Patents by Inventor David W. Helster

David W. Helster 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: 8382522
    Abstract: A substrate is disclosed that is configured to receive an electrical component. The substrate comprises a plurality of first vias and a plurality of second vias. The plurality of first vias is arranges in the substrate in a matrix of rows and columns and is configured to provide mounting of the electric component, each first via associated with one of its closest neighbor first via to form a pair. The plurality of second vias is capable of being electrically commoned to one another and is positioned amongst the plurality of first vias such that there is at least one second via positioned directly between each first via and any of the closest non-pair first via neighbors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 8262412
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a contact module that has a lead frame and a dielectric frame that encases the lead frame. The dielectric frame includes opposite sides and a mating edge and a mounting edge. The dielectric frame has voids that extend from the sides to expose the lead frame. The lead frame has a plurality of contacts that have transition portions that extend between mating portions that extend from the mating edge and mounting portions that extend from the mounting edge. The transition portions have compensation segments and intermediate segments between the compensation segments. The intermediate segments are encased in the dielectric frame. The compensation segments are exposed by the voids. The compensation segments have a geometry that differs from a geometry of the intermediate segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy R. Minnick, David W. Helster, Alex M. Sharf, Chad W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8221139
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a front and a rear opposite the housing with a rear wall at the rear. The housing has a slot open through the front that receives a mating connector therein. The housing has contact openings through the rear wall and a ground clip channel in the rear wall open at the rear. Signal contacts are held in the housing and arranged in pairs. The signal contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. Ground contacts are held in the housing and are arranged between corresponding signal contacts. The ground contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. A ground clip is loaded into the ground clip channel. The ground clip engages the ground contacts to create a ground circuit between the ground contacts engaged by the ground clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Qin, Steven J. Millard, David W. Helster
  • Patent number: 8167651
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 8142236
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Publication number: 20120064743
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a front and a rear opposite the housing with a rear wall at the rear. The housing has a slot open through the front that receives a mating connector therein. The housing has contact openings through the rear wall and a ground clip channel in the rear wall open at the rear. Signal contacts are held in the housing and arranged in pairs. The signal contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. Ground contacts are held in the housing and are arranged between corresponding signal contacts. The ground contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. A ground clip is loaded into the ground clip channel. The ground clip engages the ground contacts to create a ground circuit between the ground contacts engaged by the ground clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jie QIN, Steven J. MILLARD, David W. HELSTER
  • Publication number: 20110278057
    Abstract: A substrate is disclosed that is configured to receive an electrical component. The substrate comprises a plurality of first vias and a plurality of second vias. The plurality of first vias is arranges in the substrate in a matrix of rows and columns and is configured to provide mounting of the electric component, each first via associated with one of its closest neighbor first via to form a pair. The plurality of second vias is capable of being electrically commoned to one another and is positioned amongst the plurality of first vias such that there is at least one second via positioned directly between each first via and any of the closest non-pair first via neighbors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 8016616
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 7976318
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan Charles Wickes
  • Patent number: 7927143
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Peter C. O'Donnell, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Lynn R. Sipe
  • Patent number: 7789716
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 7775802
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Defibaugh, James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan C. Wickes
  • Publication number: 20100144167
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan Charles Wickes
  • Publication number: 20100144169
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Publication number: 20100144201
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: George R. Defibaugh, James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan C. Wickes
  • Publication number: 20100144175
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Peter C. O'Donnell, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Lynn R. Sipe
  • Publication number: 20100144168
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 7651373
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing defining a connector mating interface. The housing holds a plurality of contact modules that cooperate to define a connector mounting interface. Each contact module contains signal leads and ground leads arranged in an alternating pattern of individual ground leads and pairs of signal leads positioned side-by-side with respect to a thickness of the contact module. The signal and ground leads have respective mating contacts proximate the mating interface and respective mounting contacts proximate the mounting interface. The mating and mounting contacts within each contact module are arranged in one of first and second contact patterns different from the pattern of the signal and ground leads. The mating and mounting contacts in adjacent contact modules are arranged in respective different ones of the first and second contact patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Knaub, Lynn Robert Sipe, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Douglas W. Glover
  • Publication number: 20090246980
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing defining a connector mating interface. The housing holds a plurality of contact modules that cooperate to define a connector mounting interface. Each contact module contains signal leads and ground leads arranged in an alternating pattern of individual ground leads and pairs of signal leads positioned side-by-side with respect to a thickness of the contact module. The signal and ground leads have respective mating contacts proximate the mating interface and respective mounting contacts proximate the mounting interface. The mating and mounting contacts within each contact module are arranged in one of first and second contact patterns different from the pattern of the signal and ground leads. The mating and mounting contacts in adjacent contact modules are arranged in respective different ones of the first and second contact patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: JOHN E. KNAUB, Lynn Robert Sipe, David W. Helster, Timothy R. Minnick, Douglas W. Glover
  • Patent number: 7591655
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout