Patents by Inventor Oral L. Riggins

Oral L. Riggins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Power spark gap assembly for high current conduction with improved sparkover level control
    Patent number: 4672259
    Abstract: A power spark gap for protection of electrical equipment against overvoltages and having high current handling capacity is provided consisting of two carbon electrodes each of a hemispherical configuration disposed within a porcelain housing and with vent holes in the electrodes permitting arc transfer to an inner sleeve of durable conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Oral L. Riggins, Thomas L. Dyer, Jr.
  • Electrically operated switch having an improved linkage means
    Patent number: 4528433
    Abstract: There is provided in this invention an oil-filled electrical switch having a unique linkage and toggle mechanism that prevents the assembly from having a dead center position. There is also provided a stationary contact support structure upon which a rotary movable contact travels having openings in the structure for breaking up and cooling the arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Oral L. Riggins, Sherry J. Mills, John H. Warkentin, Joseph P. Stephans, Clancy O. Wisdom
  • Power spark gap for high current conduction
    Patent number: 4277719
    Abstract: Power gaps for protection of electrical equipment against overvoltages and having high current handling capacity consisting of two carbon electrodes mounted in an arrangement in which the lower cylindrical electrode has an inner conductive sleeve reaching proximate to but spaced from the end of the electrode for providing a centrally located, relatively stable, low resistance path for the arc current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Oral L. Riggins