Thermally actuatable auxiliary electrical switch apparatus
Patent 5870014 Issued on February 9, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 11, 2016. 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.
October 11, 2016. 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 References 3146378 3213239 3521138 3803525 3818404 Circuit breaker apparatus Thermal relay and electric range control utilizing the same Thermostat with bracket for attachment to a tubular member Patent #: 4297668 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 729606 filed on 10/11/1996US Classes:337/362, Bimetallic element unitary with or directly actuates contacts337/333, With bimetallic element337/372, Element attachment or mounting means337/380Housing, casing or support structureExaminersPrimary: Picard, Leo P.Assistant: Vortman, Anatoly Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesH01H 037/52H01H 037/04 AbstractA thermally actuatable auxiliary switch (10, 10', 100) used with a refrigerator compressor system (60) has a generally U-shaped bimetallic element (12) mounted at one end on a base plate (16, 16', 102) and with a movable contact (28) mounted on the high expansion side (12a) of the bimetallic element in alignment with a stationary contact (32) mounted on a stationary contact support (18, 18', 116). A thermal generator (34) in the form of a PTC pill (36) wire-wound resistor (28), or other electrically energizable heater or in the form of a discharge tube (60e) of a compressor, provides heat to the bimetallic element (12) causing it to deflect after the solid state starter (50) has switched to its high resistance state to switch out the solid state starter while the compressor motor remains energized.Field of SearchBimetallic element unitary with or directly actuates movable contact meansSnap-action With switch structure protective means Auxiliary heating means Bimetallic means With external or auxiliary heating means Housing, casing or support means With bimetallic element With spring or other energy storage means Snap-action With auxiliary heating means Bimetallic element structure or composition of material Housing, casing or support structure With contact biasing, pressure control or adjusting means With reclosing or reset means Circuit interruption by thermal sensing With bimetallic element Current Bimetallic element Thermal starting and thermal overload protection Starting control Primary circuit control | |
