Cutout start switch heating

Claim 2

A motor start switch for an electric motor, the motor including a run winding, a start winding, and a run capacitor electrically connected to one another, said start switch comprising: a temperature responsive resistor element electrically connected in series with the start winding, said temperature responsive resistor element being heated by current running therethrough; and a cutout switch electrically connected in series with the start winding, said cutout switch comprising a bimetal element, said bimetal element in heat transfer relationship with said temperature responsive resistor element such that said cutout switch and said temperature responsive resistor element are in series and in direct thermal contact, said bimetal element deflecting at a predetermined temperature to put the start winding and the temperature responsive resistor element in open circuit relation with respect to a power source; and at least one pressure plate coupled to at least one of said temperature responsive resistor element and said cutout switch.

Claim 3

A switch in accord with claim 1 wherein said bimetal element is integral to said temperature responsive resistor element.

Claim 4

A switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pressure plate contacting said temperature responsive resistor element.

Claim 5

A start switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein the motor further includes an overload protector, said bimetal element in heat transfer relationship with said overload protector.

Claim 6

A start switch in accordance with claim 4 wherein the overload protector comprises a housing, said bimetal element in thermal contact with the overload protector housing.

Claim 7

A start switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cutout switch is operable between a closed position in which said bimetal element completes an electrical circuit through said cutout switch, and an open position in which said bimetal element breaks an electrical connection through said cutout switch, such that current flows through said bimetal element when said bimetal element is in said open position.

Claim 8

A motor start switch for an electric motor, the motor including a run winding, a start winding and an overload protector, the overload protector comprising a heating element, said start switch comprising: a temperature responsive resistor element electrically connected in series with the start winding; a cutout switch comprising a bimetal element, the cutout switch electrically connected in series with said temperature responsive resistor element and the start winding, said bimetal element receiving heat from said temperature responsive resistor element and the overload protector heating element, such that said cutout switch and said temperature responsive resistor element are in series and in direct thermal contact, said bimetal element deflecting at a predetermined temperature to put the start winding and the temperature responsive resistor element in open circuit relation with respect to a power source; and at least one pressure plate coupled to at least one of said temperature responsive resistor element and said cutout switch.

Claim 9

A motor start switch for an electric motor, the motor including a run winding, a start winding and an overload protector, the overload protector comprising a heating element, said start switch comprising: a temperature responsive resistor element electrically connected in series with the start winding; a cutout switch comprising a bimetal element, the cutout switch electrically connected in series with said temperature responsive resistor element and the start winding, said bimetal element receiving heat from said temperature responsive resistor element and the overload protector heating element, such that said cutout switch and said temperature responsive resistor element are in series and in direct thermal contact, said bimetal element deflecting at a predetermined temperature to put the start winding and the temperature responsive resistor element in open circuit relation with respect to a power source; and at least one pressure plate coupled to at least one of said temperature responsive resistor element and said cutout switch.

Claim 10

A motor start switch in accordance with claim 7 wherein said at least one pressure plate contacting said temperature responsive resistor element.

Claim 11

A motor start switch in accordance with claim 7 wherein said at least one pressure plate contacting said cutout switch.

Claim 12

A motor start switch in accordance with claim 9 wherein the overload protector heating element is surrounded by an overload protector housing, and said cutout switch is positioned in thermal contact with the overload protector housing.

Claim 13

A motor start switch in accordance with claim 9 wherein said cutout switch is positioned between said overload protector heating element and said temperature responsive resistor element.

Claim 14

A start switch in accordance with claim 7 wherein said cutout switch is operable between a closed position in which said bimetal element completes an electrical circuit through said cutout switch, and an open position in which said bimetal element breaks an electrical connection through said cutout switch, such that current flows through said bimetal element when said bimetal element is in said open position.

Claim 17

A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the bimetal cutout switch includes a bimetal element, said method further comprising the step of electrically connecting the bimetal cutout switch in series with the run winding such that the bimetal cutout switch has an open position in which an electrical connection through the switch is broken, and current flows through the bimetal element when the bimetal cutout switch is in the open position.

Claim 18

A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the motor includes an overload protector heating element electrically connected in series with the start winding and the run winding, said method further comprising the step of positioning the cutout switch in thermal contact with the overload protector heating element so that the bimetal element receives heat from the temperature responsive resistor element.

Claim 19

A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the motor further includes a run capacitor electrically connected in series with the start winding, said method further comprising the step of utilizing the start winding as an auxiliary winding when the bimetal cutout switch is in the open position.

Claim 20

A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of electrically connecting the temperature responsive resistor element comprises mounting the temperature responsive resistor element in contact with at least one pressure plate.

Claim 21

A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the step of electrically connecting the temperature responsive resistor element comprises positioning the temperature responsive resistor element between two pressure plates.

Claim 22

A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein said step of mounting the bimetal cutout switch and the temperature responsive resistor comprises the step of mounting the bimetal cutout switch so that the bimetal cutout switch contacts the temperature responsive resistor.