Patents Assigned to Cooper Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6835088
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a nut, a first member, a second member, and a third member. The connector assembly is used for coupling a conduit to an electrical device that includes a body having an end with an outer edge and a threaded exterior surface. The nut includes a first angled end, a second threaded end, and an inner cavity between the first angled end and the second threaded end. The nut is configured to be threadably attached to the threaded exterior surface of the body. The first member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body. The second member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body. The third member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sami Shemtov
  • Patent number: 6828521
    Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having an internal switching contact. A conductive current exchange is in electrical contact with the switching contact, and the current exchange defines an internal chamber within the current exchange. A plug of non-conductive, compliant material has a first portion that extends into the internal chamber in contact with the current exchange. An insulative encapsulation surrounds the vacuum interrupter assembly, the current exchange, and the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul N. Stoving, E. Fred Bestel, Charles Guenette
  • Patent number: 6814469
    Abstract: An adjustable light fixture includes a housing, a reflector assembly, and an adjustment mechanism. The housing has an external surface and an interior compartment. The reflector assembly is positioned within the interior compartment of the housing. The adjustment mechanism is adjustable from the external surface of the housing to cause movement of the reflector relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ellis W. Patrick, III
  • Publication number: 20040190212
    Abstract: An electrical switchgear device includes a conductor, a base, and a current sensor positioned to detect current in the conductor and attached to the base using a support element. The device also includes an apparatus mounted to the base to interrupt current through the conductor when a signal from the current sensor indicates a predetermined condition. A housing positioned on the base encapsulates the current sensor, the support element, the current interrupting apparatus, and a portion of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Cooper Industries, Inc., an Ohio corporation
    Inventors: Ross S. Daharsh, Daniel Schreiber, Paul N. Stoving, Dan G. Marginean
  • Patent number: 6760206
    Abstract: An electrical switchgear device includes a conductor, a base, and a current sensor positioned to detect current in the conductor and attached to the base using a support element. The device also includes an apparatus mounted to the base to interrupt current through the conductor when a signal from the current sensor indicates a predetermined condition. A housing positioned on the base encapsulates the current sensor, the support element, the current interrupting apparatus, and a portion of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross S. Daharsh, Daniel Schreiber, Paul N. Stoving, Dan G. Marginean
  • Patent number: 6726857
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons having a well-defined chemical composition that is suitable for use as a dielectric coolant in electrical equipment in general, and specifically in transformers. The dielectric coolants of the present invention are particularly suited for use in sealed, non-vented transformers, and have improved performance characteristics, including decreased degradation of the paper insulating layers, as well as a greater degree of safety and environmental acceptability. The present dielectric coolants comprise relatively pure blends of compounds selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins, polyol esters, and natural vegetable oils, along with additives to improve pour point, increase stability and reduce oxidation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Goedde, Gary A. Gauger, John Lapp, Alan P. Yerges
  • Patent number: 6697237
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved ground fault circuit interrupt outlet. The device includes a voltage sensitive device which is capable of conducting current at a predetermined voltage. The voltage sensitive device is electrically connected between a ground on the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet and a neutral located on the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet. Arranging the device in this manner converts the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet into a ground fault circuit interrupt with open neutral protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Duve
  • Patent number: 6682681
    Abstract: An encapsulated transformer includes a transformer coil assembly, a rigid core insert having an upstanding portion positioned within the hollow interior of the core and a base portion on which the core rests, and a thermoplastic rubber jacket that completely surrounds the transformer coil assembly and is bonded to the base portion of the core insert to provide a completely waterproof encapsulated transformer which is impervious to liquid and gasses that could be detrimental to the performance of the transformer. A method for producing such an encapsulated transformer includes placing a rigid core insert in a mold cavity of a mold, and positioning a transformer coil assembly in the mold cavity so that the transformer coil assembly rests on the core insert. Thermoplastic rubber is then injected into the mold cavity to completely encapsulate the transformer coil assembly in a jacket of thermoplastic rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Clark, Carl Craig Strickland, Jr., Mark Christopher Newman
  • Patent number: 6669351
    Abstract: An in-pavement airport lighting fixture includes a housing, a feed-through assembly, and a threaded bolt that extends through the housing to secure the housing to a base unit. The feed-through assembly carries a lamp and positions the lamp in the housing. The threaded bolt is coupled to the housing such that the housing is lifted by upward motion of the bolt as the bolt is disengaged from the base unit. The housing further includes at least one boss and the feed-through assembly includes a connector surrounding an upper portion of the feed-through assembly. The connector mates with an outer surface of the boss when the upper portion of the feed-through assembly is positioned against an inside surface of the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Shea, Thomas Rampelli, Paul Gongola, Todd Dubois
  • Publication number: 20030164479
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons having a well-defined chemical composition that is suitable for use as a dielectric coolant in electrical equipment in general, and specifically in transformers. The dielectric coolants of the present invention are particularly suited for use in sealed, non-vented transformers, and have improved performance characteristics, including decreased degradation of the paper insulating layers, as well as a greater degree of safety and environmental acceptability. The present dielectric coolants comprise relatively pure blends of compounds selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins, polyol esters, and natural vegetable oils, along with additives to improve pour point, increase stability and reduce oxidation rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Cooper Industries, Inc., a Texas corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Goedde, Gary A. Gauger, John Lapp, Alan P. Yerges
  • Patent number: 6613250
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a dielectric fluid for use in electrical equipment comprising a vegetable oil or vegetable oil blend. In another aspect the invention provides devices for generating and distributing electrical energy that incorporate a dielectric fluid comprising a vegetable oil or vegetable oil blend. Methods of retrofilling electrical equipment with vegetable oil based dielectric fluids also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick McShane, Jerry L. Corkran, Richard A. Harthun, Gary A. Gauger, Kevin J. Rapp
  • Patent number: 6585917
    Abstract: A dielectric fluid with improved performance in capacitors contains 65% by weight or more monobenzyltoluene. Capacitors including the dielectric fluid can have improved discharge extinction voltages at 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa C. Sletson, Clay L. Fellers, Marco J. Mason, Gary A. Gauger, Alan P. Yerges
  • Publication number: 20030090850
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Cooper Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Roger S. Perkins, Thomas C. Hartman, Alan P. Yerges, Ramon Puyane, David R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6540376
    Abstract: A night light which plugs directly into an electrical outlet with a rotatable housing which swivels 360° to direct light in a desired direction. The night light includes a light bulb connected to its power source in a self-contained housing. The night light also includes a light sensor which activates and deactivates the bulb depending upon ambient light levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Au Yeung Tin Shun Victor
  • Patent number: 6519129
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Roger S. Perkins, Thomas C. Hartman, Alan P. Yerges, Ramon Puyane, David R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6505960
    Abstract: A recessed lighting fixture for mounting to a ceiling includes a housing, a frame, and at least one locking assembly. The housing includes a side wall, an opening, a lip extending outwardly around at least a portion of a circumference of the opening, and a slot in the side wall. The frame has an aperture sized for slidably receiving the housing. The at least one locking assembly is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position and is mountable in the slot. When in the locked position, the locking assembly exerts a force to compress the ceiling between the lip and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Schubert, Christopher T. Bobrowski, David E. Doubek
  • Patent number: 6504103
    Abstract: An elbow terminator has a socket in which an electrical probe is disposed. The terminator is insertable onto an electrical bushing such that a tongue of the bushing is received in the socket of the terminator, and the probe of the terminator is electrically coupled to a contact sleeve disposed within the tongue. A latching mechanism produces positive latching between the tongue and socket when the tongue has been inserted to a predescribed depth within the socket. In order to enable an operator to visually observe that the tongue has been inserted to the prescribed depth, the bushing carries a color band which becomes completely disposed (invisible) in the socket when positive latching occurs. Alternatively, the bushing can be provided with gauge tabs which become aligned with a witness line formed on the terminator when positive latching occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Edgar Meyer, Todd Kim Knapp, Frank John Muench
  • Patent number: 6498295
    Abstract: An invertible side insertion trap is designed to be inserted into an opening in an electrical box and to accommodate at least two different sizes of cable or wire depending on an orientation of the trap. The trap includes a base, a first arm and a second arm. The first arm extends from the base and includes a first mating portion for mating with a first side of the opening in the electrical box. The second arm extends from the base. The arms create a passage having a first width for permitting insertion of a first cable or wire size between the arms when the trap is oriented in a first orientation with the first mating portion aligned with the first side of the opening. The passage has a second width for permitting insertion of a second cable or wire size between the arms when the trap is oriented in a second direction with the first mating portion aligned with a second side of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Randall Akiyama, Gabriel P. Gromotka, Thomas J. DeCicco
  • Patent number: 6485659
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons having a well-defined chemical composition that is suitable for use as a dielectric coolant in electrical equipment in general, and specifically in transformers. The dielectric coolants of the present invention are particularly suited for use in sealed, non-vented transformers, and have improved performance characteristics, including decreased degradation of the paper insulating layers, as well as a greater degree of safety and environmental acceptability. The present dielectric coolants comprise relatively pure blends of compounds selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins, polyol esters, and natural vegetable oils, along with additives to improve pour point, increase stability and reduce oxidation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Goedde, Gary A. Gauger, John Lapp, Alan Paul Yerges
  • Patent number: D479756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Agro, Steven Pyshos, Bruce Layne