Condition responsive switching apparatus

A condition responsive switching apparatus comprising:

• a first set of switching contacts adapted for movement between open and closed positions;
• a second set of switching contacts adapted for movement between open and closed positions;
• contact operator means for effecting the opening and closing of the first set of switching contacts and of the second set of switching contacts, the contact operator means including means for producing a snap action increment of movement of the operator means which effects the opening or closing of one of the first and second sets of switching contacts;
• condition responsive means for effecting movement of the contact operator means in response to predetermined sensed conditions;
• and
• means for absorbing the energy of the contact operator means as it moves in the snap action increment without restraining the operator means from effecting the opening or closing of the other of the first and second sets of switching contacts, the energy absorbing means including a resilient member biased with a preload force to oppose motion of the contact operator means beyond the snap action increment until the preload force is overcome.

A control system for an appliance operatively connected to a circuit for providing cooling to the appliance and an alarm circuit for generating an indication of an over-temperature condition of the appliance, the control system comprising:

• at least one control contact electrically connected for selectively energizing and de-energizing a compressor and supported for movement between open and closed circuit positions;
• temperature responsive force producing means, operatively connected to a temperature sensor, for producing a temperature responsive force;
• mannually adjustable force providing means for providing an adjustable force based on a manual setting to oppose or assist the force developed by the temperature responsive force producing means;
• contact operator means and a snap acting toggle device arranged for co-acting with one another and for producing snap action incremental movement of the contact operator means in two different directions, the contact operator means being stopped in at least one of the two different directions;
• force transfer means, operatively connecting the temperature responsive force producing means and the manually adjustable force providing means to the contact operator means, for effecting snap-action incremental movement of the contact operator means based on a sensed temperature and the manual setting;
• said control contact means being moved between open and closed circuit positions by the snap action incremental movement of the contact operator means;
• and
• alarm contacts arranged foir selectively activating and inactivating an alarm circuit, said alarm contacts being urged to a closed circuit condition in response to force produced by the temperature responsive force producing means in excess of the force of the temperature responsive force producing means that triggers snap-action movement of the contact operator means.