Heat motor operated load regulating switch assembly
Patent 5847636 Issued on December 8, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date: 
February 7, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
February 7, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesThermal cycling switch Adjustable cycling switch for electric range Energy regulators Patent #: 5696479 InventorApplicationNo. 797531 filed on 02/07/1997US Classes:337/303, With predetermined operative cycle adjusting means337/333, With bimetallic element337/342, With spring or other energy storage means337/380Housing, casing or support structureExaminersPrimary: Phillips, Charles E.Assistant: Vortman, Anatoly Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesH01H 037/12348 377 380 342 394 AbstractA user adjustable switching controller for duty cycle regulating flow of current to an electrical load such as a resistance heater, particularly for cooking appliances. A load current switch, when closed by a user operated cam also energizes a heat motor which includes a resistive strip attached to one active leg of a U-shaped bi-metal member. The load current switch snap spring is attached to the heated leg of the bi-metal. The other leg of the U-shaped bi-metal is anchored to one of the load connecting stationary terminals and serves to provide ambient temperature compensation. User rotation of the cam deflects a bias spring which acts on the portion of the bi-metal attached to the load switch snap spring to effect closing of the load current switch and energization of the heat motor. Heating of the bi-metal causes warpage which overcomes the bias spring to open the load switch and shut off the heat motor. Cooling of the bi-metal allows the load current switch to re-close repeating the cycle. User adjustment of the cam varies the bias on the snap spring and thus the re-open point of the switch with respect to the cycle, thereby varying the ratio of "on" to "off" time of the load current.Field of SearchWith manual or other mechanical contact controlling meansPlural elements combined with single mechanical means Independently operative bimetallic elements Multiple contact or plural circuit control means Cyclically or periodically actuated With spring or other energy storage device Snap-action Comprising electric shunt or short-circuiting means With interval predetermining or adjustment means With operating range, calibration or adjusting means With operating range calibration or adjustment means With adjusting or calibration means Inductive means (e.g., transformer) With heater-adjusting, shunting or short-circuiting means With electrical power supply or current control means Significant heating element structure or composition Bimetallic means Plural heating means With external circuit connection means With bimetallic element Multiple contact or plural circuit control means With auxiliary heater With auxiliary heating means for thermal switch means | |
