Patents Assigned to Methode Electronics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140248029
    Abstract: 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 are 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Carter, David E. Hildreth, Robert C. Neumann, Tyler M. Miller
  • Patent number: 8779306
    Abstract: A weight sensing apparatus for a lifting device is disclosed that comprises at least one lifting chain attached to a load-engaging device at a first end and a frame at a second end, the load-engaging device being movable with respect to the frame when a lifting force is applied via the at least one lifting chain, at least one force translating arm fixedly attached to a sensor shaft at a first end and rotatably attached to the at least one lifting chain at a second end, the second end of the at least one force translating arm being attached to the at least one lifting chain between the first and second ends of the at least one lifting chain, and a torque sensor mounted on the sensor shaft that is configured to measure torque applied to the sensor bar by the at least one force translating arm when the lifting force is applied to the at least one force translating arm by the at least one lifting chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gauthier, Venkata R. Hogirala, Alexander Nikon
  • Patent number: 8750669
    Abstract: 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 are routed with less than three bends of the cables between the first hardware component and the patch panel housing, so that the first cable harness is terminated at the first connector element in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Carter, David E. Hildreth, Robert C. Neumann, Tyler M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140146459
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tim Hazzard, Larry Lozon
  • Publication number: 20140132957
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and/or systems are disclosed for collecting and processing of spectral data from an object to enable the determination of the presence and/or amount of a target analyte present in the object is disclosed. The object may be a portion of a person's body such as the forearm, palms, fingers, or eye. The target analyte may be ethanol. The method/apparatus/system for performing such spectral data collection may include one or more broadband emitters such as thermal emitters (aka “black-body” or “gray-body” emitters), incandescent sources, light emitting diodes, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Messerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20140035600
    Abstract: A multi-function sensor apparatus includes multiple sensing electrodes and a control circuit adapted to receive signals from each of the sensing electrodes and to deem whether the sensing electrodes are in a touched state or an untouched state. The control circuit also is adapted to selectively provide an output based on the sensor's states and the manner in which the sensors came to be in such states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ian SAGE
  • Publication number: 20140029198
    Abstract: The cabinet information center integrates an array of electronic sensors and controls to both standard and purpose built data center equipment cabinets to improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and protect assets typically installed within standard equipment cabinets utilized in data centers by providing a common point of information display and cabinet interaction without the need to physically access assets and vital sensory components internal to the equipment cabinet itself. Equipment can include any standard rack mount devices such as servers, storage arrays and networking devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry LOZON, Tim Hazzard
  • Patent number: 8635917
    Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has a magnetically conditioned region with an initial direction of magnetization that is perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8610013
    Abstract: A rotary switch assembly includes a knob, a wheel joined to the knob, a first frame that moves toward the wheel, a second frame joined to the first frame, and a shape memory alloy member made from a shape memory alloy and joined to the second frame. The shape memory alloy member changes shape, and the second frame transforms the changing shape of the shape memory alloy member into movement of the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Charles B. Banter
  • Patent number: 8578794
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for canceling the effects of magnetic field noise in a torque sensor by placing three sets of magnetic field sensors around a shaft, the first set of field sensors being placed in the central region of the shaft and the second and third sets of field sensors being placed on the right side and left side of the field sensors placed at the central region, respectively. A torque-induced magnetic field is not cancelled with this arrangement of field sensors but a magnetic near field from a near field source is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8558561
    Abstract: A multi-function sensor apparatus includes multiple sensing electrodes and a control circuit adapted to receive signals from each of the sensing electrodes and to deem whether the sensing electrodes are in a touched state or an untouched state. The control circuit also is adapted to selectively provide an output based on the sensor's states and the manner in which the sensors came to be in such states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Sage
  • Publication number: 20130232764
    Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has oppositely polarized magnetically conditioned regions with initial directions of magnetization that are perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: METHODE ELECTRONICS,INC.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae LEE
  • Publication number: 20130177285
    Abstract: 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 are routed with less than three bends of the cables between the first hardware component and the patch panel housing, so that the first cable harness is terminated at the first connector element in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Methode Electronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8424393
    Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has oppositely polarized magnetically conditioned regions with initial directions of magnetization that are perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20130091960
    Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has a magnetically conditioned region with an initial direction of magnetization that is perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Methode Electronics,Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20130088218
    Abstract: In a position sensor, two field sensors are placed along a line parallel to the movement to be detected. Two magnets are placed at an angle to each other to generate a magnetic field such that their position is a linear or approximately linear function of the difference between the outputs of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Azizur RAHAMAN, Seong-Jae LEE
  • Patent number: 8391663
    Abstract: 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 front end having cable pathway openings and a rear end having connector coupler plates 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 coupler plate mounted on the rear adjacent on the first side and the first connector plate having a first position corresponding to the primary position of the first cable pathway opening. Cable harnesses are routed with less than three bends of the cables between the first hardware component and the patch panel housing, so that the first cable harness is terminated at the first coupler plate in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Carter, David E. Hildreth, Tyler M. Miller, Robert C. Neumann
  • Publication number: 20130004131
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-channel transceiver module comprising a unitary housing having a first channel body and a second channel body. Each channel body includes a male plug end and a receptacle plug end. A bridge member is provided for joining the first and second bodies. The bridge members disposed at the receptacle end. A gap is provided between the plug ends of each channel body. The gap extends from each plug end to the bridge member to partially divide each channel so that each plug end is insertable within a separate receptacle cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Skepnek, Alexandros Pirillis, Joseph Llorens, William Thomas Freed
  • Patent number: 8339784
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a cage for thermal management and housing an electric module comprising a cage housing and having a top, bottom and side walls joined to form an interior cavity and the side walls defining a width of the interior cavity. The top wall may have an air inlet port and an air outlet port and the air inlet and outlet ports spaced apart by a length. The length may be most or all of the width, so that air entering the inlet port will travel over a portion of a side of an electronic module mounted in the cavity prior to exiting the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandros Pirillis
  • Patent number: 8335088
    Abstract: A retractable locking mechanism comprising a lever having a handle end opposite a rotation end and a pivot point positioned between the handle end and the rotation end such that the lever pivots about an axis of rotation of the lever; a first cam positioned on the rotation end of the lever; an actuator with a front end and a back end, the front end attached to the pivot point of the lever; a lock disposed adjacent to the actuator and the lock having a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation of the lock and wherein pivoting the lever moves the actuator along a plane of the actuator to contact and rotate the lock in one of a locked state and an unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandros Pirillis