Patent ID: 6020807
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A thermostat comprising:a case made of conductive material, said case having an exterior;a cover plate made of a conductive material, said cover plate being connected to said case to define a sealed interior, said cover plate having a contact projecting into said sealed interior, said contact being fixed with respect to said case and having an interior contact position;an insulator sheet disposed between said case and said cover plate;a blade disposed in said sealed interior, said blade having a second end, said second end of said blade moving between a first position where said second end of said blade abuts said contact position of said contact and a second position where said second end of said blade is spaced from said interior contact position of said contact; anda resistor mounted on a first end of said blade, said resistor being disposed between said cover plate and said blade in said sealed interior of said case, said resistor having a first side facing and abutting said cover plate and a second side facing and abutting said blade so that said resistor is electrically connected between said cover plate and said blade, said resistor having a sufficient resistance so that when said second end of said blade moves from said first position to said second position a sufficient amount of heat is generated by current flowing through said resistor to maintain said second end of said blade in said second position until a load current applied to said cover plate and said blade is removed.