Patents by Inventor Charles Dudley

Charles Dudley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120175490
    Abstract: A suspension system for a cryostat includes a coupling mechanism, a fixation body, and a pin. The coupling mechanism is joined to an outer vessel and coupled with a strap. The fixation body is joined to an inner vessel. The fixation body extends between a front side that faces the coupling mechanism and an opposite receiving side with an interior channel extending from the receiving side to the front side. The channel defines a front opening in the front side and a rear opening in the receiving side. The pin is loaded into the fixation body through the rear opening in the receiving side of the fixation body with the strap looped around the pin and extending through the front opening to the coupling mechanism. The pin secures the coupling mechanism to the fixation body via the strap by engaging the fixation body inside the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: MARK DERAKHSHAN, WILLIAM EINZIGER, LONGZHI JIANG, TIMOTHY WISE, VENKATA KRISHNAN VEERARAGHAVAN NARAYANAN, CHARLES HELMS, CHARLES DUDLEY YARBOROUGH
  • Patent number: 8157602
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The C-shaped body is formed by a first hook portion, a second hook portion, and a central section extending between the first hook portion and the second hook portion. Each of the hook portions are adapted to receive a conductor. The spring member is movable between a normal position and a deflected position, wherein in the deflected position, the spring member imparts a clamping force on the first and second conductors. The assembly further includes a wedge member having a leading end and a trailing end. The wedge is positionable within the spring member to drive the spring member from the normal position to the deflected position, wherein the wedge has an initial position and a final position corresponding to the deflected position of the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Ned E. Corman
  • Patent number: 8083554
    Abstract: A connector insert includes a unitary body, cavities extending through the body, and contacts. The body extends between mating and loading sides. The loading side is configured to engage a circuit board. The mating side is configured to mate with a peripheral connector to electrically couple the circuit board with the peripheral connector. The cavities extend through the body from the mating side to the loading side. The contacts are held in the cavities of the housing and protrude from each of the mating and loading sides to engage the circuit board and peripheral connector and to provide an electronic signal path between the circuit board and the peripheral connector. The contacts are loaded into the cavities through the loading side and retained in the body by an interference fit between the contacts and the body. The interference fit prevents the contacts from being removed from the body through the mating side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Richard McAlonis, Charles Dudley Copper
  • Patent number: 8062080
    Abstract: A wedge connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body with an inner surface, and a wedge member having opposed first and second sides. The wedge member is mated with the spring member such that the wedge member is configured to securely retain a first conductor between the first side and the spring member and a second conductor between the second side and the spring member. The wedge member has at least two final mating positions based on the orientation of the wedge member with respect to the spring member. Optionally, the wedge member may have two orientations, namely a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first and second sides are flipped with respect to one another in the first and second orientations. A top of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the first orientation and a bottom of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Steven Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20110207373
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a main conductive member and a tap conductive member separately fabricated from one another. Each of the main and tap conductive members including at least one conductor receiving channel, wherein the main and tap conductive members together include at least three channels configured to receive conductors therein and extending along three different channel axes. The channel(s) of the main conductive member is configured to receive a main power line conductor, and the channel(s) of the tap conductive member is configured to receive a tap power line conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: CHARLES DUDLEY COPPER
  • Patent number: 7997943
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first conductive member and a second conductive member. The first conductive member includes a first channel portion extending from a first wedge portion, with the first channel portion configured to receive a first conductor therein. The first conductive member includes a jaw movably coupled to the first channel portion and being positioned between the first channel portion and the first wedge portion. The second conductive member includes a second channel portion extending from a second wedge portion where the second channel portion configured to receive a second conductor. The first wedge portion and the second wedge portion are assembled such that the second wedge portion engages the jaw and moves the jaw to the closed position. The jaw engages the first conductor in the closed position. Optionally, the first channel portion may have a contoured shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Owen Ross Gregory, Charles Dudley Copper, Terry Edward Frye, Alexandre Marc, Barry Johnson, Vladimir Hoxha
  • Patent number: 7942682
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a socket that is configured to provide a current path between a connection terminal and a contact pin inserted into the socket during a standard connection. A slider component of the electrical connector is configured to move relative to the socket to make contact with the contact pin and provide a current path between the connection terminal and the contact pin during a fault condition connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Henry O. Herrmann, Jr., Edward O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7942683
    Abstract: An electrical bushing connects a power distribution component with a power line. The electrical bushing includes a connection terminal that is configured to connect with the power distribution component. A core component of the electrical bushing defines a socket that is configured to receive a contact pin associated with the power line. The electrical bushing also includes a radial interposer spring that is configured to complete an electrical connection between the contact pin and the core component when the contact pin is inserted into the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Edward O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110028052
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The C-shaped body is formed by a first hook portion, a second hook portion, and a central section extending between the first hook portion and the second hook portion. Each of the hook portions are adapted to receive a conductor. The spring member is movable between a normal position and a deflected position, wherein in the deflected position, the spring member imparts a clamping force on the first and second conductors. The assembly further includes a wedge member having a leading end and a trailing end. The wedge is positionable within the spring member to drive the spring member from the normal position to the deflected position, wherein the wedge has an initial position and a final position corresponding to the deflected position of the spring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHARLES DUDLEY COPPER, NED E. CORMAN
  • Patent number: 7862390
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a main conductive member and a tap conductive member separately fabricated from one another. Each of the main and tap conductive members including at least one conductor receiving channel, wherein the main and tap conductive members together include at least three channels configured to receive conductors therein and extending along three different channel axes. The channel(s) of the main conductive member is configured to receive a main power line conductor, and the channel(s) of the tap conductive member is configured to receive a tap power line conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Dudley Copper
  • Publication number: 20100311278
    Abstract: A connector insert includes a unitary body, cavities extending through the body, and contacts. The body extends between mating and loading sides. The loading side is configured to engage a circuit board. The mating side is configured to mate with a peripheral connector to electrically couple the circuit board with the peripheral connector. The cavities extend through the body from the mating side to the loading side. The contacts are held in the cavities of the housing and protrude from each of the mating and loading sides to engage the circuit board and peripheral connector and to provide an electronic signal path between the circuit board and the peripheral connector. The contacts are loaded into the cavities through the loading side and retained in the body by an interference fit between the contacts and the body. The interference fit prevents the contacts from being removed from the body through the mating side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: MATTHEW RICHARD MCALONIS, CHARLES DUDLEY COPPER
  • Patent number: 7837519
    Abstract: An electrical bushing includes a socket that is configured to receive a contact pin and provide an electrical connection between the contact pin and a connection terminal. The socket includes a contact spring that is configured to make contact with the contact pin when the contact pin is inserted into the socket. A helper spring of the electrical bushing abuts an outer surface of the contact spring to apply a force to the contact spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Henry O. Hermann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7819706
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The C-shaped body is formed by a first hook portion, a second hook portion, and a central section extending between the first hook portion and the second hook portion. Each of the hook portions are adapted to receive a conductor. The spring member is movable between a normal position and a deflected position, wherein in the deflected position, the spring member imparts a clamping force on the first and second conductors. The assembly further includes a wedge member having a leading end and a trailing end. The wedge is positionable within the spring member to drive the spring member from the normal position to the deflected position, wherein the wedge has an initial position and a final position corresponding to the deflected position of the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Ned E. Corman
  • Publication number: 20100227512
    Abstract: A wedge connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body with an inner surface, and a wedge member having opposed first and second sides. The wedge member is mated with the spring member such that the wedge member is configured to securely retain a first conductor between the first side and the spring member and a second conductor between the second side and the spring member. The wedge member has at least two final mating positions based on the orientation of the wedge member with respect to the spring member. Optionally, the wedge member may have two orientations, namely a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first and second sides are flipped with respect to one another in the first and second orientations. A top of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the first orientation and a bottom of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHARLES DUDLEY COPPER, STEVEN MITCHELL
  • Publication number: 20100216354
    Abstract: An electrical bushing includes a socket that is configured to receive a contact pin and provide an electrical connection between the contact pin and a connection terminal. The socket includes a contact spring that is configured to make contact with the contact pin when the contact pin is inserted into the socket. A helper spring of the electrical bushing abuts an outer surface of the contact spring to apply a force to the contact spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Henry O. Hermann, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100216355
    Abstract: An electrical bushing connects a power distribution component with a power line. The electrical bushing includes a connection terminal that is configured to connect with the power distribution component. A core component of the electrical bushing defines a socket that is configured to receive a contact pin associated with the power line. The electrical bushing also includes a radial interposer spring that is configured to complete an electrical connection between the contact pin and the core component when the contact pin is inserted into the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Edward O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100216337
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a socket that is configured to provide a current path between a connection terminal and a contact pin inserted into the socket during a standard connection. A slider component of the electrical connector is configured to move relative to the socket to make contact with the contact pin and provide a current path between the connection terminal and the contact pin during a fault condition connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Henry O. Herrmann, JR., Edward O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7736203
    Abstract: A wedge connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body with an inner surface, and a wedge member having opposed first and second sides. The wedge member is mated with the spring member such that the wedge member is configured to securely retain a first conductor between the first side and the spring member and a second conductor between the second side and the spring member. The wedge member has at least two final mating positions based on the orientation of the wedge member with respect to the spring member. Optionally, the wedge member may have two orientations, namely a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first and second sides are flipped with respect to one another in the first and second orientations. A top of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the first orientation and a bottom of the wedge member may engage the inner surface in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Steven Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20100015862
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first conductive member and a second conductive member. The first conductive member includes a first channel portion extending from a first wedge portion, with the first channel portion configured to receive a first conductor therein. The first conductive member includes a jaw movably coupled to the first channel portion and being positioned between the first channel portion and the first wedge portion. The second conductive member includes a second channel portion extending from a second wedge portion where the second channel portion configured to receive a second conductor. The first wedge portion and the second wedge portion are assembled such that the second wedge portion engages the jaw and moves the jaw to the closed position. The jaw engages the first conductor in the closed position. Optionally, the first channel portion may have a contoured shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: OWEN ROSS GREGRORY, CHARLES DUDLEY COPPER, TERRY EDWARD FRYE, ALEXANDRE GEOFFREY MARC, BARRY JOHNSON, VLADIMIR HOXHA
  • Patent number: D615840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, Tyco Electronics Canada ULC
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Barry James Johnson, Dmitry Ladin