US3758030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermovalve-electric switch apparatus
Assignee: FLUIDTECH CORP
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Filing: 1971-12-07
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract In the present invention, a pair of valves and an electric switch are controlled by the same bi-metallic strip, with the result that the operation of the switch and the operation of the valves are inter-related. The device basically comprises a coiled bi-metal strip fixed at one end and whose other end is coupled to a flat plate. The plate rests on a member containing the valve orifices, which are covered or uncovered by the plate as it moves horizontally in one direction or another as the bi-metal coil rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in response to changes in ambient temperature conditions. Mounted on the bimetal strip is a mercury switch whose angular position is made adjustable so that it can be made to operate at specified temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 G Osheroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:52
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B1/00; H05B1/02; H05B1/0202; H05B1/0213; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86558
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A thermovalve-electric switch apparatus comprising: a housing wall; a member having a pair of valving orifices therethrough mounted on one surface of said wall, the top surface of said member being flat with the entrance ports to said orifices lying in said top surface, said member including a slot located between said entrance ports that extends downward from said top surface only partially through said member, said wall including means for coupling the exit ports of said orifices through said wall to the other side thereof; a plate slidably resting on said top surface, the dimensions of said plate being sufficient to just completely cover both said entrance ports when said plate is centered therebetween, said plate having a slit therethrough between the ends thereof; a coiled bi-metallic temperature-sensitive element mounted in the space above said plate, the center of said coil being fixedly coupled to said wall and the other end thereof being free and extending linearly downward through the slit in said plate and into said slot, the space between said plate and said element containing no other parts; and a mercury switch, positioned in a substantially horizontal direction, coupled to said temperature-sensitive element and movable therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A thermovalve-electric switch apparatus comprising: a housing wall; a member having a pair of valving orifices therethrough mounted on one surface of said wall, the top surface of said member being flat with the entrance ports to said orifices lying in said top surface, said member including a slot located between said entrance ports that extends downward from said top surface only partially through said member, said wall including means for coupling the exit ports of said orifices through said wall to the other side thereof; a plate slidably resting on said top surface, the dimensions of said plate being sufficient to just completely cover both said entrance ports when said plate is centered therebetween, said plate having a slit therethrough between the ends thereof; a coiled bi-metallic temperature-sensitive element mounted in the space above said plate, the center of said coil being fixedly coupled to said wall and the other end thereof being free and extending linearly downward through the slit in said plate and into said slot, the space between said plate and said element containing no other parts; and a mercury switch, positioned in a substantially horizontal direction, coupled to said temperature-sensitive element and movable therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the width of said slot is substantially equal to the sum of the widths of said entrance ports and wherein said apparatus further includes additional means for tilting said mercury switch from the horizontal for adjustment thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus deFined in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes means for increasing the sensitivity of the apparatus to changes in ambient temperature conditions, said means including friction-reducing means mounted between said plate and top surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the location and dimensions of said slot are such that one of said entrance ports is covered and a predetermined portion of the other of said entrance ports is uncovered by said plate when the end of said temperature-sensitive element that extends into said slot abuts against one side thereof, and such that said other entrance port is covered and a predetermined portion of said one entrance port is uncovered by said plate when the end of said temperature-setting element that extends into said slot abuts against the other side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the thermovalve further includes a mechanism mounted between said housing wall and said member for biasing said coiled bi-metallic element to pre-set the temperature of the thermovalve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said plate is coated with a friction-reducing substance on the side thereof facing said member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said entrance ports are of equal size and said slot is located midway therebetween, wherein said plate covers both said entrance ports when said other end of said bi-metallic strip is positioned midway between the sides of said slot, and wherein said plate just fully uncovers one or the other of said entrance ports as said other end of the bi-metallic strip respectively abuts against one or the other of the sides of said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said additional means includes a generally U-shaped bracket, one side thereof being coupled to the free end of said coil and said mercury switch being mounted on the other side thereof, and a device for varying the spacing between said bracket sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said device is a screw extending through said coil end and the bracket side coupled thereto to the other of said bracket sides.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |