Patent ID: 7164102

Claim:
A self heating thermal protector for a recessed incandescent fixture comprising: a thermally conductive enclosure; a temperature sensitive switch located within the thermally conductive enclosure comprising a temperature sensitive movable element and an electrical contact integral thereto aligned to contact a fixed electrical contact, the contacts of the temperature sensitive switch capable of being preset to open at a desired temperature by movement of the electrical contact integral with the movable element away from the fixed contact; a heat source located in proximity to the thermally conductive enclosure housing the temperature sensitive switch; a unitary member of thermally conductive potting compound encapsulating both the thermally conductive enclosure having the temperature sensitive switch and the heat source located in proximity to the thermally conductive enclosure; wherein restricted air flow over the unitary member of thermally conductive potting compound effects opening of the electrical contacts during heating of the thermally conductive potting compound by the heat source; a junction box of thermally conductive material physically separated from the recessed incandescent fixture; and a mounting member of thermally insulating material located between the junction box and the unitary member thermally conductive potting compound; wherein the mounting member of thermally insulating material has the dual function of coupling the unitary member of thermally conductive potting compound to the junction box and thermally insulating the unitary member of thermally conductive potting compound from the junction box.