Temperature-responsive switch

Claim 2

A fluid temperature switch, comprising: body means having a fluid inlet port, means for supplying fluid to said fluid inlet port, first outlet port means in said body means, second outlet port means in said body means generally opposed and aligned with said first outlet port means, both of said outlet port means positioned to receive fluid from said inlet port, and a temperature responsive bimetallic member for selectively blocking communication between the inlet port and either of the outlet port means, said bimetallic member being positioned so that a central portion thereof engages said first outlet port and blocks communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port means in a first temperature range and positioned so that a central portion thereof engages said second outlet port and blocks communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port means in a second temperature range.

Claim 3

A fluid temperature switch as defined in claim 1, wherein said bimetallic member is a disc having a generally spherical portion, said spherical portion engaging both of said outlet port means to block flow therein.

Claim 4

A fluid temperature switch as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second outlet port means are spaced and aligned, said bimetallic member being positioned between said first and second outlet port means for selective engagement therewith.

Claim 5

A fluid temperature switch as defined in claim 1, wherein said body means has a generally annular chamber therein, said inlet port communicating with said chamber and directing fluid generally radially therein, both said outlet port means extending axially from said chamber and communicating therewith, said outlet port means being located substantially centrally with respect to said chamber, said bimetallic member being a generally circular disc in said chamber, and having a spherical portion adapted to project against said first port means in said first temperature range and project against said second port means in said second temperature range, said inlet port being positioned to direct fluid continuously to opposite sides of said bimetallic member.

Claim 6

A fluid temperature switch, comprising: a first body member having a cylindrical recess therein, a second body member having a cylindrical projection received in said recess and defining therewith a fluid chamber, a radially disposed inlet port in said first body member communicating with said chamber, said inlet port communicating with the chamber at the periphery of said recess and extending radially inwardly from the periphery along the bottom of said recess, an inlet fitting projecting from said first body member and communicating with said inlet port, a first outlet port in said first member extending axially and centrally from said recess, first outlet passage means in said first member extending radially from said first outlet port to the periphery of said first body member, a second outlet port in said second body member extending axially and centrally from the end of said projection adjacent the chamber, second outlet passage means in said second body member extending radially from said second port to the periphery of said second body member, and a bimetallic disc mounted in said chamber and extending substantially diametrally across said chamber, said disc having a central generally spherical portion, one side of said spherical portion being engageable with said first port blocking flow thereto in said first temperature range, the other side of said spherical portion being engageable with said second port blocking flow therethrough in said second temperature range.

Claim 7

A fluid temperature switch, comprising: a first body member having a cylindrical recess therein, a second body member having a cylindrical projection received in said recess and defining therewith a fluid chamber, a radially disposed inlet port in said first body member communicating with said chamber, said inlet port communicating with the chamber at the periphery of said recess and extending radially inwardly from the periphery along the bottom of said recess, an inlet fitting projecting from said first body member and communicating with said inlet port, a first outlet port in said first member extending axially and centrally from said recess, first outlet passage means in said first member extending radially from said first outlet port to the periphery of said first body member, a second outlet port in said second body member extending axially and centrally from the end of said projection adjacent the chamber, second outlet passage means in said second body member extending radially from said second port to the periphery of said second body member, and a bimetallic disc mounted in said chamber and extending substantially diametrally across said chamber, said disc having a central generally spherical portion, one side of said spherical portion being engageable with said first port blocking flow thereto in said first temperature range, the other side of said spherical portion being engageable with said second port blocking flow therethrough in said second temperature range.

Claim 8

A subsystem for deactivating a system upon the occurrence of excessive temperature at any one of a plurality of locations in the system, comprising: means for terminating operation of the system, a plurality of temperature sensing switches positioned to sense temperature at a plurality of locations in the system, each of the temperature-sensing switches Including body means having a fluid inlet port, means for supplying fluid to said fluid inlet port, first outlet port means in said body means, second outlet port means in said body means generally opposed to said first outlet port means, both of said outlet port means positioned to receive fluid from said inlet port, and a temperature responsive bimetallic member for selectively blocking communication between the inlet port and either of the outlet port means, said bimetallic member being positioned to block communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port means in a first temperature range and positioned to block communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port means in a second temperature range, said second temperature range being the higher temperature range, means connecting the second port means of at least one temperature switch with the inlet port means of another temperature switch, one of the outlet port means of the latter temperature switch providing a signal to said system terminating means.

Claim 9

A subsystem for deactivating a system upon the occurrence of excessive temperature at any one of a plurality of locations in the system, comprising: means for terminating operation of the system, a plurality of temperature sensing switches positioned to sense temperature at a plurality of locations in the system, each of the temperature-sensing switches Including body means having a fluid inlet port, means for supplying fluid to said fluid inlet port, first outlet port means in said body means, second outlet port means in said body means generally opposed to said first outlet port means, both of said outlet port means positioned to receive fluid from said inlet port, and a temperature responsive bimetallic member for selectively blocking communication between the inlet port and either of the outlet port means, said bimetallic member being positioned to block communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port means in a first temperature range and positioned to block communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port means in a second temperature range, said second temperature range being the higher temperature range, means connecting the second port means of at least one temperature switch with the inlet port means of another temperature switch, one of the outlet port means of the latter temperature switch providing a signal to said system terminating means.

Claim 10

A subsystem for deactivating a system upon the occurrence of excessive temperature at any one of a plurality of locations in the system as defined in claim 6, including a fluid responsive visual indicating device associated with each temperature switch, the first outlet port means of each switch being connected to direct a fluid signal to the associated indicator, the second outlet port means of at least one switch being connected to direct a fluid signal to the next port of the following switch.

Claim 11

A subsystem for deactivating a system upon the occurrence of excessive temperature at any one of a plurality of locations in the system as defined in claim 7, wherein the one of the outlet port means of said latter switch connected to said system terminating means is the second outlet port means whereby when the temperature of the locations associated with each of said switches is in the first lower range, fluid will flow from the second port means of both the switches and prevent actuation of said system terminating means and when the temperature of the locations associated with either of said switches is in the second temperature range fluid from one of the switches will flow from the associated first port means interrupting flow from the associated second port means thereby actuating the system-terminating means.