US2939320A

US2939320A - Temperature indicating device

Info

Publication number: US2939320A
Application number: US692666A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Frey; William R Guy
Original assignee: American Motors Corp
Current assignee: American Motors Corp
Priority date: 1957-10-28
Filing date: 1957-10-28
Publication date: 1960-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-07

Description

June 7, 1960 E. J. FRI-:Y ETAL TEMPERATURE INDICATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1957 2,939,320 TEMPERATURE INDICATING DEVICE Edward J. Frey, Farmington, and William R. Guy, Detroit, Mich., assgnors to American Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Maryland Filed Oct. 2S, 1957, Ser. No. 692,666

9 Claims. (Cl. 730-3785) This invention relates to a temperature indicating device for measuring the temperature of drying fabrics.

lt is ran object of the present invention to provide a new and improved temperature indicating device which may be readily attached to moving drying lfabrics or clothes to record the temperaturethereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved temperature indicating device for measuring the temperature of drying fabrics or clothes without interfering with the natural or designated course of travel of the fabrics or clothes.

It is a further object of the present invent-ion to provide a. temperature indicating `device with ya simple `and etiicient imprinting or marking arrangement to recordthe attainment of a predetermined temperature.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temperature `indicating device which -is unbreakable, simple in structure and quickly yand easily assembled or disassembled Without the use of tools and one that is highly eicient in use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be lapparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompany-ing drawings, wherein 1 a preferred from of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in cross section of Ia clothes dryer housing fabrics `and clothes therein with the device ernbodying the present inventionbeing carried in or by the fabrics and clothes;

Fig. 2 is a view, enlarged, in cross section of the device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the present invention, land Fig. 4 is a side view partly broken laway of a modified form of device embodying the present invention.

In accordance with our invent-ion we have provided a new and improved temperature indicating device for obtaining the temperature of drying fabrics or -clothes in drying machines. This has been a problem in the past because fabrics or clothes are tumbling in the dryer and they are not necessarily equal in temperature throughout the load, the air stream temperature may be different, and the dryer drum surface against which the fabrics or clothes fall may have a temperature other than the temperature of the fabrics or clothes. The device embodying the present invention is temperature responsive and more than one of these m-ay be used for measuring the temperature of the `drying fabrics and clothes. They may be calibrated to operate at different temperatures and may be placed in various parts of the fabrics or clothes and some may beplaced on various surfaces of the dryerdrum. These devices are provided with a marking or imprinting indicating arrangement which when disassembled will show that the temperature responsive feature was in operation at -a predetermined temperature. VTo know the temperature. of the drying Patented June 7, 1960 ICC fabrics or clothes is essential in view of the materials in making these fabrics or clot-hes.

Referringy to the drawings there is shown a temperature indicating device 20 comprising la casing 22 formedy by two pan or hat shaped sections 24, 26 set in opposed relation to `form a chamber 28. Each pan member 24,` 26 has a flat marginal edge or

rim section

30, 32 respec` tively that is adapted to be secured rtogether :in abutted relation by a exible ring or band 34. The ring or band 34 is preferably made of elastic material, such as rubber or the like, so that it may readily be stretched or snapped over and upon the

edges

30, 32 to lock the casi-ng halves or sections 24, 26 together, or betreadily removed by stretching the band away from and olf the

edges

30, 32 to permit separation of the casing halves or pan sections 24, 26. The band 34 lis preferably moldedwith a circumferentially extending groove 40 extending inwardly from the inner circumference of the band. The groove 40 is adapted to receive the

edges

30, 32 so thatl the edges vare abutted together in a secured relation. The upper and

lower sections

42 and 44 of the band 34 overlie upon the cuter surfaces of

edges

30, 32 andare arranged to fricticnally bind upon the respective surfacesv to seal in a moisture relation Iagainst Water or moisture penetration into the chamber 28.

Positioned within the chamber 28 is a heat responsive member or birnetal disc 50 calibrated to snap by a diaphragmic movement in response to ya predetermined temperature. The bimetals peripheral edge is received in a circumferentially extended recess 52 in open -com-` munication with the chamber 28. FFhe recess 52 is cooperatively formed by the casing sections 24, 26 and the recess 52 is greater in diametrical depth than the bimetal to allow for the expansion of the bimetal.,

A pair of stops or buttons 54, Solarepositioned in opposed relation with-in the chamber 28 and terminate in spaced `apart relation a distance required for the diaphragmic travel movement of the bimetal. The

buttons

54 and 56 are attached to and carried by the shell sections 24, 26 respectively. Normally the bimetal 50 is in contact with the button 54 for heat to be conducted from the casing to the bimetal to aid in effecting actuation when the disc 56 attains a predetermined'temperature.. Gther heat is applied to the bimetal 50 by convection and radiation. l' The stop button 56 has been coated with a suitable marking or imprinting substance such as shown at 57. This substance may be paint, ink'or a dye mixture that will transfer to the surface of the -bimetallic disc 5,0v upon actuation of the disc when the temperature thereof reaches a predetermined value. yThe paint, ink or dye used is placed upon the button`56 Ito markthe bimetal and is subjected to the same temperature necessary` yto actuate the bimetal and this temperature could-be at values that Would result in a baking or drying out of thepaint cr dye marker before the bimetal isactuated. As it is necessary and highly desirable that an adequate marking be imprinted upon the bimetalthe substance or mixture used must remain in a soft or tacky condition to provide an effective transfer. A suitable mixture having the desired characteristics is provided by mixing one part color pigment, such as Prussian blue, with two parts retardant. The retardant may be either caster oildi butyl phthalate, or a lacquer plasticizer. Other suitable marking mixtures maybe provided, as from paint-or ink.

When the ibimetallic disc S0 llexes and makes contact Withl the substance as shown at 57 the marking or imprinting will take place and when the device 20 is dis,-

assembled such marking or imprinting on the bimetallic The presentv` temperature indicating device-` 20 is particularly adapted for use where it is desired to study the temperature of fabrics, articles, materials, clothes and thelike that are constantly in motion and exposed within heated environments. Furthermore; it is 'particularly adapted'for use where it--is highly desirable, and necessary thatth'e studied `articles or yobjects be free and unhamperedn--their movements, such las takes place in attaching thermal conductingconnections, or electrical conducting wires. AV particular'example is where a study of temperature 'attainment of'fabrics, garments lor articles of clothing, such as shown at 59 in'Fig. l is desired as they are freely tumbled about'in'the path of a heated air stream a rotating drum 60 ofy a clothes dryer 62. The clothes dryer 62 per se forms no particular part of the present invention and is here set out only to illustrate and describe Yan application `of the present invention, and particu1arlyto. more clearly describe the present invention. The dryer 62 may be heated and the heat automatically controlled by any suitable means (not shown).

Before the temperature indicating device 2 0 is attached tofan articlepor object to be tested -itgis disassembled and. Va'daub'or coating of the dye or paint mixture is placedv -onrtop of Vbutton 56.

In Vthe drawings the coating or daub' is shown placed on the button 56, as at 57 and the Y.each other in opposed relation.

button 54 is uncoated. The parts are reassembled with Y the bimetal replaced so that its concave side is spaced from the coating 57` and button 56, kand its opposite con? vexrsurface abuts the uncoated button 54 in a heat conducting relation. i The unheated bimetal is held in axed relationin the casing22 between the parts 24 and 26 to prevent contact ofthe coated button 56 by extending thev marginal edge yoli the bimetal into the recess 52. The bimetal by this arrangement is free to expand as necessaryv Y forV diaphragmic action when heated.

Upon re-assembling the temperature indicating device it maybe attachedto the wet or moisture laden article ofV clothing, garment, or fabric by either an adhesiveV asI aluminum .or copper, there can be provided a temperature, indicating device whereby the garment or article Will not be appreciably weighted or encumbered Vby the attachment so. thatit can tumble or follow the same movement `to yprovide an identical drying action asiiithe device 20 werepnot vattached thereto. The device 20-is shownon enlarged,scale. Y

Upon the garment attaining a predetermined tempera- `ture the exible bimetal discwill be actuated against the opposite button 56 whereuponthe dye or other substance placed thereon will VVtransfer and suihciently mark the surface of the bimetal-"thatV should the temperature drop Y to a suiiciently low value to resetthe bimetal the mark Will remain thereon to be noted Vanytime thereafter upon inspection. It will be readily understood that a plurality of -thesre temperature indicating devices may be used simultaneopsly each Vcalibrated at diierent temperaturevalues so that -a range of temperatures may be noted in 5 degrees increments. This Wouldrpermit noting a minimum andV maximum temperature.

In Fig. 1 the temperature indicating device is also shown attached to the inner surface of the rotating where it Y'is desired to note the surface temperatures. ,Y

In/theA modied form shown in Fig. 4 the .buttons are 92. TheV members490 and 92' are each formed` Withrdepresseddimples 94 and 96 respectively. The dimples are formed centrally in the shell members' and extend towards spaced apart relation with a,bimeta1 disc 98 positioned therebetween. The diniple against which the bimetal will flex in response to the attainment of a predetermined temperature value will be daubed or painted as shown at 100 in the same and like/,manner and with the same or similar substance as set out above inthe preferred form of the present invention.' A band 102 .isusedand corresponds vlto vbandg34.V

Although a-preferred and a` modiedform-have been positioned withinsaid casing between said sections, said sections -beingformed tohold'lsaid thermostatic means to Y resist movement of a portionV thereof and'to permit ilex-v ing action'of another portion ina predetermined path inf response to temperature variations, one of said sections-v being'within the exing rangeoir said thermostatic means,

and markingmaterialcarried by the latter `section in suchA aposit-ion that a portion of said marking material is trans-l ferred toy said heat responsive thermostatic means upon predetermined exing thereof. Y

2. A temperatureY indicating device comprising Ya separable'casing having two projections, removable Vmeans for= to permit-,flexing action of another portion in-a predetermined path in response to temperaturefvariations and said thermostatic means being normally in heat conducting relation with one of said projections land being flexible to said otherr projection upon theeapplication of heat thereto, and markingv materialcarried by thev latter projection.

3. A temperature indicatingdevice comprising a twofpiececasing providingV afchamber and being separable to Vprovide access thereto, sealing means arranged to seal such casing,V a thermostat positioned Within said chamber, such casing being'formcdl to hold'said thermostat `to resist movementfof-a-portionthereof and to permitexing action off another-portiorrin apredetermined path in re- Y spouse to temperature variations, and-amarkingmaterial shown as formed integrally from the pan members 90 and carried by said casing within-said chamber, said'thermostat being responsive to, a'rpredetermined temperaturel to ilex towards and contact said marking material.

4. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing formed in two sections,- removable elastic means for sealing said'sections, a llexibleV heat responsive'means positioned Within said casing'between said sections Iandl being arranged to iex into Vcontact withonel of said sections uponnthe applicationcfheat thereto, said casing being formed'to hold said heat responsive means to'resist move ment of a portion thereof and to permit ilexing action in another portion in a predetermined path in response to temperature variationsV and an adhesive material carried by said latter section to transfer a portion of said adhesive material to said heat responsive means upon lexing thereof. t Y f 5. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing formed in two sections, removable means for'scaling said sections, a heat responsive meanspositioned within said casingand normally lin heat conducting relation with one of said sections, such sections being formed to hold said heat responsive means'to resist movementof Va portion thereof and to permit 'A exing actionrofv another portion in a predetermined' path'in/responseto temperaturevariations,^and an adhesive'material-carried by the other section in close proximityv tosaid heatresponsivem'eansand being arranged-to-transfer a-portionof1said adhesive-ma- The dimples are.. in

terial thereto when said heat responsive means attains a predetermined temperature.

6. A temperature indicating device comprising a separable casing having opposed projecting members, elastic means for sealing said casing, ra heat responsive means positioned Within said casing and normally in heat conducting relation with one of said projections, such casing being formed to hold said heat responsive means to resist movement of a portion thereof and to permit llexing action of another portion in a predetermined path in response to temperature variations, an adhesive material carried by the other projections in close proximity to said heat responsive means and being arranged to transfer a portion of said adhesive material to said heat responsive means when it attains a predetermined temperature.

7. A temperature indicating device compn'sing a casing having a chamber provided with an access opening, sealing means arranged to seal said access opening, a heat responsive bimetal disc positioned Within said chamber in thermal heat conducting relation with said casing, such casing being formed to hold said bimetal disc to resist movement of a portion thereof and to permit exing action of another portion in a predetermined path in response to temperature variations, a coating on an inner surface of said chamber, said ybimetal disc being responsive to a predetermined temperature to ex towards and contact said coating, and said coating having a characteristie of transferring to said bimetal disc upon contact therewith.

8. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing forming a chamber, said casing having a removable section to permit access to said chamber, a heat responsive member positioned in `said chamber, said casing being formed to hold said heat responsive member to resist movement of a portion thereof and to permit flexing action of another portion in a predetermined path in reof transferring a portion of said marking substance to said heat responsive member upon contact, and sealing means for attaching said removable section to said casing.

9. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing forming a chamber, said casing comprising two sections dividable for access to said chamber, each of said sections being provided with a rim extending peripherally about said casing and adapted to cooperatively abut each other to join said sections together, means extending longitudinally with said abutted rims to engage and to clamp -said rims and said sections together, a bimetal disc within said chamber in thermal heat conduction relation with said casing, said casing being formed to hold said thermostatic means to resist movement of a portion thereof and to permit flexing action of another portion in a predetermined path in response to temperature variations, a stop for engagement by said'bimetal disc upon actuation of said disc in response to a predetermined temperature, and a substance carried by said stop, said substance having a characteristic of imprinting upon said bimetal disc upon contact thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,743 Tai-box Oct. 16, 1883 1,523,096 Ziegler -..-a Jan. 13, 1925 2,362,424 Walsh Nov. 7, 1944 2,368,193 Boynton Jan. 30, 1945 2,508,510 Gillespie May 23, 1950 2,798,130 Cox July 2, 1957