Eaton Corporation

Peter G Malone

Peter J Malone

Michael R Thompson

Louis C Lai

A switch assembly having a rocker type actuator user rotatable for sequentially actuating plural switches. The rocker contacts, off center a lever beam supported at its end by plungers disposed to actuate the individual membrane switches or optical activators. User applications of an initial force to the rocker causes the lever beam to pivot about the remote plunger for actuation of the switch closest to the rocker contact point. After actuation of the closest switch, user application of a greater force continues rotation of the rocker to cause the lever beam to pivot about the closest plunger for causing actuation of the remote switch. Overtravel is shared by beam deflection of the lever and columnar compression of cylindrical tower portions of the resilient membranes.

Switch assembly including sequential switch rocker/lever operating

A switch assembly of the type having a rocker actuator user rotatable in opposite directions from a neutral position for alternate actuation of individual switches on opposite sides of the rocker each having a moveable actuator member movement of which by the rocker effects actuation of the switches. The rocker has a plurality of arcuately spaced recesses which are resiliently engaged to detent the rocker in a neutral and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the recesses engage a resilient wire beam spring extending parallel to the rocker axis. In another embodiment, the recesses are formed on a portion of the rocker which resiliently deflects to permit engagement and disengagement with a stationary pivot surface. In another embodiment, recesses in the rocker are engaged by a detent surface provided on a stationary resiliently deflectable beam extending at right angles to the rocker axis.

Multiple switch assembly with detented rocker actuator

A refrigerant expansion valve has a pressure-responsive diaphragm forming a wall of a fluid filled chamber. The diaphragm is connected to one end of an actuator rod incorporating a hollow with a closed end opposite and operative to move a valve member for controlling flow between an inlet and outlet. The actuator member has the hollow communicating with the fluid filled chamber and its external surface exposed to return refrigerant flow. Fluid communications between the hollow of the actuator member and the fluid filled chamber is restricted by an orifice in a plug in the open end of the hollow to dampen the effects of sudden temperature changes of the return flow over the hollow. Preferably, the actuator member, plug, and diaphragm are commonly clamped, sealed, and welded together.

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Park Ridge, IL, United States of America

Peter G Malone