Method and apparatus for preventing cooktop fires
US10816216B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2213/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power circuit for controlling power to a heating element includes an electric resistive element and a thermal switch assembly in series. The thermal switch assembly includes a first contact connected to the electric resistive element, a second contact, and a bimetal element configured to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second contacts. The bimetal element establishing an electrical connection between the first and second contacts when a temperature of the bimetal element is below a predetermined cut-off temperature, and no longer electrically connecting the first and second contacts when the bimetal element is at or above the predetermined cut-off temperature. A first voltage is applied to the electric resistive element when the bimetal element electrically connects the first and second contacts and a second voltage, lower than the first voltage, is applied to the electric resistive element when the bimetal element electrically disconnects the first and second contacts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.