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US 11,143,325 B1Granted
Bimetal valve with integral fuse
AssigneeRobertshaw Controls Company
InventorsMatthew J. Van Fossen, Douglas C. Lanz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bimetal valve has a valve seat movable intermediate a closed and open configuration relative to a port. An arm is connected to the valve seat having at least a bimetal portion. An electric heater selectively applies heat to the bimetal portion to transition the valve from closed to open, with many embodiments being biased in the closed configuration. A built-in fuse is provided in series with the heater between first and second electrical connections providing an electric supply to the electric heater.
Claims20
A valve comprising:
- a valve seat connected to an arm;
- a port, said valve seat moved by the arm intermediate a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein when in said closed configuration, the valve seat contacts the port preventing fluid flow through the port, and when in the open configuration, the valve seat is at least partially displaced from the port thereby permitting the flow of fluid through the port;
- the arm having at least a bimetal portion;
- a heater selectively applying heat to the bimetal portion;
- first and second terminals selectively receiving an electrical voltage from an electrical source in communication with the heater when installed;
- and
- a built-in fuse intermediate the first and second terminals, in series with the heater, whereby if current exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined time, built-in the fuse creates an electrical open between the first and second terminals preventing further heat application from the heater.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.