Thermal actuator

• US 5,892,428 A
• Filed: 07/27/1998
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cheng Chao Hsu
• Original Assignee: Cheng Chao Hsu
• Inventors: Hsu, Cheng Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/122,371
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 337/333, 337/318, 337/365, 337/390, 337/53, 337/89, 337/131, 337/362, 337/363, 337/77, 337/141
• US Class Current: 337/363
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/52 actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 61/02 wherein the thermally-sensitive member is heated indirectly, e.g. resistively, inductively

Abstract

A thermal actuator includes a thermal detector, an actuator unit and a connecting circuit for electrically connecting the thermal detector and the actuator unit. When a second contact member is normally remained uncontact with a first contact member of the thermal detector, the thermal actuator is an open circuit and not function. However, when the second contact member bends to contact with the first contact member due to an overheated or over-cold temperature around the thermal detector, the thermal actuator is in a close circuit and the electric current flows to an actuator unit thereof. A heat wire wrapped around an actuating piece of the actuator unit generates heat to increase the temperature around the actuating piece. When the temperature around the actuating piece increases to a predetermined extent, the actuating piece bends so as to provide an actuating action. If the actuator unit is installed close to a switch or a breaker, the actuating action of the actuating piece can activate the switch to turn off or the jumper of the breaker to cut the electric supply.

Claims

1. A thermal actuator, comprising:

a thermal detector which comprises a first contact member made of electrical conducting material, a second contact member made of thermostatic metal and an insulating connector connected between a connecting end of said second contact member and said first contact member, wherein said second contact member which is normally remained not in contact with said first contact member has a contact end which would bend towards and press against said first contact member when said temperature around said thermal detector reaches a predetermined temperature;

an actuator unit which comprises an actuating piece made of thermostatic metal strip, a conducting terminal piece connected to said actuating piece, an insulating sleeve covering a portion of said actuating piece, and an electrical heat wire wrapping around said insulating sleeve which has one end connected to said actuating piece; and

a connecting circuit which comprises a first conducting wire connected between said first contact member of said thermal detector and said conducting terminal piece of said actuator unit, a first terminal, a second conducting wire connected between said second contact member of said thermal detector and said first terminal, a second terminal electrically connected with another end of said electrical heat wire.

2. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, wherein an end of said first contact member protrudes a first contact point facing to said second contact member and said second contact member has a contact end which protrudes a contact point aligning with said first contact point and facing to said first contact member.

3. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, wherein on said second contact member, a circular concave groove is formed, so that when said second contact member is heated by a hot surrounding, said circular concave groove ensures said contact end of said second contact member bending toward said first contact member.

4. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 2, wherein on said second contact member, a circular concave groove is formed, so that when said second contact member is heated by a hot surrounding, said circular concave groove ensures said contact end of said second contact member bending toward said first contact member.

5. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first contact member is an electrical contact terminal connected to said first conducting wire and mounted on said insulating connector which is L-shaped and that said second contact member has two downwardly indented side strips connected to a flat central strip, and a contact point which is connected to a front end of said flat central strip.

6. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, wherein said second actuating piece is S-shaped and connected to said second conducting wire, and said first contact member is an electrical contact connected to said first conducting wire.

7. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, wherein said second actuating piece is in U-shaped and connected to said second conducting wire, and said second contact member further has a contact point connected to a front end thereof, said first contact member being an electrical contact connected to said first conducting wire.

8. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

9. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

10. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 3, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

11. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

12. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 5, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

13. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 6, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.

14. A thermal actuator, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a quick connector said quick connector comprising a first and a second terminal connector, wherein said first terminal connector is connected with said first contact member through a first segment of said first conducting wire and said second terminal connector is connected with said conducting terminal piece through a second segment of said first conducting wire.