US1288855A - Automatic circuit-breaker for electric irons. - Google Patents

Description

A. J. FABER.

AUTOMATIC cmcun BREAKER FOR ELECTRIC IRONS.

' APPLICATION HLED MAR. 9.191]. 1,288,855.

Og- Gig/Ewen Patented Dec. 24, 1918,

WITNESSES ATTORNEY ASMINOYGN, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFioE.

A DREW J. FABER, or oswneo, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-BREAKER FOR, ELECTRIC IRONS.'.

Application filed March 9,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. FABER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oswego, in the county of Oswego and .State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circuit-Breakers for Electric Irons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic circuit breaker for electric irons, etc, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device of this character for controlling the supply of current to the resistance coil of; the iron, whereby, when the temperature of the iron exceeds a predetermined degree, the flow of current will be .cut off, and when the temperature falls below the predetermined high point, the current will be again let on, the operation being such as to maintain the iron at substantially uniform temperature and overheating of the iron prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple of construction, inexpensive of production, reliable and eflicient in operation, and which will prevent the use of an excessive amount of current and thus reduce the cost of electricity.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the device, with parts broken away, showing the device in circuit closing position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the de vice in a circuit breaking position.

Fig. 8 is a detail transverse section through the device, taken on a line above the upper end of the vertically movable rod or stem.

In carrying my invention into practice, I provide a circuit breaker or controlling switch comprising a tubular casing 1, closed at its upper and lower ends, said casing being made of glass or other suitable non-conductin material and having its lower end expanded to form a bulb 2 containing a body ofan expansible liquid 3, adapted to be expanded and contracted by heat and cold, ordinary mercury being commonly employed.

Extendin into the casing 1 through one side thereof are contact terminals 4 and 5, composed of copper or other suitable conducting material, which terminals are re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918. 1917. Serial No. 153,660.

spectively provided with binding posts or screws 6 and 7 for respective connection with conductors 8 and 9, the conductor 8 leading in practice from a suitable source of current supply and the conductor 9 to the primary end of the resistance coil of the heating mechanism of the iron or other article to be heated.

The casing 1 may be supported in position upon the iron or other article in any suitable manner and has arranged therein a float l0 composed of cork or other suitable material and which rests upon the surface of the body of expansible liquid 3, and is adapted to rise and fall therewith. Connected at its lower end with the float is a vertically movable rod or stem 11 forming a switch element, said rod or stem being composed of a lower section 12 of fiber or other suitable non-conducting material and an upper section 13 of copper or other suitable conducting material, said sections bein suitably united at their proximate ends. he upper end of the section 13 is provided with a head or stop 14 to engage the terminal 4 and limit the downward movement of the stem or switch element as a whole.

At all normal temperatures up to a predetermined temperature, the conducting portion 13 of the rod or stem 11 is in electrical contact with the terminals 4 and 5, and which are provided with openings through which the stem is free to slide, and thus the terminals 4 and 5 are electrically connected for the flow of current from the conductor 8 to and through the contact 4, the conductor 13, terminal 5 and the com ductor 10 to the heating coil of the iron or other article, whereby a flow of current to the coil is obtained. This condition maintains, notwithstanding certain fluctuations of temperature, as the float and rod are free to rise and fall with the expanded and contracted body of mercury up to a certain degree point, as the stem section 13 will be maintained in contact with the terminals 4 and 5. If, however, the temperature should rise above a predetermined or safety point, the mercury will be expanded to a greater degree causing the rod or stem 11 to move upward and bring the non-conducting portion 12' thereof into engagement with the terminal 5 or both terminals 4 and 5, where by the flow of current to the iron will be arrested. Then the temperature of the iron again falls below the maximum point, the

rod or stem will descend as the mercury contracts, again bringing the conductor 13 into engagement with the contacts 4 and 5 to effect a resumption in the flow of the current. The current breaker or switch is so constructed as to maintain the supply of current at a substantially uniform rate and prevent overheating of the iron, the current being automatically cut off before the overheating point is reached, thus obviating the liability of danger and at the same time reducing the amount and cost of current. It

will, of course, be obvious, that the device is simple of construction, of a character to secure reliability and efficiency of operation, and may be made and sold at a comparatively low cost. It Will also be evident that the device may be used in connection with sadirons and various other electrically heated articles.

I claim 1. A thermostatically controlled circuit breaker comprising a casing, an expansive liquid contained therein, a float operated by the liquid, a pair otspaced circuit terminals,

and a member operated by the float and having conducting and insulated portions operating through and guided by said terminals.

2. A thermostatic circuit closer comprising a casing, an expansive fluid contained therein, a float operated by the expansion and contraction of the fluid, a pair of spaced circuit terminals of conducting material disposed Within the casing and having openings therein, and a rod connected With the float and movable through said openings for contact with said circuit terminals, said rod having a conducting portion normally in engagement with the terminals and a nonconducting portion adapted to be engaged with the terminals by predetermined upward movements of the float.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ANDREXV J. FABEB.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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