Patents by Inventor David A. Pfaffinger

David A. Pfaffinger 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).

  • Patent number: 9893584
    Abstract: An end winding support for an electric generator includes a pair of winding lead supports formed on opposite sides of a winding slot and separated by an upper slot width. Each of the winding lead supports includes a winding channel routed between a lead coupling port and the winding slot. The winding slot includes a base support and a pair of alignment members that define a transition between the base support and the winding lead supports. A lower slot width is defined along the base support between the alignment members and a ratio of the upper slot width to the lower slot width is between 1.024 and 1.053.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andreas C. Koenig, Mark J. Franklin, David Pfaffinger
  • Publication number: 20160380501
    Abstract: An end winding support for an electric generator includes a pair of winding lead supports formed on opposite sides of a winding slot and separated by an upper slot width. Each of the winding lead supports includes a winding channel routed between a lead coupling port and the winding slot. The winding slot includes a base support and a pair of alignment members that define a transition between the base support and the winding lead supports. A lower slot width is defined along the base support between the alignment members and a ratio of the upper slot width to the lower slot width is between 1.024 and 1.053.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas C. Koenig, Mark J. Franklin, David Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 7004769
    Abstract: A lever type electrical connector assembly includes a first connector. A mating assist lever is pivotally movably mounted on the first connector. A slide member is linearly movably mounted on the first connector. A first cam groove and cam follower mechanism is provided between the mating assist lever and the slide member, whereby pivotal movement of the lever relative to the first connector effects linear movement of the slide member relative to the first connector. A second connector is provided with a second cam groove and cam follower mechanism between the slide member and the second connector, whereby the connectors are mated and unmated in response to rotation of the mating assist lever and resulting translation of the slide member. A latch member is provided on the slide member and is latchingly engageable with the first connector and releasable by the second connector, whereby the slide member and the mating assist lever cannot move unless the connectors are at least preliminarily mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin L. Putnam, David A. Pfaffinger, Vijy Koshy, Yves LePottier, Gregory E. Avery
  • Publication number: 20060040536
    Abstract: A lever type electrical connector assembly includes a first connector. A mating assist lever is pivotally movably mounted on the first connector. A slide member is linearly movably mounted on the first connector. A first cam groove and cam follower mechanism is provided between the mating assist lever and the slide member, whereby pivotal movement of the lever relative to the first connector effects linear movement of the slide member relative to the first connector. A second connector is provided with a second cam groove and cam follower mechanism between the slide member and the second connector, whereby the connectors are mated and unmated in response to rotation of the mating assist lever and resulting translation of the slide member. A latch member is provided on the slide member and is latchingly engageable with the first connector and releasable by the second connector, whereby the slide member and the mating assist lever cannot move unless the connectors are at least preliminarily mated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Putnam, David Pfaffinger, Vijy Koshy, Yves LePottier, Gregory Avery
  • Publication number: 20040115985
    Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically terminating a flat flexible circuit and includes a relatively rigid body member on which the flat flexible circuit is positioned. A relatively yieldable backing structure is attached to the body member beneath the flat flexible circuit. A relatively rigid cover member is securable to the body member over the flat flexible circuit. The cover member includes a pressure surface engageable with the flat flexible circuit to clamp the circuit into engagement with the yieldable backing structure to provide strain relief for the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Publication number: 20040000579
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a flat flexible insulating substrate having an opening therethrough. A flat conductive terminal is deposited on one side of the substrate at the opening. A portion of the terminal is formed through the opening so that the terminal has opposite ends at opposite sides of the substrate. One end of the terminal forms a contact portion thereof, and an opposite end of the terminal forms a land portion for receiving a solder ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 6652311
    Abstract: A polarizing system is provided in a connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The flat flexible circuit has a longitudinal center-line and a pattern of polarizing holes therein asymmetrical to the center-line. A connector body member positions the flat flexible circuit thereon and has an asymmetrical pattern of polarizing posts insertable into the polarizing holes of the flat flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Patent number: 6558186
    Abstract: A keying system is provided in a connector assembly for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The assembly includes a first connector having a body member for positioning the flat flexible circuit thereon. A second connector mates with the first connector and includes a pattern of keying projections insertable into a corresponding pattern of keying holes in the flat flexible circuit on the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Publication number: 20030073345
    Abstract: A keying system is provided in a connector assembly for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The assembly includes a first connector having a body member for positioning the flat flexible circuit thereon. A second connector mates with the first connector and includes a pattern of keying projections insertable into a corresponding pattern of keying holes in the flat flexible circuit on the first connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Publication number: 20030060079
    Abstract: A polarizing system is provided in a connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The flat flexible circuit has a longitudinal center-line and a pattern of polarizing holes therein asymmetrical to the center-line. A connector body member positions the flat flexible circuit thereon and has an asymmetrical pattern of polarizing posts insertable into the polarizing holes of the flat flexible circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Publication number: 20020081894
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for interconnecting the generally parallel conductors of a pair of flat circuits out of sequential order relative to each other. The system includes a pair of flat circuits each having a plurality of generally parallel conductors covered by a dielectric film. A pattern of windows are formed in the film of each circuit to expose the conductors at different locations longitudinally thereof. The patterns of windows of the two circuits are coincident with each other when the flat circuits are overlapped with each other and with the circuits oriented so that the conductors of the circuits are at angles relative to each other. The conductors of the respective circuits are electrically connected through the windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Robert M. Fuerst, Prashant Joshi, Yves LePottier, David A. Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 5368427
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first member having first and second surfaces and an elongated aperture intersecting the first and second surfaces, a second member having a first surface for contacting the first member, and an aperture for registration with the first member aperture. The second member also has a second surface with a ramp generally opposite the first surface, and the second member second surface has two arms. A pin having a midportion with a first surface with a ramp for engagement with the ramp of the second member second surface is also provided. The pin also has projecting from the midportion a lock wing and on a side of the midportion opposite the lock wing a thumb tab. To secure the first and second members together, the pin lock wing is projected through the apertures of the first and second members, and an angular relocation of the pin causes the lock wing to secure itself against the first surface of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Pfaffinger