US3594674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature-responsive control devcies adjustably responsive to various operating temperatures
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
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Filing: 1969-08-13
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Temperature-responsive control device including a control member constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory and means for adjustably changing the operating temperature of the control device. The operating temperature may be adjusted by varying the stress on the control member with deadweights or springs, by maintaining a constant high rate spring load on the control member while adjusting the operating point of the control member, or by maintaining a constant operating point and a constant load on the control member while varying the rate of the load as it is applied to the control member.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Willson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:07
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/0614; F03G7/06145; F03G7/063; F03G7/0633; F03G7/066; H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/02; H01H37/12; H01H37/18; H01H37/32; H01H37/323; H01H61/00; H01H61/01; H01H61/0107; H01H2061/0115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A temperature-responsive control device having a first state and a second state comprising movable means having a first position corresponding to said first state and a second position corresponding to said second state for providing a control function; a control member constructed of a material having a temperatureactuated shape memory connected with said movable means tO control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape above a transition temperature and being deformable to a distorted shape below said transition temperature; said movable means being in said first position when said control member has said initial shape and in said sEcond position when said control member has said distorted shape; bias means connected with said control member and acting thereon to deform said control member to said distorted shape; and adjusting means connected with said bias means to control the force applied by said bias means to said control member whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A temperature-responsive control device having a first state and a second state comprising movable means having a first position corresponding to said first state and a second position corresponding to said second state for providing a control function; a control member constructed of a material having a temperatureactuated shape memory connected with said movable means tO control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape above a transition temperature and being deformable to a distorted shape below said transition temperature; said movable means being in said first position when said control member has said initial shape and in said sEcond position when said control member has said distorted shape; bias means connected with said control member and acting thereon to deform said control member to said distorted shape; and adjusting means connected with said bias means to control the force applied by said bias means to said control member whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said control member is a coiled spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said coiled spring has a loosely coiled initial shape and a tightly coiled distorted shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said bias means includes a load spring applying a force in a first direction to said movable means, and said control member applies a force to said movable means in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said adjusting means includes means abutting said load spring whereby movement of said abutting means controls the force applied to said control member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said adjusting means includes positioning means abutting said movable means to control the initial position of said movable means, and said load spring is mounted on said movable means whereby the initial force applied to said control member is controlled by the initial positioning of said movable means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said adjusting means includes lever means having a fulcrum, said lever means connecting said load spring and said movable means, and wherein said adjusting means further includes means for movably positioning the fulcrum to vary the rate of said load spring whereby the force applied to said control member is controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said material is an alloy having a composition of 55 percent nickel by weight with the remainder being essentially titanium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
137 words
A temperature responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally mounted on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, bias means mounted in compression between said frame and said movable means, the force on said movable means from said bias means being opposite to the force on said movable means from said control member, and adjusting means abutting said bias spring to control the compression of said bias means and thereby the force from said bias means applied to said control member through said movable means whereby the temperature at which said control device is operated may be adjusted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
A temperature responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally mounted on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, bias means mounted in compression between said frame and said movable means, the force on said movable means from said bias means being opposite to the force on said movable means from said control member, and adjusting means abutting said bias spring to control the compression of said bias means and thereby the force from said bias means applied to said control member through said movable means whereby the temperature at which said control device is operated may be adjusted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said bias means includes a load spring and said adjusting means includes a screw threadedly supported by said frame and having an end abutting said load spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said control member is a helical spring mounted between said frame and said movable means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said helical spring is mounted in compression and has a loosely coiled initial shape and a tightly coiled distorted shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein said control device is an electrical switch, a first stationary contact is secured to said frame, and said movable means carries a second contact, said second contact being in contact with said first contact when said helical spring has said tightly coiled distorted shape and said second contact being removed from said first contact when said helical spring has said loosely coiled initial shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A temperature-responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally supported on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a Force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, a high rate bias spring mounted between said frame and said movable means to apply a force to said movable means opposite to the force from said control member, and adjustable positioning means supported by said frame and abutting said movable means to control the initial position of said movable means and the force applied to said control member through said movable member by said bias spring whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A temperature-responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally supported on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a Force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, a high rate bias spring mounted between said frame and said movable means to apply a force to said movable means opposite to the force from said control member, and adjustable positioning means supported by said frame and abutting said movable means to control the initial position of said movable means and the force applied to said control member through said movable member by said bias spring whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as recited in claim 14 wherein said adjustable positioning means includes an arm pivotally supported on said frame and abutting said movable means, a screw threadedly supported by said frame and having an end abutting said arm and means for forcing said arm against the end of said screw.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as recited in claim 14 wherein said control member is a helical spring mounted between said frame and said movable means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 15 wherein said helical spring is mounted in compression and has a loosely coiled initial shape and a tightly coiled distorted shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention as recited in claim 17 wherein said control device is an electrical switch, said adjustable positioning means includes an arm supported by said frame and carrying a first contact and said movable means carries a second contact, said second contact being in contact with said first contact when said helical spring has said tightly coiled distorted shape and said second contact being removed from said first contact when said helical spring has said loosely coiled initial shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
127 words
A temperature-responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally mounted on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, bias means mounted on said frame, adjusting means connected with said bias means and said movable means to apply a force on said movable means opposite to the force on said movable means from said control means, said adjusting means being adjustable to vary the rate of said bias means as applied through said movable means to said control member whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A temperature-responsive control device comprising a frame, movable means pivotally mounted on said frame, a control member mounted on said frame to apply a force to said movable means and control the movement thereof, said control member having an initial shape and a distorted shape and being constructed of a material having a temperature-actuated shape memory, bias means mounted on said frame, adjusting means connected with said bias means and said movable means to apply a force on said movable means opposite to the force on said movable means from said control means, said adjusting means being adjustable to vary the rate of said bias means as applied through said movable means to said control member whereby the operating temperature of said control device may be adjusted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as recited in claim 19 wherein said adjusting means includes lever means having a first end abutting said bias means and a second end abutting said movable means, a pivot arm slidably supported by said frame and abutting said lever means to provide a fulcrum point and means for moving said pivot arm to move said fulcrum point.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said means for moving said pivot arm includes a screw threadedly engaged with said pivot arm, and said lever means is generally L-shaped having a first leg corresponding to said first end and a second leg corresponding to said second end and angularly disposed from said first leg, said second leg of said lever means abutting said movable means directly above said control member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said frame includes a projection slidably supporting said pivot arm such that said pivot arm is disposed in parallel with said movable means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as recited in claim 19 wherein said control member is a helical spring mounted between said frame and said movable means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 23 wherein said helical spring is mounted in compression and has a loosely coiled initial shape and a tightly coiled distorted shape.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as recited in claim 24 wherein said control device is an electrical switch, a first staTionary contact is secured to said frame, and said movable means carries a second contact, said second contact being in contact with said first contact when said helical spring has said tightly coiled distorted shape and said second contact being removed from said first contact when said helical spring has said loosely coiled initial shape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |