Patents Assigned to Bal Seal Engineering
  • HIGH FREQUENCY MINIATURE CONNECTORS WITH CANTED COIL SPRINGS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20180026409
    Abstract: Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Kim
  • Connectors with a pin, a housing, and one or more springs
    Patent number: 9829028
    Abstract: The present application relates to connectors that use canted coil springs to retain a pin to a housing. The connectors have increased disconnect to connect force ratios. Dual concentric spring configuration allows for an initial locking configuration that can be overcome with higher force and deflection of the second spring. Dual springs in series in a constrained groove can require a high force for connector disconnect, since force vectors may be in a direction relatively close to being along the spring major axis. A curved groove wall can offer resistance to a spring that is required to slide first into the groove in order to allow disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rick Dawson, Jim Sittler
  • SPRING LATCHING CONNECTORS
    Publication number: 20170314602
    Abstract: A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, a circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • High frequency miniature connectors with canted coil springs and related methods
    Patent number: 9806473
    Abstract: Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Kim
  • Connector with low lead insertion force and method of reducing same
    Patent number: 9682242
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed toward specialized seals necessary between electrical connectors as used in Implantable Pulse Generators (IPG's) and other implantable connectors, the seals comprising a seal lip and undercuts in an interior wall surface to increase a length to width ratio of the seal lip to at least 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Farshid Dilmaghanian
  • SPRING ENERGIZED SEALS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20170172018
    Abstract: Seal assemblies with a seal body having an inside flange and an outside flange that are biased outwardly away from one another by a spring energizer, such as a canted coil spring or a V-spring. The seal assemblies further include EMI shielding by incorporating at least one spring energizer that provides at least part of a conductive path between a housing and a pin. The conductive path can alternatively be provided by two different spring energizers and optionally with a conductive strip or trace or via a conductive contact ring element. The present seal assemblies are usable in applications having the needle for both sealing and EMI shielding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Stephen Rust, Jacques Barralon, Jin Kim
  • Multi-latching mechanisms and related methods
    Patent number: 9677587
    Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible depending on a stop feature. As described, a combination key and key way, a movable sleeve, a stop flange, and a threaded sleeve may be provided to stop movement in the second direction. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices, to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Bill Nissim, Rafael Godinez, Pere Pla-Junca, Hugh Cook
  • CANTED COIL SPRINGS AND ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20170056956
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • CANTED COIL SPRINGS, CONNECTORS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20170025779
    Abstract: Connector assemblies formed by attaching two stamped housing sections to form a connector housing having a housing groove with a groove bottom and two side walls are disclosed. Using stamped housing sections can reduce manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly, among other things. The connector housings with a canted coil spring can be used as a mechanical connector and/or as an electrical connector for numerous applications and across numerous industries. The canted coil springs can have complex shapes, with optional dimples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri, Lluis Soler
  • Seal failure detection systems and related methods
    Patent number: 9541199
    Abstract: A seal failure prediction system consisting of a seal component and a member conveniently placed; such member, which may be in the form of a strip, a set of wires, or a single wire, generating a characteristic electrical or audible signal when the seal component wears a certain amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Rust
  • Spring latching connectors
    Patent number: 9534625
    Abstract: A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, a circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Canted coil springs and assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 9518626
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • Multi-stage engagement assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 9500211
    Abstract: A progressive release or multi-point engagement device according to aspect of the present disclosure includes a first component and a second component connected to the first component with a canted coil spring. The first component is movable relative to the second component and latch by moving the canted coil spring to a second common groove. Alternatively, a second spring is used to move the second component and relative to a third component. When a second engagement position is desired, a relatively higher a force may be necessary to move the relevant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Changsrivong
  • Multi-latching mechanisms and related methods
    Patent number: 9482255
    Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible when a restriction feature is overcome. As described, opposing magnetic forces, pneumatic pressure, spring force, and a crushable force may be incorporated so that further movement in the second direction must overcome the restriction feature. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rob Sjostedt, Hugh Cook, Rick Dawson
  • In-line connectors and related methods
    Patent number: 9466915
    Abstract: An in-line connector is disclosed having a plurality of connector components attached in an in-line configuration with a common bore. Depending on the application, the in-line connector can have an end seal and a holding block for securing the in-line connector to a pin, lead, or shaft. The connector components are arranged so that at least one seal element is located between two adjacent conductive contact elements. To provided added biasing force to a seal lip of the at least one seal element, a seal groove is provided with an energizer located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Farshid Dilmaghanian
  • STAMPED HOUSINGS TO FACILITATE ASSEMBLY AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160265574
    Abstract: Connector housings and connector assemblies for mechanically connecting a pin to a housing with or without electrical conductivity. A connector housing can be formed by attaching two housing sections together with one or both housing sections formed at least in part by a stamping process. The connector housing can have an outer contour, such as an outer perimeter, with one or more sides and with a joining section connecting two adjacent sides together. The two or more sides can be used for handling, aligning, and/or assembling of the connector housing to a cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Majid Ghasiri
  • SEAL ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160223086
    Abstract: Spring energized seal assemblies configured for use in static or dynamic application and methods of using and making same are provided. The seal assemblies can each have a sealing component and optionally a backup ring or a locking ring or both. An annular spring can be used with a spring groove of either the backup ring or the locking to facilitate assembling of the mentioned components of a seal assembly onto each other and the entire seal assembly into a seal cavity of a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Hamid Rastegar
  • HIGH FREQUENCY MINIATURE CONNECTORS WITH CANTED COIL SPRINGS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160204557
    Abstract: Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Kim
  • Spring assemblies with spring energized seal members and related methods
    Patent number: 9357684
    Abstract: Seal assemblies in which a seal member having an energizer located in a seal body groove is positioned inside a housing cavity of a housing are disclosed. The sealing member and the energizer, which can be an O-ring or a spring energizer, can be retained inside the housing cavity by positioning a portion of the energizer in a groove in the housing cavity in a locking or latching engagement. Methods of making and using seal assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Foster
  • Locking connectors and related methods
    Patent number: 9312630
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a coil spring locking connector offering multiple groove geometries to allow multiple connection positions along the direction of insertion. A connector with an external spring access opening is formed through the housing wall surface. The opening allows access to the coil spring to allow removal of the spring from the connector prior to removal of the connector from a locked position to prevent potential damage to connector components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Huang