| TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120130011 | Methods of Making Chemically Crosslinked Block Copolymer Gels - Methods are provided of making chemically crosslinked block copolymer gels and chemically crosslinked block copolymer gels. The methods include swelling an olefinic block copolymer having a functionalized soft block region and a functionalized hard block region, in a softener oil, and chemically crosslinking the olefinic block copolymer. Compositions are provided comprising a chemically crosslinked olefinic block copolymer having a functionalized hard block region and a functionalized soft block region and a softener oil. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129962 | Crosslinked Flame Retardant Thermoplastic Elastomer Gels - Crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels are provided. The crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels comprise a char catalyst, a char former, a maleic anhydride-modified styrene ethylene/butylene styrene polymer, and a softener oil. Methods are provided of making crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129740 | SELF-LUBRICATING COATING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SELF-LUBRICATING COATING - The invention relates to a coating ( | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129373 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING CONNECTOR SHROUD - An electrical connector assembly is provided including a connector having a mating end. The connector has contacts extending from the mating end. A connector shroud is positioned around the mating end of connector. The connector shroud has an asymmetrical configuration. A mating connector having a mating end is configured to engage the mating end of the connector. The mating connector has mating contacts configured to engage the contacts of the connector. The mating end of the mating connector has an asymmetrical configuration that mirrors the asymmetrical configuration of the connector shroud. The asymmetrical configurations of the mating end of the mating connector and the connector shroud align the mating connector with the connector in a single orientation. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128304 | MATING OF OPTICAL FIBERS HAVING ANGLED END FACES - A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126455 | Methods of Processing High Service Temperature Hydrocarbon Gels - Methods of processing high service temperature crosslinked thermoplastic gels are provided. The methods include combining (a) an oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel comprising at least one functional group configured to chemically crosslink in the presence of a crosslinker and (b) a crosslinker; maintaining the combination of the physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel and the crosslinker at a temperature at which they remain substantially unreacted; subsequently heating the combination to a temperature at which the oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel reacts with the crosslinker. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120122335 | CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A connector system includes a chassis that has a framework of panels that defines a plurality of cells extending between first ends and second ends. A clip is coupled to the framework within a corresponding cell. A cable assembly is received in a corresponding cell. The cable assembly includes a first header connector coupled to the framework at the first end of the corresponding cell using the clip and a second header connector is coupled to the framework at the second end of the corresponding cell using the clip. The first header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the first header connector has a first mating interface. The second header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the second header connector has a second mating interface that faces in an opposite direction from the first mating interface. A cable bundle has a plurality of cables that extends between the first and second header connectors. The cables are connected between corresponding contacts of the first header connector and the contacts of the second header connector. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120607 | FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT ASSEMBLIES WITH STACKED FLEX INTERCONNECTS AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING THE SAME - A flexible circuit assembly including a pair of mating panels. Each of the mating panels has an engagement face and a power contact. The circuit assembly also includes adjacent first and second flex interconnects that mechanically and electrically couple the mating panels. The first and second flex interconnects extend alongside each other and have respective interior surfaces. The first and second flex interconnects are stacked with respect to each other such that the interior surfaces face each other and define a heat-dissipating interspace therebetween. The circuit assembly also includes a plurality of power conductors that extend through the first and second flex interconnects between the mating panels. The power conductors are electrically parallel to one another between the power contacts. At least one of the power conductors extends proximate to the interior surface of one of the first and second flex interconnects. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120115363 | ATTACHMENT RING FOR ATTACHING A SHIELD OF AN ELECTRICAL CABLE TO A BACKSHELL - An attachment ring is provided for attaching a shield of an electrical cable to a backshell. The attachment ring includes an annular body including a shape memory material that is heat recoverable. The body is configured to extend at least partially around the shield and a fitting of the backshell to hold the shield on the fitting in contact with the fitting. The body includes a first segment including an end having a connection member. The body also includes a second segment that is discrete from the first segment. The second segment includes an end having a connection feature. The connection feature of the second segment is interlocked with the connection member of the first segment to connect the first and second segments together at the ends such that the first and second segments define at least a portion of a length of the body. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115345 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS AND POWER CONNECTORS - A connector assembly that includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends. The connector assembly also includes a moveable mating side that is supported by the base frame and extends in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis. The mating side has a mating array of terminals configured to communicate data signals. The connector assembly also includes a power connector that is configured to establish an electrical connection. The power connector is coupled to the mating side. Also, the connector assembly includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame and is operatively coupled to the mating side. The coupling mechanism is configured to be actuated to move the mating side between retracted and engaged positions in a mating direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114286 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING MATING SIDES MOVED BY FLUIDIC COUPLING MECHANISMS - A connector assembly having a connector body that includes a support structure and a mating side and has an adjustable cavity therebetween. The mating side has a mating array of terminals thereon that is configured to face a communication component. The mating side is moveable relative to the support structure. The connector assembly also includes an elastic container having a reservoir that holds a working fluid. The elastic container is positioned within the adjustable cavity between the support structure and the mating side. The elastic container changes between first and second shapes to move the mating side toward and away from the communication component. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120106904 | MOLDING OF OPTICAL CONNECTORS USING A CORE PIN - A core pin assembly is provided that includes a core pin insert comprising a core pin body and at least one pin member, and a core pin support defining a passageway for receiving the core pin member. The core pin support, when assembled to the core pin insert, retains the core pin members in desired positions and resists unintended flexing of the core pin members during the molding process. When used to create a lens body, the presence of the core pin support in the mold during the molding process causes formation of a void, or “window,” in the molded lens body. The window of the lens body may be used to advantage in fixing optical fibers to the lens body by applying epoxy within the window directly to the fiber's glass core/cladding, and in close physical proximity to the fibers distal end within the lens body's passageway. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120104437 | OPTIC ASSEMBLY UTILIZING QUANTUM DOTS - An optic assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing having an upstream end and a downstream end. An LED is positioned in the upstream end of the housing. The LED is configured to generate excitation light therefrom. The excitation light has a first wavelength. An optic is positioned in the downstream end of the housing. The optic is positioned remotely from the LED so that a cavity is formed between the LED and the optic. The excitation light generated from the LED passes downstream through the cavity to the optic. Quantum dots are positioned on the optic. The excitation light excites the quantum dots so that the quantum dots produce emitted light having a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength of the excitation light. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120100745 | ROTATIONALLY CONFIGURABLE BACKSHELL FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A backshell for an electrical assembly is provided. The backshell includes a shield termination body having a connector end and a relief end. The connector end is configured to join to a cable end of an electrical connector. A face of the connector end is oriented at an angle with respect to a face of the relief end. A strain relief is provided having a shield end and a cable clamp end. A face of the shield end is oriented at an angle with respect to a face of the cable clamp end. The shield end is rotatably coupled to the relief end of the shield termination body. The shield end of the strain relief is rotatable with respect to the relief end of the shield termination body so that the face of the cable clamp end of the strain relief is positionable at variable angles with respect to the face of the connector end of the shield termination body. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096916 | APPLICATOR RAM HAVING A RAM ADAPTOR - An applicator ram includes a ram body configured to hold crimp tooling, and a ram adaptor coupled to the ram body. The ram adaptor is configured to be coupled to a terminator ram. The ram adaptor includes an adaptor hub having a hub chamber configured to receive a ram post of the terminator ram. A latch mechanism is movably received in the hub chamber. The latch mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch mechanism is configured to engage the ram post in the latched position. The latch mechanism allows the ram post to be released from the hub chamber in the unlatched position. An adaptor stud extends from the adaptor hub and is configured to be coupled to the applicator ram. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120094551 | ELECTRICAL TERMINAL FOR TERMINATING A WIRE - An electrical terminal is provided for terminating a wire. The electrical terminal includes an electrical contact and a crimp barrel extending from the electrical contact. The crimp barrel is configured to be crimped around an end of the wire. The crimp barrel includes a base and opposing side walls that extend from the base. The base and the side walls define an opening of the crimp barrel that is configured to receive the end of the wire therein. The side walls extend outwardly from the base to ends. The side walls include base segments that extend from the base and end segments that extend from the base segments and include the ends. A sealing wing extends from the end of at least one of the side walls. The side walls are configured to be folded over when crimped over the end of the wire such that a gap is defined between the end segment and the base segment of at least one of the side walls. The sealing wing is configured to extend within the gap between the end segment and the base segment of the corresponding side wall when the side walls are crimped over the end of the wire. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094509 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY HAVING INTEGRATED PROTECTION CIRCUITRY - A system configured to protect a load within a vehicle includes a plug subassembly and a sensor connector subassembly. The sensor connector subassembly is selectively connectable to the plug subassembly. A circuit board is secured within the sensor connector subassembly. The circuit board includes at least one positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device electrically connected between an activation switch and a load. The circuit board includes at least one circuit to protect against over-voltage or over-current to the load, detect a fault condition of the load, and determine whether the plug subassembly is connected to the sensor connector subassembly. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120088379 | STRADDLE MOUNT CONNECTOR - A straddle mount connector includes a housing that has a mating end and a mounting end configured to be mounted to an edge of a circuit board. Contacts are held by the housing with the contacts extending from the mounting end that are configured to be terminated to the circuit board. The contacts are arranged at the mating end and are configured for mating with a corresponding mating component. A comb extends from the mounting end of the housing that has a plurality of fingers separated from one another by a gap. The comb is positioned such that the fingers are positioned between corresponding contacts and the contacts are positioned within corresponding gaps. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083156 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector assembly is provided with a shielding cage member having an upper port and a lower port configured to receive pluggable modules therein. The cage member has a front mating face that has openings to receive the pluggable modules. The cage member has side walls along the sides of the upper and lower ports and a separator member extending between the side walls between the upper and lower ports. The separator member has an upper plate and a lower plate with a channel therebetween. An RF absorber is positioned within the channel that reduces an amount of EMI emitted from the channel. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083140 | INTERFACE CONTACT FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - An electrical connector includes a housing and a contact held by the housing. The contact has a mating interface configured for mating with a mating contact of a mating connector. The contact has a planar side extending to a tip. An interface contact is separately provided from, and coupled to, the mating interface of the contact. The interface contact has a base coupled to the side of the contact proximate to the tip. The interface contact has a spring beam extending from the base away from the side of the contact. The spring beam is configured to engage the mating contact of the mating connector to make an electrical connection between the contact and the mating contact. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120077392 | CONTACT RAIL FOR A JUNCTION BOX - A contact rail is provided including a module coupling end and a mating end. A diode mounting surface is positioned between the module coupling end and the mating end. A pivot member extends from a base of the module coupling end. The pivot member is configured to be engaged by an elongated tool. A module coupling fastener engages the base of the module coupling end. The elongated tool is configured to engage the module coupling fastener. The elongated tool is configured to pivot about the pivot member to separate the module coupling fastener from the base of the module coupling end so that a contact from a power module is receivable between the base of the module coupling end and the module coupling fastener. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077381 | PRESS FIT CABLE CONNECTOR - A connector includes signal pins having a mating end and a wire end. The wire end is configured to be electrically coupled to a wire of a cable. The mating end is configured to be inserted into a via of a substrate. A pin retainer is provided having apertures emending therethrough. The signal pins are inserted through the apertures of the pin retainer such that the mating ends of the signal pins extend from the pin retainer. A ground frame is provided having a wire end and a mating end. An opening extends between the wire end and the mating end. The pin retainer is positioned within the opening of the ground frame such that the mating ends of the signal pins extend from the mating end of the ground frame. The wire end of the ground frame is configured to contact a shield of the cable. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074875 | SSL BUDGETING AND CODING SYSTEM FOR LIGHTING ASSEMBLY - A lighting assembly includes a lighting module labeled with an indicator. The lighting module indicator is indicative of electrical capacities of the lighting module. A driver is provided to power the lighting module. The driver is labeled with an indicator indicative of electrical capacities of the driver. The lighting module indicator and the driver indicator are compared to determine whether the driver has electrical capacities that enable the driver to power the lighting module. A cable electrically couples the driver and the lighting module. The cable has an indicator indicative of electrical capacities of the cable. The cable indicator is compared to the driver indicators and the lighting module indicator to determine whether the cable has electrical capacities that enable the cable to convey power from the driver to the lighting module. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071039 | INTERCONNECT AND TERMINATION METHODOLOGY FOR E-TEXTILES - A connector for an e-textile having a conductive layer that includes conductors includes a terminal and a base separately provided from the terminal. The terminal has a mating end and a mounting end. The mounting end is terminated to the e-textile's conductors. The mating end is configured to be mated with a mating contact of a mating component. The terminal has a body and a plurality of tines extending from the body. The base is arranged opposite the body of the terminal such that the e-textile's conductors are positioned between the base and the body of the terminal. The terminal is crimped to electrically connect the terminal and the base to the e-textile's conductor. The tines are folded against the base to electrically connect the terminal to the base. The body of the terminal and the base engage the e-textile's conductors. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071031 | CRIMP CONTACTS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING THE SAME - A crimp contact including a first component that has opposite leading and trailing ends and a central axis that extends therebetween. The first component has a component wall that includes an interior surface and a wall edge. The interior surface defines a contact passage that extends along the central axis. The wall edge defines a passage opening at the trailing end. The crimp contact also includes a second component coupled to the first component. The second component includes a sheet wall that has body and sleeve portions joined together along a wall joint. The body portion is located within the contact passage and extends about the central axis to define a crimping cavity. The sleeve portion is folded over the body portion at the wall joint so that the sleeve and body portions define a radial gap therebetween. The component wall is located within the radial gap. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071015 | CONNECTORS FOR E-TEXTILES - A connector for an e-textile that has conductors that define a conductive layer of the e-textile includes a terminal subassembly that has terminals configured to be electrically connected to corresponding conductors of the e-textile. The terminal subassembly has an insulator holding the terminals. The terminals have mating interfaces. A shell holds the terminal subassembly. The shell has a front and a rear. The rear is configured to receive the e-textile. The shell has a bottom and a top. The top is open sided to provide access to the mating interfaces of the terminals for mating with a mating connector. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071009 | ELECTRICAL SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING ADJACENT CIRCUIT BOARDS - An electrical socket assembly including a socket housing having coupling and flange portions and a contact cavity that extends through the coupling and flange portions along a central axis. The coupling and flange portions have different peripheral contours that extend about the central axis. The peripheral contour of the flange portion being sized and shaped to prevent the flange portion from advancing through a thru-hole of a circuit board. The socket assembly also includes a fastener that is configured to be secured to the coupling portion. The fastener and the flange portion have respective mating surfaces that face each other in opposite directions along the central axis. The respective mating surfaces are configured to grip the circuit board therebetween such that the socket housing has a fixed position relative to the circuit board. A conductive path exists between the power contact and the circuit board. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120058672 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING SHAPED DIELECTRIC INSERT FOR CONTROLLING IMPEDANCE - Electrical connector that includes a connector housing having mating and terminating ends. The connector housing has a housing cavity and a leading edge at the mating end that defines an opening to the housing cavity. A central axis extends through the housing cavity between the mating and terminating ends. The electrical connector also includes a dielectric insert within the housing cavity and an electrical contact that is held by the insert along the central axis. The insert has a recess surface that faces the mating end and extends a radial distance, outward from the electrical contact. The insert includes a dielectric rim that projects from the recess surface toward the mating end. The dielectric rim surrounds: and is radially spaced from at least a portion of the electrical contact. The dielectric rim and the recess surface define an impedance-control space that surrounds at least the portion of the electrical contact. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120045175 | PLUG ASSEMBLY - A plug assembly includes a circular plug shell having a cavity configured to receive a modular plug connector therein. The circular plug shell is configured to be threadably coupled to a corresponding circular jack shell. An insert is loaded into the cavity or the circular plug shell. The insert includes an adapter having a one or two piece body having a circular geometry. The body has a connector chamber configured to hold the modular plug connector therein. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043838 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A MOTOR - An electrical contact is provided. The contact includes a positioning body configured to position the contact in a connector housing, wherein the connector housing is mounted to a housing of the motor. A wire end extends from the positioning body and is configured to be positioned within the housing of the motor. The wire end is configured to connect to a wire of the motor. A termination end extends from the positioning body opposite the wire end. The termination end is configured to be positioned outside the housing of the motor. The termination end is electrically joined to the wire end. A pair of termination prongs is formed at the termination end of the contact. The pair of termination prongs is configured to terminate the wire of the motor. The pair of termination prongs is configured to connect to a power cable of an electrically powered device. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042508 | FEED MECHANISM FOR A TERMINAL CRIMPING MACHINE - A feed mechanism is provided for a terminal crimping machine that crimps a terminal to a wire. The terminal crimping machine has a crimping zone. The feed mechanism includes a feed finger configured to move along a feed stroke. The feed finger is configured to move along the feed stroke in a feed direction to feed the terminal into the crimping zone. The feed mechanism also includes a cam having a lift profile, and a push rod that includes a cam follower engaged with the cam. The cam follower is configured to travel along the lift profile of the cam such that the push rod moves in a lift direction. The push rod is mechanically connected to the feed finger and is configured to move the feed finger along the feed stroke in the feed direction when the push rod moves in the lift direction. A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the push rod to exert a biasing force on the push rod that biases the cam follower of the push rod into engagement with the cam. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039569 | Modular Optical Connector Apparatus and Method - The invention pertains to a modular optical connection system that permits simple swapping of optical connectors of different form factor types. Furthermore, it allows a single optical connector design of a given form factor to be used to make optical connectors in various different board-to-board configurations, such as orthogonal, coplanar, and backplane. In accordance with the invention, an outer housing is mounted on a board which housing allows two inner housings to mate with each other through the outer housing. A single outer housing can be used with different inner housings adapted to accept various different connector form factors therein and permits the two mating inner housings to float longitudinally within the outer housing. It also allows the two mating inner housings to engage and disengage via simple push engagement and pull disengagement. The external dimensions and features of all of the different connector housings are essentially identical to each other so that they all can mate with each other and with the outer housing, but have different internal dimensions and features depending on the particular connector form factor style for which they are designed. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039047 | GUIDE SYSTEM FOR A CARD MODULE - A guide system is provided for an electronic device having a card module mated with a header. The guide system includes a guide rail configured to guide the card module for mating with the header of the electronic device. The guide rail includes a main wall extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end positioned proximate to the header. The guide rail also includes board guides extending from the main wall along the longitudinal axis that are configured to engage a card module circuit board or board guide of the card module to guide the card module to the header. The guide rail also includes heat sink flanges extending from the main wall along the longitudinal axis that are configured to engage a heat sink of the card module to dissipate heat from the heat sink to the main wall. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120034822 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND PRINTED CIRCUITS HAVING BROADSIDE-COUPLING REGIONS - An electrical connector that includes a circuit board having a board substrate that has opposite board surfaces and a thickness measured along an orientation axis that extends between the opposite board surfaces. The circuit board has associated pairs of input and output terminals and signal traces that electrically connect the associated pairs of input and output terminals. The input and output terminals being configured to communicatively coupled to mating and cable conductors, respectively. Each associated pair of input and output terminals is electrically connected through a corresponding signal trace that has a conductive path extending along the board substrate between the corresponding input and output terminals. At least two signal traces form a broadside-coupling region in which the conductive paths of the at least two signal traces are stacked along the orientation axis and spaced apart through the thickness and extend parallel to each other for a crosstalk-reducing distance. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033921 | HERMAPHRODITIC OPTICAL FIBER FERRULE - The invention pertains to an optical coupling method and apparatus in which the connectors are hermaphroditic and each connector comprises a ferrule that provides ( | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033920 | OPTICAL FIBER FERRULE - The invention pertains to an optical ferrule and a method of manufacturing the optical ferrule that can compensate for the fact that the end faces of the fibers contained in the ferrule initially may not be coplanar of each other within required or desired tolerances or otherwise not the exact correct length. Particularly, a cavity is provided within the ferrule to provide room for the fibers to freely bend within at least a range of curvatures within the ferrule so that any difference in the lengths of the fibers can be compensated for by a unique amount of bend in each individual fiber. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033392 | Modular Junction Box for a Photovoltaic Module - A junction box for electrically connecting a photovoltaic (PV) module to a power distribution system, the PV module having a plurality of conductors for electrically connecting the PV module to the junction box. The junction box includes a housing having a mounting side configured to be mounted on the PV module and a power transfer structure mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure includes a plurality of conductive connectors and a transfer interface. Each conductive connector forms an electrical interface to the PV module. The transfer interface couples the junction box to the power distribution system. The junction box also includes a user-removable control board mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure interfaces with said control board to convey power from the PV module to the control board. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031643 | CABLE WITH TWISTED PAIRS OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS AND FILLER ELEMENTS - A cable includes twisted pairs of insulated conductors. Each twisted pair includes two insulated conductors twisted together in a helical manner. The twisted pairs are grouped together to define a central core of the cable. An inner filler element is wrapped helically around the twisted pairs of the central core. An outer filler element is wrapped helically around the twisted pairs of the central core. The outer filler element is wrapped over the inner filler element. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120027358 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A FERRULE ASSEMBLY - A method for preparing a ferrule assembly avoids polishing while providing adequate control over fiber end protrusion and co-planarity. A distal end of the fiber is prepared before securing the fiber in a ferrule, and before or after inserting the fiber into the ferrule. The prepared fiber is manipulated to provide a desired spatial relationship between the fiber end and the ferrule's end face, and then secured to maintain the desired spatial relationship. Preferably, the fiber end is prepared using a laser cleaving technique to provide a suitable end without abrasive polishing. An interferometer may be used to obtain measurements, during manipulation of the prepared fiber within the ferrule, that indicate whether the prepared fiber is satisfactorily positioned. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a ferrule assembly prepared in accordance with the method, and a connector or other optical package including such a ferrule assembly are provided. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027356 | MATING OF OPTICAL FIBERS HAVING ANGLED END FACES - A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027346 | INTERPOSER WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES - An optical interposer for optically coupling light between an OED supported on a substrate and an optical fiber, the interposer comprising: (a) an interposer of an optically-clear moldable material comprising at least the following features: (b) a port for receiving a ferrule containing at least one optical fiber, the port comprising an interface surface positioned to optically couple with an end face of the optical fiber; (c) an active lens adapted to optically couple with an OED, the active lens and the interface surface optically coupled along an optical path in the interposer; (d) a protrusion extending backward from the port, the protrusion defining a first register surface, the first register surface being a certain distance from the optical path such that, when a second register surface of a ferrule containing the optical fiber contacts the first register surface, the ferrule is aligned with the port such that the port can receive a front portion of the ferrule if the ferrule is pushed forward. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027345 | BODY HAVING A DEDICATED LENS FOR IMAGING AN ALIGNMENT FEATURE - A body is configured for alignment to a substrate having an alignment feature. The body includes an alignment structure defining a viewing surface, and a dedicated lens adapted to focus an image of the substrate's alignment feature through an optically-clear material of the body and onto the viewing surface. In the fiber optic context, a lens body is provided for optically coupling a substrate's OED to a corresponding optical fiber. The lens body further includes at least one active lens adapted to cooperate optically with a respective OED. The dedicated lens is positioned externally to any optical path. An optical subassembly includes a substrate having at least one perceptible alignment feature provided in a predetermined spatial relationship to the OED, and a lens body secured to the substrate such that the image of the substrate's alignment feature appears aligned relative to the viewing surface. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120021658 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR POWER CONDUCTORS - An electrical connector is provided for power conductors including a main conductor and a tap conductor. The assembly includes an upper conductive member having an upper tap conductor arm configured to engage the tap conductor and an upper main conductor arm configured to engage the main conductor. Each of the upper tap conductor arm and the upper main conductor arm includes a deflectable spring. The electrical connector also includes a lower conductive member separately fabricated from the upper conductive member. The lower conductive member includes a lower tap conductor arm configured to engage the tap conductor and a lower main conductor arm configured to engage the main conductor. Each of the lower tap conductor arm and the lower main conductor arm includes a deflectable spring. The upper and lower tap conductor arms oppose each other and are configured to clamp the tap conductor therebetween. The upper and lower main conductor arms oppose each other and are configured to clamp the main conductor therebetween. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021655 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A CONNECTOR EXTENDER MODULE - A connector assembly includes an electrical connector having a mating end configured to be mated to a mating connector and a mounting end. The electrical connector holds contacts with pins extending from the mounting end. The connector assembly also includes a connector extender module coupled to the mounting end. The connector extender module having a holder extending between a connector end and board end, with the mounting end of the electrical connector being mounted to the connector end and the board end being configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The holder has channels extending between the connector end and the board end. The connector extender module also includes terminals arranged within the channels that receive the pins. The terminals have tails configured to be terminated to the circuit board. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021654 | TRANSCEIVER ASSEMBLY HAVING AN IMPROVED RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR - A receptacle connector includes contacts having posts and contact tails extending from the posts. The contact tails are configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The contacts have mating sections extending from the posts. The mating sections are configured for mating with a mating connector. The contacts define signal contacts and ground contacts with the signal contacts arranged in pairs and the pairs of signal contacts being separated by at least one ground contact. The receptacle connector also includes a housing holding the signal and ground contacts in parallel at a predetermined pitch. The housing has a front and a rear with a cavity at the front being configured to receive the mating connector. The housing has walls defining channels that receive the signal and ground contacts. The channels holding the signal contacts have air pockets between the signal contacts such that the amount of air between adjacent signal contacts is greater than the amount of air between signal contacts and adjacent ground contacts. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021643 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL POWER TO AN ANTENNA - An electrical connector is provided for terminating an electrical cable having an insulated conductor surrounded by a ground shield. The electrical connector includes a housing, an electrical contact held by the housing, an inner ferrule configured to extend between the ground shield and the insulated conductor of the electrical cable, and an outer ferrule extending around the inner ferrule such that the ground shield of the electrical cable extends between the inner and outer ferrules when the electrical connector terminates the electrical cable. A rear cover is connected to the housing. The rear cover extends around and compresses the outer ferrule such that the ground shield of the electrical cable is captured between the inner and outer ferrules when the electrical connector terminates the electrical cable. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021641 | MOUNTING PLATE FOR MOUNTING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO A CIRCUIT BOARD - An electrical connector is provided including a housing. A mounting plate is provided having a mounting surface configured to be mechanically coupled to a circuit board. An opening extends through the mounting plate. The opening has an interior contour shaped to slidably receive a post of the housing as the mounting plate is loaded onto the post until the mounting plate rests on a plate surface of the housing. An engagement feature is provided on the mounting plate. The engagement feature secures the mounting plate to the housing. The engagement feature displaces a plate securing portion formed on the housing to secure the mounting plate to the housing with an interference fit. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021631 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEALING A CONNECTOR - A connector assembly includes a connector having a connector housing including a flange and a mating end. The flange has a flange surface. The mating end has an opening extending therethrough. A flange seal extends along the flange surface. A mating end seal extends around the mating end of the connector housing. The connector housing is configured to couple to a panel so that a flange side of the panel is positioned adjacent the flange surface of the connector housing. The mating end of the connector housing is configured to extend through an opening formed in the panel. The flange seal is configured to be positioned between the flange surface of the connector housing and the flange side of the panel. The mating end seal is configured to be positioned between the panel and the mating end of the connector housing to seal the opening of the panel. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021620 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH FLOATING CONTACT - An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit. The electrical connector includes a housing having a mating face, a mounting face, and an interior cavity. The mounting face is configured to be mounted on the printed circuit. A port extends through the mating face into the interior cavity. The interior cavity is defined by an interior wall of the housing. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a mating segment and a mounting segment. The mating segment extends within the interior cavity of the housing. The mating segment includes an exterior surface and a mating interface positioned proximate the port. At least a portion of the mounting segment extends along the mounting face of the housing for engagement with the printed circuit. A clearance exists between the exterior surface of the mating segment and the interior wall of the housing. The mating segment is movable within the interior cavity relative to the housing via the clearance. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020619 | Imaging Interface for Optical Components - The invention pertains to an optical interface employing optics (e.g., lenses) that image the beams rather than collimate the beams. More specifically, each connector at an interface includes optics, e.g., a lens, adapted to receive a diverging beam emanating from field point and image the beam to an image point at a predetermined distance from the imaging lens. A connector employing such optics may, for instance, be effectively mated to either a similar connector with the same optics or to a connector having no lens. Specifically, it may effectively be mated to a second connector having no lens via a second connector structure that places the receiving optical component at the image point of the focusing optics of the first connector. Alternately, such a connector may be effectively mated to a second connector having an identical lens to the first connector provided that the first and second connector structures are adapted to mate such that the image points of the two lenses are coincident. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020618 | Fiber Optic Connector and Alignment Mechanism for Single Lens Multi-Fiber Connector - The invention pertains to an optical connector assembly having an alignment mechanism for coupling two single-lens, multi-fiber optical connectors together. Particularly, each connector comprising a single lens through which the light from multiple fibers is expanded/focused for coupling to corresponding fibers in a mating connector. In one aspect of the invention, the alignment mechanism includes mating features extending from the fronts of the lenses having substantially longitudinal surfaces that meet and contact each other when the two connectors are coupled together in only one or a limited number of rotational orientations relative to each other to as to properly rotationally align the multiple fibers in the two mating connectors. This mechanism also helps align the two connectors with the optical axes of their lenses parallel to each other. In another aspect of the invention to even more effectively align the two connectors with their optical axes parallel to each other, the connector assembly includes an alignment sleeve into which the front of each lens extends when mated, an inner diametrical surface of the alignment sleeve contacting an outer diametrical surface of each of the two lenses over a substantial longitudinal portion of each lens. The alignment sleeve may, for instance, be a resilient split sleeve that expands radially to accept the lenses. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120015563 | TRANSCEIVER ASSEMBLY - A receptacle connector is provided for mating with a pluggable module having a plug and a printed circuit. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating receptacle and a slot. The mating receptacle is configured to receive the plug of the pluggable module therein. The slot is configured to receive the printed circuit of the pluggable module therein. A receptacle contact is held by the housing. The receptacle contact includes a receptacle mating segment that extends within the mating receptacle and is configured to engage a mating contact of the plug of the pluggable module. A slot contact is held by the housing. The slot contact includes a slot mating segment that extends within the slot and is configured to engage the printed circuit of the pluggable module. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015556 | GROUND SHIELD FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A ground shield is provided for an electrical connector mounted on a printed circuit. The ground shield includes a body extending from a mating interface to a mounting interface. An electrical ground path is defined through the body between the mating and mounting interfaces. The mating interface includes a mating contact configured to engage a mating connector. The mounting interface includes a mounting contact configured to engage the printed circuit. The body includes two conductive layers separated by a dielectric substance such that a capacitor is provided within the electrical ground path. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015551 | CABLE CLIP FOR A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly includes a shielded housing having a cavity. The shielded housing has a mating end and a cable end configured to receive a cable therethrough. A plug is received in the cavity that has terminals extending between mating ends and wire terminating ends. The wire terminating ends being configured to be terminated to corresponding wires of the cable. A cable clip is received in the shielded housing proximate to the cable end. The cable clip has a base and a bonding arm extending from the base. The base engages and is electrically connected to the shielded housing. The bonding arm is positioned in the cavity and is configured to engage a cable shield of the cable to electrically connect the cable shield and the shielded housing. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015533 | TRANSCEIVER ASSEMBLY - A receptacle connector includes a housing having a mating interface for mating with a mating connector. Ground contacts are held by the housing. The ground contacts include ground mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with ground terminals of the mating connector. The ground mating segments of the ground contacts include ground mating surfaces configured to engage the ground terminals. The ground mating surfaces of the ground mating segments extending within at least one ground plane. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include signal mating segments arranged along the mating interface of the housing for mating with signal terminals of the mating connector. The signal mating segments of the signal contacts include signal mating surfaces configured to engage the signal terminals. The signal mating surfaces of the signal contacts extend within at least one signal plane that extends parallel to and is spaced apart from the at least one ground plane. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014645 | SINGLE LENS, MULTI-FIBER OPTICAL CONNECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - The invention pertains to an expanded beam optical coupling method and apparatus comprising a single lens per connector through which the light from multiple fibers is expanded/focused to couple to corresponding fibers in a mating connector. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120008292 | CARD MODULE AND MODULE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical assembly includes a card module having a front end connector and an opposite back end connector. The card module is configured to be removably inserted into an opening formed in a front face of an electronic device. A header is mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device. The header has an electrical contact electrically coupled to the circuit board. The electrical contact is configured to engage the back end connector of the card module. A rail system extends between the header and the opening formed in the front face of the electronic device. The rail system is configured to receive the card module inserted into the opening and align the back end connector of the card module with the electrical contact of the header so that the back end connector engages the electrical contact The card module is removable from the rail system through the opening. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120003879 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to an electrical component. The electrical connector includes electrical contacts having mounting bases that are initially mechanically connected together by a connection strip. The connection strip extends along a connection path from the mounting base of one of the electrical contacts to the mounting base of the other electrical contact. The connection strip is broken along the connection path such that the electrical contacts are separated from each other. The electrical connector also includes a insulator having a module side and an opposite component side. The mounting bases of the electrical contacts are mechanically connected to the insulator on the module side of the insulator. The insulator includes a punch opening that extends into the module side of the insulator. The punch opening is aligned with the connection path of the connection strip and is configured to receive a punch tool for breaking the connection strip. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003871 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR AN ELECTRONIC MODULE - An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to an electrical component. The electrical connector includes an insulator having a module side and an opposite component side. The insulator is configured to extend between the electronic module and the electrical component such that the module side faces the electronic module and the component side faces the electrical component. Electrical contacts are held by the insulator. The electrical contacts include mating segments arranged in an array along the module side of the insulator. The mating segments are configured to mate with mating contacts of the electronic module. The electrical connector further includes a shield having a body that is at least partially electrically conductive. The body of the shield is mounted on the insulator such that the body covers at least a portion of the module side of the insulator. The body of the shield includes an opening defined by at least one interior wall of the body. The opening receives the mating segment of at least one of the electrical contacts therein such that the at least one interior wall extends at least partially around the mating segment of the at least one electrical contact. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110317375 | ALIGNMENT PIN FOR RETAINING A MODULE ON A CIRCUIT BOARD - An alignment pin is provided. The alignment pin includes an alignment member that is configured to extend from a surface of a circuit board. The alignment member has a flange that engages an electronic module. The flange aligns and retains the electronic module on the circuit board. A coupling member extends from the alignment member. The coupling member is configured to be through hole mounted to an aperture in the circuit board. The coupling member has a retention feature that creates a press-fit between a surface of the aperture and the coupling member. The coupling member has a cross-sectional width at the retention feature that is greater than a diameter of the aperture. The retention feature accommodates a press-fit with apertures having different diameters. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315419 | CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR COMMUNICATING SIGNALS OVER MULTIPLE CONDUCTORS - A cable assembly includes elongated conductors, primary dielectric layers, a secondary dielectric layer, a conductive shield layer and a drain wire. The conductors communicate a signal. The primary dielectric layer is circumferentially disposed around each of the conductors. The secondary dielectric layer surrounds the primary dielectric layers. The conductive shield layer is disposed around the secondary dielectric layer. The drain wire is provided along an outer surface of the conductive shield layer and is electrically coupled with the conductive shield layer. The conductive shield layer communicates electromagnetic interference to an electric ground reference via the drain wire. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110312196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMPEDANCE IN A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT - A flexible circuit is provided. The flexible circuit includes a circuit board mating end and a flexible body extending from the circuit board mating end. A conductive pathway extends through the flexible body to electrically couple circuit boards. A connector pad is positioned on the circuit board mating end. The conductive pathway electrically engages the connector pad. The connector pad is configured to electrically couple the flexible circuit to one of the circuit boards. A layer of uncured material extends between the connector pad and the conductive pathway. The layer of uncured material increases an impedance of the connector pad. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310628 | LIGHT EMITTING DIODE INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM - A light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system is provided. The system includes a cable having a driver end and a termination end. The cable has conductive pathways extending between the driver end and the termination end. The driver end is configured to engage a driver to carry an electrical current to the conductive pathways. The termination end is configured to terminate the conductive pathways. A connector is provided having a cable contact and a LED contact joined to the cable contact. The cable contact pierces the cable and engages the conductive pathways to electrically join the connector to the conductive pathways. A LED board is provided having a circuit board including circuit board contacts. A LED is positioned on the circuit board and electrically joined to the circuit board contacts. The LED contact of the connector engages the circuit board contacts to electrically join the connector to the LED. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306251 | CONNECTOR WITH A LATERALLY MOVING CONTACT - A connector includes a housing, a contact, an angled interface, and a resilient member. The contact is disposed in the housing and includes a mating end and an interface end. The angled interface includes a sliding surface that is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The resilient member is coupled with the contact and the housing and is configured to apply a force to the contact in a direction that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. The mating end of the contact engages a conductive element of a mating connector and the interface end of the contact slides along the sliding surface of the angled interface when the contact is moved in a mating direction toward the conductive element. The angled interface translates movement of the contact in the mating direction into lateral movement across the conductive element. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306250 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS HAVING OPEN-ENDED CONDUCTORS - An electrical connector including a connector body that is configured to mate with a plug connector and a contact sub-assembly that is held by the connector body. The contact sub-assembly includes a plurality of mating conductors that are configured to transmit signal current along an interconnection path. The contact sub-assembly also includes a plurality of open-ended conductors. Each of the open-ended conductors is electrically connected to a corresponding mating conductor of the plurality of mating conductors. The open-ended conductors are configured to capacitively couple select mating conductors thereby providing a compensation region that is electrically parallel to the interconnection path. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306219 | ALIGNMENT FRAME FOR RETAINING A MODULE ON A CIRCUIT BOARD - An alignment frame is provided. The frame includes a plurality of frame members coupled together to form a base. The base is configured to surround an electronic module to provide a protective cover for the electronic module. The base includes corners formed at intersections of the frame members. An alignment member is positioned on at least one corner of the base. The alignment member is configured to align an electronic module with respect to an electrical connector on a circuit board. A coupling member extends from at least one corner of the base. The coupling member is configured to be through-hole mounted to an aperture in the circuit board. The coupling member includes a retention feature configured to create a press-fit with an inner surface of the aperture. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301909 | TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR A LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) ASSEMBLY - A temperature measurement system is provided for a light emitting diode (LED) assembly that includes an LED having two semiconductors joined together at an LED junction. The system includes a temperature sensor operatively connected to the LED assembly at a remote location that is remote from the LED junction. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the LED assembly at the remote location. A temperature calculation module is operatively connected to the temperature sensor for receiving the measured temperature at the remote location from the temperature sensor. The temperature calculation module is configured to determine a junction temperature at the LED junction based on the measured temperature a the remote location. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110300741 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING CABLE STRAIN RELIEF - An electrical connector assembly including a connector housing having a plurality of sides that define an inner region of the connector housing and include opposite loading and mating sides. The connector housing has a cable channel located in the inner region that extends between the loading and mating sides and a slot oriented substantially transverse to the cable channel. The slot extends through the cable channel. The connector assembly also includes a conductive cable that is received in the cable channel and extends along a central cable axis. The conductive cable has an outer surface and is configured to electrically engage the PV module. The connector assembly also includes a retaining member that is inserted into the slot. The retaining member surrounds the conductive cable about the cable axis and grips the outer surface of the conductive cable. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299822 | SWITCH RACK SYSTEM - In one embodiment, the system comprises: (a) a chassis; (b) one or more cards mounted in the chassis, each card having a plurality of switch ports, the plurality of switch ports being aligned in one or more columns; (c) an aggregator mounted adjacent the chassis, the aggregator having a plurality of bays, each bay being aligned with a card in the chassis, at least one of the bays having a faceplate comprising at least first and second aggregator ports aligned in a column; (d) at least first and second hydras, wherein each hydra comprises at least (i) a first connector; (ii) a plurality of second connectors; (iii) a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting the first connector to one of the second connectors, the plurality of conductors being bundled together to form a trunk portion from the first connector to a breakout point, the plurality of conductors being separated into breakout portions from the breakout point to the second connectors; (iv) wherein the trunk portion of the first cable is longer than that of the second cable; and (e) wherein the first connector of the first hydra is connected to the first aggregator port and the second connectors of the first hydra are connected to a first set of switch ports, and the first connector of the second hydra is connected to the second aggregator port and the second connectors of the second hydra are connected to a second set of switch ports, wherein the first set of switch ports are further away from the aggregator than the second set of switch ports. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299266 | AGGREGATOR FOR A SWITCH RACK SYSTEM - An aggregator for interconnecting a hydra with an breakout box, said aggregator comprising: (a) a bottom wall, two sides walls, and at least one faceplate; (b) adapters for multi-conductor connectors arranged in at least one column on said faceplate; and (c) wherein at least two adapters of each column are secure adapters. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110294358 | Image Guide Wire Connection - An electrical connector and assembly having a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire, is disclosed. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294348 | MODULAR CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A connector system includes a first connector comprising a housing holding a plurality of contacts, a second connector comprising a housing holding a plurality of contacts, and a metal shield having walls defining a shielded chamber. The first and second connectors are configured to be mounted to a circuit board in a stacked arrangement next to one another. The first and second connectors are configured to be arranged in a shielded configuration in which the first and second connectors are positioned within the shielded chamber and mounted to the circuit board with the metal shield. The first and second connectors are also configured to be arranged in an unshielded configuration in which the first and second connectors are mounted to the circuit board without the metal shield. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294346 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a dielectric body and plurality of contacts. The dielectric body includes windows internal of the dielectric body and located between adjacent contacts. Holders support corresponding contact modules and the holders are coupled together such that the contact modules are stacked parallel to one another. The holders are electrically grounded and include a support wall and tabs extending outward from the support wall. The contact modules are coupled to the holders such that the tabs are received in the windows to provide shielding within the contact modules. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294342 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH SIGNAL AND POWER CONNECTIONS - An electrical connector includes a connector housing having at least one contact cavity and an interchange port. A power contact is held by the connector housing within the contact cavity. The power contact is configured to conduct electrical power. An interchangeable signal module is separably mounted to the connector housing such that at least a portion of the signal module is held within the interchange port of the connector housing. The signal module includes an insulator holding a signal contact that is configured to conduct electrical data signals. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294338 | CONNECTOR AND MOUNTING ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING STRESS-DISTRIBUTION MEMBERS - A mounting assembly configured to mount a communication connector to a panel of an electrical system. The mounting assembly including a stress-distribution member that has an abutment surface abutting a flange of the connector. The stress-distribution member has a fastener opening. The mounting assembly also includes a fastener element that extends along a central axis. The fastener element has a cross-section taken perpendicular to the central axis that is sized and shaped to permit the fastener element to be freely inserted through through-holes of the connector and the panel. The fastener element is inserted into the fastener opening and secured to the fastener element. The stress-distribution member distributes mechanical energy provided by the fastener element when the connector is in a shock or vibration environment. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294337 | SYMMETRIC HEADER CONNECTOR - A header connector includes socket contacts having a socket portion extending along a longitudinal axis that defines a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. A housing extends along a central axis between mating and mounting ends and has contact channels open between the mating and mounting ends that receive the socket contacts. The housing has a primary plane and a secondary plane with the contact channels being arranged symmetrically about the primary plane and the secondary plane such that the housing is configured to be mated with a receptacle connector in a first orientation and a second orientation different than the first orientation. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294334 | LATCH FOR A CABLE ASSEMBLY - A latch assembly for a connector is provided. The latch assembly includes a latch coupled to the connector. The latch includes a crossbar and a latch arm extending from the crossbar. The latch arm is configured to engage a mating connector. An anchor point engages the latch. The latch rotates about the anchor point between an open position, where the latch arm is configured to disengage from the mating connector, and a closed position. where the latch arm is configured to engage the mating connector. A biasing mechanism engages the crossbar of the latch to bias the latch into the closed position, wherein in the closed position the latch assembly generates a latch force on the mating connector in a direction opposite to a load force imposed on at least one of the connector and the mating connector. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294325 | SOCKET CONTACT FOR A HEADER CONNECTOR - A header connector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The housing has contact channels open between the mating and mounting ends, and the housing has air pockets provided between selected ones of the contact channels to control an impedance of socket contacts received in the contact channels. Socket contacts are loaded into the contact channels, with each socket contact including a contact body extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The contact body has a box-shaped socket at the mating end that clergies a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. The box-shaped socket is configured to engage four different sides of the mating contact. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294313 | RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR - A receptacle connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit having a contact mounting area and an incoming trace that extends into the contact mounting area. The receptacle connector includes a housing having a slot configured to receive a mating connector therein. The receptacle connector also includes an upper contact and a lower contact held by the housing. The upper and lower contacts include mating segments, mounting feet, and intermediate segments that extend between the mating segments and the mounting feet. The mounting foot of the lower contact is configured to be mounted on the incoming trace of the printed circuit such that the mounting foot creates a conductive path between the incoming trace and the intermediate segment of the lower contact. The conductive path forms part of a propagation path of electrical current through the electrical trace and the lower contact. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294312 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR MOUNTING A RIBBON CABLE ON A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - A connector and cable assembly is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a ribbon cable having an end that includes an electrical conductor. The assembly also includes an electrical connector that includes a dielectric body comprising a circuit side, a cable side that is opposite the circuit side, and a contact opening that extends through the body. The electrical connector also includes an electrical contact having a cable segment and a tail extending from the cable segment. The electrical contact is held within the contact opening such that at least a portion of the cable segment extends along the cable side of the body and at least a portion of the tail projects from the circuit side of the body. The cable segment is electrically connected to the electrical conductor of the ribbon cable. The tail is configured to be separably mated with the printed circuit board. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292966 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT - A flexible circuit configured to electrically couple circuit boards is provided. The flexible circuit includes opposite circuit board mating ends and a flexible body extending therebetween. Conductive pathways extend along the body of the flexible circuit to electrically couple the circuit boards. The flexible circuit also includes a temperature sensing circuit including leads having a distal end coupled to a temperature sensor and a temperature contact located proximate to one of circuit board mating ends. The temperature sensor is located at an intermediate position along the body between the circuit board mating ends. The temperature contact is configured to deliver temperature signals from the temperature sensor representative of a local flexible circuit temperature. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291996 | MULTI-LAYER COVERSHEET FOR SAW TOUCH PANEL - A touch panel includes a surface acoustic wave propagating substrate having top and bottom surfaces and a multi-layer coversheet that is positioned over the substrate. The coversheet includes a load-spreading layer, a compliant layer and an anti-sticking layer. The load-spreading layer has top and bottom surfaces, and the top surface receives touch input from an object. The compliant layer has top and bottom surfaces and the top surface of the compliant layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the load-spreading layer. The anti-sticking layer has top and bottom surfaces and the top surface of the anti-sticking layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the compliant layer. The bottom surface of the anti-sticking layer is positioned proximate to the top surface of the substrate. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291789 | PLANAR INDUCTOR DEVICES - A multilayer inductor device includes a planar substrate, a ferrite body, and an outer and an inner conductive coil. The substrate includes plural dielectric layers with the ferrite body is disposed in the substrate. The outer and inner conductive coils are helically wrapped around the ferrite body. The outer conductive coil includes first upper conductors, first lower conductors, and first conductive vias vertically extending through the substrate and conductively coupled with the first upper and lower conductors. The inner conductive coil includes second upper conductors, second lower conductors, and second conductive vias vertically extending through the substrate and conductively coupled with the second upper and lower conductors. The inner conductive coil is disposed between the outer conductive coil and the ferrite body. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291788 | PLANAR INDUCTOR DEVICES - A planar inductor device includes a substrate, a ferrite body in the substrate, upper and lower conductors, and conductive vias. The substrate vertically extends from an upper surface to an opposite lower surface. The substrate laterally extends from a first edge to a second edge. The upper conductors are disposed above the ferrite body. The lower conductors are disposed below the ferrite body. The conductive vias extend through the substrate and are conductively coupled with the upper conductors and with the lower conductors. The vias, the upper conductors, and the lower conductors form one or more conductive coils that encircle the ferrite body in the substrate. At least one of the first edge or the second edge of the substrate passes through one or more of the vias such that the vias are exposed at the at least one of the first edge or the second edge. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291787 | PLANAR INDUCTOR DEVICES - A planar inductor device includes a ferrite body and a conductive pathway. The ferrite body extends around an opening in the ferrite body. The conductive pathway includes an input section, a current-splitting section, a coil section, a current-combining section, and an output section connected with each other, the input section extending toward the opening in the ferrite body. The current-splitting section includes a plurality of conductive coils joined with the conductive pathway and electrically disposed parallel to each other. The coil section includes the conductive coils helically wrapped around the ferrite body. The current-combining section includes the conductive coils joined with each other. The output section includes the joined conductive coils extending out of the ferrite body. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290303 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting a junction box of a photovoltaic (PV) module to an electrical cable of a power distribution system. The electrical connector includes a housing extending along a central longitudinal axis from a cable segment to a mating segment. The housing has an intermediate segment that extends between the cable and mating segments. The intermediate segment includes a flange. The housing is configured to be mounted to a frame for the PV module. An electrical contact is held by the housing and is configured to establish an electrical connection between the junction box and the electrical cable. A biasing mechanism extends over the intermediate segment of the housing. The biasing mechanism extends from a flange end to a frame end. The flange end is engaged with the flange of the housing. The frame end is configured to engage the frame such that, when the housing is mounted to the frame, the biasing mechanism extends between and exerts a biasing force on the flange and the frame. The housing is movable relative to the frame and along the central longitudinal axis with and against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110281451 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING MOVABLE CONNECTORS - A connector assembly including a first connector configured to be movably mounted to a support structure and having a first mating terminal. The first connector is movable with respect to the support structure in an axial direction along an alignment axis. The connector assembly also includes a second connector that is configured to be movably mounted to a support panel and has a second mating terminal. The second connector is movable with respect to the support panel in a radial direction relative to an alignment axis. The second connector shifts in the radial, direction to align the first and second mating terminals when the first and second connectors engage each other in a misaligned manner. The first connector moves between a projected position and a retracted position along the alignment axis to facilitate establishing a communication pathway between the first and second mating terminals. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281445 | SOCKET CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH COMPRESSIVE CONTACTS - A socket connector assembly includes a housing, signal terminals, and a power module subassembly. The housing is mounted to a circuit board and includes opposing walls having internal surfaces. The signal terminals are joined to the internal surfaces of the walls and engage conductive members disposed along side edges of an electronic package that is received into the housing between the walls. The power module subassembly is coupled to the circuit board between the walls of the housing. The power module subassembly includes a power contact configured to engage a current carrying conductor disposed on a surface of the electronic package that extends between the side edges of the electronic package. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275244 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE - A connector assembly for a photovoltaic module includes a locator having a support rib configured to hold a buss of the photovoltaic module, and a connector housing holding a contact. The connector housing is configured to be mounted to the photovoltaic module over the locator such that the contact is mated to the buss in a press-fit connection | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275232 | SOLAR MODULE CONNECTOR AND METHOD OF USE - A solar module connector comprising: a cable; a housing having a mounting surface at least a portion of which partially defines an opening for facilitating contact with at least one buss lead of a solar module, a cavity, a cable end, and a passageway between the cavity and the cable end; a seal disposed around the cable and at least partially seated in the passageway; and a contact electrically connected to the cable and disposed in the cavity proximate the opening. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275227 | MODULE TO CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR - A connector is provided. The connector includes contact members having a main body with a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear. A base extends from the bottom of the main body. The base is configured to be surface mounted to a first circuit board. An electrical contact extends from the front of the main body. The electrical contact is configured to be through hole mounted to a second circuit board. The connector also includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear. The housing has slots formed therein. The contact members are secured in corresponding slots of the housing so that the bases of the contact members are held coplanar along the bottom of the housing for mounting to the first circuit board. The electrical contacts of the contact members extend from the front of the housing for mounting to the second circuit board. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273892 | SOLID STATE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY - A solid state lighting system includes a solid state lighting device emitting light, and an optical device positioned adjacent the solid state lighting device, which receives the light emitted from the solid state lighting device. A clip holds the optical device relative to the solid state lighting device. The clip includes a base configured to be mounted to a substrate proximate to the solid state lighting device. The clip also includes a latch extending from the base that has a latching surface engaging the optical device to hold the optical device in position with respect to the solid state lighting device. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273819 | INTEGRATED CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device includes a frame having a frame member with a frame connector. The frame defines a component cavity. The electronic device also includes a user interface coupled to the frame that is visible external of the frame, with the user interlace displaying data to an operator. A user input is coupled to the frame member and includes a terminal electrically coupled to the frame connector. A circuit board is received in the component cavity and is operably coupled to the user interface. The circuit board is electrically connected to the frame connector at a separable interface. The user input can pick up a signal from anywhere on the electronic device based on an action of touching, handling or placing and process that signal to cause a predetermined effect. The signal from the user input is transferred to the user interface via the frame connector and the circuit board. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273339 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An antenna includes a flexible film substrate having a signal element and a ground element. A signal contact is mounted to the flexible film substrate. The signal contact is electrically connected to the signal element by a compression connection and the signal contact includes a wire termination configured to be terminated to a center conductor of a coaxial cable. A ground contact is mounted to the flexible film substrate. The ground contact is electrically connected to the ground element by a compression connection and includes a wire termination configured to be terminated to a cable braid of the coaxial cable. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272258 | SWITCHING DEVICES CONFIGURED TO CONTROL MAGNETIC FIELDS TO MAINTAIN AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION - An electrical switching device including a base terminal that extends substantially in an axial direction and has a base contact. The switching device also includes a movable terminal that extends substantially in the axial direction and has a mating contact. The movable and base terminals extend generally parallel to each other and are separated by a field spacing. The movable terminal is selectively movable to and from the base terminal to electrically connect the base and mating contacts at a contact interface. The switching device also includes a magnetic shield that is located between the movable and base terminals within the field spacing. The movable terminal experiences a separation force when current flows through the base and movable terminals in opposite directions. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the separation force experienced by the movable terminal to facilitate maintaining the contact interface between the base and mating contacts. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272094 | PLANAR ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A MAGNETIC COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method for manufacturing a planar electronic device includes applying a non-conductive fluid polymer to a lower side of a planar substrate. The substrate includes a hole extending through the substrate. The method also includes curing the fluid polymer to form a solid centering layer on the lower side of the substrate, with the centering layer extending across the hole along the lower side of the substrate. The method further includes loading a ferrite material body into the hole of the substrate through the upper side of the substrate, embedding the ferrite material body in an encapsulating material in the hole, and forming one or more conductive loops around the ferrite material body. The ferrite material body is held within the substrate between the lower side and the upper side of the substrate by the encapsulating material. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271525 | PROTECTIVE COVER FOR FIELD-INSTALLABLE CONNECTOR - A method of terminating a fiber in a connector having a front and rear orientation, a housing, a clamping mechanism in the housing, and a ferrule assembly forward of the clamping mechanism and comprising a holder and a ferrule extending from the holder, the method comprising covering the ferrule with a cap, inserting a fiber into the clamping mechanism from the rear of the connector, and while the cap is on the ferrule, actuating the clamping mechanism to secure the fiber to the connector by urging the cap rearward relative to the clamping mechanism. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110267831 | LED SOCKET ASSEMBLY - A socket assembly is provided for mounting on a base of a lighting fixture. The socket assembly includes a socket housing having a base side, a clip side, and a side wall extending from the base side to the clip side. The base side of the socket housing is configured to be mounted on the base of the lighting fixture. The socket housing includes a receptacle extending therein. A light emitting diode (LED) is held within the receptacle of the socket housing. The socket assembly further includes a mounting clip having a strap and an arm that extends from the strap. The strap extends over and is engaged with the clip side of the socket housing. The arm extends outwardly from the strap along the side wall of the socket housing and is configured to engage the base of the lighting fixture to hold the socket housing on the base. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110262074 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FLOATABLE LIGHT PIPE ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly configured to be positioned relative to a light-emitting element. The connector assembly includes a receptacle connector that has a member cavity and a base. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe (LP) structure that has input and output ends. The input end is configured to capture light emitted from the light-emitting element. The connector assembly also includes an alignment member that is received within the member cavity of the receptacle connector and is coupled to the LP structure. The alignment member is sized to float within the member cavity to control a relative position of the input end of the LP structure with respect to the base. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261952 | FACEPLATE ASSEMBLY FOR WALL MOUNTING A PHONE - A faceplate assembly includes a cover plate having a front wall and a rim surrounding a perimeter of the front wall. The rim has a rim opening therethrough. The front wall has a pair of mounting posts extending therefrom that are configured to be received in keyholes of a phone to support the phone. A subplate configured to be mounted to a wall outlet. The subplate has an end wall and a base with a base opening therethrough and the subplate is configured to hold a modular jack. The cover plate is coupled to the subplate such that the rim and base openings are aligned with one another and are configured to receive a patch cord therethrough. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110259626 | CABLE WITH TWISTED PAIRS OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS - A cable includes first and second twisted pairs of insulated conductors, a first inner shield at least partially surrounding the first twisted pair. The first inner shield is at least partially conductive. A second inner shield at least partially surrounds the second twisted pair. The second inner shield is at least partially conductive. An at least partially conductive outer shield at least partially surrounds the first and second twisted pairs and the first and second inner shields such that the first and second twisted pairs and the first and second inner shields extend within an internal passageway of the outer shield. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110256768 | PLUG ASSEMBLY FOR A CONNECTIVITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A plug assembly includes a body extending between a mating end and a cable end. A sensor assembly is supported by the body that has an integrated circuit component having a first pad and a second pad. The sensor assembly also has a first sensor probe mounted to the first pad and a second sensor probe mounted to the second pad. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256767 | CONNECTIVITY SENSING ASSEMBLY - A receptacle assembly includes a housing having a front mating face and receptacles configured to receive plugs therein through the front mating face, where the plugs have connectivity pins attached thereto. The receptacle module includes connectivity sensor areas associated with the receptacles, where each connectivity sensor area is positioned adjacent the corresponding receptacle. Each connectivity sensor area has a first connectivity sensor and a second connectivity sensor that is electrically isolated from the first connectivity sensor when the plug is disconnected from the receptacle. Both the first and second connectivity sensors are configured to be engaged by different connectivity pins of the plug when the plug is received in the corresponding receptacle to form a sense circuit. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256748 | POWER CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A power connector system for an appliance includes a cable assembly comprising a plug having plug contacts terminated to discrete wires of the cable assembly. The power connector system also includes a receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing having a cavity that receives the plug. The receptacle housing is configured to be received in a cutout of a bezel of the appliance such that the cavity is accessible from an exterior of the appliance. The receptacle housing holds receptacle contacts that are mated to the plug contacts when the plug is received in the cavity. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256743 | INTERPOSER CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An interposer connector assembly includes a substrate, conductive pads, and contacts. The substrate has opposite first and second sides with a conductive via extending through the substrate. The conductive pads are mounted to the first and second sides of the substrate and electrically coupled with each other by the via. The contacts are electrically joined with the conductive pads on the first and second sides of the substrate. The contacts protrude from the substrate to outer ends that are configured to engage conductive members of electronic packages that mate with the first and second sides of the substrate. A differential electrical impedance characteristic of a conductive pathway extending from the outer end of one of the contacts to the outer end of another one of the contacts is at least 65 Ohms. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255830 | CABLE ASSEMBLY - A cable assembly includes a housing having a mating end and a cable end and receives a cable through the cable end. The housing has a mounting block proximate to the cable end. A ferrule is configured to be terminated to the cable. The ferrule has an inner bushing and an outer bushing, with the inner and outer bushings cooperating to capture a cable braid of the cable therebetween. The ferrule is retained within the mounting block such that the ferrule is housed interior of the housing. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110250802 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH SEPARABLE CONTACTS - A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a printed circuit and an array of mating contacts. Each mating contact includes a terminating end portion and a mating interface. The contact sub-assembly also includes an array of circuit contacts that is discrete from the array of mating contacts. Each circuit contact is engaged with and electrically connected to the printed circuit. Each circuit contact is separably engaged with and electrically connected to the terminating end portion of a corresponding one of the mating contacts such that the array of circuit contacts electrically connects the array of mating contacts to the printed circuit. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250792 | BACKSHELL FOR A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly includes a connector having a connector housing holding contacts, with the contacts being configured to be terminated to cables extending rearward from the connector housing. The connector assembly also includes a backshell having walls defining a cavity receiving the connector housing and cables. The backshell is electrically connected to cable shields of the cables. The backshell has fingers extending from the walls that are configured to engage a grounded component exterior of the cavity. Distal ends of the fingers are captured interior of the cavity. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250788 | CARRIER SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector module including pins configured to be terminated to a circuit board and a second connector module including pins configured to be terminated to the circuit board. The electrical connector assembly also includes a carrier system including an organizer having openings therethrough in a predetermined pattern. The organizer is coupled to the first and second connector modules such that at least some of the pins of the first connector module extend through the openings of the organizer and such that at least some of the pins of the second connector module extend through the openings of the organizer. The first connector module, the second connector module and the organizer are configured to be mounted to the circuit board as a bundled unit. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250773 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A FLOATING MATING ARRAY - A connector assembly includes a housing, a mating array, and a self-alignment subassembly. The housing is joined to a first circuit board and includes a header portion that moves in a mating direction toward a second circuit board. The mating array is joined to the header portion and includes a terminal. The mating array is moveable in the mating direction to couple the terminal with a mating terminal of the second circuit board. The self-alignment subassembly is disposed between the header portion and the mating array. The self-alignment subassembly applies a floating force on the mating array that permits alignment of the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal while the mating array is moved in directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the mating direction. The self-alignment subassembly also applies a loading force on the mating array in the mating direction that couples the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110244706 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A LATCH LOCK - An electrical connector includes a housing holding a contact configured for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a deflectable latch configured for latching engagement with the mating connector. The latch is movable from a resting position to an actuated position. The electrical connector also includes a latch lock separate and discrete from the housing. The latch lock being coupled to the housing such that the latch lock blocks the latch from moving from the resting position to the actuated position. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244705 | ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVING CONTACTS CONFIGURED TO ENGAGE THRU-HOLES USING AXIAL FORCES - An electrical component configured to engage a circuit board having a thru-hole. The thru-hole has a plated portion of conductive material that includes an outward facing contact pad. The component includes a housing having a mounting surface that is configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The component also includes an electrical contact that is coupled to the housing and projects away from the mounting surface. The contact is configured to engage the thru-hole of the circuit board. The contact includes an elongated body that extends along a contact axis to a leading end that is configured to be inserted into a passage of the plated portion. The contact also includes an engagement projection that extends away from the body and is biased against the contact pad to maintain an electrical connection. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242713 | PLANAR VOLTAGE PROTECTION ASSEMBLY - A voltage protection assembly includes a planar substrate, an input terminal, a capacitive element, an inductive element, and an output terminal. The substrate includes conductive traces with the input terminal conductively coupled with at least one of the traces. The capacitive element is electrically coupled with the input terminal. The inductive element is conductively coupled with the capacitive element. The output terminal is disposed on the substrate and is conductively coupled with the inductive element. The output terminal, the inductive element, the capacitive element, and the input terminal are connected in series to form a voltage protection circuit that filters one or more frequencies of a data signal transmitted through the voltage protection circuit. At least one of the capacitive element or the inductive element is entirely disposed within the thickness dimension of the substrate. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110237091 | CIRCUIT BOARD FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector having a mounting face and signal terminals extending from the mounting face. The electrical connector assembly also includes a circuit board having an upper surface and a lower surface with vias extending at least partially through the circuit board along parallel via axes. The vias are at least partially filled with conductive material to create signal columns, wherein the signal terminals are set in corresponding signal columns. The signal terminals are electrically connected to the signal columns. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235312 | CRIMPING TOOLS HAVING LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES - A crimping tool for crimping a terminal to a wire includes a tool head having a die assembly defining a crimping zone. The die assembly is configured to crimp the terminal to the wire in the crimping zone during a crimping operation. An actuator is coupled to the tool head and operatively coupled to the die assembly to actuate the die assembly during the crimping operation. A lighting assembly is coupled to the tool head. The lighting assembly illuminates the crimping zone. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232955 | CIRCUIT BOARD HAVING IMPROVED GROUND VIAS - A circuit board includes a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The circuit board has signal vias extending at least partially through the substrate along signal via axes being configured to receive signal terminals and ground vias extending at least partially through the substrate along ground via axes being configured to receive ground terminals. The ground vias are arranged in a predetermined pattern around the signal vias to create a ground ring surrounding the corresponding signal via, wherein the ground vias are at least partially filled with a conductive material to create a ground column. Each ground column extends from a column top to a column bottom. A first subset of the ground columns extending to a first depth and a second subset of the ground columns extending to a second depth greater than the first depth. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230097 | SHIELDED INTEGRATED CONNECTOR MODULE - An electrical connector assembly is provided for mating with electrical plugs. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall that is opposite the top wall. The housing includes a mating face having ports that are configured to receive the electrical plugs therein. A jack sub-assembly is held by the housing. The jack sub-assembly includes jacks having electrical contacts held within the ports for engagement with the electrical plugs. The jack sub-assembly includes a signal pin array having signal pins for connection to a host circuit board. The signal pin array includes a front side extending along the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive outer shield covers the top wall of the housing. The outer shield includes a bottom flap covering an end of the bottom wall of the housing. An electrically conductive bottom shield covers the bottom wall of the housing between the bottom flap of the outer shield and the front side of the signal pin array. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230067 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM HAVING CONTACT OVERLAPPING VIAS - An electronic connector system includes an electronic package and an interposer connector assembly. The electronic package has a body with a conductive member disposed on a mating surface of the body. The conductive member is coupled with a conductive via that extends into the body and is oriented along a center axis. The interposer connector assembly includes a substrate with an elongated conductive pad mounted to the substrate and a contact joined to the conductive pad. The contact engages the conductive member when the electronic package mates with the interposer connector assembly such that the center axis extends through the contact. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110223807 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A COMPENSATION CIRCUIT COMPONENT - A connector assembly includes a contact module with a lead frame having signal conductors defining separate conductive paths. The contact module also includes a compensation circuit component coupled to the leadframe. The compensation circuit component has a substrate and multiple compensation circuit elements mounted to the substrate, where the substrate is coupled to the leadframe such that the compensation circuit elements are electrically connected to corresponding signal conductors. The contact module also includes a body encasing the signal conductors and the compensation circuit component. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110209758 | SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC PACKAGE - A socket assembly includes a photovoltaic package having a substrate with a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric housing removably receives the photovoltaic package. The dielectric housing holds contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads. A metal shell receives the housing and the photovoltaic package, and the metal shell has a window providing access to the photovoltaic cell. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110207373 | POWER UTILITY CONNECTOR WITH A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTOR RECEIVING CHANNELS - An electrical connector assembly includes a main conductive member and a tap conductive member separately fabricated from one another. Each of the main and tap conductive members including at least one conductor receiving channel, wherein the main and tap conductive members together include at least three channels configured to receive conductors therein and extending along three different channel axes. The channel(s) of the main conductive member is configured to receive a main power line conductor, and the channel(s) of the tap conductive member is configured to receive a tap power line conductor. The main and tap conductive members are joined to one another such that the main conductive member and the tap conductive member cooperate to capture the main power line conductor therebetween when the main and tap conductive members are joined, and the tap conductive member and the main conductive member cooperate to capture the tap power line conductor therebetween when the main and tap conductive members are joined. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110199315 | TOUCH PANEL THAT HAS AN IMAGE LAYER AND DETECTS BENDING WAVES - A touch panel includes a substrate that has top and bottom surfaces. A reflective image layer has top and bottom surfaces and displays an image. The bottom surface of the reflective image layer is bonded to the top surface of the substrate to form a stack having top and bottom sides. At least one sensor detects signals associated with bending waves propagating through the stack. The signals are used to identify coordinate locations of at least one touch event on the top or bottom sides of the stack, or to identify coordinate locations of touch events on both of the top and bottom sides of the stack. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110197648 | CRIMPING TOOL HEAD - A crimping tool includes a frame holding first and second crimping dies within a crimping zone. The frame has an opening providing access to the crimping zone. A ram is coupled to the first die and is configured to drive the first die toward the second die. A swinging arm is rotatably coupled to the frame between an open position and a closed position. The swinging arm closes the opening in the frame when in the closed position. The swinging arm has a pivot end pivotably coupled to the frame and a distal end opposite to the pivot end. The distal end engages the frame when in the closed position. A biasing member coupled to the swinging arm to bias the swinging arm toward the closed position to close the opening. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110195587 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR AN INTERLOCK CIRCUIT - A connector assembly includes a housing, a current carrying conductor, and an interlock conductor. The housing has a cavity that receives conductive members and a shunt of a first connector. The cavity is bifurcated into a conductor channel and an interlock channel that receives a conductive member of a second connector. The current carrying conductor is in the housing and extends through the cavity and the conductor channel. The interlock conductor is in the housing and extends through the cavity and the interlock channel. The interlock conductor closes an interlock circuit when the interlock conductor mates the shunt of the first connector with the conductive member of the second connector. The current carrying conductors mate to the conductive members of the first connector to begin transferring electric current through the current carrying conductor when the interlock circuit is closed. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110189888 | HEADER CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A header connector assembly includes an outer housing, an inner housing, a shield subassembly, and a seal body. The outer housing is disposed in an opening of a panel and includes a cavity. The inner housing includes a channel and is disposed in the opening of the panel. The inner housing is received in the cavity of the outer housing and includes a channel configured to have a contact disposed therein. The shield subassembly is disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing. The shield subassembly engages the panel to electrically couple the shield subassembly with the panel. The seal body is disposed between the panel and at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing. The seal body restricts passage of contaminants between the panel and at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189874 | COAXIAL LATCHING CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly includes a receptacle connector that has a housing, a lever arm, and a center contact. The housing defines an interior chamber. The lever arm is pivotally joined to the housing. The center contact is disposed within the interior chamber and is oriented along a longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector. The mating connector includes a plug body and an axial conductive member. The axial conductive member is disposed in the plug body along a center axis of the plug body. The lever arm of the receptacle connector engages the plug body of the mating connector when the plug body is received in the interior chamber and pivots relative to the housing to drive the plug body within the interior chamber and mate the axial conductive member with the center contact. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187678 | TOUCH SYSTEM USING OPTICAL COMPONENTS TO IMAGE MULTIPLE FIELDS OF VIEW ON AN IMAGE SENSOR - A touch system includes a touch sensing plane and a camera assembly that is positioned proximate the touch sensing plane. The camera assembly includes an image sensor and at least one virtual camera that has at least two fields of view associated with the touch sensing plane. The at least one virtual camera includes optical components that direct light that is proximate the touch sensing plane along at least one light path. The optical components direct and focus the light onto different areas of the image sensor. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187574 | REMOTE CONTROLLED POWER CONSUMING DEVICE AND MODULE - A power consuming device that includes a control circuitry controlling a plurality of components installed in the power consuming device comprises a communication module receiving communication signals from a remote source, and a control module including an electrical relay coupled between an external power source and the control circuitry, the control module coupled between the external power source and the communication module to provide power from the external power source to the communication module, and wherein the electrical relay is configured to transmit power from the power source to the control circuitry when the communication signals energize the electrical relay. A communication assembly utilized in a power consuming device is also described herein. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110183162 | Surface Mountable PPTC Device with Integral Weld Plate - A surface mount circuit protection device includes a laminar PTC resistive element having first and second major surfaces and a thickness therebetween. A first electrode layer substantially coextensive the first surface is formed of a first metal material of a type adapted to be soldered to a printed circuit substrate. A second electrode layer formed at the second major surface includes structure forming or defining a weld plate. The metal weld plate has a thermal mass and thickness capable of withstanding resistance micro spot welding of a strap interconnect without significant resultant damage to the device. The device is preferably surface mounted to a printed circuit board assembly forming a battery protection circuit connected to a battery/cell by battery strap interconnects, wherein one of the battery strap interconnects is micro spot welded to the weld plate of the device. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110177719 | Electrical connector module assembly - An electrical connector module assembly is disclosed having a connector header usable with multiple module bodies. At least one module body has integral alignment members for aligning printed circuit contact portions with the module body and with a connected substrate. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110177716 | PLUG ASSEMBLY - A plug assembly includes a shielded housing having an upper shell, a lower shell and a center plate held between the upper and lower shells. The upper shell has at least one upper plug chamber, and the lower shell has at least one lower plug chamber. The center plate is positioned between, and provides shielding between, the upper and lower plug chambers. A plurality of plugs are received in corresponding plug chambers. Each of the plurality of plugs have a plug insert with shield members defining plug quadrants, and each of the plurality of plugs have a plurality of terminals held by the plug insert. The plurality of terminals are arranged in pairs in each of the plug quadrants. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110177710 | LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A connector assembly for mating with a multi-port electrical connector includes a shielded housing having a plurality of discrete shielded plug chambers and a plurality of plugs received in corresponding plug chambers. Each of the plugs are shielded from one another by the shielded housing, and the plugs are configured for simultaneous mating with the multi-port electrical connector, wherein each plug is received in a different port of the electrical connector. The connector assembly also includes a latch assembly coupled to the shielded housing. The latch assembly engages the shielded housing and is configured to engage the multi-port electrical connector to electrically common the shielded housing and the multi-port electrical connector. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110171856 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A CAVITY SEALING PLUG - A connector assembly includes an outer housing, an electromagnetic shield, and a plug. The outer housing includes an interior chamber and an opening. The electromagnetic shield is disposed within the outer housing and includes a conductive body having an interior compartment with an aperture. The plug is disposed in the opening of the outer housing and is engaged with the shield around the aperture of the shield. The plug seals the opening in the outer housing and the aperture in the shield to prevent ingress of contaminants into the interior chamber of the outer housing. The plug also restricts emission of electromagnetic interference from the interior compartment of the shield. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110171848 | LINEARLY ACTUATED CONNECTOR MATING INTERFACE - A connector assembly includes a housing, a connector interface, and an actuator. The housing extends from a front end to a back end and includes an elongated channel extending through the housing along an actuation axis disposed between the front and back ends. The connector interface is joined with the front end of the housing and is configured to be electrically joined with a circuit board when the connector interface is moved away from the front end and mates with the circuit board. The actuator is disposed within the channel of the housing and includes a ramp angled toward the front end of the housing. The connector interface mates with the circuit board by moving the actuator along the actuation axis to engage the ramp with the connector interface and move the connector interface toward the circuit board. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170828 | CONNECTORS AND ASSEMBLIES HAVING A PLURALITY OF MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS - A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and moveable first and second mating arrays comprising respective mating surfaces having terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays and moves the first and second mating arrays between retracted and engaged positions. The first and second mating arrays are spaced apart from a select component when in the corresponding retracted position. The first and second mating arrays are communicatively coupled to the select component when in the corresponding engaged position. The coupling mechanism initiates movement of the first mating array from the retracted position toward the engaged position while the second mating array remains stationary with respect to the base frame. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170827 | CONNECTORS AND ASSEMBLIES HAVING A PLURALITY OF MOVEABLE MATING ARRAYS - A connector configured to communicatively couple different components. The connector includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends and first and second moveable mating arrays having mating surfaces with terminals arranged thereon. The connector also includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame. The coupling mechanism holds the first and second mating arrays so that the mating surfaces of the first and second mating arrays extend along the longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays along different mating directions with respect to select components. The coupling mechanism moves the first and second mating arrays, between retracted and engaged positions, wherein the corresponding mating array is spaced apart from the select component in the retracted position and engaged to the select component in the engaged position. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110165789 | SNAP-ON COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR - A coaxial cable connector includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction between a mating end and a cable end. The coaxial cable connector also includes a center contact held by the body. A locking member is circumferentially disposed around the body at the mating end. The locking member has teeth configured to mechanically engage a threaded area of a mating connector to securely attach the coaxial cable connector to the mating connector. The locking member is slidably coupled to the body such that the locking member moves with respect to the body along the longitudinal direction to enable the teeth to align with the threaded area along the longitudinal direction. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110151719 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH AN INTEGRATED FUSE - A connector assembly includes a housing, an input conductor, and an output conductor. The housing is configured to mate with a mating connector. The input conductor is held in the housing and extends between a receiving end and a coupling end. The receiving end is configured to receive electric current from a power source. The coupling end is configured to join with a fuse inside the housing. The output conductor is held in the housing and extends between a transmission end and a joining end. The joining end is configured to couple with the fuse inside the housing. The transmission end is configured to convey the electric current to a first electric load. The input conductor and the output conductor are electrically coupled with one another via the fuse to provide a fused conductive pathway within the connector assembly over which the electric current passes from the power source to the first electric load. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110151687 | INTERCONNECT ASSEMBLY HAVING A SEPARABLE MATING INTERFACE - An interconnect assembly for interconnecting first and second electrical components includes a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and a first array of contacts on the first surface for engaging corresponding elements on the first electrical component. The first array of contacts defines a compressible interface that mates with the first electrical component. The first array of contacts includes signal contacts transferring data signals across the compressible interface and the first array of contacts includes a combination of power contacts that jointly convey power across the compressible interface. The interconnect assembly also includes a second array of contacts on the second surface for engaging corresponding elements on the second electrical component. The second array of contacts having signal contacts electrically connected to the signal contact of the first array of contacts and power contacts electrically connected to the power contacts of the second array of contacts. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110151685 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING CIRCUIT BOARDS - A connector assembly includes a housing, a connector interface body, an elongated shaft, and a cam. The housing has an opening extending into the front face and an elongated channel oriented along the longitudinal axis. The cam is within the opening of the housing and includes a passageway through which a shaft of the housing extends. Rotation of the shaft rotates the cam to engage and drive the connector interface body away from the housing. The cam includes a collar protruding from the cam and extending along a periphery of the passageway. The collar has a clearance dimension along a first direction that is smaller than a gap between the retention features of the housing and an interference dimension along a transverse direction that is larger than the gap. The cam is retained in the housing when the collar engages retention features of the housing across the interference dimension. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110143605 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH CONTACT SPACING MEMBER - A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base having a base surface, and an array of contacts that extend along the base surface of the base. Each contact extends along a length from a terminating end to a tip end. Each contact has a mating interface located along the length of the contact between the terminating end and the tip end. The contact sub-assembly also includes a spacing member formed separately from the base. The spacing member engages at least some of the contacts for positioning the contacts relative to each other within the array. The spacing member includes first and second spacing segments that are discrete from each other and that are configured to move relative to each other. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140136 | LED LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES - A lighting assembly for a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED chip on the top of a mounting substrate with power leads on the top of the mounting substrate arranged proximate to a first edge of the mounting substrate, which is mounted to a base, includes power contacts defining separable interfaces for contacting the power leads on the mating substrate of the LED package and supplying power to the LED chip. The power contacts have compliant beams extending to the separable interfaces that are deflected when contacting the power leads such that the power contacts are biased against the power leads. The power contacts are terminated to corresponding power conductors opposite the separable interfaces. The lighting assembly also includes a dielectric housing holding the power contacts, with the housing having mounting features for securing the housing to the base independent of the LED package. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110136394 | LED SOCKET ASSEMBLY - A socket assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED mounted thereto. The LED package has a power contact configured to receive power from a power source to power the LED. The socket assembly also includes a socket housing having a receptacle that removably receives the LED package. The socket housing has a securing feature engaging the LED PCB to secure the LED PCB within the receptacle, where the securing feature is configured to release the LED PCB to remove the LED PCB from the receptacle. Optionally, the socket housing may include mounting features configured to mount the socket housing to a base, where the LED package is removable from the socket housing while the socket housing remains mounted to the base. A second LED package may be provided, where the LED package is removable from the receptacle and is replaced by the second LED package. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136390 | LED SOCKET ASSEMBLY - A socket assembly includes sockets ganged together to form a pod with each of the sockets comprising a socket housing having a first end and a second end. The socket housing has a receptacle and a power track routed along the socket housing between the first and second ends. The power track has a positive rail and a negative rail. The sockets also comprises an anode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the positive rail and a cathode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the negative rail. The power tracks of adjacent sockets within the pod are electrically connected together to form a power circuit. Light emitting diode (LED) packages are received in corresponding receptacles of the sockets, and each LED package has a first contact and a second contact configured to be coupled to the anode and cathode, respectively, when the LED package is received in the corresponding receptacle. Each LED package has a base and an LED mounted to the base and being electrically connected to the first and second contacts. Optionally, the anode may be electrically connected to the positive rail via at least one of the other sockets. The cathode may be electrically connected to the negative rail via at least one of the other sockets. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136374 | SOCKET ASSEMBLY WITH A THERMAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE - A socket assembly includes a lighting package and a socket housing having a receptacle that removably receives the lighting package. A thermal management structure is coupled to the socket housing and is positioned at the receptacle in thermal engagement with the lighting package. The thermal management structure is configured to engage a heat sink to dissipate heat from the lighting package to the heat sink. Optionally, at least one of the socket housing and the thermal management structure may have mounting features configured to mount the socket assembly to a heat sink, where the lighting package is removable from the receptacle while the socket assembly remains mounted to the heat sink. The thermal management structure may be coupled to the socket housing such that the thermal management structure and the socket housing are coupled to a heat sink as a unit. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110134634 | SOLID STATE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY - A solid state lighting assembly includes a socket having a base wall having a first side and a second side, and a first cavity outward of the first side and a second cavity outward of the second side. Contacts are held by the base wall. The contacts have mating fingers extending into the first and second cavities. A lighting printed circuit board (PCB) is removably positioned within the first cavity with at least one lighting component configured to be powered when electrically connected to corresponding mating fingers of the contacts. The lighting PCB is initially loaded into the first cavity in an unmated position and moved in the first cavity to a mated position. A driver PCB is positioned within the second cavity and is electrically connected to corresponding mating fingers of the contacts. The driver PCB has a power circuit configured to supply power to the lighting PCB when electrically connected to the contacts. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110133668 | SOLID STATE LIGHTING SYSTEM - A solid state lighting system includes an electronic driver having a power input configured to receive power from a power source and the electronic driver having a power output. The electronic driver controls the power supply to the power output according to a control protocol, and the electronic driver has at least one expansion port having a separable interface. The system also includes a light emitting diode (LED) subassembly having an LED board having at least one LED that receives power from the power output of the electronic driver to power the LED. The system further includes a first expansion module configured to be coupled to the at least one expansion port of the electronic driver having a first functionality affecting the control protocol, and a second expansion module configured to be coupled to the at least one expansion port of the electronic driver having a second functionality affecting the control protocol. The first and second expansion modules are selectively coupled to the at least one expansion port to change the control protocol. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110124231 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A SEPARABLE MATING INTERFACE - An electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a connector housing and contacts held by the connector housing, where the contacts defining a separable mating interface for mating with a mating component. An actuator engages the contacts and is movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position. The contacts are deflected relative to the connector housing when the actuator is moved to the actuated position. An actuation device is configured to move the actuator between the actuated position and the unactuated position. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110117794 | INSULATION DISPLACEMENT CRIMP CONNECTOR - An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector portion for supporting a plurality of insulated electrical conductors, and a second connector portion removably engageable with the first connector portion. The first connector portion includes a plurality of detent elements to secure the electrical conductors to the first connector portion, and at least one alignment recess. The second connector portion includes socket portions corresponding to the plurality of electrical conductors of the first portion, and an alignment member cooperative with the alignment recess to guide the second connector portion into engagement with the first connector portion. Socket portions include an insulation displacement crimp (IDC) connector portion configured to penetrate a corresponding external insulating layer of a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical conductors to place the IDC connector portion in electrical communication with the conductive core portion of the corresponding electrical conductor. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110114602 | CONTACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR SWITCHING HIGH POWER TO A CIRCUIT - A contactor assembly is adapted for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The contactor assembly includes a housing, carry contacts, and arc contacts. The housing defines an interior compartment and includes internal chamber walls that laterally extend within the compartment to define a protection chamber. The carry contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The carry contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The arc contacts are disposed in the housing outside of the protection chamber. The arc contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The internal chamber walls of the housing prevent material that is expelled from one or more of the arc contacts when an electric arc emanates from one or more of the arc contacts from contaminating one or more of the carry contacts | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110104911 | BRIDGE CONNECTORS AND CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING THE SAME - A bridge connector configured to electrically and mechanically couple adjacent circuit boards. The connector includes a connector housing that has a mating side configured to interface with board surfaces of adjacent circuit boards when mounted thereon. The housing includes a contact-receiving slot that at least partially defines a restricted space. The connector also includes a bridge contact that is held within the slot and the restricted space. The bridge contact has a pair of contact ends that are spaced apart from each other and project from the mating side. The contact ends are inserted into corresponding through-holes of the adjacent circuit boards when the housing is mounted thereon. The bridge contact is sized and shaped relative to the restricted space to float within the slot such that the bridge contact at least one of shifts and pivots therein. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110096404 | EXPANDED BEAM INTERFACE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING SAME - An optoelectronic device comprising a gradient index lens having an optical length, L, wherein L=P/4+NP/2, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 0 and P is the pitch of the gradient index lens. If the desired focus spot is spaced from the end face of the gradient index lens, the optical length L can be adjusted accordingly as a function of that distance and the index of refraction of the medium occupying that distance. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110086555 | ELECTRICAL TERMINAL BLOCKS AND ASSEMBLIES THEREOF - An electrical terminal block including a mating face and a loading surface that are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis. The mating face extends along a lateral axis. The terminal block also includes first and second sidewalls that face in opposite directions and extend between the mating face and the loading surface. Each of the first and second sidewalls includes a wing member that projects therefrom along the lateral axis and a recess configured to receive a wing member from another terminal block. The wing members and the recesses have matching complementary cross-sections taken along the longitudinal axis such that the wing member on the first sidewall of one terminal block is slidably and securely received within the recess on the second sidewall of another terminal block. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110076889 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a base and contact towers extending forward from the base. The base has an outer perimeter defined between a front and a rear of the base, and the base has a latch extending forward from the base generally parallel to and spaced apart from the towers such that a gap is defined between a bottom of the latch and a top of the towers. Flanges extend upward from the top of the towers and at least partially block the gap. Contacts are held by the housing, where the contacts extend into the contact towers for mating with mating contacts of a mating connector. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074544 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING SIMULTANEOUS TOUCH EVENTS ON A BENDING-WAVE TOUCHSCREEN - A method of detecting touch events on a touch panel includes identifying sets of coordinate locations based on at least one signal from at least one sensor. The at least one signal is responsive to at least one touch event, and the coordinate locations represent matches with respect to template fingerprints. Consecutive ones of the sets of coordinate locations are compared based on a first distance threshold to form streams of spatially continuous coordinate locations that satisfy the first distance threshold. A touch event is identified corresponding to one of the streams of spatially continuous coordinate locations, the stream having a minimum number of spatially continuous coordinate locations. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110070753 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MODULE WITH CONTACTS OF A DIFFERENTIAL PAIR HELD IN SEPARATE CHICKLETS - An electrical connector includes a housing and contact modules held in the housing. Each of the contact modules has a first chicklet and a second chicklet coupled together to form a corresponding one of the contact modules. Contacts are held in the contact modules and arranged in differential pairs. A first contact in each of the differential pairs is held by the first chicklet and a second contact in each of the differential pairs is held by the second chicklet. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110070750 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A SEQUENTIAL MATING INTERFACE - An interconnect assembly for interconnecting first and second electrical components includes a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces. The interconnect assembly also includes a first array of contacts on the first surface for engaging corresponding elements on the first electrical component. The first array of contacts have first and second subsets that extend different first and second distances from the substrate to define a compressible interface that sequentially mates with the first electrical component such that the first subset of the contacts engages the first electrical component prior to engagement by the second subset of contacts. The interconnect assembly further includes a second array of contacts on the second surface for engaging corresponding elements on the second electrical component. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110065326 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A STABILIZER - A connector assembly includes a housing extending along a housing axis between a front and a rear and contact modules loaded into the housing along the housing axis through the rear. The contact modules have a body holding contacts arranged along contact planes. A stabilizer is coupled to the housing and is coupled to the contact modules to hold the contact modules such that the contact planes are parallel to the housing axis. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110065320 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ELECTRICAL COMPENSATION COMPONENT - A connector assembly includes a contact module comprising a lead frame having contacts defining separate conductive paths. The contact module also includes a compensation component coupled to selected contacts and affecting signals transmitted along the conductive paths of the selected contacts. The contact module also includes a body overmolded over the contacts and the compensation component. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110059625 | MODULAR CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A connector assembly includes a subsidiary circuit board, connectors, and an interposer assembly. The subsidiary circuit board includes opposite sides. The connectors are mounted to the opposite sides of the subsidiary circuit board and are electrically coupled with the subsidiary circuit board. The connectors are configured to mate with mating connectors. The interposer assembly is joined with the subsidiary circuit board. The interposer assembly includes a dielectric housing and elongated contacts that extend between opposite outer ends along a vertical axis and are held by the housing. The interposer assembly mates with the subsidiary circuit board and is configured to mate with a main circuit board such that the outer ends of the contacts electrically couple the connectors mounted to the subsidiary circuit board with the main circuit board. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058774 | Connector System with Physical Security Feature - A connector system comprising: a multi-plug connector, each plug having a housing and a ferrule, said housing having a front and back orientation and having a front face defining an opening, said ferrule being disposed within said opening, said housing defining a first keying element on said front face around said opening, at least two housings of said multi-plug connector having different said first keying elements. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110053431 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING AN ELECTRICALLY PARALLEL COMPENSATION REGION - An electrical connector including a connector body that has mating and loading ends and is configured to receive a modular plug at the mating end. The electrical connector also includes a contact sub-assembly that is held by the connector body. The contact sub-assembly includes an array of mating conductors that are configured to engage plug contacts of the modular plug at mating interfaces proximate to the mating end. The mating conductors transmit a signal current along an interconnection path between the mating and loading ends. The contact sub-assembly also includes a plurality of open-ended conductors electrically connected to corresponding mating conductors. The open-ended conductors are electrically parallel to the interconnection path of the array of mating conductors and generate crosstalk compensation as the signal current is transmitted through the mating conductors. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053430 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WITH CROSSTALK COMPENSATION - An electrical connector including mating conductors configured to engage select plug contacts of a modular plug. The connector includes a printed circuit that interconnects the mating conductors to terminal contacts. The printed circuit includes first and second shielding rows of conductor vias that are located between end portions of the printed circuit and are electrically connected to the mating conductors. The first and second shielding rows extend along first and second row axes, respectively, which extend substantially parallel to each other. The printed circuit also includes outer terminal vias electrically connected to the terminal contacts. Each end portion has terminal vias therein that are distributed in a direction along the first and second row axes. The printed circuit also includes a pair of shielded vias located between the first and second shielding rows and along a central-pair axis that extends substantially parallel to the first and second row axes. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053391 | SOCKET CONNECTOR HAVING A THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE INSERT - A socket connector includes a housing having a mating end and a mounting end. The housing has a receptacle at the mating end configured to receive an electronic module therein. The mounting end of the housing is configured to be mounted to a circuit board. Contacts are held by the housing. The contacts have mating ends exposed within the receptacle for mating with the electronic module. The contacts having mounting ends extending from the housing for terminating to the circuit board. A thermally conductive insert is held by the housing and is configured to be in thermal engagement with the circuit board and the insert has a module engagement interface configured to be in thermal engagement with the electronic module such that the insert transfers heat from the electronic module to the circuit board | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110050384 | Termal fuse - A thermal fuse includes a first contact surface connected to a top surface of a sensor and a bottom surface connected to a bottom surface of the sensor. The sensor includes a mixture of Sn and Zn. The distance between the top surface and the bottom surface of the sensor is sized to substantially limit Zn depletion in a center region of the sensor when a temperature of the sensor is below a melting temperature of the sensor. The center region of the sensor prevents the first contact surface and the second contact surface from separating when the temperature of the sensor is below the melting temperature, and the first contact surface and the second contact surface are configured to separate when the temperature of the center region of the sensor exceeds the melting temperature of the sensor. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110048907 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICES HAVING MOVEABLE TERMINALS - An electrical switching device that includes first and second circuit assemblies. Each of the first and second circuit assemblies includes a base terminal and a moveable terminal that is configured to flex to and from the base terminal. The switching device also includes a coupling element that is operatively coupled to the moveable terminals of the first and second circuit assemblies. The switching device also includes an electromechanical motor that has a pivot body that is operatively coupled to the coupling element. The pivot body is configured to rotate bi-directionally about a center of rotation. The pivot body moves the coupling element side-to-side along a longitudinal axis so that the moveable terminals move in a common direction with respect to each other and along the longitudinal axis when the pivot body is rotated between first and second rotational positions. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045692 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPRESSIBLE GASKET - A connector assembly for use with a compressible gasket includes a housing having a mating end and a cable end, the housing being configured to hold a contact. The connector assembly also includes a deflectable shroud extending from the housing rearward of the cable end to the compressible gasket. The shroud surrounds a hollow chamber that is configured to receive the compressible gasket. The shroud is deflectable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, wherein a volume of the hollow chamber is reduced when in the collapsed state as compared to the expanded state. The shroud compresses the gasket when in the collapsed state. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110039423 | MULTI-PORT CONNECTOR SYSTEM - An electrical connector assembly includes a housing, a connector and a conductor. The housing extends from a mating interface to a back end along a longitudinal axis and from a top side to a mounting interface along a vertical axis. The connector is disposed at the mating interface and is configured to mate with a mating connector. The conductor extends from the electrical connector to the mounting interface to provide a conductive pathway between the mating connector and the circuit board. The conductor includes a mating portion oriented along the longitudinal axis and a mounting portion oriented along the vertical axis. One of the mating portion and the mounting portion includes a bifurcated end having opposing contact tips and the other of the mating portion and the mounting portion includes an interconnection end that is received between the contact tips to electrically couple the mating portion and the mounting portion. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110039422 | TERMINAL BLOCK AND BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A terminal block for electrically coupling conductors and terminal contacts. The terminal block includes a terminal base portion that has a mounting side configured to be mounted to a surface of an electrical component. The base portion has contact slots that extend from the mounting side therethrough. The contact slots are configured to receive terminal contacts that are electrically coupled to the electrical component. The terminal block also includes an organizer portion that extends from the base portion and includes channels that extend substantially parallel to the surface of the electrical component. The channels are configured to receive corresponding conductors. The contact slots of the base portion align with corresponding channels of the organizer portion so that the terminal contacts electrically couple the conductors. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110035074 | Remote controlled power consuming device and module therefore - A power consuming device having communication with a utility company is disclosed. A power consuming device enclosure is described which has an interface and a communication module. The module includes a standardizing chip in communication with a communication interface, a protocol chip in communication with the standardizing chip. The communication could be by way of a protocol antenna, for receiving (and transmitting: i.e. the appliance can talk to the power company as well as receive communication from the power company) wireless protocol signals and transmitting the signals to the protocol chip. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110028052 | WEDGE TAP CONNECTOR - An electrical connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The C-shaped body is formed by a first hook portion, a second hook portion, and a central section extending between the first hook portion and the second hook portion. Each of the hook portions are adapted to receive a conductor. The spring member is movable between a normal position and a deflected position, wherein in the deflected position, the spring member imparts a clamping force on the first and second conductors. The assembly further includes a wedge member having a leading end and a trailing end. The wedge is positionable within the spring member to drive the spring member from the normal position to the deflected position, wherein the wedge has an initial position and a final position corresponding to the deflected position of the spring member. Relative positions of the wedge member with respect to the spring member in the initial position and the final position vary based on a size of the conductors. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110028037 | EMI SUPPRESSION FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - An electrical connector includes a housing having a cavity configured to receive a plug therein. Contacts are arranged within the cavity for mating with a plug. The contacts include shield interfaces. A metal strip is arranged within the cavity and is electrically connected to a ground. The shield interfaces of the contacts engaging the metal strip when no plug is loaded in the cavity, and the shield interfaces disengaging from the metal strip when the plug is loaded in the cavity. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110028015 | QUICK INSERTION LAMP ASSEMBLY - A lamp assembly includes a light source, a contact base, a center contact and an outer contact. The contact base extends from a lower end to an upper end along a center axis. The upper end is interconnected with the light source and the lower end is configured to be received in a socket to mate the contact base with the socket. The center contact is disposed proximate the lower end of the contact base and is electronically coupled with the light source. The outer contact includes a ring body and an elongated contact line. The ring body encircles the center contact proximate the lower end of the contact base. The center contact and the outer contact are mechanically and electrically coupled with the socket and electrically join the light source with an electric ground reference. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025638 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PROJECTED CAPACITIVE TOUCHSCREEN HAVING WEIGHT BASED COORDINATE DETERMINATION - A touch location on a capacitive touchscreen system is identified by receiving signals in response to a touch from electronic channels connected to one electrode or to a group of semi-adjacent electrodes provided on a substrate. Adjacent ones of the electrodes have substantially triangular shapes that alternate between a first and second orientation to form an interleaved arrangement such that the touch generates a signal cluster comprising the signals generated from a series of adjacent electronic channels. Weights with at least two different numerical values are applied to the signals from the series of adjacent electronic channels. The at least two different numerical values are based on levels of the signals. A location of the touch on the substrate is determined based on the weighted signals. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110021077 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTIPLE CONTACT ARRANGEMENTS - A connector assembly includes a housing and substantially identical contacts. The housing is configured to mate with a mating connector. The contacts are arranged in a plurality of sets in the housing. The contacts are configured to electrically couple with the mating connector. Each set of contacts is arranged to communicate a different type of data signal with the mating connector. Optionally, the contacts are formed as substantially identical pins. The different sets of contacts may concurrently communicate the different types of data signals. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021062 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING CONTACTS SECURED IN A HOUSING BODY - An electrical connector includes a unitary housing body and a stamped and formed contact. The housing extends from a mounting side to an opposite mating side. The housing body includes a cavity extending through the housing body from the mounting side to the mating side, a contact slot, and a chamfered lead-in ramp disposed at the mating side to guide the contact pin into the cavity. The contact is held in the cavity and extends between a mating segment and a mounting segment. The mating segment is configured to receive the contact pin of the mating connector. The mounting segment is configured to mount the contact to a circuit board and includes a shoulder that is disposed proximate to the mounting side of the housing body. The shoulder engages the housing body in the contact slot to secure the contact in the housing body. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021042 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING SHIELD MEMBER - An electrical connector assembly includes a coaxial connector structure having a center contact configured to be surface mounted to an upper surface of a circuit board at a board edge of the circuit board. The center contact extends along a contact axis in an axial direction. A shielded housing block extends rearward from the coaxial connector structure. The shielded housing block has a shielded chamber receiving a portion of the center contact with an open bottom extending along the upper surface of the circuit board. A shield member engages at least one of the coaxial connector structure and the shielded housing block. The shield member extends along at least a portion of the open bottom of the shielded chamber in the axial direction. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021041 | COAXIAL CABLE TERMINATION CONNECTOR - An array of coaxial cables comprising: (a) a conductive substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of boreholes therebetween; (b) a plurality of coaxial cables, each cable comprising a central conductor, a dielectric insulating layer surrounding said central conductor, and a metallic shielding layer surrounding said dielectric insulating layer; (c) a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being disposed proximate one of said plurality of boreholes, each receptacle having a first conductive member electrically coupled to said conductive substrate and a first engagement member; (d) a plurality of plugs, each plug being disposed on one of said plurality of coaxial cables, each plug having a second conductive member electrically coupled to said metallic shielding layer and a second engagement member, said first and second engagement members of a respective plug and receptacle interengaging to connect and electrically couple said plug and receptacle; and (e) a contact electrically coupled to said central conductor and presented at said bottom surface. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110017342 | WIRE UNTWISTING TOOL - A wire untwisting tool includes a housing having a wire gripping end, an actuation end and a cavity. A plunger is received in the cavity. The plunger is movable between a retracted position and an actuated position and includes a gripping head movable with the plunger between the retracted position and the actuated position. The gripping head is configured to hold the twisted pair of wires in the retracted position, wherein rotation of the housing in an untwisting direction untwists the wires. Optionally, the wire may be fixedly held remote from the gripping end, and the housing may be rotated about the location at which the wire is fixedly held. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110015350 | Methods of making reversible crosslinked polymers and related methods - Methods are provided for making reversible crosslinked polymers. Exemplary methods comprise reacting first and second thermoplastic polymers having non-hindered olefins in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a crosslinked polymer. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise providing a crosslink promoting additive to improve the strength of the crosslinked polymer. In some embodiments, the methods comprise decrosslinking a crosslinked polymer through a metathesis or an ozonolysis reaction. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110008978 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A SOLAR MODULE ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector includes a housing, a contact terminal and a preformed solder body. The housing is configured to be mounted to an exterior surface of a photovoltaic module. The contact terminal is joined to the connector housing and has a connection surface and a fixation opening that extends through the contact terminal. The preformed solder body is applied to the connection surface of the contact terminal and includes a fixation tab. The preformed solder body provides an electrically conductive connection between the contact terminal and a conductive contact extending out of the exterior surface of the photovoltaic module to electrically couple the contact terminal and the photovoltaic module. The fixation tab of the preformed solder body engages the fixation opening of the contact terminal to secure the preformed solder body to the contact terminal. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110000115 | FACEPLATE ASSEMBLY AND LABEL COVER - A faceplate assembly includes a faceplate body and a label cover. The faceplate body has a front surface and an opposite back side. The front surface includes a panel area and a label area recessed from the front surface. The panel area includes a port extending through the front surface. The label area includes a hinge element. The label cover is coupled to the faceplate body and is disposed in the label area. The label cover includes a hinge protrusion and a retention tab. The hinge protrusion is rotatably coupled to the hinge element to permit the label cover to rotate toward and away from the front surface. The retention tab engages the faceplate body along a perimeter of the label area to secure the label cover in a closed position against the faceplate body. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100330851 | CONTACT ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INTEGRALLY FORMED CAPACITIVE ELEMENT - A contact assembly includes a conductive body, a dielectric layer and a conductive layer. The conductive body extends along a longitudinal axis between a mating end and a mounting end. The dielectric layer is disposed over the conductive body between the mating end and the mounting end. The conductive layer is disposed over the dielectric layer and is separated from the conductive body by the dielectric layer. The conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the conductive body form a capacitive element. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100330820 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SYSTEM HAVING REDUCED MATING FORCES - An electrical connector system includes a circuit board having a mounting side and first and second electrical connectors mounted to the mounting side of the circuit board. The first and second electrical connectors each having a mating interface. The first and second electrical connectors being mounted to the circuit board in an offset configuration such that the mating interfaces of the first and second electrical connectors are parallel to one another and non-coplanar with respect to one another. Optionally, the mating interfaces may be perpendicular to the mounting side. The first and second electrical connectors may be identical to one another. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100329611 | FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - A fiber optic connector assembly includes a coupling interface component, a connector housing, and an optical fiber connector. The coupling interface component extends along a center axis from a back end to a coupling end and includes an interior chamber. The connector housing is disposed within the interior chamber of the coupling interface component. The optical fiber connector is joined to an optical fiber and is interconnected with the connector housing. The optical fiber connector is configured to optically couple the optical fiber with a mating connector. The coupling interface component engages the connector housing and the mating connector and prevents movement of the connector housing relative to the coupling interface component and the mating connector. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100323538 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING ALIGNMENT MEMBERS FOR HOLDING A MODULE - An electrical connector for electrically coupling an electronic module and an electrical component. The connector includes a substrate that has first and second surfaces separated by a thickness. The substrate includes interconnects that extend through the substrate and are arranged in an array. The interconnects are configured to engage the module along the first surface and engage the electrical component along the second surface. The connector also includes alignment members that extend through openings in the substrate. The alignment members include heads that project beyond and away from the first surface. The heads are located about the substrate relative to each other to collectively form a module reception area therebetween to hold the module in a predetermined position and orientation with respect to the first surface and with respect to the interconnects. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100323537 | Electrical connector having reversible wire dress - An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a main housing portion, camming slide mounting in camming slide receiving guides of the main housing portion, a wire guide and a lever. The lever is operably coupled to the camming slides to translate the camming slides upon rotation of the lever. The lever is mounted to the wire guide, and the combination of the wire guide and the lever are reversible to reverse the orientation of the wires in the wire dress. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100317212 | END CAP ASSEMBLY FOR A LIGHT TUBE - An end cap assembly for a light tube that has a circuit board with lighting devices mounted thereto includes an end cap body coupled to the light tube. The end cap body has an external mating face configured to mate with a socket connector of a fixture. The end cap body includes contact bores therethrough extending along parallel bore axes between inner ends and outer ends. Contacts are received in the contact bores along the bore axes. The contacts have socket mating ends extending from the contact bores beyond the outer ends for mating with the socket connector. The contacts have wire termination ends opposite to the socket mating ends. Wires are terminated to the wire termination ends of the contacts. The wires are configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board. Optionally, the contacts may be crimped to the wires. Alternatively, the contacts may be poke-in wire contacts that receive the wires. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100311289 | COMPOSITE ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE COMPOSITE ASSEMBLY - A composite assembly for an electrical connector includes a conductive substrate and an electrodeposited layer. The conductive substrate is configured to form a conductive path of the electrical connector. The electrodeposited layer is disposed on the conductive substrate and includes a dielectric material. A method of manufacturing a composite assembly for an electrical connector includes providing a fluid bath that includes a dielectric material and immersing at least part of a conductive substrate into the fluid bath. The method also includes applying a voltage potential between the fluid bath and the conductive substrate and electrodepositing a dielectric layer that includes the dielectric material on the conductive substrate. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311282 | CONNECTOR SHELL HAVING INTEGRALLY FORMED CONNECTOR INSERTS - A connector shell includes a frame, a dividing wall and a plurality of connector inserts. The frame surrounds a periphery of the shell. The dividing wall is homogeneously formed with the frame and separates a plurality of recesses. The connector inserts are homogeneously formed with the frame and the dividing wall. The inserts are disposed with one or more of the recesses. Each insert includes a body and a plurality of cavities. Each body is configured to hold a plurality of contacts that protrude from each of a mating and a loading side. The contacts are configured to be mounted to a circuit board in a location proximate to the loading side and to mate with a plurality of other electrical connectors in a location proximate to the mating side. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311278 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A UNITARY HOUSING - A connector insert includes a unitary body, cavities extending through the body, and contacts. The body extends between mating and loading sides. The loading side is configured to engage a circuit board. The mating side is configured to mate with a peripheral connector to electrically couple the circuit board with the peripheral connector. The cavities extend through the body from the mating side to the loading side. The contacts are held in the cavities of the housing and protrude from each of the mating and loading sides to engage the circuit board and peripheral connector and to provide an electronic signal path between the circuit board and the peripheral connector. The contacts are loaded into the cavities through the loading side and retained in the body by an interference fit between the contacts and the body. The interference fit prevents the contacts from being removed from the body through the mating side. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311269 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A CABLE RETENTION ELEMENT - An electrical connector assembly includes a housing, a cable and a cable retention element. The housing holds contacts that are configured to be electrically joined with a peripheral device. The housing includes a cable port that is disposed at an outer surface of the housing. The cable extends from the cable port of the housing along a cable axis. The cable is electrically coupled with the contacts in the housing. The cable retention element is attached to the cable and is at least partially disposed within the housing. The cable retention element includes a body that is joined with the cable and a wing protruding from the body in a direction oriented at an angle with respect to the cable axis. The wing engages the housing to prevent the cable from being removed from the housing. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311268 | ALIGNMENT ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS - A high speed electrical connector assembly is disclosed providing a first subassembly having connector assemblies attached to a daughtercard, and a second subassembly having connector assemblies attached to a backplane. A keying guide module is mounted to the daughtercard and a keying guide pin is mounted to the backplane. The alignment of the keying guide module and keying guide pin aligns the connector assemblies on the daughtercard and backplane. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311262 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A SOLAR MODULE ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector includes a rigid body, cable mating bodies disposed within the body, and contacts joined to the cable mating bodies. The body has an upper side and an opposite mounting side that is configured to be mounted to a first solar module. The body frames a window that extends through the body from the upper side to the mounting side. The cable mating bodies are configured to electrically couple the first solar module with cables to communicate electric current generated in the first solar module with one or more of an electrical load and an additional solar module. The contacts extend into the window of the body and are arranged in the window to mate with the module contacts to electrically couple the first solar module with the cable mating bodies. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311255 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING AT LEAST ONE HOLE WITH SURFACE MOUNT PROJECTIONS - An electrical connector for electrically coupling an electronic module and an electrical component. The connector includes a connector body that has first and second mating surfaces. The connector body includes interconnects that extend through the connector body between the first and second mating surfaces for electrically coupling the module and the component. The connector body has a hole extending therethrough along a central axis. The hole is configured to receive a guide pin from one of the module and the component. The connector also includes surface mount projections that are coupled to the connector body and extend toward the central axis of the hole. The projections engage and flex against the guide pin when the guide pin is inserted into the hole. The projections form an interference fit with the guide pin to hold the connector body in a mounted position. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308103 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VAPOR PHASE REFLOW OF A CONDUCTIVE COATING - A system for manufacturing electrical components includes a reflow chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port receives a web of interconnected electrical components having a conductive coating into the reflow chamber. The outlet port discharges the web from the reflow chamber. The reflow chamber directs the web of interconnected electrical components along a predetermined pathway through the reflow chamber. The reflow chamber retains a heated and saturated vapor to heat the conductive coating as the web passes along the pathway through the chamber to reflow the conductive coating about the electrical components. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100307351 | DISABLING DEVICE FOR A PRESSING TOOL - A pressing tool includes a tool body having a working end, an actuator held by the tool body and operated during a pressing operation, and a disabling device operable to stop the hydraulic actuator during the pressing operation, wherein the actuator is disabled and locked in a disabled position after the disabling device is operated. Optionally, the disabling device may be configured to be reset to a normal operation position by a key. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100304603 | POWER PLATE FOR A SOCKET CONNECTOR - A socket connector includes a housing having a mating interface configured to mate with an electronic component and a mounting interface configured to mount to a circuit board. Signal contacts are held by the housing and extend between the mating interface and the mounting interface. Power contacts are held by the housing and extend between the mating interface and the mounting interface. The power contacts are configured to transmit power from the circuit board to the electronic component. Each of the power contacts have at least one commoning element. A metallic power plate is coupled to the commoning elements of a plurality of the power contacts to electrically common the power contacts to one another. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304581 | ORTHOGONAL CONNECTOR SYSTEM WITH POWER CONNECTION - An orthogonal connector system for connecting a first circuit board and a second circuit board oriented orthogonally with respect to the first circuit board includes a receptacle assembly and a header assembly mated with the receptacle assembly. The receptacle assembly is connected to the first circuit board and the header assembly is connected to the second circuit board. The receptacle assembly and the header assembly both have a housing and contact modules held within the corresponding housing. Each contact module has a dielectric body and mating contacts extending from the dielectric body. The mating contacts of the receptacle assembly are directly connected to the mating contacts of the header assembly. At least some of the mating contacts of the receptacle assembly define power contacts configured to transmit power and at least some of the mating contacts of the receptacle assembly define power contacts configured to be mated with the power contacts of the receptacle assembly. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303422 | OPTICAL CONNECTOR WITH FERRULE INTERFERENCE FIT - An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface, and containing at least one fiber having a fiber end presented at the endface; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature; wherein the connector is configured in one of two ways, in a first configuration, the second COE is greater than the first COE, and in the second configuration, the second COE is less than the first COE; wherein, in the first configuration, the first diameter is greater than the third diameter and the second diameter is less than the fourth diameter; and wherein, in the second configuration, the first diameter is less than the third diameter, and the second diameter is greater than the fourth diameter. | 12-02-2010 |
