초록 ▼

A thermostat is disclosed having a bimetallic strip actuating a single pole, double throw switch, one throw to sense temperatures below the lower limit of a set point range and the other throw to sense temperatures above the upper limit of the set point range. In typical applications one throw for a

A thermostat is disclosed having a bimetallic strip actuating a single pole, double throw switch, one throw to sense temperatures below the lower limit of a set point range and the other throw to sense temperatures above the upper limit of the set point range. In typical applications one throw for actuating heating and the other throw for actuating cooling. The bimetallic strip is provided with typically a cantilever support at one end and extends between dimensional spaced double throw contacts at the opposite end. Spacing of the contacts determines magnitude of the set point range. An intermediate beam type support is provided between the cantilever support and double throw contacts. This beam support consists of an adjustment screw acting on one side of the bimetallic strip and a spring directly opposing the adjustment screw. The adjustment screw moves the bimetallic strip relative to the contacts for operating excursion of the thermostat thus positioning the mid-point of the set point range between subfreezing and incubation temperature ranges. The spring is selected to act with respect to the adjustment screw to both bias the strip against the adjustment screw as well as provide a non linear vibrational damping to the bimetallic strip. Circuitry is disclosed for passing minimal current through the mechanical portions and amplifying and driving a heater or cooler, preferably electrical heaters and coolers. There results a thermostat which cannot thermally lockup, is resistant to vibration, and can be adjusted to narrow band operation over a wide range to temperatures.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and a second throw position the cooling of a temperature controlled chamber, said thermostat comprising in combination: a substantially, straight bimetallic thermal excursion member having thermally dif

1. A double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and a second throw position the cooling of a temperature controlled chamber, said thermostat comprising in combination: a substantially, straight bimetallic thermal excursion member having thermally differential expanding and contracting portions including a mounting portion at one end a contact portion at an opposite end and a conductor for communicating electrical current to said contact portion: a cantilever mount means for mounting said substantially linear thermal excursion member at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said temperature controlled chamber; a beam support spaced apart from said cantilever mount support means; and located between said cantilever mount means and said contact portion a range adjustment member for biasing said substantially straight bimetallic excursion member to move between opposed poles at a specific range of temperatures, said beam support including an adjustment member on one side of said bimetallic member and an opposing spring on the opposite side of said bimetallic ember and substantially co-axial to said adjustment member; paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said thermal excursion member at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one or the other of said poles, and having an excursion interval between said poles where said contact is not in contact with either of said poles; means mounting said poles with respect to said housing to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said thermal excursion member mounted therebetween whereby heat energy communicated to or from said thermal excursion member caused said contact portion to move into contact with one or the other of 2. A double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and at a second throw position the cooling of a temperature controlled chamber , said thermostat comprising in combination: a substantially, straight bimetallic thermal excursion member having thermally differential explained and contracting portions including a mounting portion at one end a contact portion, at an opposite end and a conductor for communicating electrical current to said contact portion: means for cantilever mounting said thermal excursion member at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said chamber including a first mounting for holding said thermal excursion member to said housing at said mounting portion; a beam support member located between said cantilever mount means and said contact portions and including, means for adjusting the thermal excursion of said substantially straight bimetallic thermal excursion member spaced apart from means for mounting for changing the thermal range of excursion of said contact portion between opposed poles; and, spring means for opposing said means for adjusting the substantially, straight bimetallic excursion member substantially co-axial to said means for adjusting the thermal excursion; paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said substantially, straight bimetallic thermal excursion member at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one or the other of said poles, and having an excursion interval between said poles where said contact is not in contact with either of said poles; means mounting said poles with respect to said housing to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said thermal excursion member mounted therebetween whereby heat energy communicated to or from said thermal excursion member caused said contact portion to move into contact with one or the other of said poles or to a position between said poles out of contact with both said poles. 3. The double pole double throw thermostat of claim 2 and wherein: said substantially straight bimetallic thermal excursion member comprises a bimetallic strip. 4. A double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and at a second throw position the cooling of a temperature controlled chamber, said thermostat comprising in combination: a substantially straight bimetallic strip having thermally differential expanding and contracting portions including a mounting portion at one end a contact portion at an opposite end, and a conductor for communicating electrical current to said contact portion: means for cantilever mounting said bimetallic strip at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said temperature controlled chamber; a beam support for supporting said bimetallic strip at a location spaced apart from said cantilever mounting means and located between said cantilever mounting means and said contact portion, said beam support including an adjustment screw for biasing the thermal excursion of said strip to change the range of temperature response of said thermostat; a spring substantially co-axially opposed to said adjustment screw for biasing said strip against said adjustment screw and providing a vibration de-coupling portion of said beam support for said bimetallic strip; and, paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said bimetallic strip at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one of said poles or other of said poles, and having an interval between said poles where said contact portion is not in contact with either of said poles. means mounting said poles with respect to said housing to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said bimetallic strip mounted therebetween whereby heat energy communicated to or from said bimetallic strip causes said contact portion to move into contact with one of said poles, the other of said poles for alternately heating or cooling said chamber or to a position between said poles out of contact with both said poles. 5. The single pole double throw thermostat of claim 4 and wherein said means for cantilever mounting said bimetallic strip at said mounting portion to said housing further includes; a housing; a first mounting on said housing for holding said mounting portion of said bimetallic strip and permitting said strip to extend outwardly from said housing. 6. The single pole double throw thermostat of claim 5 and wherein said spring is a coil spring have a first portion mounted to said housing, a second portion contacting said bimetallic strip, and having a cylindrical coil which when fully compressed forms a stop for said adjustment screw acting on said bimetallic strip. 7. A storage container and thermostat for permitting the storage of contents with in a closely controlled temperature range powered by a source of electrical energy, said storage container comprising in combination: an insulated chamber for containing said contents within a closely controlled temperature range; an electrical heater communicated to said chamber for raising the temperature of said contents when said contents become too cold with respect to said temperature range; an electrical cooler communicated to said chamber for lowering the temperature of said contents when said contents become too hot with respect to said temperature range; a double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and at a second throw position the cooling of a container, said thermostat including; a thermal excursion member including a straight bimetallic strip having thermally differential expanding and contracting portions, a mounting portion, a contact portion, and a conductor for communicating electrical current to said contact portion: means for cantilever mounting said thermal excursion member at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said chamber; a beam support for supporting said bimetallic strip at a location spaced apart from said cantilever mounting means, and located between said cantilever mounting means and said contact portion, said beam support including an adjustment screw for biasing the thermal excursion of said strip to change the range of temperature response of said thermostat; a spring substantially co-axially opposed to said adjustment screw for biasing said strip against said adjustment screw and providing a vibration de-coupling portion of said beam support for said bimetallic strip; paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced part contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said thermal excursion chamber at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one pole, the other of said poles, and having an interval between said poles where said contact portion is not in contact with either of said poles; means mounting said poles with respect to said thermal excursion member to dispose said contact portion of said thermal excursion member between said poles for receiving an electrical signal upon said thermal excursion member causing said contact to contact one or the other of said poles; means for switching on said electrical heater communicated to one said pole; and , means for switching on said electric cooler communicated to the other said pole whereby said thermal excursion member either contacts said one pole to produce electrical heating, contacts said other pole to produce electrical cooling, or dwells in said spatial interval therebetween without causing electrical heating or cooling. 8. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for switching on said electrical cooler includes a DC to DC converter. 9. The invention of claim 8 and including: a heat sink connected to said cooler; a fan for moving air across said heat sink; means for running said fan when said switching means for said cooler is on. 10. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for switching said heater and said cooler includes: means connected to said thermostat for running low current through said thermostat; and, said means for switching said heater and said cooler includes amplification means for sensing said low current through said thermostat and supplying operating power to said heater or cooler. 11. A thermostat for permitting the storage within an insulated chamber in a closely controlled temperature range, said storage container including, an insulated chamber for storage within a closely controlled temperature range, a heater communicated to said chamber for raising the temperature when said chamber become too cold with respect to said temperature range responsive to an electric signal, an electrical cooler communicated to said chamber for lowering the temperature of said contents when said contents become too hot with respect to said temperature range; first electrical means for activating said heater; second electrical means for activating said cooler; a double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and at a second throw position the cooling of a container, said thermostat including; a substantially, straight thermal excursion member having thermally differential expanding and contracting bimetallic portions, a cantilever mounting portion at one and, a contact portion at an opposite end, and a conductor for communicating electric current to said contact portion; means for cantilever mounting said thermal excursion member at said cantilever mounting portion in thermal communication with said chamber; a beam support for supporting said bimetallic strip at a location spaced apart from said means for cantilever mounting and located between said means for cantilever mounting and said contact portion, said beam support including an adjustment screw for biasing the thermal excursion of said strip to change the range of temperature response of said thermostat; a spring substantially co-axially opposed to said adjustment screw for biasing said strip against said adjustment screw and providing a vibration de-coupling of said beam support for said bimetallic strip; paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said thermal excursion member at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one pole, the other of said poles, and having an interval between said poles where said contact portion is not in contact with either of said poles; means for mounting said poles to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said thermal excursion member mounted therebetween for receiving from said poles an electric signal upon said thermal excursion member causing said contact to contact one or the other of said poles; means for switching on said first electrical means communicated to one said pole; and, means for switching on said second electrical means communicated to the other said pole whereby said thermal excursion member either contacts said one pole to produce electric heating, contacts said other pole to produce electric cooling, or dwells in said spatial interval therebetween without heating or cooling. 12. A thermostat for permitting the storage of contents within an insulated chamber in a closely controlled temperature range, said storage container including, an insulated chamber for containing said contents within a closely controlled temperature range, a heater communicated to said chamber for raising the temperature of said contents when said contents become too cold with respect to said temperature range responsive to first amplifier means, an electric cooler communicated to said chamber for lowering the temperature of said contents when said contents become too hot with respect to said temperature range responsive to second amplifier means; a double throw single pole thermostat for controlling at a first throw position the heating and at a second throw position the cooling of a container, said thermostat including; a substantially straight bimetallic strip thermal excursion member having thermally differential expanding and contracting portion; a mounting portion at one end, a contact portion at an opposite end, and a conductor for communcicating electrical current to said contact portion: means for cantilever mounting said thermal excursion member at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said chamber; a beam support for supporting said bimetallic strip at a location spaced apart from said cantilever mounting means and located between said cantilever mounting means and said contact portion said beam support including an adjustment screw for biasing the thermal excursion of said strip to change the range of temperature response of said thermostat; a spring substantially co-axially opposed to said adjustment screw for biasing said strip against said adjustment screw and providing a vibration de-coupling portion of said beam support for said bimetallic strip; paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said thermal excursion member at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one pole, the other of said poles, and having an excursion interval between said poles where said contact portion is not in contact with either of said poles; means mounting said poles with respect to said thermal excursion member to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said thermal excursion member mounted therebetween for receiving from said poles an electric signal upon said thermal excursion member causing said contact to contact one or the other of said poles; first amplifier means for switching on said electrical heater communicated to one said pole; and, second amplifier means for switching on said electrical cooler communicated to the other said pole whereby said thermal excursion member either contacts said one pole to produce electrical heating, contacts said other pole to produce electrical cooling, or dwells in said spatial interval therebetween without heating or cooling. 13. A process utilizing a double throw single pole thermostat for controlling the temperature range of a controlled temperature chamber, said process comprising the steps of: providing a straight bimetallic strip thermal excursion member having thermally differential expanding and contracting portions including a mounting portion at one end a contact portion at an opposite end, and a conductor for communicating electric current to said contact portion: cantilever mounting said thermal excursion member at said mounting portion in thermal communication with said temperature controlled chamber; providing a beam support for supporting said bimetallic strip at a location spaced apart from said cantilever mounting and located between said cantilever mounting and said contact portion, said beam support including an adjustment screw for biasing the thermal excursion of said strip to change the range of temperature response of said thermostat; providing a spring substantially co-axially opposed to said adjustment screw for biasing said strip against said adjustment screw and providing a vibration de-coupling portion of said beam support for said bimetallic strip; providing paired spaced apart contact poles defining said first and second throws, said spaced apart contact poles sufficiently spaced apart for permitting said thermal excursion member at said contact portion to freely move in excursion between said poles for forming contact with one or the other of said poles, and having an excursion interval between said poles where said contact is not in contact with either of said poles; mounting said poles with respect to said housing to dispose said poles with the contact portion of said thermal excursion member mounted therebetween whereby heat energy communicated to or from said thermal excursion member caused said contact portion to move into contact with one or the other of said poles or to a position between said poles out of contact with said poles; and, varying the spacing between said poles to cause the temperature range of said controlled temperature chamber to increase with increased spacing between said poles.