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US 7,024,940 B2Granted
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.
Claims18
An energy measuring device comprising:
- a means for supporting a bimetallic member in a first pre-snap state;
- a means for qualifying an energy released by the bimetallic member during transit from the first pre-snap state to a second post-snap state, the qualifying means being positioned relative to the supporting means to be engaged by the bimetallic member in the second post-snap state;
- and
- a means for thermally activating the bimetallic member, the thermally activating means being positioned relative to the supporting means for thermally activating the bimetallic member to transit from the first pre-snap state to the second post-snap state.
1 more element
An energy measuring device comprising:
- a support structured to support a bimetallic member in a first pre-snap state;
- an energy indicator positioned relative to the support to be engaged by the bimetallic member in a second post-snap state;
- and
- a thermal activation device positioned relative to the support for thermally activating the bimetallic member to transit from the first pre-snap state to the second post-snap state.
1 more element
An energy measuring device comprising:
- a support structure having spaced apart first and second structural members;
- a support engaged with the first structural member and having first and second annular lands formed on an interior thereof, the second annular land being spaced between the first annular land and a surface of the first structural member facing toward the second structural member, the first annular land being sized to admit a thermally responsive bimetallic member and the second annular land being sized to support a peripheral edge portion of the bimetallic member and relieved to admit a central portion of the bimetallic member that is movable relative to the peripheral edge portion;
- a force indicator engaged with a surface of the second structural member facing toward the first structural member and spaced above the first and second annular lands for measuring a force generated by the central portion of the bimetallic member transitioning between a first state wherein the central portion is proximate to the surface of the first structural member and a second state wherein the central portion is proximate to the force indicator;
- and
- a thermal stage positioned to thermally activate the transitioning of the bimetallic member between the first and second states.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.