Patent US3665156A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3665156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating-element protector for electric water-heater
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-08
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A device for preventing electrical energy flow to a water heating element when an insufficient amount of water is in contact with the element for absorbing the heat generated. The device or element protector is coupled to an exit pipe which extends into the heating tank immediately above the heating element. Normally open contact switches within the protector allow electrical energy flow to the element only when water covers the element and has entered the protector causing a diaphragm and a movable structure to force the switches closed. A helical spring and snap disc are employed to allow the switches to close and open at different pressure points. Means are provided to adjust the spring for different operating pressures. A float and chamber within the protector prevent switch activation when water does not cover the heating element.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert P Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/24; H01H35/26; H01H35/30; H01H35/34; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3084; Y10T137/309; Y10T137/3099
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Protector apparatus for the electric heater element of a liquid storage and heating tank and comprising: a closed liquid storage tank having an electric heating element therein and having an inlet for flowing water under pressure thereinto; mounting means readily connectable to a liquid conduit fitting of said tank, said mounting means being located externally of said tank; a float chamber on said mounting means and communicating with said fitting, said chamber Having a vent to atmosphere and having a float therein operable upon flotation by liquid to close said vent, said chamber being disposed above the elevation of said element and receiving liquid from said tank only when said element is below the surface level of the liquid in said tank; electric switch means on said mounting means and normally open during absence of pressure in said tank; switch operator means coupled to said switch means and communicating with said chamber and operable in response to attainment of a predetermined moderate positive gauge pressure in said chamber to close said electric switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Protector apparatus for the electric heater element of a liquid storage and heating tank and comprising: a closed liquid storage tank having an electric heating element therein and having an inlet for flowing water under pressure thereinto; mounting means readily connectable to a liquid conduit fitting of said tank, said mounting means being located externally of said tank; a float chamber on said mounting means and communicating with said fitting, said chamber Having a vent to atmosphere and having a float therein operable upon flotation by liquid to close said vent, said chamber being disposed above the elevation of said element and receiving liquid from said tank only when said element is below the surface level of the liquid in said tank; electric switch means on said mounting means and normally open during absence of pressure in said tank; switch operator means coupled to said switch means and communicating with said chamber and operable in response to attainment of a predetermined moderate positive gauge pressure in said chamber to close said electric switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said mounting means include pipe threads connectable to standard pipe fittings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said switch operator means is operable in response to a predetermined positive gauge pressure in said chamber somewhat lower than said moderate pressure to open said electric switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said switch operator means has a movable structure for operating said electric switch means, and a diaphragm supporting said structure and sealably covering a cavity connected to said chamber; and said diaphragm receives pressure from said chamber via said cavity and transmits force to said movable structure to operate said electric switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising: a spring on said mounting means; and an element having a first and second given configuration being reversibly changeable from the one configuration to the other configuration by force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said element changes configuration as a result of force applied from said movable structure and said spring, thereby allowing said movable structure to operate said electric switch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising: adjusting means for changing the force applied by said spring to said element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising: a container for housing said electric switch means; a hydraulic assembly for housing said float chamber and float; said diaphragm being fastened between said container and said hydraulic assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |