Patents by Inventor Thomas A. McMillan

Thomas A. McMillan 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: 4858099
    Abstract: A resonant inverter is current mode-controlled with a transistor supplying current through a primary winding of a transformer. The cycle of operation includes conducting, resonating, and clamping portions of the cycle, with the transistor being turned on for the conducting portion. The resonating portion includes a storage capacitor connected to the primary winding and commences when current-responsive means of the transistor or first semiconductor turns on a second semiconductor, which in turn turns off the first semiconductor. During this resonating stage, the current in the primary winding reverses and stores energy in a storage capacitor. A clamping portion of the cycle includes a unidirectional conducting means or diode which conducts for a time for the excess energy stored in the tank circuit to return to the input and be stored in a filter capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. McMillan, Carl A. Brooks, Alan M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4644952
    Abstract: A compact surgical operating instrument, including an elongated cylindrical housing supporting a projecting shaft which is mounted for reciprocation by a coaxially arranged cam assembly rotated by a motor drive. The cam assembly includes two continuous, opposed, canted cam surfaces which positively and alternatively drive forwardly and rearwardly a cam follower mounted on the inner end of said shaft, thereby converting rotation of the cam assembly to reciprocal movement of said shaft without the use of return springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Palm Beach Medical Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patipa, Thomas A. McMillan, Henry W. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4639710
    Abstract: A foot pedal for varying resistance in an electrical circuit having an on-off control is formed having a base member with an actuator foot plate cover pivotally mounted thereto; an array of circular members is positioned in a circular recess between said base member and cover; said array including a pair of electrode discs spaced by a compressible resistance disc; said compressible resistance disc comprising a flexible elastomer with electro-conductive particulate dispersed therein; said array including an actuating plate which has a spherical joint connection with the actuator foot plate cover; an operator's foot pressure compresses the compressible disc to decrease resistance while a spring opens the pedal device when the operator's foot pressure is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventors: Thomas A. McMillan, Henry W. Mitchell, Alvin S. Cecil