Overload protector with control element
AssigneeTecumseh Products Company
InventorKent B. Herrick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hermetic compressor is disclosed having an electric motor, a compressor unit, and an overload protector within a hermetically sealed housing. The overload protector includes a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to the electric motor, a heater element thermally coupled to the switching device, and a control circuit controlling the heater element. The overload protector allows the disconnection of power to the motor due to factors and conditions specified in the remotely located control circuit.
Claims19
An overload protector coupled to an electric motor comprising:
- a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to a mains circuit of the electric motor, said switching device including a first heater element;
- a second heater element thermally coupled to said switching device;
- and
- a control circuit connected to and activating said second heater element.
The overload protector of claim I further comprising a second heater element thermally coupled to and electrically connected in series with said switching device.
A hermetic compressor comprising:
- a hermetically sealed housing;
- an electric motor disposed in said housing and having a stator and rotor;
- a compressor unit disposed in said housing and driven by said motor;
- and
- an overload protector comprising:
- a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to said electric motor, said switching device including a first heater element;
- a second heater element thermally coupled to said switching device;
- and
- a control circuit connected to and activating said second heater element.
A hermetic compressor comprising:
- a hermetically sealed housing;
- an electric motor disposed in said housing and having a plurality of windings;
- a compressor unit disposed in said housing and, driven by said motor;
- a contactor module electrically connected to said electric motor and having a thermally activated switching device for selectively providing current to said electric motor and at least one heater element thermally coupled to said switching device;
- and
- a control assembly electrically connected to said contactor module and having a heater element control circuit for activating said heater element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.