Patents by Inventor Charles Hughes

Charles Hughes 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).

  • Publication number: 20090215325
    Abstract: Stiff and soft materials each provide certain advantages when used in the manufacture of separable insulated connectors, such as elbow and T-body connectors. Utilizing a shell or an insert that includes one section made from a stiff material and one section made from a soft material can provide a separable insulated connector that capitalizes on the advantages associated with both types of materials. The stiff materials and soft materials can be placed strategically on the shell or insert of the separable insulated connector to maximize the advantages of each material. For example, the stiff material can be used to form a section of the separable insulated connector where strength and durability is most desirable, and conversely, the soft material can be used to form a section of the connector where flexibility is desirable. A relatively stiff band can be provided around a relatively soft portion of a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Thomas Augustin
  • Publication number: 20090215294
    Abstract: Separating connector assemblies of a separable connector system. The separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors configured to engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. One of the connectors can include a nose end having an undercut segment configured to not engage an interior surface of the other connector when the connectors are engaged. Limiting the surface area of the nose end that interfaces with the interior surface of the other connector reduces surface adhesion and a pressure drop when separating the connectors, making separation easier to perform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090215313
    Abstract: Separating connector assemblies of a separable connector system. The separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors configured to engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. One of the connectors can include a nose end having an undercut segment configured to not engage an interior surface of the other connector when the connectors are engaged. Limiting the surface area of the nose end that interfaces with the interior surface of the other connector reduces surface adhesion and a pressure drop when separating the connectors, making separation easier to perform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090215307
    Abstract: Separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors that engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. An indicator integral or coupled to one of the connectors can indicate whether the first and second connectors are in the pushed-in-position. A window in the other connector includes an opening, channel, and/or translucent or semi-translucent material through which the indicator may be seen. The window and/or one or more vents in a tubular member of one of the connectors can include a channel that provides an air path for ingress of air between the connectors, to thereby remove or reduce a vacuum or partial vacuum between the connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090211089
    Abstract: A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Mark Clifford Kadow, Michael John Gebhard, SR.
  • Publication number: 20090215299
    Abstract: Stiff and soft materials each provide certain advantages when used in the manufacture of separable insulated connectors, such as elbow and T-body connectors. Utilizing a shell or an insert that includes one section made from a stiff material and one section made from a soft material can provide a separable insulated connector that capitalizes on the advantages associated with both types of materials. The stiff materials and soft materials can be placed strategically on the shell or insert of the separable insulated connector to maximize the advantages of each material. For example, the stiff material can be used to form a section of the separable insulated connector where strength and durability is most desirable, and conversely, the soft material can be used to form a section of the connector where flexibility is desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Thomas Augustia, John Mitchell Makal, Michael John Gebhard, SR.
  • Publication number: 20090215327
    Abstract: Separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors that engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. An indicator integral or coupled to one of the connectors can indicate whether the first and second connectors are in the pushed-in-position. A window in the other connector includes an opening, channel, and/or translucent or semi-translucent material through which the indicator may be seen. The window and/or one or more vents in a tubular member of one of the connectors can include a channel that provides an air path for ingress of air between the connectors, to thereby remove or reduce a vacuum or partial vacuum between the connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090215321
    Abstract: Separating connector assemblies of a separable connector system. The separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors configured to engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. One of the connectors can include a nose end having an undercut segment configured to not engage an interior surface of the other connector when the connectors are engaged. Limiting the surface area of the nose end that interfaces with the interior surface of the other connector reduces surface adhesion and a pressure drop when separating the connectors, making separation easier to perform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Patent number: 7578682
    Abstract: A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Mark Clifford Kadow, Michael John Gebhard, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7572133
    Abstract: Separable loadbreak connectors include an overlapping insulation joint and interchangeable preconfigured connector assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Brian Todd Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 7568927
    Abstract: Separable insulated connector systems for power distribution systems wherein the interfaces of the mating connectors are modified to reduce mating and separation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Paul Michael Roscizewski
  • Publication number: 20090190624
    Abstract: An optical package includes a semiconductor laser, a wavelength conversion device and a MEMS-actuated mirror oriented on a base module to form a folded optical pathway between an output of the semiconductor laser and an input of the wavelength conversion device. An optical assembly is located in a mechanical positioning device and the mechanical positioning device is disposed on the base module along the optical pathway such that the beam of the semiconductor laser passes through the optical assembly, is reflected by the MEMS-actuated mirror back through the optical assembly and into the waveguide portion of the wavelength conversion device. The MEMS-actuated mirror is operable to scan the beam of the semiconductor laser over the input of the wavelength conversion device. The optical assembly may be adjusted along the optical pathway with the mechanical positioning device to focus the beam into the waveguide portion of the wavelength conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Etienne Almoric, Jacques Gollier, Lawrence Charles Hughes, JR., Garrett Andrew Piech
  • Patent number: 7562554
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a valve having a valve element movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position includes pressurizing fluid directed to the valve, increasing a current directed to the valve for controlling a position of the valve element, and sensing a pressure of the fluid. The method for calibrating the valve also includes determining if a time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time, and determining a cracking point current command directed to the valve. The cracking point current command is directed to the valve when the time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mistubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin Yoo, Eric Charles Hughes, Rick Dean Vance
  • Patent number: 7558705
    Abstract: Generating a routing system for a three-dimensional model of a real-world object includes specifying a set of connections, applying a filter to the connections to prevent more than one connection having the same first connector and the same second connector from being rendered more than once, creating geometric entities that are curves and that represent the connections, and displaying the routing system in a visually simplified manner by rendering the plurality of geometric entities. Additionally, the connections can automatically be merged into a harness bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Hughes, Gordon Norrie
  • Publication number: 20090123332
    Abstract: A sterilizable pouch having both internal and external sterilization record indicators to indicate whether attempted steam sterilization of the pouch and contents was successful or unsuccessful. The pouch preferably has one indicium in each indicator responsive to multi-parameter sterilization by steam, and another indicium in each indicator responsive to gas sterilization, such as using ethylene oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Crosstex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. WHITEHEAD, Mitchell V. Steinberg, Charles A. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090124130
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a sleeve defining an axis and a contact assembly inserted in the sleeve, the contact assembly including pieces that move axially relative to one another during a fault close operation. An interface between the sleeve and the contact assembly is configured to permit replacement of the contact assembly without replacing the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, John Mitchell Makal, Paul Roscizewski
  • Publication number: 20090111324
    Abstract: A separable connector shield housing includes a layer of conductive material disposed at least partially around a layer of non-conductive material. The layers are molded together. For example, the conductive material can be overmolded around the non-conductive material, or the non-conductive material can be insert molded within the conductive material. The molding results in an easy to manufacture, single-component shield housing with reduced potential for air gaps and electrical discharge. The shield housing defines a channel within which at least a portion of a contact tube may be received. A contact element is disposed within the contact tube. The conductive material substantially surrounds the contact element. The non-conductive material can extend along an entire length of the contact tube and other components, or it may only extend partially along the contact tube. The non-conductive material can include an integral nose piece disposed along a nose end of the contact tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Paul Michael Roscizewski
  • Publication number: 20090108847
    Abstract: A fuse test and ground device includes an insulated housing with a bore that extends from the front of the housing towards the rear of the housing. An electrical contact is disposed partially within the bore. A current interrupter, such as a fuse, is electrically connected between the contact and a testing ground lead. An eye, having it's surface insulated by the housing, can be attached to the housing and provide a connection point for manipulation of the device. A grounding bore extends from a second aperture into the housing and provides an electrical connection to the contact. A grounding plug can be connected to ground on one end and inserted into the grounding bore to create a permanent ground for the device. An annunciator is connected to the current interrupter such that the annunciator provides an indication when a current flows through the current interrupter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Steven Guy Whitmore
  • Publication number: 20090100675
    Abstract: A separable connector shield housing includes a layer of conductive material disposed at least partially around a layer of non-conductive material. The layers are molded together. For example, the conductive material can be overmolded around the non-conductive material, or the non-conductive material can be insert molded within the conductive material. The molding results in an easy to manufacture, single-component shield housing with reduced potential for air gaps and electrical discharge. The shield housing defines a channel within which at least a portion of a contact tube may be received. A contact element is disposed within the contact tube. The conductive material substantially surrounds the contact element. The non-conductive material can extend along an entire length of the contact tube and other components, or it may only extend partially along the contact tube. The non-conductive material can include an integral nose piece disposed along a nose end of the contact tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Paul Michael Roscizewski
  • Publication number: 20090088014
    Abstract: A loadbreak connector system and methods for visible break include first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions, the first and second mating connectors selectively positionable relative to one another. One of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc follower, and the other of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc interrupter. The arc interrupter is configured to receive the arc follower, and the first and second meting connectors are positionable in an disconnected position wherein the arc follower remains engaged to and is located within the arc interrupter. Arc energy is distributed among multiple locations to reduce arc intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Brian Todd Stcinbrecher