GAS/ELECTRIC CONTROL MECHANISM

• US 3,810,249 A
• Filed: 02/14/1972
• Issued: 05/07/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eric Mcgowan
• Original Assignee: Eric Mcgowan
• Inventors: McGowan, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Albritton, C. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/226,046
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 219/279 62/148,236,497 126/127,247 236/15A,99B 337/306,333,417
• US Class Current: 392/307
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/04 for sorption type machines, plants or systems

Abstract

A control mechanism particularly for use with an absorption-type refrigerator of the kind which has provision for heating powered both by gas and by electricity, either of which may be used to the exclusion of the other. The control mechanism operates both an electrical switch for the electricity power and a gas valve for the gas supply by a common mechanical linkage under the influence of a temperature sensor, so that whichever heating method is selected the control mechanism needs no adjustment.

Claims

1. A control mechanism comprising a mechanical linkage, a temperature-sensitive device which is positioned to operate said mechanical linkage, a gas-valve-operating member located to be operated by said mechanical linkage, a manually-operable lever also located to operate said gas-valve-operating member, a pilotvalve-operating member located to be operated by said manuallyoperable lever, an electrical-ignition operating member located to be operated by said manually-operable lever and an electricswitch-operating member located to be operated by said mechanical linkage.

2. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical linkage includes an L-shaped pivoted lever having one arm contacting said temperature-sensitive device and another arm contacting said gas-valve-operating member.

3. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical linkage includes a snap-action spring means which contacts said electric-switch-operating member.

4. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, including a spring means operatively connected to said mechanical linkage to oppose operation thereof by said temperature-sensitive device, tension-adjusting means operating on said spring means, and a spring resistance located to oppose manual operation of said manually-operable lever.

5. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 4, including a manual rotatable member operating said tension-adjusting means, and a manual push button operating said manually-operable lever, said rotatable member and said button being concentrically arranged on the exterior of the control mechanism.

6. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said manual rotatable member is operatively connected to rotate a cam means comprising said tension-adjusting means.

7. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said gas-valve-operating member is also operated by said snap-action spring.

8. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein said gas-valve-operating member and said electric-switch-operating member each comprise respective push rods both located to be contacted by a pivoted lever operated by said snap-action spring, said pivoted lever forming part of the mechanical linkage.