Patent US3676817A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3676817A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable thermostat
Assignee: Therm O Disc Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable thermostat in which an adjusting spring applies an adjustable force to a bimetal snap disc. The adjusting spring is also formed of bimetal and its temperature induced forces add to the temperature induced forces of the disc so that the sum thereof is available for switch operation. The spring rate of the adjusting spring can be adjusted by moving a fulcrum lengthwise of the adjusting spring to provide the thermostat with the desired differential temperature in operation. Such differential temperature adjustment does not materially alter the temperature adjusting range provided by a cam which engages the end of the adjusting spring. The bimetal snap disc is supported in a cup element having cam surfaces along one side so that the position of the snap disc is adjusted by rotating the support cup, thus minimizing or reducing the necessity of selective fitting of the thermostat elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard W Bletz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/02; H01H37/32; H01H37/52; H01H37/54; H01H37/12; H01H37/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An adjustable thermostat comprising a body assembly, a bimetallic snap disc in said body assembly having an operating portion movable with snap action between first and second positions of stability in response to temperature changes, said disc having a negative spring rate between said positions, switch means on said body assembly operatively connected to said operating portion of said disc opening and closing in response to movement of said portion between said positions, an adjustable spring means having a positive spring rate applying a spring force to said snap disc in all positions of said portion between said first and second positions urging said portion toward said first position, said adjustable spring means including first adjustment means operable to change the value of said positive spring rate, and second adjustment means operable to change the value of said spring force, said positive spring rate having an absolute value less than the absolute value of said negative spring rate of said disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An adjustable thermostat comprising a body assembly, a bimetallic snap disc in said body assembly having an operating portion movable with snap action between first and second positions of stability in response to temperature changes, said disc having a negative spring rate between said positions, switch means on said body assembly operatively connected to said operating portion of said disc opening and closing in response to movement of said portion between said positions, an adjustable spring means having a positive spring rate applying a spring force to said snap disc in all positions of said portion between said first and second positions urging said portion toward said first position, said adjustable spring means including first adjustment means operable to change the value of said positive spring rate, and second adjustment means operable to change the value of said spring force, said positive spring rate having an absolute value less than the absolute value of said negative spring rate of said disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thermostat is free of positive restraints limiting the movement of said portion between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 2 wherein said disc is supported at its periphery in said body assembly and said portion of said disc is the central portion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 3 wherein adjustment of said first adjustment means has substantially no affect on the operation of said second adjustment means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 4 wherein adjustment of said second adjustment means has substantially no affect on said positive spring rate of said spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spring means provides a single spring and said first and second adjusting means both adjust said single spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring means provides a leaf spring, one end of which is operatively connected to said central portion of said disc for applying said spring force thereto, said first adjustment means engages said spring intermediate its ends, and said second adjustment means engages the other end of said spring, said first adjustment means being adjustable lengthwise of said spring and said second adjustment means being adjustable in a direction substantially normal to said spring. 8. An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 7 wherein said leaf spring is formed of bimetal material arranged so that the thermally induced force of said spring augments the thermally induced force of said disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein adjustment of said first adjustment means has substantially no affect on operation of said second adjustment means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 9 wherein adjustment of said second adjustment means has substantially no affect on said positive spring rate of said spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 10 wherein said spring means provides a single spring and said first and second adjustment means both adjust said single spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spring means provides a leaf spring, one end of which is operatively connected to said central portion of said disc for applying said spring force thereto, said first adjustment means engages said spring intermediate its ends, and said second adjustment means engages the other end of said spring, said first adjustment means being adjustable lengthWise of said spring and said second adjustment means being adjustable in a direction substantially normal to said spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An adjustable thermostat as set forth in claim 12 wherein said leaf spring is formed of bimetal material arranged so that the thermally induced force of said spring augments the thermally induced force of said disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermostat comprising a body, switch means on said body, a bimetallic snap disc on said body movable with snap action between two positions of stability, operator means operably connected between said disc and switch means operating said switch means in response to movement of said disc, and a bimetal spring on said body, said bimetal spring and said bimetal disc each producing a force change in response to temperature changes thereof, said bimetal spring and bimetal disc being interconnected so that said force changes are additive and the sum thereof is available for the operation of said switch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermostat comprising a body, switch means on said body, a bimetallic snap disc on said body movable with snap action between two positions of stability, operator means operably connected between said disc and switch means operating said switch means in response to movement of said disc, and a bimetal spring on said body, said bimetal spring and said bimetal disc each producing a force change in response to temperature changes thereof, said bimetal spring and bimetal disc being interconnected so that said force changes are additive and the sum thereof is available for the operation of said switch means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermostat as set forth in claim 14 wherein said bimetal spring is connected to apply a spring force to said disc, and first adjustment means are provided to adjust said spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermostat as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first adjustment means adjusts the spring rate of said spring force applied to said bimetal disc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermostat as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first adjustment means adjusts the spring force of said spring applied to said disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A thermostat as set forth in claim 17 wherein second adjustment means are provided to adjust the spring rate of the spring force applied to said disc by said spring without materially altering the range of said first adjustment means.
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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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |