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Class 337/393 - Expansible solid structure or composition of material


Subclass of Class 337 - Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches
Definition: Subject matter relating specifically to the physical structure
No. of patents: 36
Last issue date: 03/18/2008


NumberTitleIssue Date
7345572Temperature sensor
A temperature sensor for a radiant heating element includes a first expansion element, e.g., a tube, connected to a housing of a switch, which is permanently connected to a second expansion element, e.g., a rod in the region of its free end. The two expansion elemen...
03/18/2008
7119654Temperature sensor
A temperature sensor for radiant heating units with a heating coil disposed in a cup includes a tube with a first end connected to a housing of a switch with a movable contact cooperating with stationery contacts in the housing. A two-section rod, which extends into...
10/10/2006
7047987Washing agent dispensing device for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher
A device for dispensing washing agents is described, for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, said dispenser having at least a tank for a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said washing agent. The arrangement compris...
05/23/2006
7040349Piezo-electric actuated multi-valve manifold
An apparatus controls flow of a fluid from at least one inlet port to at least one outlet port. A support has a rigid, non-flexible portion, at least one pivotable relatively rigid, non-flexible, folded-back arm portion extending from the rigid portion, at least one...
05/09/2006
6972659Reusable shape memory alloy activated latch
A mechanical release mechanism is provided. The mechanical release mechanism includes two structural members in slideable relation one to another. A latch holds one structural member in a latched position relative to the other structural member. A shape memory alloy...
12/06/2005
6744344Compact disconnect switch
A disconnect switch for the load circuit of a vehicle battery, includes a movable contact element (81) and a stationary contact element (64) that are linked with a locking mechanism. For releasing the locking mechanism a shape-memory alloy release elem...
06/01/2004
6724294Temperature limiter
A switch head is disclosed that can be attached to a temperature sensor having elongated expansion elements with different thermal expansion coefficients. The switch head further includes a device for measuring the displacement of the expansion elements relative to ...
04/20/2004
6703916Micro-device with thermal actuator
The invention relates to a microswitch containing conductors located on a first level and conductors located on a second level, where the conductors on the first level are supported by a deformable element which can switch by means of an actuator with a b...
03/09/2004
6685303Thermal actuator with reduced temperature extreme and method of operating same
An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base eleme...
02/03/2004
6583711Temperature sensitive circuit breaker
A temperature sensitive circuit breaker includes two contacts electrically mounted on a circuit board and an insulating pivot seat attached to the circuit board between the two contacts. A lever has a first end pivotally connected to the pivot seat and co...
06/24/2003
6504467Switch integral in a semiconductor element
In a semiconductor element, in particular for switching an electrical connection, a substance which expands to a great extent when heated is arranged on the element in such a way that if the element is overheated, the electrical leads of the element are d...
01/07/2003
6483419Combination horizontal and vertical thermal actuator
A micrometer sized, single-stage, horizontal and vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The horizontal and vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surfa...
11/19/2002
6404321Actuator
An actuator for a device such as a valve controlling coolant for an automotive engine. The actuator has a base body on which is supported an electrically heatable thermostatic operating element having an operating piston that moves a motion transfer membe...
06/11/2002
6396382Thermally actuated control device
A micro miniature solid state mechanical switch device operated by thermal energy for the control of thermal and electrical energy is shown. A gap in an energy path is bridged by an energy conductor that is mechanically moved into and out of operative pos...
05/28/2002
6304165Switching device for an electric heating device
According to the invention a switching device (11) for an electric heating device is provided with a rod-shaped temperature sensor (15) formed by a ceramic rod (17) and an extension tube (16). The temperature sensor (16) operates a snap-action switch (22)...
10/16/2001
6255934Bistable actuation device
An actuation device capable of changing its operating condition between a stable rest position and a stable work position has a monostable actuation unit with a body and at least a shaft movable as a function of the energization available to the actuation...
07/03/2001
5990777Shape-memory wire actuated switch
A switch (10) is provided that has a housing (12), an actuator (20), a contact blade (18), first and second shape-memory wires (28,30), and first and second contact points (70,71). The actuator (20) has a first end portion (52) pivotally coupled to the ho...
11/23/1999
5977858Electro-thermal bi-stable actuator
An actuator that uses electrothermal energy to switch between a first latching position and a second latching position. The actuator contains a leaf spring capable of latching into two distinct positions and two shape-memory wires. The shape-memory wires ...
11/02/1999
5897055Actuator with an electrically heatable thermostatic operating element
An actuator with an electrically heatable operating element, the housing of the operating element being held stationary in a mount of a base body, and a transfer element, which comprises two plastic molded parts, is provided between the piston and the ele...
04/27/1999
5396213Control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same
A control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device having a temperature sensing unit comprising a rod and tube means utilizing a heat expandable and contractible polymeric member disposed between one end of th...
03/07/1995
5294907Control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same
A control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device having a temperature sensing unit comprising a rod and tube means utilizing a heat expandable and contractible polymeric member disposed between one end of th...
03/15/1994
5208574Temperature sensor
A rod sensor (1) has in the vicinity of a sliding guide (17) of an outer tube (2) a bolt-like, smooth abutment (4) for an inner rod (3), which prior to the insertion of the inner rod (3) and prior to the constructional joining of the temperature sensor (1...
05/04/1993
5119061Thermo-actuator
A guide member is slidably mounted on a rod, a resilient seal bag is provided around a first end portion of the rod and secured to the guide member, and a tubular sealing member is slidably mounted on a second end portion of the rod. The rod is inserted i...
06/02/1992
5020128Tubular sheathed electric heater with an overheat safety device
A tubular electric resistance heater includes a tubular sheath enclosing an electric heater coil. As protective overheat safety device is provided at an end of the sheath and includes an electrically conductive tube disposed in a cavity in the end of the ...
05/28/1991
4963851Temperature sensor
A temperature sensor having a heat sensing portion including silicone rubber having thermal expansion and contraction characteristics which are linear with respect to changes in temperature, and an responsively operating portion adapted to operate by ther...
10/16/1990
4949061Electromechanical relay
An electromechanical relay for the activation of at least one operating circuit, has an activator (10, 110) for example in the form of a helix made of a material having form-restoring or shape memory properties. A reset element (17, 117) holds the actuato...
08/14/1990
4839479Article using shape-memory alloy to improve and/or control the speed of recovery
An article in the form of a projectile, a shock-sensitive switch or a sabot having an active component of shape-memory alloy which exhibits the shape-memory effect to provide a mechanical movement in response to a pressure wave passing through the article...
06/13/1989
4675642Temperature switch
A temperature switch has an expansion element which consists of a metal alloy in which a martensitic structural transformation takes place within its working region, the phases concerned, austenite and martensite, having ordered lattice structures and the...
06/23/1987
4665334Rotary stepping device with memory metal actuator
A rotary stepping device includes a rotatable shaft which is driven by means of a coiled spring clutch which is alternately tightened to grip and rotate the shaft and released to return it to a resting position. An actuator formed of a memory metal is use...
05/12/1987
4642599Control device
A control device having a control element that can be actuated by a thermostatic working element has a multipart structure which includes a primary housing which is preferably made of plastic and a secondary housing which is preferably made of metal. The ...
02/10/1987
4551974Shape memory effect actuator and methods of assembling and operating therefor
Disclosed is a shape memory effect actuator. The actuator comprises a biasing means which is normally biased in a first position and a shape memory alloy actuator element cooperatively engaged with the biasing means. The actuator element in a first unacti...
11/12/1985
4541735Thermal sensing element using methanol saturated fluorocarbon elastomer as the heat responsive material
A thermal sensing element containing a heat responsive material having a very high negative coefficient of thermal expansion. The heat responsive material contained therein is a methanol saturated copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. ...
09/17/1985
4244140Toys with shape memory alloys
Toys of any shape which recover their original shapes after deformation when they are heated by electrical or thermal stimulus are introduced. The deformation and shape recovery action can be repeated. The form regaining action is achieved by a special ch...
01/13/1981
4225841Temperature-dependent switch
A temperature-dependent switch is provided with a substance, which expands when heated in a housing, and a transmission part. The transmission part is displaceable by a diaphragm, a sealing part, accepting a beaded edge on the diaphragm with an annular gr...
09/30/1980
4117442Differential-temperature-sensitive device
A differential-temperature-sensitive device particularly useful for controlling an electrical switch in response to a difference in temperature comprises a first lever arm pivotably mounted at one end to a base member, a second lever arm pivotably mounted...
09/26/1978
3968469Detector for radiant heat
A detector for radiant heat has a housing with means movable therein between positions for controlling an electrical circuit. A pair of elongate metallic strips are disposed generally in overlaying relation and have adjacent portions thereof respectively ...
07/06/1976
 
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