Robertshaw Controls Company

Other

Robertshaw Controls Corp.

David D Martin

Douglas W Ray

Thomas M Buckshaw

Gregory Barnes

Jon Skekloff

Eric V Russ

A novel shape memory alloy electrical switch is disclosed, including both momentary and especially a latching relay. The switch/relay disclosed is particularly useful in low power control of appliances, including i.a. refrigerators. Used with a microprocessor, microcontroller, or like device to control the shape memory alloy switch/relay, an adaptive control routine may be included which facilitates an especially low-power dissipation, highly effective appliance control module, especially suitable for refrigerators. The disclosed refrigerator control module can be manufactured at low cost with high reliability.

Switch and relay using shape memory alloy

Adaptive appliance control module including switching relay

Adaptive control module using shape memory alloy

Control module using shape memory alloy

A fluid control assembly that includes fluid valving, fluid regulation, automatic safety shut-off valving and manual shut-off valving in one assembly, a novel fluid control unit that integrates the above functions in one unit, and a novel ignitor and a novel seal and diaphragm for use in the assembly.

Fluid control assembly

A novel valving assembly that provides redundant control, eliminates separate gasketing, and assures proper valve seating, which includes a dual valve disk construction having a laterally extending integral web membrane.

Valving assembly

A cooking apparatus, a latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the latching construction comprising a frame carrying a movable latch member and a drive unit operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the latching and unlatching positions thereof, the drive unit comprising a cylinder having opposite ends and a movable piston extending from one of the opposite ends and being operatively interconnected to the latch member, the drive unit having an actuator to extend the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member to its latching position thereof and to retract the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member to the non-latching position thereof.

Cooking apparatus, latching construction therefor and methods of making

A refrigerator system, a control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a housing having a valve seat and a movable valve member being adapted to open and close the valve seat, the housing having a substantially straight angled edge and the valve member having an end edge that is adapted to pivot on the angled edge, the end edge of the valve member comprising a pair of pivot parts respectively disposed at the opposite ends of the end edge thereof in spaced apart relation and being the only parts of the end edge thereof that engage the angled edge of the housing to pivot thereon.

Refrigerator system, a control device therefor and methods of making the

A cooking apparatus, a latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the latching construction comprising a frame carrying a movable latch member and a drive unit operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the latching and unlatching positions thereof, the drive unit comprising a cylinder having opposite ends and a movable piston extending from one of the opposite ends and being operatively interconnected to the latch member, the drive unit having an actuator to extend the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member from its non-latching position thereof to its latching position thereof when the actuator is first actuated for a door locking operation thereof, the drive unit having an additional unit adapted to cause the piston to be retracted after the latch member has been moved to the latching position thereof by the first activation of the actuating unit while maintaining the latch member in its latching position until the actuating means is again actuated.

A combination of a fuel manifold and a plurality of like fuel control devices mounted thereto, a manifold for such a combination and methods of making the same are provided, the combination comprising a fuel manifold having a fuel receiving chamber therein and a plurality of like fuel control devices mounted to the manifold and having inlet projections extending into the manifold to receive fuel from the chamber thereof, the manifold having a pair of opposed spaced apart substantially flat front and rear walls and a pair of opposed spaced apart substantially flat side walls interconnecting the front and rear walls together, one of the side walls having a plurality of spaced apart openings therethrough and through which the inlet projections of the control devices respectively extend, the side walls being spaced apart a distance that will permit two of the control devices to have the inlet projections thereof respectively extend through aligned openings in the side walls so that two of the control devices can be respectively mounted to the manifold in aligned relation on opposite sides thereof.

Combination of a fuel manifold and a plurality of like fuel control

A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm between operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm is moved to the positions thereof, the switch arm carrying two springs for respectively engaging the housing when the switch arm is the different operating positions thereof.

Temperature operated switch construction and method of making the same

A control device, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a housing having an external peripheral surface, a control unit disposed in the housing, a bulb disposed external to the housing and remote therefrom, a capillary tube interconnecting the bulb to the control unit, fastening structure securing a part of the capillary tube to the external peripheral surface of the housing, and a sleeve of material telescoped on the capillary tube and having opposed ends one of which is disposed adjacent the fastening structure and the other of which is located between the bulb and the one of the ends thereof, one of the capillary tube and the fastening structure comprising expanding structure that outwardly expanded the one of the ends of the sleeve after the one of the ends of the sleeve had been forced onto at least part of the expanding structure so that the one of the ends of the sleeve is held on the expanding structure.

Growing community of inventors

Dunbar, PA, United States of America

David D Martin