Patents by Inventor Peter M. Hawkins

Peter M. Hawkins 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: 6765157
    Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Loren L. Rademacher, Larry D. Hokenson, Thomas C. Simon, John E. Morley, Larry H. Smith, Michael A. Peterson, Peter M. Hawkins, Constantine Xykis
  • Publication number: 20040016627
    Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Loren L. Rademacher, Larry D. Hokenson, Thomas C. Simon, John E. Morley, Larry H. Smith, Michael A. Peterson, Peter M. Hawkins, Constantine Xykis
  • Patent number: 5333678
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an auxiliary power unit for use with a vehicle, typically a truck. The truck has a cab and a sleeper to which the auxiliary power unit provides auxiliary air conditioning and heating. The truck also has a cab evaporator, a sleeper evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a plurality of refrigerant lines, a cab heater, a sleeper heater, and a plurality of coolant lines. The auxiliary power unit has an auxiliary evaporator and a plurality of auxiliary refrigerant lines. The auxiliary evaporator is arranged in series with the sleeper evaporator and the sleeper heater. The auxiliary refrigerant lines are separate and distinct from the truck's plurality of refrigerant lines. The auxiliary power unit also has a plurality of auxiliary coolant lines which are interconnected with the truck's plurality of coolant lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Mellum, Peter M. Hawkins, Jr., Glennard M. Kline, Deborah A. Klinkert, Ronald G. McFarlane, Gary P. Hansen