Force measurement of bimetallic thermal disc
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsGeorge D. Davis, Robert F. Jordan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining the actuation energy generated by a bimetallic actuator during transit between first and second states of stability. The apparatus and method further determining the threshold or set-point temperature of the bimetallic actuator during transit between bi-stable states. Accordingly, the apparatus and method directly measure both the snap force F and the set-point temperature of the bimetallic actuator during transit.
Claims21
A method for determining a force generated by a thermally responsive snap-action bimetallic disc during transit between first and second states, the method comprising:
- presenting the thermally responsive snap-action bimetallic disc to a force indicator on a support structure while a mobile portion of the disc is positioned on one side of a substantially immobile edge portion opposite from the force indicator, the disc being presented sufficiently closely to the force indicator that the mobile portion is positioned to forcefully interact with a sensing portion of the force indicator during transit to a second side of the edge portion proximate to the force indicator;
- changing a temperature of the disc to transit the mobile portion into a position on the second side of the edge portion proximate to the force indicator;
- and
- sensing with the sensing portion of the force indicator a peak force generated by the transit of the mobile portion.
A device for testing a force generated by transit of a thermally responsive bimetallic disc between a first pre-snap state and a second post-snap state, the bimetallic disc being configured with a substantially round immobile edge portion positioned peripherally to a mobile center portion that extends on a first side of the edge portion when the disc is configured in the first pre-snap state and transits with a snap-action in response to a predetermined set-point temperature through the edge portion to extend on a second side of the edge portion, the testing device comprising:
- a columnar support structure having a first annular support surface sized to support the edge portion positioned peripherally to a mobile center portion of a thermally responsive bimetallic disc;
- a force indicator having a force sensing surface positioned relative to the support structure to be forcefully engaged by the mobile center portion of the thermally responsive bimetallic disc when the mobile center portion transits with a snap-action in response to a predetermined set-point temperature through the edge portion from a first side of the edge portion to extend on a second side of the edge portion;
- and
- a thermal stage positioned relative to the support structure to induce the predetermined set-point temperature in the thermally responsive bimetallic disc supported on the support structure.
A testing device comprising:
- a force indicator;
- a support structure that is spaced a predetermined distance away from the force indicator;
- a thermal stage positioned relative to the support structure for changing a temperature of the support structure and wherein the support structure is spaced relative to the force indicator such that, when a bimetallic actuator that is configured in a pre-snap state is placed thereon and actuated to a post-snap state, the bimetallic actuator contacts the force indicator and a force sensing portion of the force indicator is positioned to sense peak force generated by the bimetallic actuator by transiting between the pre-snap and post-snap state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.