Patents by Inventor Eric Zbinden

Eric Zbinden 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: 12646889
    Abstract: A vertical interconnect module and mating receptacle are described. The vertical interconnect module may be a transceiver, transmitter, or receiver that is part of an optical communication system. The vertical interconnect module has a low profile and small footprint. The interconnection system is capable of transferring information at high data rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Publication number: 20260072223
    Abstract: An interconnect module and mating ring connector are described. The interconnect module may be a transceiver, transmitter, or receiver that is part of an optical communication system. The interconnect module has a low profile and small footprint The interconnection system is capable of transferring information at high data rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Patent number: 12487419
    Abstract: An interconnect module and mating ring connector are described. The interconnect module may be a transceiver, transmitter, or receiver that is part of an optical communication system. The interconnect module has a low profile and small footprint. The interconnection system is capable of transferring information at high data rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Publication number: 20250158301
    Abstract: A data communication system can include a low-profile electrical connector that is sized to be mounted onto a PCB in a gap between the PCB and a heat sink that overhangs from an IC that is mounted to the PCB. The data communication system further includes an electrical cable that extends from the electrical connector to an optical transceiver. A cable management laminate can route the electrical cables along a predetermined path. The data communication system can be disposed in a system tray that is configured to force air over the heat sink. The airflow over the heat sink can be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Eric Zbinden, Jignesh H. Shah
  • Patent number: 12230902
    Abstract: A data communication system can include a low-profile electrical connector that is sized to be mounted onto a PCB in a gap between the PCB and a heat sink that overhangs from an IC that is mounted to the PCB. The data communication system further includes an electrical cable that extends from the electrical connector to an optical transceiver. A cable management laminate can route the electrical cables along a predetermined path. The data communication system can be disposed in a system tray that is configured to force air over the heat sink. The airflow over the heat sink can be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Zbinden, Jignesh H. Shah
  • Publication number: 20240069294
    Abstract: An optical transceiver can include a transmitter and a receiver. The optical transceiver is configured to mate with an electrical connector in first and second orientations that are opposite each other. In certain examples, a thermally conductive surface of the transceiver is configured to be placed in thermal communication with a heat dissipation member in one or both of the first and second orientations. Further examples of optical transceivers can be mounted to a base and placed in electrical communication with an electrical connector. A lid provides a compressive force that simultaneously makes electrical contact between the transceiver and a host printed circuit board (PCB) and provides a low impedance heat transfer path to dissipate heat generated during transceiver operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Patent number: 11846816
    Abstract: An optical transceiver can include a transmitter and a receiver. The optical transceiver is configured to mate with an electrical connector in first and second orientations that are opposite each other. In certain examples, a thermally conductive surface of the transceiver is configured to be placed in thermal communication with a heat dissipation member in one or both of the first and second orientations. Further examples of optical transceivers can be mounted to a base and placed in electrical communication with an electrical connector. A lid provides a compressive force that simultaneously makes electrical contact between the transceiver and a host printed circuit board (PCB) and provides a low impedance heat transfer path to dissipate heat generated during transceiver operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Publication number: 20230393355
    Abstract: An interconnect module and mating ring connector are described. The interconnect module may be a transceiver, transmitter, or receiver that is part of an optical communication system. The interconnect module has a low profile and small footprint. The interconnection system is capable of transferring information at high data rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Eric ZBINDEN, John A. MONGOLD
  • Publication number: 20230387631
    Abstract: A vertical interconnect module and mating receptacle are described. The vertical interconnect module may be a transceiver, transmitter, or receiver that is part of an optical communication system. The vertical interconnect module has a low profile and small footprint. The interconnection system is capable of transferring information at high data rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventor: Eric ZBINDEN
  • Patent number: 11735844
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes various anti-backout latches that are movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the anti-backout latches can be configured to prevent an interconnect module, such as an optical transceiver, from becoming unmated from a host module. When in the disengaged position, the anti-backout latches permit the interconnect module to become unmated from a host module. Securement members are also disclosed that secure a heat sink to a module housing of the interconnect module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Liam Parkes, Eric Zbinden, Keith Guetig, Jignesh H. Shah, Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Chadrick Paul Faith, R. Brad Bettman
  • Publication number: 20230014513
    Abstract: A data communication system can include a low-profile electrical connector that is sized to be mounted onto a PCB in a gap between the PCB and a heat sink that overhangs from an IC that is mounted to the PCB. The data communication system further includes an electrical cable that extends from the electrical connector to an optical transceiver. A cable management laminate can route the electrical cables along a predetermined path. The data communication system can be disposed in a system tray that is configured to force air over the heat sink. The airflow over the heat sink can be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Zbinden, Jignesh H. Shah
  • Patent number: 11495899
    Abstract: A data communication system can include a low-profile electrical connector that is sized to be mounted onto a PCB in a gap between the PCB and a heat sink that overhangs from an IC that is mounted to the PCB. The data communication system further includes an electrical cable that extends from the electrical connector to an optical transceiver. A cable management laminate can route the electrical cables along a predetermined path. The data communication system can be disposed in a system tray that is configured to force air over the heat sink. The airflow over the heat sink can be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Zbinden, Jignesh H. Shah
  • Publication number: 20220029323
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes various anti-backout latches that are movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the anti-backout latches can be configured to prevent an interconnect module, such as an optical transceiver, from becoming unmated from a host module. When in the disengaged position, the anti-backout latches permit the interconnect module to become unmated from a host module. Securement members are also disclosed that secure a heat sink to a module housing of the interconnect module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Liam PARKES, Eric ZBINDEN, Keith Guetig, Jignesh H. Shah, Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Chadrick Paul Faith, R. Brad Bettman
  • Publication number: 20220019039
    Abstract: An optical transceiver can include a transmitter and a receiver. The optical transceiver is configured to mate with an electrical connector in first and second orientations that are opposite each other. In certain examples, a thermally conductive surface of the transceiver is configured to be placed in thermal communication with a heat dissipation member in one or both of the first and second orientations. Further examples of optical transceivers can be mounted to a base and placed in electrical communication with an electrical connector. A lid provides a compressive force that simultaneously makes electrical contact between the transceiver and a host printed circuit board (PCB) and provides a low impedance heat transfer path to dissipate heat generated during transceiver operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Patent number: 11196195
    Abstract: Interconnect systems having anti-backout latches and securement members are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: R. Brad Bettman, Liam Parkes, Eric Zbinden, Keith Guetig, Jignesh H. Shah, Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Chadrick Paul Faith, Edwin Loy
  • Patent number: 11171432
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes various anti-backout latches that are movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the anti-backout latches can be configured to prevent an interconnect module, such as an optical transceiver, from becoming unmated from a host module. When in the disengaged position, the anti-backout latches permit the interconnect module to become unmated from a host module. Securement members are also disclosed that secure a heat sink to a module housing of the interconnect module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Liam Parkes, Eric Zbinden, Keith Guetig, Jignesh H. Shah, Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Chadrick Paul Faith, R. Brad Bettman
  • Publication number: 20210315121
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for latching a transceiver to a host printed circuit board (PCB) are described. The transceiver is secured to its electrical sockets by a latch that does not extend or only minimally extends beyond the transceiver footprint and height. In some embodiments the latch includes a thermal bridge that provides a heat transfer path between the transceiver and host substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: R. Brad BETTMAN, Josue Alfredo CARMONA ARAYA, John Lawrence NIGHTINGALE, Jean Karlo WILLIAMS BARNETT, Eric ZBINDEN
  • Patent number: 11125956
    Abstract: An optical transceiver can include a transmitter and a receiver. The optical transceiver is configured to mate with an electrical connector in first and second orientations that are opposite each other. In certain examples, a thermally conductive surface of the transceiver is configured to be placed in thermal communication with a heat dissipation member in one or both of the first and second orientations. Further examples of optical transceivers can be mounted to a base and placed in electrical communication with an electrical connector. A lid provides a compressive force that simultaneously makes electrical contact between the transceiver and a host printed circuit board (PCB) and provides a low impedance heat transfer path to dissipate heat generated during transceiver operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Zbinden
  • Patent number: D924170
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Jignesh H. Shah, Eric Zbinden
  • Patent number: D960107
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Karlo Williams Barnett, Jignesh H. Shah, Eric Zbinden