Abstract: A spring loaded shutter with locking features is used to expose host pins of an adapter to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury. The locking mechanism for the shutter releases when a card is inserted into the host adapter. Engagement of locking pins by the card releases the locking pins and frees the shutter to be pushed backward as the card is connected to the host pins. The shutter is biased in a forward position so that removal of the card from the adapter results in a return of the shutter to its forward locked position where it effectively covers the pins to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transmitter is provided including a laser diode. A control circuit for driving the laser diode includes a current source which provides a DC bias current to the laser diode, and the laser diode emits an optical signal having an average power determined by the magnitude of the bias current. A voltage regulator establishes a regulated supply voltage which is input to a first reference circuit and a feedback monitor circuit. The first reference circuit establishes a first fixed reference voltage. The feedback monitor circuit includes a monitor device for measuring the optical power emitted by the laser diode, and the monitor circuit establishes a variable monitor voltage proportional to the optical power measured by the monitor device. An op-amp compares the first fixed reference voltage and the feedback monitor voltage, and the output voltage of the op-amp controls the magnitude of the bias current output by the current source.

Abstract: Dashboard dimmer light circuit for a vehicle, for example a car or truck. A power supply 10 provides a step-function voltage signal to an op-amp oscillator circuit 20 which provides a triangular voltage oscillation signal to an op-amp level comparator 40 which, in turn, compares the triangular voltage oscillation signal to a voltage reference for providing a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) voltage signal to a power FET driver 70 which, in turn, responds to the pulse-width-modulated voltage signal by providing a current signal to an automobile dashboard dimmer light 80. Features of the invention include a) a dashboard dimmer light having a stable oscillator frequency, b) PWM duty cycle stability in a dashboard dimmer light, c) efficient accomplishment of the invention's oscillator and level comparator functions within a single IC, d) reduction of electromagnetic interference which might otherwise intefere with other electronic equipment in the dashboard.

Abstract: An elastomeric connector having fine pitched contacts is provided in addition to a method for connecting components using such a connector and a method of manufacturing the same. The connector includes a body formed from an elastomeric material with contacts arranged to extend through the body and exposed at each side of the body. The contacts are bent to form a contact surface that is oriented at an angle with respect to the sides of the body. The contacts may include a radiused section that is formed in the elastomeric material. Grooves may be formed in the body of the connector separating adjacent contacts and providing additional flexibility of the connector. The contacts may provide for a wiping action of between 0.003 and 0.015 inches and the connector may provide for a spring force of greater than between 15 and 90 grams per contact after 10,000 cycles.

Abstract: A ribbon style electrical connector is provided having at least one variable resistance contact such that an electrical resistance between the variable resistance contact and a corresponding mating contact of a second mating connector varies from a relatively high resistance to a relatively low resistance as the first and second connectors transition from an unmated to a mated position. The ribbon style connector includes a housing having a first end and a second end, with a shroud depending from the first end, the shroud defining a contact chamber. A substrate is mounted within the contact chamber and communicates with the second end of the housing. A plurality of signal contacts are adhered to a surface of the substrate, with at least one of the signal contacts including a resistive portion and a conductive portion.

Abstract: A connectorized substrate and method of connectorizing a substrate is provided, including a substrate having conductive traces mounted thereon and solder paste connected to the conductive traces and conductive spheres mounted to the solder paste. The connectorized substrate of the present invention may be used to provide for components to be added to a motherboard such as a resistor network by mounting resistors to the conductive traces of the substrate such as thick-film ceramic resistors.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.

Abstract: A shield for a PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. Typically, the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second frames. A printed circuit board fits within the shield, and the shield fits within the first and second covers and frames. The shield has side walls which surround a perimeter of the printed circuit board so as to prevent electromagnetic radiation from entering and exiting through the first and second frames of the package. The shield also has ground springs which electrically connect the shield with the first and second covers so as to insulate the printed circuit board from electromagnetic radiation radiating to and from directions perpendicular to planes of the first and second covers. The shield also includes side springs which attached to the side walls and press against a side edge of one of the first and second frames so as to secure the shield within the package.

Abstract: A wire trap connector provides an adjustably mounted compression tail which protrudes from a contact within a housing of the wire trap connector. The compression tail is oriented at a right angle to one side of the connector housing or extends perpendicular from the connector housing. The invention thus allows a means of attaching wires to an electronic assembly without soldering the connector to the PCB. This provides the benefit of eliminating the soldering process from manufacturing. In addition, the compression tail offers alternate circuit assembly options to be used without the addition of a wave solder or manual solder step. Thus, the invention offers a significant cost reduction compared to current technology.

Abstract: An optical package is provide including a housing having first and second ends. A ferrule receiving bore is formed in the first end, and an optics cavity is formed in the second end. The optics cavity and the ferrule receiving bore are axially aligned with one another along an optical axis defined by the package. A mounting cap is inserted over the optics cavity and frictionally engages an outer surface of the housing. The end cap includes an endplate and a substrate having an optical device mounted thereon.

Abstract: An electrical connector such as a clockspring having a seal for sealing liquids and pressurized liquids, especially water, from ruining electrical connections existing within the clockspring. In one embodiment the clockspring includes a seal, where the seal prevents the liquid from corrupting the electrical connections existing within the clockspring. In another embodiment the clockspring includes a a housing, a cover, an electrical ribbon cable attached to an outer diameter circuit board, and a seal positioned between the housing and the outer diameter circuit board.

Abstract: An external locking clockspring assembly including a housing and a hub rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing having a first keyway. The hub having a second keyway. The first and second keyways being substantially coaxial in a locked position of the external clockspring assembly. A key insertable into both the first and second keyways. The key having a flexible tab. The hub having an indentation which is complementary to the flexible tab of the key when the flexible tab of the key is in a non-deformed state. An insertion tool is used to deflect the flexible tab of the key so that the key can be inserted into the first and second keyways. Upon insertion of the key into the first and second keyways, the flexible tab expands toward its undeflected position so as to engage the indentation of the second keyway of the hub. The engagement of the key with the second keyway prevents the key from falling out of the first and second keyways.

Abstract: The present invention provides in improved Transmitting Optical Subassembly (TOSA) for coupling an optical output signal from an optical transmitter to an optical fiber sheathed within a fiber optic connector ferrule. The TOSA includes a housing formed of precision molded plastic or machined metal. A first end of the housing includes an optics cavity configured to receive an optical element for emitting an optical signal. A second end of the housing is configured as a long bore configured to receive an optical fiber connector ferrule. The housing further defines a lens cavity for retaining a focusing element between the optics cavity and the ferrule receiving bore. Finally, the housing also includes an attenuator receiving aperture between the optics cavity and the ferrule receiving bore. The plug receiving aperture is configured to removably receive an attenuation plug whereby the optical output of the optical element passes through the attenuator plug and is attenuated.

Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.

Abstract: A flexible buss bar adapted for electrical connection with circuitry carried by a glass pane is provided, as well as a method of attaching a flexible buss bar to a glass pane. The flexible buss bar includes a flexible conductor having at least one metallic contact pad affixed thereto. It is also contemplated to have a plurality of such metallic contact pads attached at regular intervals along the length of the flexible conductor. The spacing of the plurality of metallic contact pads is selected to match the locations of corresponding structures formed on the glass pane. Solder cladding is selectively adhered to portions of the at least one metallic contact such that the at least one metallic contact pad may be bonded to the corresponding structure located on the glass pane.

Abstract: A flat electrical cable and a method of assembling a flat electrical cable is provided wherein the flat cable includes an upper layer having ribs protruding along its length and substantially parallel to one another, continuous substantially parallel and adjacent seams formed between and upper an lower insulator layer conductors between the upper and lower layer adjacent the seams and a pattern formed in the surface of the lower insulator layer. The present invention may have upper and lower polyester layers having copper conductors therebetween and the seams ultrasonically welded in order to provide flat electrical cable for various applications such as incorporation in an automobile clockspring.

Abstract: A Micro-Powered Flux-Gate Magnetometer is provided for measuring the strength and direction of external magnetic fields. The magnetometer includes a saturable core inductor, or flux-gate positioned in an area where the magnetic flux due to external magnetic fields will enter the inductor core and alter the inductance of the coil. The flux-gate inductor is driven by an alternating input signal sufficient to magnetically saturate the inductor core during each cycle. A saturation detecting circuit determines when the flux-gate core reaches saturation, and provides an saturation output signal indicating when, relative to the input signal, the core reaches saturation on each cycle of the input waveform. A comparison circuit compares the saturation signal and the alternating input signal and measures a propagation delay through the flux-gate inductor. Finally, an output circuit provides an analog output voltage signal proportional to the propagation delay through the flux-gate inductor.

Abstract: A power stabilizer for maintaining a constant level of output power from a laser transmitter. The laser transmitter has a laser diode which produces an optical output which corresponds to the level of bias current received. In addition, the laser transmitter has a photodiode which produces a feedback signal which corresponds to the optical output power being produced by the laser diode. Furthermore, the power stabilizer consists of a digitally controlled potentiometer for producing a reference input signal and an op-amp for comparing the feedback signal and the reference input signal to produce a control signal to supply bias current.

Abstract: A process by which a package for a memory card is manufactured. The package comprises chiefly two stamped steel covers, (an upper and a lower cover half), each secured to a plastic frame element. The cover halves are secured by extended fingers which wrap around the plastic frame. This provides a double layer of metal at the perimeter of the frame. The two cover halves are situated so as to encapsulate the subject PCB and to affix it in its proper position. The two cover halves are then welded together using sonic welding on the plastic frame. The package has been designed to meet all PCMCIA standards, including polarizing keys and grounding points.

Abstract: A robust optoelectronic transceiver module which is quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. The transceiver module has a main housing which consists of a potting box with potting material inserted therein. In addition, a circuit board is encased by the potting material. The circuit board has an optical subassembly mounted thereon. The optical subassembly extends outside of the potting box through a recess. Correspondingly, a recess cover is provided for forming a liquid fight seal between the recess cover, the potting box, and the optical subassembly.