik
  • Patent number: 7038570
    Abstract: A protective device fitted to an electromagnetic coil to prevent damage to a thermal protective switch installed in the electromagnetic coil beneath the winding. In a preferred embodiment there is a subsequent encapsulation process following manufacture of the coil. Preferably, said device comprises a protective cap shaped to conform with the shape of the thermal switch and closely fitting the thermal switch and wiring connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: FF Seeley Nominees PTY Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Clyde McMichael, Robert Wilton James, Anthony David Colliver, Andrew Scott Friebe, Robert Reginald Mara
  • Patent number: 6946967
    Abstract: A protective device includes a signal input intended for connection to a sensor, a signal output intended for connection to an evaluation unit, and an isolation element for galvanically separating the signal input from the signal output. The provision of the protective device prevents a transmission of overvoltages from the sensor to the evaluating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Klaus, Gerhard Matscheko
  • Patent number: 6873131
    Abstract: An electric motor selectively connectable to receive one of a plurality of supply voltages, the plurality of supply voltages comprising a low supply voltage and a high supply voltage. The motor can comprise a stator having a first winding and a second winding, a shaft rotatable about a motor axis, and a rotor supported by the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator. The motor can also comprise a voltage selection device, a first motor protector, and a second motor protector. The voltage selection device can include a first setting and a second setting and can be configured to connect the first winding in parallel with the second winding when set to the first setting and to connect the first winding in series with the second winding when set to the second setting. The first motor protector can be configured to limit current through the first winding and the second winding when an overload condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: William James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6700632
    Abstract: To provide a reflection type liquid-crystal display device having an illuminator in front of the liquid-crystal display device, the illuminator having a light guide plate superior in light utilization efficiency, dots constituted by a plurality of small recess or protrusion portions for reflecting the light incident on the light guide plate toward the liquid-crystal display device are formed in or on a surface of the light guide plate which does not face the liquid-crystal display device. Each of the dots is set to have a substantially V-shape in section, the sectional inclination angle of the V-shape is set in a range of from 35 to 43°, and the sectional vertex angle of the V-shape is in a range of 70.6±2.5°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Taniguchi, Yasuo Hira, Toshihiko Ariyoshi, Seiji Umemoto
  • Publication number: 20040021994
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor is disclosed having an electric motor, a compressor unit, and an overload protector within a hermetically sealed housing. The overload protector includes a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to the electric motor, a heater element thermally coupled to the switching device, and a control circuit controlling the heater element. The overload protector allows the disconnection of power to the motor due to factors and conditions specified in the remotely located control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Kent B. Herrick
  • Patent number: 6674620
    Abstract: A hermetic motor protector (10) has a non-current carrying snap-acting thermostatic disc (26) freely disposed on a disc seat (22a) having a tab (22c) projecting through a centrally located aperture (26a) in the disc. An outer peripheral portion of the disc is received under a leg (22e) of the bracket limiting upward motion of the disc at that location and causing the disc to act as a lever pivoting about the disc seat (22a) as a fulcrum so that the outer peripheral portion of the disc diametrically opposite to leg (22e) engages a motion transfer bump (28d) formed on a movable contact arm cantilever mounted on leg (22e) when the disc snaps from its normally contacts engaged configuration to its opposite dished contacts open configuration when the disc is heated to its actuation temperature by a heater element (24) along with heat conducted from a motor with which the protector is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis R. Lamborghini, Gary K. Maus
  • Patent number: 6495982
    Abstract: A start-up switch 50 for an electric motor 1 comprises a resistive element (54) which is so constituted as to be connectable to an electric current path (15) and which has such a characteristic that its resistance value increases by the heat generated by electric current that flows through the electric current path (15) and a thermostatic switch (60) which is connected in series with the resistive element (54). The thermostatic switch (60) has an actuation member (60) which is responsive to temperature so that upon reaching a preselected temperature, said member moves from a closed current path position to an open current path position. The thermostatic switch (60) is positioned to be in direct heat transfer relationship with the resistive element (54) so that the member will (66) rise in temperature as the resistive element (54) rises in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiromi Katsumata, Toshihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6452359
    Abstract: An improvement in a starting system for an electric motor, which drives a hermetic compressor of refrigeration and comprises a main winding (1), and an auxiliary winding (2), which are energized by an electric current source (3), through a hermetic terminal (40) affixed to the outside of the compressor shell, the auxiliary winding (2) having a terminal connected to the electric current source (3) through a starting device (10) mounted inside the compressor shell and in series with a fusible element (20) to be opened when submitted to an electric current, in order to definitively interrupt the energization of the auxiliary winding (2) by means of the starting device (10), said hermetic terminal (40) being designed to receive an external starting device (50), in order to promote the selective connection between said other terminal of the auxiliary winding (2) and the electric current source (3) upon the definitive opening of the circuit defined by the fusible element (20) and the starting device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Empresa Brasileira de Compressores S/A Embraco
    Inventors: Marcos Guilherme Schwarz, Egidio Berwanger
  • Patent number: 6326879
    Abstract: A thermal switch arrangement for electromagnetic coils of electric motors, including at least one coil, which has a winding (52, 54) and a coil former (30, 48) in the form of a winding core (32), which is enclosed by two end flanges (36, 38; 56, 58, 60, 62), and flat plugs (26, 28; 74, 76, 78), which are connected with the two ends of the winding and/or the connections of a thermal switch (80), assigned to the winding, and are inserted and locked in pockets (40, 42; 64, 66) in or at at least one end flange (36, 38; 56, 58, 60, 62) from the peripheral edge of the latter and locked. Two tags (82, 84) of the thermal switch (80) enter the pockets (40, 42; 64, 66) of the flat plug (74, 78) from the inner surface of the one end flange (36, 60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hanning Elektro-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Hangmann, Matthias Paul, Norbert Krogmeier, Walter Wistinghausen
  • Patent number: 6249104
    Abstract: A motor start switch includes a temperature responsive resistor element and a cutout switch electrically connected in series with a start winding of an electric motor. The cutout switch is in thermal contact with the temperature responsive resistor element so that heat from the temperature responsive resistor element is transferred to a bimetal element in the cutout switch, causing the bimetal element to open the switch. Heat from a motor overload protector provides heat to maintain the bimetal element in an open position. As heat to operate the temperature responsive resistor element is obtained from existing circuit elements, the efficiency rating of the motor is unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Janicek
  • Patent number: 6055141
    Abstract: A protective device suitable for being placed in the power supply circuit of an electric motor, having at least one anti-interference coil (20, 30) for the motor, and a thermal switch (10) thermally coupled to coil (20, 30) and capable of opening the power supply circuit when the coil temperature which it detects reaches a predetermined value, representative of the maximum temperature threshold allowed within the motor. Advantageously, the device also has an electric heating element, thermally coupled to the switch and capable of constituting a main current path between the two input terminals of a four-terminal network consisting of the protective device, when the power supply circuit is open, and capable of holding this circuit open in order to limit the opening-closing cycles of the switch, the invention also pertains to the corresponding process and to a drive device containing a motor and of said protective device mounted on the motor, outside of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen Dorschky, Christian Millet
  • Patent number: 5995351
    Abstract: A motor protector (1, 1A) for connection in a circuit for supplying electrical power to a motor (36) to be protected includes first (S1), second (S2) and third (S3) switches in a housing member (2, 3). Each switch (S1, S2, S3) uses a snap-acting bimetallic member (8, 11, 13) for opening and closing electrical contacts (4a and 5a, 8a and 8b; 17 and 27; 18 and 30) of the respective switch. The switches (S1, S2, S3) in the housing member (2, 3) are connected as part of the circuit supplying electrical power to the motor (36) being electrically connected in series with one another so that the opening of any one of them will stop the flow of power to the motor (36) to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiromi Katsumata, Kenichiro Miura, Yuji Mori
  • Patent number: 5898555
    Abstract: A motor protector (1) for use in an electrical circuit for supplying current to a motor (10) to be protected having two separate bimetallic disk actuated switches (4, 5) contained within the protector (1) electrically connected in series with each other and the current source (13) and motor (10). In one embodiment, one of the two switches (6) uses a two bimetallic disk design in which the disks have different temperature actuations and reset values for providing a fail-safe feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiromi Katsumata, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 5892429
    Abstract: A switch for opening and closing an electrical circuit comprises a temperature-dependent switching mechanism and a housing containing a switching mechanism. The housing has an electrically conductive lower housing part and an electrically conductive cover part electrically insulated from and closing off the lower housing part. The electrical circuit is to be connected to the lower housing part and the cover part. As a function of temperature the switching mechanism electrically connects the lower housing part to the cover part. At least one resistor is provided directly on an inner surface of the housing such that the resistor is switched in series with the switching mechanism between the cover part and lower housing part, as a function of temperature, when the switching mechanism is in a first switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsass
  • Patent number: 5729416
    Abstract: A combination motor starter and protector module is described. The base member, in one embodiment, forms a motor protector compartment and a motor starter compartment. The motor protector, in one form, is a bimetallic switch configured to be coupled between a power source and the motor windings. The switch includes a stationary contact and a movable contact. A bimetal element, responsive to current flow through the protector, controls movement of the movable contact. The starter, in one form, is a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTCR) disk configured to be connected in series circuit with the motor start winding. The cover of the combination housing includes, in one form, an integral capacitor support arm and terminal openings for receiving blade terminals of a run capacitor. The terminal openings in the cover align with blade receiving receptacles coupled to the PTCR start circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Ray Renkes, Robert William Damerow
  • Patent number: 5630009
    Abstract: A direct current (DC) electric motor is shifted between higher and lower operating speeds in response to motor operating conditions to prevent motor stalling, overheating and burnout. Switches are performed between two or among more than two operating curves defined for the DC motor with switches preferably taking place approximately at points of intersection of the operating curves. The high or higher speed curve typically results from inducing inefficiency into the motor such that continued operation along the high or higher speed curve can lead to motor stalling and even burnout. At or near the intersection points of motor operating curves, operation is switched from the high or higher speed operating curve to a lower speed, higher efficiency operating curve such that motor current is immediately reduced for the same motor speed and torque. If the motor is able to once again operate along the high or higher speed curve, a switch-back is made at or near the point of intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: William L. Hayden
  • Patent number: 5515229
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection device for a motor M with an overheat prevention function having a housing 10 with fixed contacts 16, 18 and movable contacts 24, 26. A first snap acting bimetallic element 20 in the device is responsive to heat from overcurrent conditions and a second snap acting bimetallic element 40 is responsive to heat from the temperature for the motor M. The movable contacts 24, 26 are controlled by the first bimetallic element to cause engagement or nonengagement with the stationary contacts 16,18. Coupling members 42, 44 contained in the housing engage both bimetallic elements 20, 40 and allow the first overcurrent bimetallic element 20 to snap independently of the second bimetallic element 40 while providing for snap action of the second bimetallic element 40 to also cause the first bimetallic 20 to snap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazuo Takeda
  • Patent number: 5515217
    Abstract: A thermal protector for a hermetic electrically-driven compressor including a hermetically sealed housing in which a power-supply terminal, an electric motor and a compressor are enclosed with a predetermined amount of refrigerant gas is disclosed. The thermal protector includes a thermally responsive switch having first and second lead terminal pins for securing first and second connecting terminals respectively and a holder formed from an electrically insulating material and including first, second and third cavities. Each of the first and second cavities has an opening in its one side. The first cavity accommodates the thermally responsive switch while the second cavity accommodates a secured portion between the lead terminal and the connecting terminal with a hardenable electrically insulating filler filling up the second cavity. Alternatively, the second connecting terminal is secured to a wall of the holder by an insert molding so as to extend through the wall, instead of use of the filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Ubukata Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Higashikata, Yoshihisa Ueda, Hideki Koseki
  • Patent number: 5509786
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a thermal protector in a hermetic refrigeration compressor including an electric motor and a compressing means enclosed in a housing with refrigerant is disclosed. The housing has at least one through hole. The structure includes a terminal assembly airtightly secured in the hole of the housing. The terminal assembly includes a metal base and a plurality of electrically conductive terminal pins secured to the metal base by an electrically insulative material with small thermal conductivity. The structure further includes a thermal protector including a hermetic casing, a thermally responsive element disposed in the casing to be in direct contact with an inner wall of the casing at one side, and a contact mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Ubukata Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasukazu Mizutani, Shigeo Kimura, Hideki Koseki
  • Patent number: 5451853
    Abstract: A starting device for a single phase induction motor can reduce the power consumption and restart in a short time. The starting device for the single phase induction motor having a main winding and a starting winding comprises a starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor connected in series with the starting winding, a bidirectional current control device connected in series with the starting winding and the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor, and an auxiliary positive characteristic thermistor having a heat capacity smaller than that of the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor connected in parallel with the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor, a terminal of the auxiliary positive temperature coefficient thermistor being connected to a gate of the bidirectional current control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Yamada Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5087870
    Abstract: A constant power circuit for causing a constant power level to be dissipated by a load when an overpower condition is detected. The overpower condition is detected by measuring the voltage across and current drawn by the load in accordance with a programmed load value and determining whether the sum of the measured current and voltage exceeds the power limit for the load. In a preferred embodiment, the sum of the voltage and current is compared to a linear piecewise approximation of a constant power curve in the current-voltage plane, the curve representing the power limit for the load for the range of current and voltage magnitudes in which the load circuit may safely operate. When an overpower condition is detected, the power is dissipated by the load at a constant power level defined by the constant power limit by oscillating the power level within a hysteresis band about the constant power limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Emery Salesky, Tom Sterk
  • Patent number: 5053908
    Abstract: A motor winding system having a main winding and a start winding circuit with a start winding and a PTC resistor in series therewith wherein the resistor is electrically removed from the circuit at a predetermined time after motor starting and remains in this state until motor shut off. The start winding circuit also includes a bimetallic switch in series with the resistor and a series circuit of a capacitor and an electromagnet in parallel with the resistor and switch. At motor start up, current from the main power source is applied across the main winding and the start winding circuit heats up the resistor and causes an increase in the resistance thereof. Also, current through the switch and PTC heat causes the bimetallic element to snap or move when it has reached a predetermined temperature to open the start winding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Cooper, Richard L. Jenne
  • Patent number: 5023744
    Abstract: A temperature switching device for an electrotechnical part to be protected against an excess temperature due to a fault, with a first bimetallic switch and an ohmic resistor connected in parallel thereto, so that, after opening the bimetallic switch as a result of an excess temperature, the flow of current takes place across the ohmic resistor, which produces heat and as a result the bimetallic switch is kept open even in the case of the cooling of the excess temperature initially triggering the switching process due to a malfunction of the electrotechnical part to be protected, as a result of the evolution of heat of the ohmic resistor. At least the ohmic resistor is connected in series with a further automatically resettable thermal switch having an opening temperature above that of the first thermal switch, but well below temperatures causing irreversible damage to bimetallic elements and the two thermal switches being in close thermal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Peter Hofsass
  • Patent number: 5021915
    Abstract: A method of assembling an overload protector for use in a combination starter-protector device adapted to be associated in circuit relation with a dynamoelectic machine. To practice this method, a conductive member is extended through a slot in a sidewall of a casing, and a contact section of the conductive member is located within an open ended recess in the casing defined by the sidewall and a base wall while a terminal section of the conductive member is located on an extension wall extending laterally of the sidewall. The terminal section is secured against displacement to the extension wall. A support for a bimetal switch element is disposed in an assembly position within the open ended recess, and the bimetal switch element is biased into engagement in circuit relation with the contact section.An overload protector, a combination starter-protector device and a method of assembling a starter-protector device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Wandler, Kenneth R. Renkes
  • Patent number: 4984123
    Abstract: A push-push (make-break) switch (43) including a thermally operated circuit breaker release is adapted for controlling an electric motor (42). The switch (43) may be employed by itself or used in conjunction with a standard control switch (41) connected to auxiliary contacts (15 and 18) which are normally closed but opened when switch (43) is activated. When switch (43) is momentarily activated, it becomes latched to continue operation of the motor (42) until the motor stalls upon completion of a task. The increased current draw of the motor (42) is sensed by a bi-metalic element (27) whose free end moves to automatically release the switch (43) and disrupt its continuity path. The switch (43) is in a compact, self-contained, design which provides various different operational features. In automotive applications, switch (43) provides convenient express operation of motor operated accessories such as power windows and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Potter & Brumfield, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene L. James
  • Patent number: 4862306
    Abstract: A motor protector and starter particularly suited for refrigeration compressor motors are mounted in the recess of a first housing portion with their resilient female sockets disposed in alignment with a pin receiving aperture. Leads are attached to terminals of the motor protector and starter components and directed through lead receiving apertures in the side wall of the first housing portion. A second housing portion is then snapped onto the first housing portion to provide a combination housing which can be installed on a compressor in a one-step on-line operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard J. Lisauskas
  • Patent number: 4806839
    Abstract: A hermetic box contains a motor and a self reset type protector which interrupts the supply of electric power to the motor when an abnormally heated condition takes place in the hermetic box and automatically supplies again the electric power when the abnormally heated condition ceases. The motor is energized by an inverter having AC output terminals connected to the motor outside of the hermetic box. A current detector which detects that no current is flowing into the motor is provided on the output side of the inverter outside for a hermetic box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Nagato, Hiroshi Hujii, Osamu Matsumoto, Katsuhiko Saito
  • Patent number: 4748531
    Abstract: A terminal block and overload protector for a compressor assembly for connection to the terminal pin assembly of a compressor located on the inside wall of a compressor casing. The assembly includes a housing with three apertures therein into which three of the terminal pins are disposed. Electrical connector clips are disposed in the housing for connection to the terminal pins. The housing also includes a space in which a motor protector is secured. The motor protector has two terminal pins which are secured to slip-on quick-connect terminals. The motor protector housing has a third connector clip secured thereto. Each of the three connector clips has a knurled inside surface for gripping and retaining of the respective terminal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Arturo L. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 4713717
    Abstract: A motor protector having a thermostat metal element thermally coupled to an electrical motor in a refrigerator compressor motor system has a heater responsive to motor current thermally coupled to the thermostat metal element and has an improved component arrangement to provide locked rotor and ultimate trip protection for the motor without requiring calibration of the operating temperature for the protector after assembly or after incorporation in the motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments
    Inventors: Radi Pejouhy, Joseph G. Nield, Jr., John R. D'Entremont, Beggs, Louis C., Fabrizio Rotulo
  • Patent number: 4706152
    Abstract: A motor protector having a thermostat metal element thermally coupled to an electrical motor in a refrigerator compressor motor system has a heater responsive to motor current thermally coupled to the thermostat metal element and has an improved component arrangement to provide locked rotor and ultimate trip protection for the motor without requiring calibration of the operating temperature for the protector after assembly or after incorporation in the motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Pietro DeFilippis, Ciro Calenda, Giuseppe Notaro
  • Patent number: 4701824
    Abstract: A motor protector having a thermostat metal element thermally coupled to an electrical motor in a refrigerator compressor motor system has a heater responsive to motor current thermally coupled to the thermostat metal element and has an improved component arrangement to provide locked rotor and ultimate trip protection for the motor without requiring calibration of the operating temperature for the protector after assembly or after incorporation in the motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis C. Beggs, John R. D'Entremont
  • Patent number: 4564775
    Abstract: An arrangement for cooling an electric rotating machine such as an alternator of an automotive vehicle by means of a fan which is intermittently driven in accordance with the cooling requirements of the electric rotating machine. A heat source is associated with the electric rotating machine which is representative of the degree of heating of the rotating machine. The heat source may be the radiator of the rectifier diodes of the alternator. A heat sensitive means in the form of a spring of "memory alloy" controls the coupling/uncoupling with respect to the shaft of the rotating machine of the fan which is mounted free for rotation coaxially of the shaft of the machine. The heat sensitive means is in heat exchange relation with the heat source. The spring, for example, operates a lever which activates a control rod passing through the hollow shaft to control the coupling or clutching of the fan with respect to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Societe de Paris et du Rhone, S.A.
    Inventor: Alfred B. Mazzorana