Abstract: A wire termination system includes a heat applicator device to apply resistive heating to a specific connector pin of an electrical connector for the soldering of a wire to the connector pin. In operation, a wire of a cable is inserted into an interior cavity of the connector pin and resistive heating is applied to the connector pin resulting in the melting of solder contained within the interior cavity. Upon stoppage of the resistive heating by the heat applicator device, the solder within the interior cavity of the connector pin solidifies about the wire to form an electrical connection between the wire and the connector pin. The heat applicator device may then be repositioned to apply resistive heating to each additional connector pin of the electrical connector until all wires of the cable are soldered to their corresponding connector pins on the electrical connector.

Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for assisting in coupling and unmating electrical connectors. The system generally includes an electromagnet to assist in mating and, alternatively, unmating or uncoupling a first electrical connector with a second electrical connector. The system may include a first electrical connector having a first plurality of contacts, an electromagnet on the first electrical connector adapted to produce a magnetic force, and an input device adapted to receive an input and to provide an output that causes an electrical current to be supplied to the electromagnet. When coupled, the first plurality of electrical contacts are conductively engaged with a second plurality of electrical contacts on the second electrical connector.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A locking connector system for releasably locking a first connector in mechanical engagement with a second connector. The locking connector system generally includes a first connector including a female coupler and a second connector including a male coupler, with the first and second connectors being adapted to mechanically connect to each other. The first connector includes an adjustable latch which selectively engages with a catch portion on the male coupler to lock the connectors together. The latch may be pressed downwardly, such as by use of a connected button, to release the latch from the catch portion and disconnect the connectors. The first connector is adapted to provide audible, visual, and tactile feedback to confirm when the latch engages with the catch portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for assisting in coupling and unmating electrical connectors. The system generally includes an electromagnet to assist in mating and, alternatively, unmating or uncoupling a first electrical connector with a second electrical connector. The system may include a first electrical connector having a first plurality of contacts, an electromagnet on the first electrical connector adapted to produce a magnetic force, and an input device adapted to receive an input and to provide an output that causes an electrical current to be supplied to the electromagnet. When coupled, the first plurality of electrical contacts are conductively engaged with a second plurality of electrical contacts on the second electrical connector.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A locking connector system for releasably locking a first connector in mechanical engagement with a second connector. The locking connector system generally includes a first connector including a female coupler and a second connector including a male coupler, with the first and second connectors being adapted to mechanically connect to each other. The first connector includes an adjustable latch which selectively engages with a catch portion on the male coupler to lock the connectors together. The latch may be pressed downwardly, such as by use of a connected button, to release the latch from the catch portion and disconnect the connectors. The first connector is adapted to provide audible, visual, and tactile feedback to confirm when the latch engages with the catch portion.

Abstract: A preformed solder-in-pin system for use with electrical connectors. The preformed solder-in-pin system generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are eliminated. The preformed solder-in-pin system can be assembled in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that large numbers of connector pins, pre-installed in connector grommets, can be inserted largely simultaneously.

Abstract: An edge connector on a printed circuit board (“PCB”) uses a magnetic force to retain the PCB connected to another connector and to reduce the insertion force. In an example embodiment, a male edge connector includes a first magnetic connector and a female connector includes a second magnetic connector. A first force of attraction between the first magnetic connector and the second magnetic connector holds the male edge connector inserted into the female connector. The first force of attraction further reduces the force required to insert the male edge connector into the female connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for assisting in coupling and unmating electrical connectors. The system generally includes an electromagnet to assist in mating and, alternatively, unmating or uncoupling a first electrical connector with a second electrical connector. The system may include a first electrical connector having a first plurality of contacts, an electromagnet on the first electrical connector adapted to produce a magnetic force, and an input device adapted to receive an input and to provide an output that causes an electrical current to be supplied to the electromagnet. When coupled, the first plurality of electrical contacts are conductively engaged with a second plurality of electrical contacts on the second electrical connector.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently and accurately connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector having a plurality of connector pins with corresponding wire receptacles. The system generally includes a housing, a removable alignment plate, a robotic positioner, a heating device, a touch responsive display, and a control unit. The alignment plate removably holds a selected electrical connector in a specific position and orientation with the connector pins exposed in the housing and the wire receptacles exposed outside. The display provides a visual representation of the connector pins and selections of the connector pins. The control unit receives inputs indicating the pin selections and controls the robotic positioner to sequentially move the heating device along three orthogonal longitudinal axes to a series of heating positions relative to the selected connector pins to provide heat for melting solder to connect wires to the wire receptacles.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A method for inserting preformed solder members into connector pins for use with electrical connectors. The method generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are substantially eliminated. The method allows for inserting solder members in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that solder members can be inserted into large numbers of connector pins that are pre-installed in connector grommets, largely simultaneously.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently and accurately connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector having a plurality of connector pins with corresponding wire receptacles. The system generally includes a housing, a removable alignment plate, a robotic positioner, a heating device, a touch responsive display, and a control unit. The alignment plate removably holds a selected electrical connector in a specific position and orientation with the connector pins exposed in the housing and the wire receptacles exposed outside. The display provides a visual representation of the connector pins and selections of the connector pins. The control unit receives inputs indicating the pin selections and controls the robotic positioner to sequentially move the heating device along three orthogonal longitudinal axes to a series of heating positions relative to the selected connector pins to provide heat for melting solder to connect wires to the wire receptacles.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A method for inserting preformed solder members into connector pins for use with electrical connectors. The method generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are substantially eliminated. The method allows for inserting solder members in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that solder members can be inserted into large numbers of connector pins that are pre-installed in connector grommets, largely simultaneously.