Patent US2435739A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4115750A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4115750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bimetal actuator
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1975-09-12
•
Granted: 1978-09-19
•
Expires: 1995-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved bimetal actuator is disclosed. A thin film resistor is fixed to the high expansion side of a bimetal element and, when energized, generates sufficient heat to actuate the bimetal. The resistor has a serpentine configuration formed by a continuous series of loops, each successive loop having a greater width from the fixed to the free end of the bimetal, to provide differential heating of the bimetal and thus a greater movement of its free end for the power dissipated in the resistor.
Inventors
- 👤 Niels Junior Hansen
- 👤 John Ambrose Ward
- 👤 William Hintze
- 👤 David Charles Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C7/00; H01C7/22; H01C7/006; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An improved bimetallic actuator including: a bimetallic element comprising two metal members of different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, said bimetallic element adapted to be fixedly mounted by at least one side; and a thin film resistor bonded to the high expansion side of said bimetal, said resistor including a thin film insulating substrate with a non-linear resistive circuit plated thereon in a serpentine configuration formed by a pair of spaced terminals interconnected by a continuous series of loops, each successive loop having a greater width than the preceeding adjacent loop from a first narrow width at the at least one fixed side of the bimetallic element to a second greater width remote from the at least one fixed side, whereby said element is differentially heated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An improved bimetallic actuator including: a bimetallic element comprising two metal members of different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, said bimetallic element adapted to be fixedly mounted by at least one side; and a thin film resistor bonded to the high expansion side of said bimetal, said resistor including a thin film insulating substrate with a non-linear resistive circuit plated thereon in a serpentine configuration formed by a pair of spaced terminals interconnected by a continuous series of loops, each successive loop having a greater width than the preceeding adjacent loop from a first narrow width at the at least one fixed side of the bimetallic element to a second greater width remote from the at least one fixed side, whereby said element is differentially heated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An improved bimetallic actuator according to claim 1, wherein: said resistor comprises an electrolessly deposited continuous nickel phosphorus layer on one side of a polyimide film etched to form the serpentine configuration, and a copper layer on the terminals and those portions of the circuit spanning the ends of the loops whereby sharp corners and thus hot spots are eliminated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved bimetallic actuator according to claim 1 wherein said bimetallic element is rectangularly shaped and mounted in cantilever fashion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A thin film resistor comprising: a thin film of flexible insulative material; a layer of resistive material adhered to said film and defining at least first and second terminals integral with and spaced along an intermediate resistor portion, said resistive material having a predetermined electrical resistance per unit area; and a layer of conductive material adhered to at least said terminals and overlapping adjacent portions of said intermediate resistor portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A thin film resistor comprising: a thin film of flexible insulative material; a layer of resistive material adhered to said film and defining at least first and second terminals integral with and spaced along an intermediate resistor portion, said resistive material having a predetermined electrical resistance per unit area; and a layer of conductive material adhered to at least said terminals and overlapping adjacent portions of said intermediate resistor portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thin film resistor according to claim 4 wherein said thin film is a polyimide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thin film resistor according to claim 4 wherein said layer of resistive material is nickel phosphorus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thin film resistor according to claim 4 wherein said layer of conductive material is copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thin film resistor according to claim 4 wherein said resistive layer comprises a plurality of spaced, parallel straight sections, and said layer of conductive material interconnects alternate adjacent ends of said resistive sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thin film resistor according to claim 7 wherein said insulative material is a flexible plastic material, and said conductive material is copper forming flexible extended terminals.
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) | 1981-09-18 | 1982-03-20 | 1982-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-18 | 1986-03-20 | 1986-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-18 | 1990-03-20 | 1990-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |