Christopher J Conway

US Patent:

6388859, May 14, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568443

Inventors:

David Curtis Turner - Imperial PA
Christopher John Conway - Wilmot NH
David Michael Olszewski - McKees Rocks PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7300

US Classification:

361115, 361193, 335192, 335254

Abstract:

A shunt trip assembly having a tripping solenoid and a locking solenoid selectively blocks movement of the tripping solenoid to prevent inappropriate tripping of a circuit breaker during shock loading thereof. The tripping solenoid includes a tripping plunger that is longitudinally translatable along a tripping path to operatively engage a trip button of the circuit breaker. The locking solenoid includes a locking plunger that is selectively translatable along a locking path to selectively block movement of the tripping plunger, the locking path being substantially perpendicular to the tripping path. A longitudinally-facing first abutment surface on the tripping plunger is engaged by the locking plunger to prevent inappropriate movement of the tripping plunger during shock loading. A peripherally-disposed second abutment surface on the tripping plunger prevents misconfiguration of the shunt trip assembly after the shunt trip assembly has been deenergized. The tripping solenoid and locking solenoid are simultaneously energized and deenergized.

US Patent:

6683273, Jan 27, 2004

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/053032

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Fred Rogers - Enfield Center NH

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912151, 21912148, 21912154, 21913763, 2191379

Abstract:

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc torch is provided wherein a plurality of connections disposed therein are configured such that the connections break in a specific order when the quick disconnect is disengaged. Preferably, the quick disconnect comprises a plurality of signal pin connections, a pilot return connection, a fluid connection, and a main power connection. Accordingly, the signal pin connections break before the pilot return connection, the fluid connection, and the main power connection. Further, the pilot return connection breaks before the fluid connection and the main power connection, and the fluid connection breaks before the main power connection as the quick disconnect is disengaged. As a result, a safer quick disconnect in which both gas and electric power are conducted is provided by the present invention.

US Patent:

6713711, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/052364

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Fred Rogers - Enfield Center NH
Darrin H. MacKenzie - Windsor VT
Douglass A. Demers - Grantham NH
Stewart Trent Adams - Plainfield NH
Joseph P. Jones - Lebanon NH

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Labanon NH

International Classification:

B23K 900

US Classification:

21912148, 21912154, 21912151, 21912159, 21913763

Abstract:

A quick disconnect for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a plug housing and a mating socket housing, a locking ring disposed around the plug housing secures the plug housing to the socket housing. A negative lead gas carrying pin is disposed within the plug housing, and a mating main power socket is disposed within the socket housing for the purpose of conducting both gas and electricity from a power supply to a plasma arc torch. Further, the negative lead gas carrying pin and mating main power socket are positioned off-center in order to provide additional volume for a plurality of signal conductors disposed within each housing, along with a pilot return conductor. Additionally, both the plug housing and the socket housing define a D-configuration in order to properly align the housings and conductors disposed therein, among other novel features of the present invention.

US Patent:

D489953, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Sep 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/166894

Inventors:

Kevin Horner-Richardson - Cornish NH
Roger W. Hewett - Plainfield NH
Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Joseph P. Jones - Lebanon NH

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

0805

US Classification:

D 8 30

US Patent:

D490059, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Sep 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/167047

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Martin Young - Sharon VT
Terry Raymond - White River Junction VT
Darrin H. MacKenzie - Windsor VT

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

1303

US Classification:

D13146

US Patent:

D491891, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Sep 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/166888

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Darrin H. MacKenzie - Windsor VT

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

1303

US Classification:

D13146

US Patent:

D493681, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Sep 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/166847

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Darrin H. MacKenzie - Windsor VT

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

0805

US Classification:

D 8 30

US Patent:

6773304, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/014384

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Wilmot NH
Fred Rogers - Enfield Center NH
Darrin H. MacKenzie - Windsor VT
Douglass A. Demers - Grantham NH

Assignee:

Thermal Dynamics Corporation - West Lebanon NH

International Classification:

H01R 1340

US Classification:

439595

Abstract:

A tamper resistant pin connection for use in a plasma arc cutting apparatus is provided that comprises a plurality of locking fingers within a hollow internal channel of a housing that secure a negative lead gas carrying pin within the housing. The pin comprises a first collar with a shoulder disposed thereon, and accordingly, the locking fingers engage the shoulder to secure the pin within the housing. The pin further comprises a second collar that blocks access to the locking fingers through a first portion of the hollow internal channel such that the locking fingers cannot be accessed to disengage the pin. Further, the pin is recessed within a second portion of the hollow internal channel to prevent further access to the pin for a tamper resistant pin connection.