Thermostat device

• US 5,194,842 A
• Filed: 12/18/1989
• Issued: 03/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hensley, deceased, Mark A., Cohen, legal representative, by Lawrence S., Lau, Eric F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Harold
• Application Number:
  US07/452,537
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 337/111, 337/88, 337/373, 337/3, 335/205-207
• US Class Current: 337/373
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0006 Permanent magnet actuating reed switches H01H35/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/12 Means for adjustment of "on" or "off" operating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/56 having spirally wound or helically wound bimetallic element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/68 sealed in evacuated or gas-filled tube

Abstract

A thermostat device having a temperature responsive bimetal which permits movement of a permanent magnet between two fixed points to activate a reed switch element. The device includes a magnetic shunt for effecting a positive off position.

Claims

1. A thermostat device comprising;

a base of insulating material;

a post secured in said base;

a spiral bimetal, one end mounted on said post and the other end movable between two fixed points in response to ambient temperature;

a magnet mounted on said other end and movable between said two fixed points;

electrical terminals mounted in said base;

a reed switch mounted in said terminals, said reed switch being positioned to be activated by said magnet when said magnet is at one of said two fixed points;

an adjusting lever secured to said post for adjusting the temperature response of said bimetal; and

an off lever being mounted on said base and having a magnetic shunt portion movable to prevent activation of said reed switch by said magnet.

2. The device according to claim 1 including an on pin positioned in one of said fixed points, and an off pin positioned in the other of said fixed points.

3. The device according to claim 1 including a non-metallic retaining pin to prevent displacement of said magnet from between said fixed points.

4. A thermostat device comprising:

a base and removable cover made of insulating material;

a post secured in said base;

a spiral bimetal, one end mounted on said post and the other end movable in response to ambient temperature;

a magnet mounted on said other end and movable between two pins mounted in said base;

terminal means in said base and a reed switch mounted in said terminal means, said reed switch being positioned adjacent said pins and being activated by said magnet when sad magnet is located at one of said two pins;

an adjusting lever secured to said post for adjusting the temperature response of said bimetal; and

an off lever being mounted on said base and having a magnetic shunt portion movable to a position between said magnet and reed switch to prevent activation of said reed switch by said magnet.

5. The device according to claim 4 including a non-metallic retaining pin to prevent displacement of said magnet from between said two pins.

6. In combination:

an insulating base;

a post secured in said base;

a spiral bimetal, one end mounted on said post and the other end movable in response to ambient temperature;

a magnet mounted in a vertical plane on said other end and movable between first and second positions;

a pair of electrical terminals mounted in said base;

a reed switch being horizontally mounted in said pair of terminals and positioned adjacent said pins to be activated by said magnet when said magnet is at one of said two positions;

an adjusting lever secured to said post for adjusting the temperature response of said bimetal;

an off lever being mounted on said base and having a magnetic shunt portion movable to prevent activation of said reed switch by said magnet; and

a non-metallic retaining pin to prevent displacement of said magnet from between said first and second positions.