Including Ball Or Roller Bearing Used As Conductor Patents (Class 439/17)
  • Patent number: 11773908
    Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly prevents current flow through the raceways of a bearing disposed about a shaft and an outer ring disposed and within a bore of an outer member. An arcuate conductor has a centerline, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or a bearing inner ring, an outer radial end and two circumferential ends spaced circumferentially apart such that an arcuate gap is defined between the two ends when the conductor is installed about the shaft or the bearing inner ring. The two circumferential ends define a gap angle about the centerline, the gap angle having a value of at least thirty degrees. At least one conductive coupler is configured to attach the conductor to the outer member, another member or the bearing outer ring such that an electrically conductive path extends through the conductor and the at least one coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Gene A Kovacs
  • Patent number: 11777243
    Abstract: A connector receptacle for connecting with a corresponding connector plug coupled with electrodes being used for performing EMG procedure on a patient is provided. The receptacle includes a first ball bearing pressing against a first end of a housing of the plug and, preferably, a second ball bearing pressing against a first end of the housing of the plug when the plug is connected to the receptacle for exerting a retention force against the plug. The first and the second ball bearings are pressed against the first and the second ends respectively by using a spring force generated, for example, by a retention band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cadwell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Villarreal, David Lee Jepsen
  • Patent number: 11402023
    Abstract: A mechanical seal capable of preventing charge accumulation on a rotary shaft includes a fixed sealing element which is held at an inner periphery of housing members of machines to be installed and has at least a fixed seal ring, and a rotating sealing element which is held at an outer periphery of a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the housing members and has at least a rotating seal ring. A conductive element is provided between the fixed sealing element 10 and the rotary shaft or a rotary shaft member fixed to the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kimura, Yasuhiro Ikeda, Masamitsu Sanada, Masatoshi Itadani
  • Patent number: 11320862
    Abstract: A docking station may include a first communication port to couple the docking station to a target computing device, a rotatable plate, and a fixed plate. The docking station may be rotatably coupled to the target computing device about the first communication port via the rotatable plate and the fixed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wen-Yen Tang, Chang-Han Tsai, Sung-Hsueh Tsai
  • Patent number: 11215233
    Abstract: A rotating spindle capable of conductively contacting via bearings contains: a power supply module, a body, a first conductive assembly, and a second conductive assembly. The power supply module includes a first circular shell, an insulation element, a second circular shell, a first bearing, and a second bearing. The body is accommodated in the first circular shell and includes two elongated orifices, two guide orifices, and two electrode orifices. The first conductive assembly includes a first internal conductive wire, a first external conductive wire, and a first electrode. The first internal conductive wire is connected with the first electrode and extends out of the one guide orifice. The second conductive assembly includes a second internal conductive wire, a second external conductive wire, and a second electrode. The second internal conductive wire is connected with the first electrode and extends out of the other guide orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 11149795
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine with a rotor having a shaft mounted to the engine with a plurality of electrically insulating bearings is provided. The electrically insulating bearings are coupled to the shaft to support the rotor in the engine. There is at least one electrically conductive bearing coupled to the shaft and that further support the rotor in the engine. An electrically conductive path is defined between the rotor and an electrical ground of the engine. The electrically conductive path is defined through the electrically conductive bearing to reach the electrical ground of the engine. A method for electrostatically discharging a rotor supported in the gas turbine engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Louis Brillon
  • Patent number: 11116987
    Abstract: An electrical contact component for a contact socket of an implantable medical device includes an electrical contact element for electrically contacting an electrical counter contact (such as an electrode plug), and an electrically conductive outer ring having a plug borehole for receiving the electrical counter contact. The interior of the outer ring includes a depression receiving the electrical contact element. The electrical contact element is formed by contact bodies (such as balls or rolls), a cage element for receiving the contact bodies, and at least one electrically conductive spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kathy Hartmann-Bax, Ruien Wali
  • Patent number: 11111962
    Abstract: A bearing includes an integrated electrical shunt. The shunt includes electrically conductive fibers sandwiched between two washers, at least one of which is electrically conductive. The fibers are fastened to the electrically conductive washer by electrically conductive epoxy. An outer shield protects the fibers. The outer shield is held to the washers by a drawn cup. The washers, the drawn cup, and the outer shield all have oil drain holes to allow lubricant to flow to the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Venkata Kottapalli, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 11050190
    Abstract: Connector assemblies having a housing, a pin, and a spring length having two free ends are used as a mechanical connector to secure two objects or components together or an electrical connector for placing two sources in electrical communication with one another. The spring length can be a canted coil spring in which the two free ends are not connected to one another and the coils can have an elliptical shape or a complex coil shape. The spring length can be used with a retaining component, can be used in a recessed slot formed with the housing or the pin, or both with a retaining component and with a recessed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Tony Quach
  • Patent number: 10666005
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical swivel includes a first part and a second part, which are mobile relative to each other and form a closed internal chamber, each of the two parts including at least one electrical connector; and at least one electrical track electrically linked to a connector of one of the two parts and at least one brush assembly electrically linked to a connector of the other of the two parts, the at least one brush assembly cooperating with the at least one electrical track to establish an electrical contact, the at least one electrical track and the at least one brush assembly being housed in the closed internal chamber. The closed internal chamber is filled with a dielectric insulating gas having a dielectric strength greater than that of the air surrounding the electrical swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: EURO TECHNIQUES INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: Laurent Saint-Michel
  • Patent number: 10612599
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly has a first ring including a first race, a second ring including a second race, and a plurality of rolling elements in rolling contact with the first and second races. The rolling bearing assembly also has a sealing assembly including a first end in contact with the first ring and a second end in contact with the second ring. The sealing assembly has a shield, a sealing element, and a grounding element. The grounding element and the shield combine to provide an electrically conductive path between the first ring and the second ring. The grounding element and the sealing element combine to seal between the first ring and the second ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AS & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael White, Scott Hart, Chris Hutchison
  • Patent number: 10079444
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a number of receiving grooves, a number of terminals secured to the insulative housing, and a number of conductive balls received in the receiving grooves. Each receiving groove defines a through hole. Each conductive ball is urged by a corresponding terminal to partially protrude from an associated through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wei-Ta Tseng, Shun-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 9995344
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement includes a bearing having an inner race and an outer race and a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the inner and outer race such that the first race is rotatable relative the second race; bearing lubricant arranged within the bearing to lubricate the rolling elements. The bearing arrangement provides a first electrically conductive portion and a second electrically conductive portion, the first and second electrically conductive portion being electrically insulated and arranged such that at least a portion of the bearing lubricant is located between the first and second electrically conductive portion; and a capacitance meter having a first electrode connected to the first electrically conductive portion and a second electrode connected to the second electrically conductive portion, configured to measure a capacitance between the first ring and the second ring to determine a water content in the lubricant based on the measured capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Nicholas Dittes
  • Patent number: 9972956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting element for electrical and mechanical connection of electronics modules. The connecting element includes a base part having a receptacle area that serves to hold an electronics module, wherein the receptacle area has first electrical contact points for the electrical connection of the connecting element to electrical contact points of the electronics module. The base part includes a first end region having a first recessed section on the top side and has a second end region having a second recessed section on the bottom side. Second electrical contact points for connecting to further connecting elements are disposed on the top side of the first recessed section and on the bottom side of the second recessed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Heim, Sergej Mensch, Andreas Schiffler
  • Patent number: 9876301
    Abstract: The utility model discloses an electrical connector for Christmas lamp trees which comprises an upper and a lower connecting base, first columnar electrodes and elastic devices are arranged in the upper connecting base, second arc-shaped electrodes are arranged in the lower connecting base, and the elastic devices cause the first electrodes to tightly abut against the second electrodes. The first columnar electrodes and the second arc-shaped electrodes form a point-to-surface contact, so that the reliability of electrical connection is increased greatly, allowing a Christmas lamp tree to be universal to high and low voltages. Moreover, sufficient contact between upper and lower layers and natural effect of the Christmas lamp tree can still be ensured even if the Christmas lamp tree is subjected to an external force, and multiple sets of first and second electrodes are electrically connected in one-to-one correspondence, leading to diversified functions of the Christmas lamp tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Jidai Zhou
  • Patent number: 9790995
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly with electrical discharge damage protection is provided. The assembly includes a seal extending radially between a radially outer bearing ring and a radially inner bearing ring. The seal includes a fixed seal end that is fixed to one of the radially inner or outer bearing rings and a flexible sealing lip that contacts the other one of the radially inner or outer bearing rings. At least one electrically conductive ring includes a first ring end that contacts one of the radially inner or outer bearing rings at the fixed seal end. The seal is integrally connected to the at least one electrically conductive ring. Electrically conductive brush filaments are fixed to the at least one electrically conductive ring, and the brush filaments contact the other one of the radially inner or outer bearing rings opposite from the fixed seal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael White, Kunal Kalia, Scott Hart
  • Patent number: 9581203
    Abstract: A rolling bearing including a conductive shield and an insulation coating is provided. The rolling bearing assembly includes a fixable bearing ring including a first raceway and a rotatable bearing ring including a second raceway. A roller assembly includes a cage and a plurality of rolling elements are located in the cage and supported to roll on the first raceway of the fixable bearing ring and the second raceway of the rotatable bearing ring. A shield extends between the fixable bearing ring and the rotatable bearing ring. The shield includes a first end connected to the fixable bearing ring, and at least one electrically conductive element extends from a second end of the shield and contacts the rotatable bearing ring. A conductive extension on the first end of the shield is connectable to ground. The insulation coating covers surfaces of the fixable bearing ring outside of the first raceway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael White, Eric Ovendorf
  • Patent number: 9556910
    Abstract: A lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a raceway groove of an inner ring is fixed to an outer ring. The lubricant supply unit is provided with a first and second radially separated electrodes used to supply electric power from an external power source to the micropump. Each of the first and second radially separated electrodes is fixed to an outer face of a tank that is stationary relative to the micropump so as to be exposed on the outside of the lubricant supply unit. The first radially separated electrode is arranged so as to be apart from the second radially separated electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 9472915
    Abstract: A spring ring circuit assembly is provided for transmitting electricity between a first structure and a second structure which rotates relative to the first structure. The spring ring circuit assembly includes a spring ring which is affixed to and concentrically positioned around a spindle. The spring ring circuit assembly further includes a circular band concentrically positioned around the spring ring so as to create an annular space between the spring ring and circular band. The spring ring circuit assembly further includes an inner set of rollers positioned around and engaging the spring ring, and an outer set of rollers positioned within and engaging the circular band. The spring ring, rollers and circular band are made of electrically conductive materials so as to allow electricity to transmit between the spring ring and the circular band which is capable of rotating around the spring ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NOVAWURKS, INC.
    Inventor: Talbot Jaeger
  • Patent number: 9425541
    Abstract: A high power electrical connector is provided for transmitting electrical signals from a pair of cables, such as high current capable cables, to an associated member, such as a dash panel. The high power electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a pair of contact path assemblies therethrough for transmission of the electrical signals. The cables can be rotated relative to the housing and rotated relative to each other via the contact path assemblies. Ground path assemblies are also provided for grounding the cables. The cables can each be rotatable relative to a portion of the respective ground path assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Mark M. Data, Eric P. Bleuel, Robert Carlson, Frank Keyser, Eric J. Stenstrom, Michael A. Bandura, Arvind Patel, David L. Brunker, David E. Dunham, Ronald Kulakowski, Ed Kinsley, Robert Smid
  • Patent number: 9343862
    Abstract: An electrically conductive bearing system including a support member having an inner surface, a bearing element provided at the inner surface of the support member, and an electrically conductive element provided in the bearing element forming an electrically conductive flow path to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KAMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Zink, Arkadi Zak
  • Patent number: 9261143
    Abstract: A tubular bushing co-moldable with tubs of washing machines is provided. The tubular bushing is suitable to be engaged by a drive shaft of the washing machine extending along a central axis (A) and being provided with two rolling bearings (20), arranged at a given distance from each other along the axis (A) to allow rotation of the drive shaft with respect to the tub, and a containing sleeve, made of plastic and by means of co-molding around the two bearings; a current dispersion means being incorporated in the containing sleeve and suitable to be electrically connected both to the drive shaft and to earth so as to prevent an accumulation of static electricity in the washing machine and prevent electrostatic discharges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Roberto Mola, Riccardo Restivo, Gianpiero Scaltriti
  • Patent number: 9203184
    Abstract: A connector system includes a connector plug and a connector receptacle. The connector plug includes a tapered surface, one or more plug-side electrical contacts on the tapered surface, and electrically insulating portions on the tapered surface. The connector receptacle includes a tapered socket and one or more socket-side electrical contacts. The socket-side electrical contacts electrically couple with corresponding plug-side electrical contacts when the connector plug is coupled in the socket. One or more of the socket-side electrical contacts or the plug-side electrical contacts extends around one of the tapered surfaces such that the electrical contract electrically couples with a mating electrical contact regardless of the orientation of the connector plug in the connector socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Poon Hui
  • Publication number: 20150104958
    Abstract: A coupling (30) for the introduction of a bias voltage into a vacuum chamber. The coupling consists of a metallic ball bearing assembly (36), a bearing sleeve or cup (34), and an EMI shielding gasket (42) seated within the bearing sleeve or cup. The ball bearing assembly is fitted within the EMI shielding gasket, about a metallic shaft (32) which, in turn, is coupled to a source of the bias voltage. The bearing sleeve or cup is, in turn, coupled to a rotating component such as a platen, for receiving the bias voltage within the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Richard J. Fowler, Michael D. Drory
  • Patent number: 8267698
    Abstract: A connector unit which is capable of suppressing lowering of a clicking feeling, even if the fitting and removing of connectors to and from each other is repeated. A spring portion that receives a contact portion of each of plug contacts of a plug connector when a receptacle connector and the plug connector are fitted to each other is formed on each of receptacle contacts of the receptacle connector. A protrusion is formed on the contact portion of each plug contact. The spring portion is formed to have an auxiliary contact portion that is urged by the protrusion when both of the connectors are fitted to each other, and a recess that receives the protrusion when the both of the connectors are fitted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Hiroaki Obikane, Yasufumi Yahiro
  • Patent number: 8123554
    Abstract: In a coaxial plug-connector part with a cap nut arranged in a rotatable manner on an outer conductor of a coaxial line system and with a ball bearing between cap nut and outer conductor, the ball bearing cooperates with a bearing bush. The ball bearing and the bearing bush are held within the cap nut by a bearing cover screw-connected to the cap nut, and this enclosed structural group can be fitted, via a continuous internal borehole of the bearing bush, onto the outer conductor of the coaxial line system to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Leipold, Werner Perndl
  • Patent number: 8120895
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface of a vehicle includes a base for coupling with the surface and a socket assembly for supporting the electronic device on the base. The base includes a mounting ball, and the socket assembly includes a socket operable to frictionally engage the mounting ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. An electrical connector is attached to the mounting ball and coupled to an electrical system and another electrical connector is mounted within the socket to provide power to the electronic device when the socket assembly is coupled with the base. Structure limits rotation of the socket assembly relative to the base to inhibit the electrical connectors from becoming disconnected due to over-rotation of the socket assembly on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Jacob T. Zeller, John R. Tines
  • Patent number: 8105090
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a socket and a plug. The socket includes a first main body defining a first longitudinal receiving space. A sidewall of the first longitudinal receiving space defines a helical slot. The helical slot includes at least one entrance formed on an end of the first longitudinal receiving space. The plug includes a second main body and at least one fixing assembly mounted in a peripheral sidewall of the second main body. Each of the at least one fixing assembly includes a ball rotatably connected to and extends partially out of the peripheral sidewall of the second main body. The extending part of the at least one ball being is able to slide in the helical slot through the at least one entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: You-Xiang Ding
  • Patent number: 7878814
    Abstract: Electrically conductive bearing retainers create an electrical path between the static and dynamic sides of a rotating joint to block EMI radiation from entering or leaving a system. Concentric annular inner and outer bearing retainers with an array of conductive contact members therebetween are installed in contact with the inner and outer races of a dynamic bearing interface. Each contact member includes a base and tips. The outer bearing retainer ring has a recess for mounting a contact member and a notch for positioning the contact member tips to make contact with the inner bearing retainer ring. The inner bearing retainer ring includes a conductive contact surface. The contact member tips contact the conductive contact surface to create a dynamic shield between an inner bearing race and an outer bearing race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Patricia D. Chin, Daniel P. Brown, James D. Strayer
  • Patent number: 7853169
    Abstract: A roller member urging mechanism includes: a roller member having a roller shaft and coming in contact with a predetermined member; a casing for holding the roller member, the casing being electrically insulative; a bearing for receiving the roller shaft, the bearing being provided in the casing slidably in a direction substantially orthogonal to the roller shaft of the roller member, the bearing being electrically conductive; and a strip member provided in the casing near the bearing and serving as a contact for supplying electricity to the roller member. The strip member being a spring-like single member operable to come in contact with the bearing to press the roller member against the predetermined member through the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Hidehisa Konishi
  • Patent number: 7832503
    Abstract: A downhole drilling motor comprising a housing and a shaft extending within the housing, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing. Further, a conducting path extends within the housing between a first axial position and a second axial position. The conducting path comprises a housing conductor associated with the housing and a shaft conductor associated with the shaft, wherein the shaft conductor is capable of a movement relative to the housing conductor. An assimilating connector is interposed between the housing conductor and the shaft conductor for conductively connecting the housing conductor with the shaft conductor and for assimilating the movement of the shaft conductor relative to the housing conductor. The assimilating connector includes one or more of a rotary movement assimilating connector, a longitudinal movement assimilating connector and a transverse movement assimilating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron John Sand, Edward James Cargill, Gueorgui (George) Stovbour, Ryan Federowich
  • Patent number: 7811091
    Abstract: A rotary terminal mechanism in which a first electroconductive ring is inserted, under a slightly collapsed state, between the circular internal peripheral surface of a first outside electrode and the circular external peripheral surface of a first inside electrode that are arranged concentrically. The first electroconductive ring is kept contacting the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode by the elastic restoring force. When the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode rotate relatively, the first electroconductive ring rolls along the circular internal peripheral surface and the circular external peripheral surface while being kept pressed against these surfaces by the elastic force. Consequently, electrical connection is formed constantly between them even if the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode rotate relatively. A rotary terminal mechanism of simple structure requiring fewer components and being advantageous to miniaturization can thereby be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Junji Koyama
  • Patent number: 7648368
    Abstract: An electrical-power-transfer assembly (50) transferring electrical power from an onboard power source to electrical deicers (22) on propeller blades (18). The assembly (50) comprises a first race structure (52) mounted to the aircraft, a second race structure (54) mounted to the propeller assembly (12), and rolling elements (76/78) caged in raceway(s) (72/74) situated between the race structures (52/54). The current path established by the assembly (50) passes through the raceway(s) (72/74) and the rolling elements (76/78) caged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Alan John Fahrner, David B. Sweet, Steven C. Brooker
  • Patent number: 7637743
    Abstract: A conductive roller is arranged so as to project from an opening of an upper surface of a circuit board unit removably accommodated in a rack. An opening of the rack is covered by a conductive thin plate. When the circuit board unit is accommodated in the rack, the roller fits in the opening of the rack and pushes the conductive thin plate. Thus, the circuit board unit and the rack are brought into electrical contact to perform electromagnetic shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Fuminobu Iwasaki, Motohiro Takemae
  • Patent number: 7637744
    Abstract: A rotary contact-connection assembly for electric cables contains an electrically non-conducting support crossed by a borehole. A first bearing is configured in the borehole and a second bearing is configured radially outside the borehole around the support. The bearings are configured axially relative to each other and to the borehole. Both bearings are radially continuously electrically conducting. An electrically conducting plug is pluggable into an axial bearing passage aperture of the first bearing. A first electrical conductor of a first cable is fixable to an outer race of the first bearing. A second electrical conductor of the first cable is connectable to a hookup muff situated within the second bearing. A first electrical conductor of a second cable is passable through the borehole of the support and is connectable to the plug. A second electrical conductor of the second cable is connectable to an outer race of the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Singer
  • Publication number: 20090239391
    Abstract: A rotary contact-connection assembly for electric cables contains an electrically non-conducting support crossed by a borehole. A first bearing is configured in the borehole and a second bearing is configured radially outside the borehole around the support. The bearings are configured axially relative to each other and to the borehole. Both bearings are radially continuously electrically conducting. An electrically conducting plug is pluggable into an axial bearing passage aperture of the first bearing. A first electrical conductor of a first cable is fixable to an outer race of the first bearing. A second electrical conductor of the first cable is connectable to a hookup muff situated within the second bearing. A first electrical conductor of a second cable is passable through the borehole of the support and is connectable to the plug. A second electrical conductor of the second cable is connectable to an outer race of the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Stefan Singer
  • Publication number: 20080191096
    Abstract: An electrical-power-transfer assembly (50) transferring electrical power from an onboard power source to electrical deicers (22) on propeller blades (18). The assembly (50) comprises a first race structure (52) mounted to the aircraft, a second race structure (54) mounted to the propeller assembly (12), and rolling elements (76/78) caged in raceway(s) (72/74) situated between the race structures (52/54). The current path established by the assembly (50) passes through the raceway(s) (72/74) and the rolling elements (76/78) caged therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Alan John Fahrner, David B. Sweet, Steven C. Brooker
  • Patent number: 7215045
    Abstract: A roll-ring conductive wheel is used to conduct electricity between the inner and outer races of rotating or moving parts. The conductive wheel is a thin-walled metal cylinder with a plurality of spokes connecting the outer cylindrical wall to a central hub. The preferred spokes are arcuate and the wheel is made flexible so that it can be compressed to an elliptical shape between the inner and outer conductive races for good electrical contact and to absorb slight deflections or gap variations between the races. The conductive wheel can have other shapes depending on the configuration of moving parts, such as a truncated cone shape for conical or wedge-shaped races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Honeybee Robotics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Myrick
  • Patent number: 7114955
    Abstract: In order to simplify the construction and to reduce the size of a contact arrangement (1) comprising at least one outer contact piece (3) and at least one inner contact piece (5) which are guided towards each other such that they can be displaced in a longitudinal manner, also comprising a roller-type contact (2) provided with contact rollers (7), arranged for electrically conductive connection between the inner contact piece (5) and the outer contact piece (3), the or at least one outer contact piece (3) comprises a recess (4) with a concave cross-sectional defining wall, wherein the rolling contact is at least partially arranged (2) for the transfer of current. The invention also relates to a roller-type contact (2) for one such contact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Poth
  • Patent number: 7037126
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotary joint that includes a power slip ring and an electric signal slip ring, both for passing electricity between a stator and a rotor The system includes a plurality of slip rings (21,31) and a plurality of circumferentially extending fluid flow annular passages (12, 13, 14) formed in axially aligned relaation between the stator and the rotor. Water passages are constituted by some of the annual passages (12,13) and one of the annular passages (14), typically the lowest one, is used an air passage for air under pressure or an air-filled drain so that water leakage can be absorbed into the air passage or drain and does not penetrate into the region of the slip rings. The slip ring (21) with collector rings (22) is used for power and slip rings (31) are used for signals. Water passages are constituted by the annular passages, other than one of the annular passages located towards the power slip ring and the electric signal slip ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: BL Autotec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Tsutsumi, Hitoshi Momoda, Yoshitaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6921269
    Abstract: A signal transfer assembly that is configured to transfer one or more electrical signals between two or more conductive paths that are rotating relative to one another includes two substrates or more substrates and one or more interface assemblies. The substrates each include one or more conductors on one or more surfaces. Each interface assembly is disposed between two substrates and is configured to allow relative rotation between the two substrates. Each interface assembly also electrically couples selected ones of the conductors on each of the substrates together, thereby allowing electrical signals to pass through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Theodis Johnson, Dennis W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6896522
    Abstract: A hinge connector comprising an insulative connector housing (10) having a predetermined shape, a through hole extending through the connector housing, a receiving chamber defined in the through hole, and an elastic contact member (30) having electric conductivity and a rotatable contact member (50) that are received in the receiving chamber, wherein the elastic contact member (30) is elastically contacted at one end thereof with the rotatable contact member (50), and projects at the other end out of the through hole to form an external contact. This hinge connector is mounted on the main body housing (90) of an electronic device, a circuit board (70) is connected to a cover body, and the contact member (50) is disposed to make rotation contact with the pattern on the circuit board. Such arrangement provides a hinge connector wherein the contact smoothly rotates even if the contact pressure on the circuit board is increased, and good contact can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Harasawa
  • Patent number: 6866546
    Abstract: A connector that can couple a flexible circuit board of a head gimbal assembly to driving circuits of an apparatus coupled to a hard disk. The connector includes a pair of spring biased plates that push the flexible circuit into contact with a printed circuit board. The circuit board is coupled to the driving circuits. The pressure plates can be manually pushed into an open position to allow an operator to insert or remove the flexible circuit board from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Dan L. Kilmer
  • Patent number: 6857908
    Abstract: A connector for receiving a plug-in card comprises a carrier which defines a receiving space for the plug-in card, at least one guide hole which is formed in the carrier and which opens in the receiving space, a contact element which is movably arranged in the guide hole, a spring which urges the contact element towards the receiving space, and a conductor path which is electrically connected with the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Burmeister
  • Publication number: 20040219804
    Abstract: A connector that can couple a flexible circuit board of a head gimbal assembly to driving circuits of an apparatus coupled to a hard disk. The connector includes a pair of spring biased plates that push the flexible circuit into contact with a printed circuit board. The circuit board is coupled to the driving circuits. The pressure plates can be manually pushed into an open position to allow an operator to insert or remove the flexible circuit board from the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Dan L. Kilmer
  • Patent number: 6809905
    Abstract: A connector that can couple a flexible circuit board of a head gimbal assembly to driving circuits of an apparatus coupled to a hard disk. The connector includes a pair of spring biased plates that push the flexible circuit into contact with a printed circuit board. The circuit board is coupled to the driving circuits. The pressure plates can be manually pushed into an open position to allow an operator to insert or remove the flexible circuit board from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Dan L. Kilmer
  • Publication number: 20040180559
    Abstract: A hinge connector comprising an insulative connector housing (10) having a predetermined shape, a through hole extending through the connector housing, a receiving chamber defined in the through hole, and an elastic contact member (30) having electric conductivity and a rotatable contact member (50) that are received in the receiving chamber, wherein the elastic contact member (30) is elastically contacted at one end thereof with the rotatable contact member (50), and projects at the other end out of the through hole to form an external contact. This hinge connector is mounted on the main body housing (90) of an electronic device, a circuit board (70) is connected to a cover body, and the contact member (50) is disposed to make rotation contact with the pattern on the circuit board. Such arrangement provides a hinge connector wherein the contact smoothly rotates even if the contact pressure on the circuit board is increased, and good contact can be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Masaaki Harasawa
  • Publication number: 20040067662
    Abstract: In a rotary joint A including an electric signal slip ring 31 for passing different electric signals between a stator 1 and a rotor 6, for the purpose of stable transmission of electric signals in the electric signal slip ring 31, stationary side electrode stacks 38a and 38b are provided individually by stacking each pair of axially adjacent two 36b to 36e of six ring-plate-shaped stationary side electrodes 36a to 36f arranged concentrically with the axis of the stator 1 and aligned axially with each other together with one of stationary side insulating seats 37a and 37b interposed between the pair of axially faced stationary side electrodes, rotating side electrode stacks 42a to 42c are provided individually by stacking each pair of axially adjacent two 40a to 40f of six ring-plate-shaped rotating side electrodes 40a to 40f arranged concentrically with the axis of the rotor 6 and aligned axially with each other together with one of rotating side insulating seats 41a and 41c interposed between the pair of axi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mikio Tsutsumi, Hitoshi Momoda
  • Patent number: 6695620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable assembly having a universal joint so as to rotate the connector thereof through X and Y directions. Upper and lower housings of the connector is provided with traverse bearings. A front edge of a front rotating arm is provided with assembled traverse shafts. A rear portion of the front rotating arm is provided with a slot in which axial holes are defined. By this arrangement, the front rotating arm and the rear rotating arm can each can rotate freely on a plane thereby provide two dimensional rotations. Conductive wires of the cable routes through the front rotating arm and the rear rotating arm and finally electrically connected to the connector. As a result, a cable assembly with a universal rotational connector is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Yea Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 6612847
    Abstract: A slip plate assembly (40) for supplying electrical current under rotational and translational force applications, includes a housing (39) and at least one draw unit (70). While subjected to rotational and translational forces, each draw unit (70) disposed within the housing (39) supplies electric current from a power source (not shown) to a receiving system (90). Each draw unit (70) includes a first electroplate (71), a second electroplate (72), and a plurality of rolling members (76) positioned within a gap (85) formed between the first and second electroplates (71, 72). In traversing this gap (85), each rolling member of the plurality of rolling members (76) contacts the first and second electroplates (71, 72) to create an electrical circuit path therebetween. Each draw unit (70) further includes a support spacer (78) and a resilient element (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Florencio Canizales, Jr.