Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Compressor protective circuits
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-11-13
Sherry, Michael J. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Compressor protective circuits
C361S023000, C361S027000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317304
ABSTRACT:
The present invention refers to an assembly of components for controlling an electric motor, and more specifically to an assembly of starting elements and protectors for use with electric motors.
Electric motors typically used in conjunction with cooling compressors are energized by means of three conductive pins, mounted on the housing of the compressor. Usually a motor-starting device, a motor protector and, depending upon the functioning conditions of the equipment, a capacitor are mounted on the outside of the housing, all these elements being covered by a cover.
In general, these components should be bought and mounted individually on the compressor housing, which presents a certain complexity.
Prior art document U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,307, the assignee of which is Texas Instruments Incorporated, discloses a split phase electric motor starter and protector having a housing which receives a PTC starter switch and motor protector. The housing of this device has such a volume that it is not possible to mount it in some of the known compressors. Moreover, due to the construction of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,307 device, the motor protector has to be shipped to the customer separately from the housing, the customer having to mount the motor protector on the compressor, and then the housing.
Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide an assembly of motor-starting device and a motor protector, which can be acquired as a whole and can be quickly and easily mounted on the compressor housing. Another objective of the present invention consists in providing a motor-starting device and motor protector of small volume, which can be adapted to different types of compressors. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a capsule having quick connection terminals, with low insertion forces.
These objectives are achieved by the assembly comprising a capsule made of an electrically insulating material having a base and a cover that can be fitted onto the base, first and second pin-receiving openings formed at the base, a female pin connector disposed on the base in alignment with each pin-receiving opening, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) element disposed in the capsule, means for electrically connecting the PTC element to the female pin connectors, a motor protector provided with a female pin connector that can be fitted into the capsule in the fitted condition of the cover on the base, the female pin connector and the first and second openings are capable of being received on corresponding pins of a terminal connector of a conventional compressor.
Preferably, the cover is firmly fitted onto the base by means of pins provided at the cover and corresponding slots provided in the base, the pins having a tooth-shaped end portion which engages beyond the thickness of the base wall through which the slot extends. Similarly, the motor protector is fitted firmly into the capsule by means of a pin provided at the cover, the pin having a tooth-shaped end portion which engages a rib provided on the motor protector. These two fittings can be undone by the action of a tool having a pointed or laminar narrow end in the engaging region of said teeth.
Still preferably, two opposed side walls of the cover are provided with loops adapted for receiving a fixing clamp that fixes the assembly to the housing of a compressor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4241370 (1980-12-01), De Filippis et al.
patent: 4319299 (1982-03-01), Woods et al.
patent: 4646195 (1987-02-01), Lisauskas
patent: 4862306 (1989-08-01), Lisauskas
patent: 5170307 (1992-12-01), Nacewicz et al.
patent: 33 37 738 A1 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 0516442 A (1992-02-01), None
patent: 0 516 442 A2 (1992-12-01), None
patent: 2 329 096 (1976-10-01), None
patent: 2 104 732 A (1983-03-01), None
Sherry Michael J.
Smith , Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Texas Instrumentos Electronicos do Brasil LTDA.
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