Patents by Inventor Eric Walton

Eric Walton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240145960
    Abstract: A substrate assembly includes a first substrate having a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface. Signal pathways are provided on the first surface. The signal pathways extend to first openings which extend inward from an edge of the substrate. First ground pathways are provided on the first surface. Each of the first ground pathways are positioned adjacent at least one of the signal pathways. The first ground pathways extend to second openings which extend inward from the edge of the substrate. Signal contacts are mounted to the first substrate. The signal contacts have first mounting surfaces which provide mechanical and electrical engagement with the first openings. Ground contacts are mounted to the first substrate. The ground contacts have second mounting surfaces which provide mechanical and electrical engagement with the second openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Keith Edwin MILLER, Scott Eric WALTON, Tim Robert CHEVALIER
  • Publication number: 20240145994
    Abstract: A printed circuit board having signal contact receiving vias positioned in rows and ground contact receiving vias positioned in line with the signal contact receiving vias in the rows. Signal integrity vias are positioned between the signal contact receiving vias, between the ground contact receiving vias, and between respective signal contact receiving vias and respective ground contact receiving vias. The signal integrity vias form a ground fence which reduces cross talk in a foot print of a connector mated with the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Scott Eric WALTON, Rutger Wilhelmus SMINK
  • Publication number: 20240145995
    Abstract: An electrical connector which controls cross talk and signal radiation. The electrical connector includes columns of contacts having signal contacts and ground contacts. Ground shields are positioned between the columns of contacts. The ground shields have planar members with mating ends and mounting ends. The planar members have surfaces which are configured to be electrically coupled to ground members on a mating connector. Voids are provided in the planar members. Mounting members extend from the mounting ends of the planar members. The mounting members are configured to cooperate with the ground contacts provided in the columns of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Rutger Wilhelmus SMINK, Jacobus Nicolaas TUIN, Scott Eric WALTON, Keith Edwin MILLER
  • Publication number: 20240145968
    Abstract: An electrical connector for use in an electrical connector system which controls cross talk and signal radiation. The electrical connector having a plurality of modules with mating ends and mounting ends. Signal contacts have signal mating contact receiving sections proximate the mating ends and signal circuit board mounting sections proximate the mounting ends. The signal contacts are angled relative to a plane of the mounting ends of the modules, wherein the signal mating contact receiving sections are offset from the signal circuit board mounting section. Ground contacts have ground mating contact receiving sections proximate the mating ends and ground circuit board mounting sections proximate the mounting ends. The ground contacts are angled relative to the plane of the mounting ends of the modules, wherein the ground mating contact receiving sections are offset from the ground circuit board mounting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Keith Edwin MILLER, Scott Eric WALTON
  • Publication number: 20240146003
    Abstract: An electrical connector and a ground system which includes ground contacts and ground shields positioned proximate the ground contacts. The ground contacts have receiving sections, securing sections and mounting sections. The receiving sections have first engagement portions and second engagement portions. The ground shields have a nonplanar configuration, with portions of the ground shields passing between signal contacts. Surfaces of the securing sections of the ground contacts are positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with surfaces of the ground shields, providing first ground contact areas across which ground currents may flow. The first engagement portions of the ground contacts are provided in electrical and mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the ground shields, providing second ground contact areas across which the ground currents may flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin MILLER, Scott Eric WALTON, Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Rodney T. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11264749
    Abstract: A circuit board for use in a modular electrical connector. The circuit board has a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface. Signal pathways are provided on the first surface. The signal pathways have signal pathway ends abutting a mounting end of the circuit board. First ground pathways are provided on the first surface. The first ground pathways are positioned adjacent at least one of the signal pathways. The first ground pathways have first ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. One or more second ground pathways are provided on the second surface. The one or more second ground pathways have second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. The positioning of the signal pathway ends, the first ground pathway ends and the second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end reduces crosstalk between signal pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Albert Tsang, Scott Eric Walton, Eric Douglas Springston, II, Andrew M. Martin
  • Publication number: 20210305737
    Abstract: A circuit board for use in a modular electrical connector. The circuit board has a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface. Signal pathways are provided on the first surface. The signal pathways have signal pathway ends abutting a mounting end of the circuit board. First ground pathways are provided on the first surface. The first ground pathways are positioned adjacent at least one of the signal pathways. The first ground pathways have first ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. One or more second ground pathways are provided on the second surface. The one or more second ground pathways have second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end of the circuit board. The positioning of the signal pathway ends, the first ground pathway ends and the second ground pathway ends abutting the mounting end reduces crosstalk between signal pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Keith Edwin MILLER, Albert TSANG, Scott Eric WALTON, Eric Douglas SPRINGSTON, II, Andrew M. Martin
  • Patent number: 11095076
    Abstract: A cable connector includes a cable having wire pairs and contacts in contact pairs. The contacts of the contact pairs may be simultaneously crimped to the corresponding wires by a crimp tool. Pair holders hold the contact pairs with an overmolded body molded around supporting bases of the contacts of the contact pair to fix relative positions of the contacts. The cable connector includes a pair shield having shield elements forming shield pockets receiving wire pairs, contact pairs, and pair holders. The cable connector includes a retainer having a retainer cavity that receives the wire pairs and the pair shield. The retainer includes a contact support to support the pair holders and the contact pairs. The cable connector includes an outer shell having an outer shell cavity that receives the retainer and provides electrical shielding for the contact pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Ruffini, Kevin Michael Thackston, Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Scott Eric Walton, Thomas Gregory Gartlan
  • Publication number: 20210184405
    Abstract: A cable connector includes a cable having wire pairs and contacts in contact pairs. The contacts of the contact pairs may be simultaneously crimped to the corresponding wires by a crimp tool. Pair holders hold the contact pairs with an overmolded body molded around supporting bases of the contacts of the contact pair to fix relative positions of the contacts. The cable connector includes a pair shield having shield elements forming shield pockets receiving wire pairs, contact pairs, and pair holders. The cable connector includes a retainer having a retainer cavity that receives the wire pairs and the pair shield. The retainer includes a contact support to support the pair holders and the contact pairs. The cable connector includes an outer shell having an outer shell cavity that receives the retainer and provides electrical shielding for the contact pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Ruffini, Kevin Michael Thackston, Graham Harry Smith, JR., Scott Eric Walton, Thomas Gregory Gartlan
  • Patent number: 11031734
    Abstract: An electrical connector for use in an electrical connector system which controls cross talk and signal radiation. The electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of modules. The modules have mating ends and mounting ends. Signal contacts are positioned in the modules. The signal contacts extend between the mating ends and the mounting ends and are arranged in pairs to carry differential signals. Ground contacts are positioned in the modules. The ground contacts extend between the mating ends and the mounting ends. Respective ground contacts of the ground contacts are positioned adjacent to respective signal contacts of the signal contacts. Ground plates are positioned in the modules. The ground plates extend between the mating ends and the mounting ends, the ground contacts are electrically connected to the ground plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Services GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Kyle Gary Annis, Scott Eric Walton, Albert Tsang, Kevin Michael Thackston
  • Patent number: 11025014
    Abstract: A shield member for use in a modular electrical connector. The shield member includes mounting sections and shielding sections. The mounting sections are for mounting to a substrate. The shielding sections have first sections and second sections. The second sections are positioned in a different plane than the first sections. Transition sections extend between the first sections and the second sections. Substrate receiving slots are provided in the first sections and the second sections. Resilient portions are provided on either side of the substrate receiving slots. Contact surfaces extend into the substrate receiving slots. The resilient portions cause a normal force to be applied to the contact surfaces to maintain the contact surfaces in mechanical and electrical engagement with respective ground traces of modules of the modular electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTNITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Scott Eric Walton
  • Patent number: 10998678
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly which controls cross talk and signal radiation. Signal pathways are provided on modules in a first connector housing, with the signal pathways being arranged in differential pairs. Second ground pathways are positioned between side surfaces of the modules and respective signal pathways of the signal pathways. Signal contacts are positioned in the second connector housing. Second ground contacts are positioned in the second connector housing. The second ground contacts are positioned between side surfaces of the second modules and respective signal contacts of the signal contacts. The second ground pathways engage the second ground contacts of the second modules to balance the differential pairs of signal pathways to optimize impedance and shielding of the signal pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Scott Eric Walton, Albert Tsang, Kevin Michael Thackston, Kyle Gary Annis
  • Publication number: 20200225073
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filling level measurement system and method for determining the level of a material within a container. The system and method are operative to provide a configuration that enables the transmission of an acoustic or an electromagnetic signal, which propagates along a channel having an end disposed at least in proximity to such material and produces a reflected signal. The system comprises a sensor capable of detecting such reflected signal, measuring the time from the transmission to the detection of the signal, and estimating the distance traveled by the signal to provide a measurement of the filling level of the container to a readout unit. The method provides the steps for properly calibrating and measuring the filling level of a container for different channel layouts. The system and method are particularly suitable for determining the appropriate timing for emptying the tank according to a specific application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Wladimiro Villarroel, Eric Walton
  • Patent number: 10522938
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a conductive shell, a dielectric holder, and electrical contacts. The conductive shell defines a cavity. The dielectric holder is disposed within the cavity. The electrical contacts are mounted to the dielectric holder within the cavity and are arranged in pairs. The pairs include multiple pairs in a cancellation arrangement and an isolated pair spaced apart from the pairs in the cancellation arrangement. A separation distance from the isolated pair to a closest neighboring electrical contact of the electrical contacts is greater than respective separation distances from each of the pairs in the cancellation arrangement to corresponding closest neighboring electrical contacts of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Eric Walton, Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Michael Frank Cina
  • Patent number: 10320099
    Abstract: An electrical contact includes a base that includes first and second side edges, and a forward edge that extends between the first and second side edges. At least one contact arm extends from the forward edge of the base for making electrical contact with a contact pad. Each of the first and second side edges defines one or more protrusions configured to engage an interior portion of a connector housing for securing the electrical contact within the connector housing. The one or more protrusions on the first side edge are asymmetrically arranged with respect to the one or more protrusions on the second side edge such that respective centers of each of the one or more protrusions on the first side edge are misaligned with respective centers of each of the one or more protrusions on the second side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Scott Eric Walton, Albert Tsang
  • Patent number: 10263352
    Abstract: An electrical contact pad for electrically contacting a connector includes a first region having a first length in a longitudinal direction, and a second region having a second length in the longitudinal direction that is greater than the first length. The first region is arranged to contact a first arm of the connector and the second region is arranged to contact a second arm of the connector. The first length being smaller than the second length results in a beneficial increases the impedance of the electrical contact pad. A chamfered edge of the contact pad results in an additional beneficial increase in the impedance of the electrical contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Scott Eric Walton, Michael Frank Cina
  • Patent number: 10225336
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KRYTERION, INC.
    Inventors: Laura Perryman, Eric Walton, David Logan, Michael Collins
  • Patent number: 10151709
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device and method to evaluate the status of a material by scanning an area that overlaps a region of the material under evaluation. The device and method are operative to identify a leakage of a first material into a second material, such as a molten material surrounded by a refractory material, to measure the thickness of the second material, using electromagnetic waves, and to generate images. The device is designed to reduce a plurality of reflections associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves launched into the material under evaluation, by a sufficient extent so as to enable detection of electromagnetic waves of interest reflected from remote discontinuities present in between the device and the enclosed material. Furthermore, the device can be configured to scan areas of interest in either a portable or fixed configuration, manually in a standalone mode or as part of an automated system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: PaneraTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakup Bayram, Alexander Ruege, Eric Walton, Peter Hagan
  • Patent number: 10128597
    Abstract: An electrical contact pad for electrically contacting a connector includes first, second and third regions. The first region is connected to a trace. The second region is adjacent to the first region and has a width less than the first region. The third region is adjacent to the second region and has a width that is greater than the second region. The third region is sized to make contact with a connector. Having the width of the second region be smaller than the width of the first and third regions increases an impedance of the electrical contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Scott Eric Walton, Michael Frank Cina
  • Patent number: 9997868
    Abstract: A shroud that forms part of an electrical connector for securing a plurality of circuit wafers within the electrical connector includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of vertical members extending between the top and bottom walls that define a plurality of slots for receiving the plurality of circuit wafers. Each vertical member includes a first side that faces a second side of an adjacent vertical member. The first side defines top, middle, and bottom surface regions that are spaced apart from the second side of the adjacent vertical member by a first distance, and first and second recessed surface regions between the top, middle, and bottom surface regions that are spaced apart from the second side of the adjacent vertical member by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The first and second recessed surface regions are positioned so as to prevent direct contact between the vertical members and one or more high-frequency traces disposed on the plurality of circuit wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham Harry Smith, Jr., Scott Eric Walton, Albert Tsang