Patents by Inventor Melvyn D. Hopkins

Melvyn D. Hopkins 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: 4743709
    Abstract: A gas insulated transmission line has an inner conductor supported by insulators including a fixed insulator and a movable insulator with each having recesses in their outer portion having recessed metallic inserts therein of like configuration. The fixed insulator has disposed within the insert a base of an interconnection strap that extends along the sheath and is welded thereto. An insulating standoff button is further provided on the exterior of the base of the interconnection strap and presses against the outer sheath. An insert of the movable insulator contains a roller assembly. Preferably the roller assembly includes a substantially cylindrical roller of a semi-rigid insulating material that has edges bearing against the outer sheath and conforming to the configuration of the outer sheath by reason of deformation under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffry R. Meyer, Albert P. Munroe, Melvyn D. Hopkins, Gary K. Bowman, Richard E. Kane
  • Patent number: 4721829
    Abstract: A segmented inner conductor of a transmission line has joints between the segments with a plug on one segment fitting into a socket on an adjacent segment. An electrostatic shield covers the joint and confines particles. Particular features have to do with simplifying the parts and their means of assembly for speed and economy including a plug end having a stop configured for easy assembly with the main portion of an inner conductor segment, a shield with a folded under portion over a bond joining the plug end to the inner segment main portion, spring loaded contacts holding the shield to the plug end, and use of a retaining ring, without bonding, to secure a ring of contact fingers to a socket end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffry R. Meyer, Melvyn D. Hopkins, Gary K. Bowman
  • Patent number: 4556755
    Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes an outer sheath and an inner conductor disposed therein, which inner conductor is formed from two inner conductor sections electrically connected together. A contact shield surrounds and electrically shields the connection of the two inner conductor sections. Insulating supports spatially support the contact shield within the outer sheath, and the contact shield physically supports the inner conductor sections. The insulating supports thus support the inner conductor through the contact shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Philip C. Bolin, Gary K. Bowman, Charles S. Ellis, Melvyn D. Hopkins, Richard E. Kane
  • Patent number: 4550219
    Abstract: An improved gas-insulated transmission line is disclosed in which the transmission line itself is constructed in a modular fashion from elements which are joined together, typically at the final installation location, to form the transmission line. The other sheath and the inner conductor can be fabricated separately, at different locations and by different manufacturers, and transmitted to the point of final assembly and installation. A backup ring, insulator support assembly, contact shield, and connection member are separately fabricated into a single modular member, which can by itself be subjected to the testing procedures normally undertaken at the factory. This modular member, after satisfactorily passing its acceptance test, can then be shipped to the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Philip C. Bolin, Gary K. Bowman, Charles S. Ellis, Melvyn D. Hopkins, Richard E. Kane
  • Patent number: 4335267
    Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes a cylindrical outer sheath, an inner conductor within the outer sheath, an insulating gas, and support insulators for insulatably supporting the inner conductor within the outer sheath. The support insulators have a pair of circumferentially spaced apart openings therein, and a wheel assembly is disposed within each of the support insulator openings. Each wheel assembly includes a rotatable wheel which extends outwardly of the support insulator opening and contacts the outer sheath. With such an arrangement, insertion or movement of the inner conductor within the outer sheath is done on wheels instead of with a sliding motion to thereby minimize the generation of conducting contamination particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Melvyn D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4327243
    Abstract: A gas insulated transmission line includes an inner conductor disposed within an outer sheath, with an insulating gas providing electrical insulation and insulating supports holding the inner conductor within the outer sheath. A particle trapping ring is disposed within but spaced apart from the outer sheath, and a flexible insulating sheet is secured to the particle trapping ring. The insulating sheet has an adhesive coating disposed thereon facing the ring, and the insulating sheet is positioned on the interior surface of the outer sheath. An insulating leaf spring, preformed along the radius of curvature of the outer sheath, is secured to the ring and is positioned between the insulating sheet and the ring, with the leaf spring loading the insulating sheet against the outer sheath. A stiffener spring is also secured to the ring and is disposed intermediate the ring and the leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Melvyn D. Hopkins, Philip C. Bolin
  • Patent number: 4017675
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a joint in a high voltage gas insulated electrical system wherein an outer spherical joint member surrounds an inner spherical joint member which is supported from only one of the inner housing conductors. The inner housing conductor which supports the inner sphere is supported where it extends into the outer housing sphere from a circular insulating member. The circulating insulating spacer and support is rigidly connected to a flanged opening formed on the outer housing sphere. The inner sphere which is rigidly supported is provided with a plurality of sliding contact openings for engaging other inner conductors of the additional bus sections to be joined. The outer spherical housing is formed from two hemispheres each of which has an opening formed therein. The plane defined by the opening into the hemisphere is transverse to the plane defined by the free ends of the hemisphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Melvyn D. Hopkins, Charles B. Wolf
  • Patent number: 4013853
    Abstract: An improved multi-phase compressed-gas circuit-breaker installation is provided having the three or more circuit-breaker assemblies mounted upon a horizontally-extending rigid frame structure, with the high-pressure and low-pressure gas-reservoir tanks disposed close to the ground, and having the circuit-breaker assemblies extending upwardly in spaced lateral horizontal relationship. Pressurized pipes, or conduits connect to the circuit-breaker assemblies, the pressurized pipes containing, of course, the internal high-voltage power-conductors at the centers of the pressurized pipes, as well known by those skilled in the high-voltage power-transmission art of the pressurized gas-insulated type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Alverson, Otto H. Soles, Melvyn D. Hopkins, Charles E. LeRow, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE31949
    Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes a cylindrical outer sheath, an inner conductor within the outer sheath, an insulating gas, and support insulators for insulatably supporting the inner conductor within the outer sheath. The support insulators have a pair of circumferentially spaced apart openings therein, and a wheel assembly is disposed within each of the support insulator openings. Each wheel assembly includes a rotatable wheel which extends outwardly of the support insulator opening and contacts the outer sheath. With such an arrangement, insertion or movement of the inner conductor within the outer sheath is done on wheels instead of with a sliding motion to thereby minimize the generation of conducting contamination particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Melvyn D. Hopkins