Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting a printed wiring board (10) and an electrical module carrying board (50) with zero insertion force. Conductors (15) permanently connected to the PWB (10) and extending substantially at right angles therefrom, pass freely through insulative actuator plate means (20, 21) and then extend freely through the plated-through holes (52, 53) of the module board (50). Manually operable cam means (37, 46, 49, 33, 35) are provided which cause opposite lateral movement of the actuator plate means (20, 21). The actuator plate means (20, 21) in turn act against the conductors (15) to cause their flexure into electrical contact with the walls of the plated-through holes (52, 53) of the module board (50).

Abstract: An arrangement for the solderless mounting of an integrated circuit chip carrier (13) on a printed wiring board (10). A socket (16), cemented to the board, is provided within which a leadless chip carrier (13) is fitted. Featured is a contact interface element (20) which presents an array of electrically conductive annular springs (27) which electrically connect the contact pads (14) of the chip carrier (13) and the contact pads (15) of the printed wiring board (10). The interface element (20) is clamped between the chip carrier (13) and the printed wiring board (10) by means of a compression spring (31) operating on the upper surface of the chip carrier (13).

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting a mismatch between the output signals of duplicated logic units (10a, 10b). The output terminals of one of the duplicated logic units are correspondingly connected to the output terminals of the other duplicated logic unit, while the power supply leads of the duplicated logic units (10a, 10b) are connected to a positive voltage source (32) through a current imbalance detector. Any mismatch between the output signals of the duplicated logic units (10a, 10b) will result in the detection of a large imbalance of current being supplied to the duplicated logic units (10a, 10b). Upon detection, the detector will generate an error signal.

Abstract: A zero insertion force connector for making contact with the electrical terminals of four printed wiring boards. Two pairs of parallel plates (16, 17; 18, 19), each pair mounted for lateral movement and having a plurality of terminals (29) for making contact with the corresponding electrical terminals of two printed wiring boards when inserted therebetween, are each separated and closed by the rotation of a shaft (37) having two cam plates (39, 40) mounted near the opposite ends thereof. The two cam plates (39, 40) mounted next to the opposite ends of the two pairs of plates (16, 17; 18, 19), respectively, converts the rotational movement of the shaft (37) to the lateral movement of the two pairs of plates (16, 17; 18, 19) thereby separating and closing each pair of plates (16, 17; 18, 19).

Abstract: A multipin backplane connector (10) featuring a locking mechanism for locking the connector to the pins. The terminal pins (11) are lengthened to extend beyond the connector pin receptacles (20) after the pins (11) are inserted therein and are further modified to provide a pair of opposing vertical notches (15) on the extensions of each. The locking mechanism comprises a rocker member (34) in the form of an obtuse "V", one section (37) having slots (38) dimensioned to fit freely about the pins (11), each slot (15) having opposing teeth (39) for engaging the pin notches (15). A pair of manually operated sleeves (46, 47) clasping opposite sides of the connector housing are moved over the two rocker member sections (37, 40) to raise and lower the slot teeth (39) out of and into engagement with the terminal pin notches (15).

Abstract: Interconnection apparatus for electrically connecting the contact areas (22) of a printed wiring board (20) and the contact springs (e.g., 33, 34) of a backplane (10) for increasing the board terminations without increasing the width of the board leading edge (21). A coordinate array of contact areas (22) is provided at least on one side of the leading portion of the board (20) which corresponds to an array of contacting surfaces of the springs (e.g., 33, 34) extending from a backplane (10). A mask (e.g., 23) having an array of apertures (24) corresponding to the contact area array overlies the leading portion (21) of the board (20). The mask apertures (e.g., 24) are individually dimensioned and formed within the array rows to accept therethrough only correspondingly formed individual contact springs (e.g., 33, 34) of the spring rows.

Abstract: A printed wiring board (20) and housing (12) apparatus in which a coordinate array of terminal contact areas (22) on the board (20) make only simultaneous and exclusive electrical contact with a corresponding array of housing contact springs (42). Premature and unwanted electrical contacts are prevented as the board (20) is moved into association with housing (12) by cam means (40) protruding from each end of a lattice structure (33). Crossmembers (36, 37, 38) of the lattice structure (33) support spring ends (45) to maintain the contact surfaces of the springs (42) out of engagement with the board (20) contact areas (22) as the cams (40) ride along the surface of the board (20) until full insertion movement of the board is completed. At this point, the cams (40) are seated in corresponding recesses (46) provided therefor in the board (20) to permit the mating of the contact areas and housing springs.

Abstract: A printed wiring board (20) and connector (12) apparatus in which a coordinate array of terminal contact areas (22) on the board (20) make only simultaneous and exclusive electrical contact with a corresponding array of connector contact springs (24). Premature and unwanted electrical contacts are prevented as the board (20) is moved into association with the connector (12) by cams (23) protruding from the board (20) which maintain a separation between the board contact areas (22) and the connector springs (24) until full movement of the board is completed. At this point, the cams (23) are seated in corresponding recesses (26) provided therefor in the connector (12) surface to permit the mating of contact areas and springs.

Abstract: An electrical relay construction in which the function of the actuating magnetic field of operating the relay is separated completely from the function of providing contact closure force. A pair of electrically conductive, spherical bodies (18, 19) are rollably clamped by spring means (28) between a common, electrically conductive plate (20) and individual platforms (14, 15, 16) connected to the relay terminals (11, 12, 13). The common plate (20) is mounted on an actuating member (21) controlled by a solenoid (31) to roll the bodies (18, 19) between the common plate (20) and the terminal platforms (14, 15, 16) to complete the possible relay conducting paths.

Abstract: An inverter-cycloconverter power supply providing for the selective augmentation of the battery source (17) output voltage as needed to compensate for reductions in the effective voltage output of the latter source. The output tap points (for example, 48, 50) of the coupling transformer secondary winding (43) of the cycloconverter section (30) are selected to produce a pseudo-sine wave voltage (FIG. 2, 81) composed of alternating square wave voltages of a first and a second, higher level. A regulator section (60) including a second transformer secondary winding (63) controlled by a pair of thyristors (61, 62) adds a rectified voltage to the battery source (17) voltage as required as determined by regulator control circuitry. The latter comprises monitoring circuit means (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 92, 95) for detecting the output voltage levels of the cycloconverter and for generating control signals (FIG. 2, 86) of a duration corresponding to the effective voltage drop of the battery source (17).

Abstract: Electrical interconnection apparatus for mounting integrated circuit modules and for adapting the terminal pattern of the densely spaced leads of a module to the terminal pattern of the more widely spaced pin sockets of a printed wiring board. Rows of terminals (19, 20), spaced to conform to the module leads, are arranged on two sides of a module support platform (10) and are extended by conducting elements (27, 28, 29, 30) to particular terminal pins of a plurality of rows of terminal pins (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) extending from the underside of lead frame blocks (11, 12) retained by the support platform (10). Ground plane elements (15, 16, 17, 18) are featured which are supported by the lead frame blocks (11, 12) between the terminal pin rows (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) to control the impedance of the conducting elements (27, 28, 29, 30).

Abstract: A method for adjusting the operating gap between the actuator beam (11, 12) and the moveable contact spring (13, 14) of a piezoelectric relay to achieve a gap (gf) of a width to achieve optimum relay reliability. A fixed contact (24) upon which the contact (35) of the spring (13) rests, is mounted on a bracket (25) in turn mounted on the relay substrate (15) by a solder layer (30). The relay actuator beam (11), normally adapted to raise the spring (13) to separate the contacts, is separated from the spring (13) by an initial gap (g) and is energized by an adjust voltage (Va) of a magnitude to exert a force just equal to the spring force. The solder layer (30) is then heated to the melting point to permit the spring (13) to force bracket (25) downward and itself into contact with the beam (11). When the forces exerted by the beam (11), the fixed contact, and the spring (13) reach equilibrium, the solder layer (30) is allowed to set and the adjust voltage (Va) is removed.

Abstract: Electrical interconnection apparatus for connecting the terminals (30) of an integrated circuit board (15) to corresponding conductors of a flat, flexible cable. A base (10) is provided to hold an intermediate cable (18) end over a rounded flange (13), the cable (18) being cemented to the base (10) underside and flange (13). A force bar (23) pivotably mounted at each end of the base (10) urges the board (15) terminals against the bared cable conductors (19) under the bias of an elongated "V" shaped spring operating against a second flange (12) of the base (10) and a leg (25) of the force bar (23). A second leg (24) of the force bar (23) provides a means under the adjustment of set screws (28) for controlling the pressure exerted by the force bar (23).

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling an electrical connector housing (15) and a conductor mounting comb (41) comprising a pair of clamping mechanisms (14, 27) for clasping the housing (15) and comb (41) which mechanisms are brought together by a press (10) to force the housing (15) about the prewired comb (41). The conductors (52) are arranged in the comb (41) which in turn is supported between two fixed jaws (28, 29) of a lower clamping mechanism (27), the conductors (52) being arranged in slots (54) of one jaw (28). The housing (15) is clasped between two jaws (16, 17) of an upper clamping mechanism (14), one of which terminates in a blade (21), the blade (21) rising to a conductor folding ramp (22). As the press is operated, the upper mechanism (14) moves downward, the blade (21) cooperating with a second blade (33) on a lower jaw (28) to trim the conductor (52) ends.

Abstract: A solderless electrical connector construction for making connections between a plurality of conductor pairs (23) and a corresponding row of single, double-bladed (16, 17) insulation-piercing terminals (11) extending from the top surface (12) of a terminal block (10). The blades (16, 17) are oppositely directed from the ends of the terminals (11) and are adapted to seize and pierce the insulation of conductor pairs (23) maintained in vertical channels (21) in a pair of conductor mounting blocks (20, 30) as the latter are closed into abutment along the surface (12) of the terminals block (10). The channels (21) are extended around the mounting blocks (20, 30) to provide strain relief.

Abstract: A strain relief housing for a flat ribbon cable (11) terminating in an electrical connector (10) in which the housing comprises a pair of identical halves (20, 30) each having a flange (27) extending outwardly therefrom for clasping the cable (11) therebetween. Each flange (27) has extending outwardly therefrom at opposite ends a lug (28) and a notch (29), the lug (28) of one flange (27) being adapted to fold into the notch (29) of and about the other flange (27) to pierce a margin (13) at each side of the cable (11).

Abstract: An insulated electrical conductor terminal assembly comprising a "U" shaped clip (10) having pairs of opposed and aligned slots (13, 14) in opposite flanges (11, 12), which slots (13, 14) terminate in conductor seatings (15) adapted to have insulated conductors (16, 17) frictionally fitted therein through the slots (13, 14) across the flanges (11, 12) in tandem pairs. The clip (10) and its retained conductors (16, 17) are then fitted about a plurality of two-bladed terminals (22), one blade (23) of each terminal being bifurcated and having insulation piercing edges (27) at the opening of the bifurcation (26) and the other blade (24) of each terminal being bifurcated and having insulation piercing edges (27) at the base of the bifurcation (26). The cutting edges (27) of the two blades (23, 24) being spaced apart within each blade (23, 24) equal to the spacing between the seatings (15) of each pair of conductor seatings (15 ).

Abstract: An electrical reed spring relay construction in which a single pair of reed springs are controlled to complete simultaneously two distinct conducting paths. A pair of yoke members each comprising a pair of parallel legs connected at one end by a transverse base member are suspended by the other ends of the legs at opposite ends of an encapsulating envelope. Between the legs of each yoke member is arranged a reed spring member also suspended at one end of the envelope. The yoke assemblies are suspended at the envelope ends so that the other ends and base members overlap and are spaced apart to present the contact gaps. Upon the application of a magnetic field, the other end of the reed spring member of each yoke member is urged into contact with the base member of the other yoke member.

Abstract: An electrical socket connector construction for receiving the terminals of an electrical integrated circuit pack in which the body of the connector is formed in two steps. A housing (10) is initially molded in rectangular, box-like form, its base (15) initially being in two sections (20, 21) separated by a small gap (19). In a second step, the side walls (11, 12) are forced together to close the base (15) gap and are locked together by a latching mechanism (23, 24, 25, 26) at each end. The top wall (14) is buckled upward in the gap (19) closure along hinge lines (22) to form two peaked members (16, 17) each having a longitudinal slot (27) on the inside of the housing (10). Rows of apertures (18, 28) formed in the top wall and base (14, 15) admit the circuit pack (34) terminals (35, 36) in the top and fit two-bladed contact receptacles (29) in the base. One blade (31) of each row is extended to engage a slot (27) of the top members (16, 17) which, in their peaked stake, hold the blades (30, 31) open.

Abstract: A tool for untwisting the conductors of a twisted conductor cable comprising a rod of electrically insulating material having a tapered end and a channel bored into its tapered end initially along its longitudinal axis. The channel is angled away from the latter axis to emerge at the surface of the rod at the tapered end and is dimensioned to receive the diameter of a conductor which is inserted into the channel at the end of the rod. The tapered end facilitates the initial separation of the conductors and the tool is operated by rotation between thumb and forefinger until the desired length of conductor end segment is reached.