Thermally sensitive controls
US6472646B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H37/5409
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermally sensitive, overheat protection control for a thick film electric heater comprises a bimetallic actuator (68) arranged for making good thermal contact with the heater, and a moveable electrical contact (78) for engagement with a contact provided on the heater. The moveable contact (78) is operatively coupled to the bimetallic actuator (68) such that in use upon operation of the actuator, it moves out of engagement with the heater contact to interrupt the electrical supply to the heater. The bimetallic actuator (68) and the moveable contact are mounted on a common generally U-shaped leaf spring (66) which acts in use resiliently to bias the actuator (68) into thermal contact with the heater and the moveable contact (78) into electrical contact therewith. The control also comprises a creep action bimetallic actuator (110) mounting a contact at one end, the actuator acting as a thermostatic control for the heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.