Back to results
US 6,844,513 B2Granted
Appliance timer
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorsEllis P. Lipp, Laurence S. Slocum, Robert C. Hammond
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved timer for controlling an appliance includes a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein. A switch block cooperates with the plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance. A sensor detects rotation of the camstack, and generates position signals in response thereto. A processor is configured to receive the position signals and generate control signals in response thereto, wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of the control signals.
Claims55
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:
- a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein;
- a switch block which cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance;
- a sensor which detects rotation of said camstack, and generates position signals in response thereto;
- and
- a processor configured to receive said position signals and generate control signals in response thereto,
- wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of said control signals.
3 more elements
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:
- a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein;
- a switch block which cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance;
- a sensing assembly which detects rotation of said camstack, and generates position signals in response thereto, said sensing assembly including (i) an auxiliary member which rotates together with said camstack, and (ii) a number of conductive arms positioned in contact with said auxiliary member for enabling generation of said position signals as said auxiliary member and said camstack rotate in relation to said number of conductive arms;
- and
- a processor configured to receive said position signals and generate control signals in response thereto,
- wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of said control signals.
3 more elements
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:
- a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein;
- a switch block which cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance;
- an optical sensing assembly which detects rotation of said camstack, and generates position signals in response thereto, said optical sensing assembly including (i) an auxiliary member which rotates together with said camstack, and (ii) an optical sensing device for generating said position signals in dependence upon optically detectable characteristics of said auxiliary member as said auxiliary member and said camstack rotate in relation to said optical sensing device;
- and
- a processor configured to receive said position signals and generate control signals in response thereto,
- wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of said control signals.
3 more elements
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:
- a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein;
- a switch block which cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance;
- a voltage sensing assembly which detects rotation of said camstack, and generates position signals in response thereto, said voltage sensing assembly including (i) an auxiliary member which rotates together with said camstack, said auxiliary member having at least one resistive strip supported thereon, and (ii) a voltage sensing element positioned in contact with said resistive strip on said auxiliary member for enabling generation of said position signals as said auxiliary member and said camstack rotate in relation to said voltage sensing element;
- and
- a processor configured to receive said position signals and generate control signals in response thereto,
- wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of said control signals.
3 more elements
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:
- a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein;
- a switch block which cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide first switching operations for the appliance;
- means for detecting rotation of said camstack and generating position signals in response thereto;
- and
- a processor configured to receive said position signals and generate control signals in response thereto,
- wherein an auxiliary switching operation is performed in response to generation of said control signals.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.