Heater control system and methods of making
AssigneeRobertshaw Controls Company
InventorJay Katchka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heater control system, parts therefor, and methods of making them are disclosed. The heater control system includes a fuel control unit having a thermocouple operated unit in the housing thereof, which has an opening therein leading to the thermocouple operated unit. The tip or end of the thermocouple device is secured in the opening for operative connection to the thermocouple operated unit. The thermocouple device has a unique securing structure which permits the end thereof to be axially moved from outside the housing to a certain desired axial position within the opening and cooperates with a unique securing structure on the housing to secure the end of the thermocouple device in the certain desired axial position.
Claims21
A control system comprising:
- a housing including an opening therein;
- a thermocouple operated unit enclosed in the housing;
- a thermocouple having an end adapted for operative connection to the thermocouple unit, the end being disposed in said housing;
- a first securing device associated with the housing;
- and
- a second securing device associated with the thermocouple end;
- wherein the second securing device is axially movable to a certain axial position within the housing to cooperate and mate with the first securing device to secure the thermocouple end in the certain axial position;
- wherein the first securing device is carried by the housing and has a washer-like shape with an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge forming a central aperture adapted to receive the second securing device;
- and
- wherein the second securing device includes an engagement portion movable with respect to the end, further including a spring element carried by the end and disposed between the end and the engagement portion the spring element being adapted to urge the engagement portion against the inner peripheral edge of the first securing device.
A control system comprising:
- a control unit having a housing including an opening therein;
- a thermocouple operated unit enclosed in the housing;
- a thermocouple having an end adapted for operative connection to the thermocouple unit, the end being disposed in said housing;
- a first securing device associated with the housing;
- and
- a second securing device associated with the thermocouple end;
- wherein the second securing device is axially movable to a certain axial position within the housing to cooperate and mate with the first securing device to secure the thermocouple end in the certain axial position;
- wherein the first securing device is carried by the housing and has a washer-like shape with an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge forming a central aperture adapted to receive the second securing device;
- and
- wherein the second securing device includes an engagement portion movable with respect to the end, further including a spring element carried by the end and disposed between the end and the engagement portion, the spring element being adapted to urge the engagement portion against the inner peripheral edge of the first securing device.
A thermocouple for use in a control system including a control unit having a housing including an opening therein and a thermocouple operated unit enclosed in the housing, said thermocouple comprising:
- a flame-sensing element having an end adapted for operative connection to the thermocouple unit, the end being disposed in said housing;
- a first securing device associated with the housing;
- and
- a second securing device associated with the thermocouple end;
- wherein the second securing device is axially movable to a certain axial position within the housing to cooperate and mate with the first securing device to secure the thermocouple end in the certain axial position;
- wherein the first securing device is carried by the housing and has a washer-like shape with an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge forming a central aperture adapted to receive the second securing device;
- and
- wherein the second securing device includes an engagement portion movable with respect to the end, further including a spring element carried by the end and disposed between the end and the engagement portion, the spring element being adapted to urge the engagement portion against the inner peripheral edge of the first securing device.
A method of making a control system having a control unit having a housing including an opening therein;
- and thermocouple operated unit enclosed in the housing;
- a thermocouple having an end adapted for operative connection to the thermocouple unit, the end being disposed in said housing;
- a first securing device associated with the housing;
- and a second securing device associated with the thermocouple end;
- wherein the second securing device is axially movable to a certain axial position within the housing to cooperate and mate with the first securing device to secure the thermocouple end in the certain axial position, wherein the first securing device is carried by the housing and has a washer-like shape with an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge forming a central aperture adapted to receive the second securing device, and wherein the second securing device includes an engagement portion movable with respect to the end, further including a spring element carried by the end and disposed between the end and the engagement portion, the spring element being adapted to urge the engagement portion against the inner peripheral edge of the first securing device.
A method of making a thermocouple for use in a control system including a control unit having a housing including an opening therein and a thermocouple operated unit enclosed in the housing, a flame-sensing element having an end adapted for operative connection to the thermocouple unit, the end being disposed in said housing;
- a first securing device associated with the housing;
- and a second securing device associated with the thermocouple end;
- wherein the second securing device is axially movable to a ceratin axial position within the housing to cooperate and mate with the first securing device to secure the thermocouple end in the certain axial position, wherein the first securing device is carried by the housing and has a washer-like shape with an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge forming a central aperture adapted to receive the second securing device;
- and wherein the second securing device includes an engagement portion movable with respect to the end, further including a spring element carried by the end and disposed between the end and the engagement portion, the spring element being adapted to urge the engagement portion against the inner peripheral edge of the first securing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.