Patents Assigned to Methode Electronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 10670479Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl
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Patent number: 10634573Abstract: A system and method are provided related to replacing components of a fully assembled torque sensor system having been previously calibrated, whereby the new system with its new components, which may be installed in a larger system, can be recalibrated at the location where the component replacement or servicing occurs. Individual components are provided with individual characteristics information, either on or associated with the shipped component, so the end user may retrieve the information and enter it in the software, such as that associated with a control unit, which is used with the fully assembled torque sensor. A database storing information about each manufactured component and their respective characteristics information, and fully assembled systems and their collective characteristics information, may be maintained and accessible by end users.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONIC, INC.Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
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Patent number: 10597055Abstract: A system and method for controlling locomotives. The system includes a remote control unit (RCU) comprising a processing device and a computer-readable storage medium and a locomotive control unit (LCU) comprising a processing device and a computer-readable storage medium. The LCU is coupled to a locomotive control system of a locomotive for controlling the locomotive and acquiring data therefrom. The LCU is configured for listening to a common radio-frequency channel for a transmission by a network node, waiting for the channel to become free, and transmitting a message after the channel has become free. The RCU is configured for listening to a common radio-frequency channel for a transmission by a network node, waiting for the channel to become free, and transmitting a message after the channel has become free. The system may include one or more repeaters for extending an operational area of the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: David M. Paden, Kerry L. Greer
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Patent number: 10530497Abstract: The invention comprises distribution point unit (DPU) including a host for a GPON ONU/ONT module, CPU system-on-chip (SoC) providing a DPU and traffic management, a reverse power harvester and a high speed electrical (HSE) module and the DPU receiving optical signals via the GPON ONU/ONT module and converting to electrical signals and the HSE module transmitting electrical signals via a twisted pair or coaxial cable to a customer premises equipment (CPE) within a home or building and the reverse power harvester receiving power from the HSE module and the GPON ONU/ONT and HSE modules are pluggably mateable to the DPU.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Luis Torres, Robert Skepnek, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis
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Patent number: 10483707Abstract: A pluggable module comprising a housing having a first end and second end, an edge connector disposed at the first end, an F-type coaxial connector at the second end and a release lever including a stamped body that is symmetrical about a centerline bisecting the length of the body. The pluggable module comprises a miniature balun disposed within the module for converting between a single-ended input to a differential load.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Luis Torres, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis, Robert Skepnek
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Patent number: 10422992Abstract: A compact camera lens washing device received in a shroud for mounting to a vehicle. The device includes a washer housing disposed in the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening that is generally aligned with a lens opening of the shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that is configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. Nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid from the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that receives the camera lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Vladimir Karasik
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Patent number: 10391523Abstract: A sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Vladimir Karasik
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Patent number: 10367286Abstract: A pluggable module comprising a housing having a first end and second end, an edge connector disposed at the first end, an F-type coaxial connector at the second end and a release lever including a stamped body that is symmetrical about a centerline bisecting the length of the body. The pluggable module comprises a miniature balun disposed within the module for converting between a single-ended input to a differential load.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert Skepnek, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis
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Patent number: 10268038Abstract: A camera lens washing device that includes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment end configured to mount to a camera housing of the camera lens, and an exposed end remote from the attachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed area extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessed area of the outer housing. The inner ring is configured to frame the camera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards the camera lens. The inner ring may be substantially stationary with respect to the outer housing. The nozzles may be disposed at or near a top side of the main opening of the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Vladimir Karasik
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Patent number: 10254181Abstract: A system and method for creating one or more magnetically conditioned regions on a rotatable shaft or disk-shaped torque sensing element, wherein rotation noise produced by the element due to magnetic field variations is substantially negated, and a system and method for creating one or more magnetically conditioned regions on a rotatable shaft or disk-shaped element to allow the element to function as part of a rotational speed or rotational position sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Frank Ursetta, Joshua C. Sautner
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Patent number: 10223857Abstract: The present invention relates to a keyless entry system that contains a visual random code generator so that the possible input pattern is different every time a user accesses the system. A keypad device containing an input device and a display are electronically connected to a processor containing the visual random code generator. Positions and associated values are displayed on the input device, such as a touch sensitive screen, allowing the user to enter an access code. The visual random code generator randomizes and controls the input pattern displayed so that the input pattern changes each time the system is accessed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventor: Thomas C. Beshke
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Publication number: 20180205166Abstract: A transceiver assembly is provided that includes a transceiver housing having first end, having a connector and an opposite second end having a passage in communication with a printed circuit board mounted in the housing. A peripheral connector having a first end and opposite second end includes a receptacle opening at the second end. A flex circuit is disposed between the first end of the peripheral connector and the second end of the transceiver housing. The peripheral connector is capable of being displaced with respect to the transceiver housing via the flex circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert Skepnek, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis
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Patent number: 9971117Abstract: A rack cabling system including a rack having mounted thereon a first hardware component and a patch panel housing mounted on the rack adjacent the first hardware component. The patch panel housing populates no more than a three rack unit (RU space), the patch panel housing including a first end having cable pathway openings and a second end having connector elements mounted therein. The patch panel may have a first cable pathway opening located adjacent the first side of the housing and defining a primary position and a first connector element mounted on the second end and the first connector element having a first position corresponding to the primary position of the first cable pathway opening. Cable harnesses axe routed with less than three bends of the cables between the first hardware component and the patch panel housing, so the first cable harness is terminated at the first connector element in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Michael R Carter, David E Hildreth, Robert C. Neumann, Tyler M. Miller
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Patent number: 9972930Abstract: A transceiver assembly is provided that includes a transceiver housing having first end, having a connector and an opposite second end having a passage in communication with a printed circuit board mounted in the housing. A peripheral connector having a first end and opposite second end includes a receptacle opening at the second end. A flex circuit is disposed between the first end of the peripheral connector and the second end of the transceiver housing. The peripheral connector is capable of being displaced with respect to the transceiver housing via the flex circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert Skepnek, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis
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Patent number: 9965983Abstract: A keyless entry system for an automobile includes a capacitive touch screen having at least one drive line and at least one sense line, the drive and sense lines defining a plurality of touch detection nodes. The touch screen is associated with an exterior surface of the automobile. A control circuit coupled to the touch screen is configured to detect proximity of a stimulus to the touch detection nodes. The control circuit provides a control output to a lock or latch controller when the control circuit determines that the stimulus has been placed proximate the touch detection nodes according to predetermined criteria.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventor: Mark R. Mathews
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Patent number: 9545029Abstract: A cabinet frame enclosure is provided having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of equipment, the equipment being removable through the first opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Rex Park, David Hildreth, Tim Hazzard
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Patent number: 9489867Abstract: The invention provides for a shell having four sides including a front side and a front side having contact points to simulate a host component where the number of contact points and spacing between the contact points on the front side of the shell simulate the number and spacing of receptacles located on the host component so that the shell may be temporarily populated with accessories and the accessories capable of being serially removed and serially attached to the receptacles of the host component. The shell may be carried in a shipment container along with the accessories for shipping to the location of the host component. The accessories may include cable harnesses and have fiber optic connectors temporarily mounted to the component simulation shell during shipping and upon arrival at the host component, the connectors may be removed in a one-to-one matching sequence between the component simulation shell and the host component where the connectors are finally mated.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Carter, David E. Hildreth, Tyler M. Miller
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Publication number: 20160285267Abstract: Examples of a power peak shaving system are presented. In one example, the power peak shaving system includes a power directing circuit and a control circuit. The power directing circuit may direct power received from at least one of an alternating current (AC) supply voltage or an energy storage unit to generate an output voltage for a load. The control circuit may control the power directing circuit to supplement power received from the AC supply voltage with power received from the energy storage unit to supply power drawn by the load at the output voltage to prevent the power received from the AC supply voltage from exceeding a threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Emilie A. Stone, Grant C. Fritz
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Patent number: D860139Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Luis Torres, Joseph Liorens, Alexandros Pirillis, Robert Skepnek
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Patent number: D883226Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Luis Torres, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis, Robert Skepnek