Patents by Inventor Kenneth McCoy

Kenneth McCoy 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: 11769997
    Abstract: An automatic ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) circuit reset system and apparatus which attaches to a faceplate of an electrical outlet and includes a linear actuator. The linear actuator faces directly at a reset button on a GFCI outlet circuit and automatically actuates to depress the reset button after a predetermined amount of time after the GFCI outlet circuit becomes tripped and no longer transmits electrical power therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth McCoy
  • Patent number: 8818740
    Abstract: Techniques for leak detection are described. A leak detection module may include a plurality of wires comprising one or more collection points. The leak detection module may further include a capacitor configured to store a charge for powering the module during a power-off state and a plurality of switches to be controlled by a processor. The processor may initiate a predetermined switching sequence when a power-off state has been detected. During the switching sequence, leak detection data may be collected at the one or more collection points. The collected leak detection data may be stored in a set of registers. The leak detection module may transmit the stored leak detection data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Pentair Thermal Management LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth McCoy
  • Publication number: 20110202292
    Abstract: Techniques for leak detection are described. A leak detection module may include a plurality of wires comprising one or more collection points. The leak detection module may further include a capacitor configured to store a charge for powering the module during a power-off state and a plurality of switches to be controlled by a processor. The processor may initiate a predetermined switching sequence when a power-off state has been detected. During the switching sequence, leak detection data may be collected at the one or more collection points. The collected leak detection data may be stored in a set of registers. The leak detection module may transmit the stored leak detection data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth McCoy
  • Patent number: 7859273
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of an organic liquid. The sensor includes an a elongate substrate having a first and second opposed surface, and a first sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate and a second sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. The sensor also includes a bridging electrode electrically coupling the first and second sensor surfaces, a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the first sensor surface, and a second electrode disposed the second surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the second sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Thermal Controls LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth McCoy, Robert Wasley, Peter Wijeratne, Paul Hauptly
  • Publication number: 20100218597
    Abstract: A covered cable suitable for detecting the presence of corrosive liquids is disclosed. In an embodiment the cable includes two sensing wires wrapped around a core member, at least one of the sensing wires being surrounded by a non-conductive surface layer. In an alternate embodiment the cable includes two sensing wires wrapped around a core member, the sensing wires and core member being encapsulated by a non-conductive surface layer. Preferably, the cable includes insulating wires for detecting the location of a leak. When a corrosive liquid contacts the sensing wires of the cable an electrical connection is created between them. An interrupted covering covers the sensor cable. The resulting covered sensor cable is useful in wicking applications, and/or providing enhanced UV radiation resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth McCoy, Robert Wasley
  • Publication number: 20100219849
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of an organic liquid. The sensor includes an a elongate substrate having a first and second opposed surface, and a first sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate and a second sensor surface disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. The sensor also includes a bridging electrode electrically coupling the first and second sensor surfaces, a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the first sensor surface, and a second electrode disposed the second surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the second sensor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth McCoy, Robert Wasley, Peter Wijeratne, Paul Hauptly
  • Patent number: 7755498
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of one or more targeted liquids in volume of space where the targeted liquid is not normally present. The device includes a sensor that can differentiate between the target fluid and a non-target fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Thermal Controls LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth McCoy
  • Publication number: 20080100462
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of one or more targeted liquids in volume of space where the targeted liquid is not normally present. The device includes a sensor that can differentiate between the target fluid and a non-target fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth McCoy
  • Patent number: 4862146
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the occurrence of an event, e.g. the presence of a liquid leak. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible core consisting of elongate elements which are twisted together. The elongate elements comprise first and second sensing members, which each have an electrically conductive outer surface and are physically separated from one another, and at least two elongate insulating members. These elongate elements are covered by a flexible braid which exerts a compressive force on the core. In one aspect of the invention, the flexible braid undergoes a reversible change in appearance when exposed to electrolyte, indicating the location of a leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth McCoy, Neil Edwards, Robert Wasley, Denis Wales