Patents by Inventor David Charles Hughes

David 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).

  • Patent number: 7384287
    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 postionable 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Brian Todd Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 7341468
    Abstract: A separable loadbreak connector and system includes a connector having a contact tube with an axial passage therethrough, and a contact member slidably mounted within the axial passage and movable therein during a fault closure condition. The contact member is axially movable within the passage with the assistance of an arc quenching gas during the fault closure condition, and a shock absorbent stop element is mounted to the contact tube and limiting movement of the contact member in the fault closure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Paul Michael Roscizewski
  • Patent number: 7212389
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a body, an electrical contact having a first end for electrically coupling to an electrical apparatus and a second end within the body, and a conductor electrically coupled to the second end of the electrical contact. The electrical device also includes an access region defining a cavity and a surge arrester that electrically couples to the conductor through the access region. The cavity provides access to an interior of the electrical device. The access region may include an insulating projection extending from an insulating body of the electrical device and a conductive cover surrounding the insulating projection. The insulating projection defines the cavity. The conductive cover is electrically isolated relative to a conductive shell that surrounds the insulating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Patent number: 7182647
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive member configured to be electrically coupled to a first component and a second conductive member configured to be electrically coupled to a second component. The second conductive member is separated from the first conductive member by a gap. A conductive connecting member is moveable to make an electrical connection between the first and second conductive members across the gap. A housing receives the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the connecting member. The housing includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The movement of the connecting member to make the electrical connection is visible through at least a portion of the insulating layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Frank John Muench, Brian Todd Steinbrecher, Edine Mary Heinig, David Charles Hughes
  • Patent number: 7083450
    Abstract: A first electrical connector is configured to be removably coupled to a second electrical connector that includes a housing and a sleeve that depends from the housing. The first electrical connector includes a body having a longitudinal axis, an interface portion, and a circumferential groove formed in the interference portion. The groove is defined by a circumferential wall of the interference portion. A radial wall extends from the circumferential wall away from the longitudinal axis, and a circumferential extension extends axially from the radial wall. The radial wall and the circumferential extension are configured such that when the first electrical connector is coupled to the second electrical connector, the circumferential extension is snugly received in the sleeve of the second connector to form an air-tight chamber between the sleeve and the interference portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: David Charles Hughes
  • Patent number: 6744255
    Abstract: A grounding and testing device for power distribution systems includes an electrically insulated housing with a bore that extends from an aperture at a front of the housing towards a rear of the housing. An electrical contact is disposed at least partially within the bore, and the bore, aperture, and conductive contact are adapted to mate with a bushing. A current interrupter, such as a current limiting fuse, is electrically connected between the contact and a grounding cable. An annunciator is connected to the current interrupter such that the annunciator provides an indication when a current flows through the current interrupter. A lead is electrically connected to the contact to provide a connection point for a permanent ground connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: McGraw -Edison Company
    Inventors: Brian Todd Steinbrecher, Frank John Muench, Jr., John Mitchell Makal, David Charles Hughes