Thomas M Mcdonald

US Patent:

58138684, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Jan 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/788137

Inventors:

Ward E. Strang - Fairfield CT
Carol Z. Howard - Oxford CT
Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H01R 909

US Classification:

439 82

Abstract:

An arrangement for accurately positioning a spring arm of a contact element on a mating component, such as a printed circuit board. More particularly, disclosed is an electrical contact spring arm which incorporates structure for accurately positioning the electrical contact element spring arm structure in slots formed in a printed circuit board or suitable support in a rapid and highly accurately positioned automatic manner.

US Patent:

53632699, Nov 8, 1994

Filed:

Feb 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/024172

Inventors:

Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H02H 316
H02H 332

US Classification:

361 45

Abstract:

A GFCI receptacle has a receptacle and terminals for connecting the connectors of that receptacle to an AC source, terminals for connecting the connectors of the receptacle to one or more other loads and an interrupter for disconnecting the source from the receptacle and the other loads in the event of ground current exceeding a selected level. For testing the interrupter, a manually operable supervisory circuit opens the interrupter and gives a visible indication of its operation. The supervisory circuit is connected between a hot connector of the receptacle and ground so that the visible indication will not be visible when the GFCI receptacle is installed improperly, thereby avoiding a false indication of proper installation.

US Patent:

RE289965, Oct 5, 1976

Filed:

Feb 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/551002

Inventors:

Alton R. Morris - Monroe CT
Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Harvey Hubbell Incorporated - Bridgeport CT

International Classification:

H02H 102

US Classification:

317 18D

Abstract:

A ground leakage differential current protective apparatus of the differential transformer type. An impedance is inserted in the grounded neutral line in series with the transformer and the load. A low impedance ground in the grounded neutral conductor still permits a potential to be developed across the grounded neutral winding so that the differential current required to initiate the tripping action is not substantially increased.

US Patent:

61694916, Jan 2, 2001

Filed:

Sep 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/409259

Inventors:

Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

G08B 500

US Classification:

3408154

Abstract:

A multi-port power monitor is provided which indicates whether power is being supplied to one or more of a plurality of ports connected to external devices. The multi-port power monitor comprises a plurality of serially connected indicators and a plurality of controllable switches which supply power to the individual indicators when one or more of the corresponding ports are active. Because the indicators are connected in series, rather than in parallel, the same current passes through each illuminated indicator thereby avoiding the need for a large power resistor or a large AC capacitor for each individual port.

US Patent:

52708977, Dec 14, 1993

Filed:

Nov 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/792183

Inventors:

Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT
W. Reid Smith-Vaniz - Darien CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H02H 328

US Classification:

361 45

Abstract:

A personnel protection system for electrical connections is disclosed, which is of the type that differentially senses the current flow between the power lead and the return lead (or between two power loads) is provided with an unbalancing impedance which makes the current difference between the two leads sufficiently high to trip the device and cause the power to be disconnected. A utilization device is similarly provided with an imbalanced impedance. However, that impedance is calculated to counteract the current imbalance caused by the first impedance, so that when the cable is connected to the utilization device, the current balance between the two conductors is restored, and power connection is maintained in the cable. In addition, the current flow in the second impedance is sensed and, if it is not at the correct level, electrical power to the load is disconnected in the same manner as when an imbalance occurs. Thus, the system does not provide continuous power unless predetermined conditions considered safe for securing the power are fully satisfied.

US Patent:

55724060, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

Nov 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/557735

Inventors:

Ward E. Strang - Fairfield CT
Carol Z. Howard - Oxford CT
Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05K 720

US Classification:

361707

Abstract:

An electrical receptacle assembly with an enhanced heat dissipation arrangement includes a housing having a front side with plug contact receiving openings and a rear side spaced from the front side, a circuitboard mounted in the housing between the front and rear sides thereof and spaced from the rear side, a plurality of varistors mounted to the circuitboard and disposed between the circuitboard and the rear side of the housing, and a mounting bridge fitted over the exteriors of the rear side and top and bottom ends of the housing for mounting the housing to an outlet box and providing a heat sink for dissipating from the housing heat generated by the varistors. The varistors are mounted to the circuitboard in the housing on the front side thereof opposite to the rear side where the electrical components are mounted to the circuitboard. The varistors have leads which are bent into G-shaped configurations so that portions of the leads extend from the front side to the rear side of the circuitboard around the peripheral edge thereof so as to place the varistors along the rear side of the circuitboard adjacent to the interior rear side of the housing in close proximity to the mounting bridge for rapid heat dissipation and remote from electrical components mounted on the front side of the circuitboard. A heat barrier plate made of heat-retardant material is positioned between the varistors and rear side of the circuitboard to impede heat produced by the varistors from reaching and impinging upon the circuitboard.

US Patent:

54186781, May 23, 1995

Filed:

Sep 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/115020

Inventors:

Thomas M. McDonald - Monroe CT

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H02H 316

US Classification:

361 46

Abstract:

An improved ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device requires manual setting following initial connection to an AC power source or termination of a power source interruption. The improved GFCI device utilizes a controlled switching device which is responsive to a load power signal for allowing the relay contact sets of the GFCI device to be closed only when power is being made available at the output or load terminals. The controlled switching device preferably comprises an opto-isolator or other type of switching device which provides isolation between the GFCI input and output terminals when the relay contact sets are open. The improved GFCI device may be incorporated into portable units, such as plug-in or line cord units, for use with unprotected AC receptacles.

US Patent:

39448916, Mar 16, 1976

Filed:

Apr 3, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/457575

Inventors:

Thomas Michael McDonald - Monroe CT
Paul Muchnick - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

H02H 326

US Classification:

317 48

Abstract:

Circuitry is utilized to interconnect loads to the power distribution system and only conducts current when voltage conditions from the system are appropriate. Therefore, the load is deenergized whenever reversed connections are made to the power distribution system, or whenever an open circuit exists in any line thereof. Latching means can be included in the circuitry to continually energize the load when an open circuit develops in either nongrounded or hot line of the power distribution system after the load has been initially energized therefrom. Furthermore, the effect of the latching means is externally controlled through a switching means so that remote circuit conditions can be synchronized therewith. When an indicating means is incorporated as the load, the circuitry functions as a detector and when the circuitry is utilized with a circuit breaker to deenergize the load, ground fault protection can be incorporated therewith.