Location History:
- Convent Station, NJ (US) (1977)
- Morristown, NJ (US) (1979)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1977-1979
Title: Lee Graves McKnight: Innovator in Voltage Surge Protection
Introduction
Lee Graves McKnight is a notable inventor based in Convent Station, NJ (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of electrical engineering, particularly in the area of voltage surge protection. With a total of 2 patents to his name, McKnight's work has had a lasting impact on the protection of electrical equipment.
Latest Patents
McKnight's latest patents focus on innovative voltage surge protectors designed to safeguard electrical equipment, such as telephone station apparatus, from high voltage surges, including those caused by lightning strikes. His devices are strategically placed in parallel with the equipment and feature two electrodes that define a fixed narrow spark gap. These devices are engineered to arc over with each surge, effectively shorting the destructive energy to ground and restoring the line to its original condition. The predominant failure mode of such devices is the occurrence of a permanent short across the narrow gap, which is caused by electrode damage during the protective arcing mode. McKnight's designs include an annular narrow gap region that determines the protective breakdown voltage and a central wider gap region that sustains the majority of the electrode damage. By incorporating a high resistance carbonaceous material in the narrow gap region and a lower resistance metallic material in the wider gap region, the incidence of shorting failure is significantly suppressed.
Career Highlights
Lee Graves McKnight has had a distinguished career at Bell Telephone Laboratories, where he has contributed to various projects and innovations in electrical engineering. His expertise in voltage surge protection has positioned him as a key figure in the development of reliable electrical systems.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, McKnight has collaborated with several talented individuals, including Becky Thomas Kerns and Walter Logan. These collaborations have fostered an environment of innovation and creativity, leading to advancements in electrical protection technologies.
Conclusion
Lee Graves McKnight's contributions to voltage surge protection exemplify the importance of innovation in safeguarding electrical equipment. His patents reflect a deep understanding of electrical engineering principles and a commitment to enhancing the reliability of electrical systems.
Inventor’s Patent Attorneys refers to legal professionals with specialized expertise in representing inventors throughout the patent process. These attorneys assist inventors in navigating the complexities of patent law, including filing patent applications, conducting patent searches, and protecting intellectual property rights. They play a crucial role in helping inventors secure patents for their innovative creations.