Patents by Inventor James E. Spinar

James E. Spinar 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: 10241133
    Abstract: A test probe tip can include a resistive element coupled with a tip component. The resistive element can include a resistive layer disposed on an exterior surface of a structural member of the resistive impedance element. In embodiments, the resistive element can be configured to form a structural component of the test probe tip without an insulating covering applied thereto. Additional embodiments may be described and/or claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie A. Campbell, William A. Hagerup, Ira G. Pollock, Christina D. Enns, James E. Spinar, Kathleen F. M. Ullom, Charles M. Hartmann, Daniel J. Ayres
  • Patent number: 10119992
    Abstract: A test probe tip can include a compliance member or force deflecting assembly and a tip component. The compliance member or force deflecting assembly can include a plunger component and a barrel component to receive the plunger component, wherein the plunger component is configured to slide axially inside the barrel component. The test probe tip can also include a spring mechanism within the barrel component to act on the plunger component, and a resistive/impedance element coupled with the plunger component at one end and with the tip component at the opposite end, the resistive/impedance element including at least one rod having a semi-cylindrical form and a resistive material situated thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Hagerup, Julie A. Campbell, Ira G. Pollock, James E. Spinar, Kathleen F. M. Ullom, Charles M. Hartmann, Daniel J. Ayres, Christina D. Enns
  • Publication number: 20180059139
    Abstract: A test probe tip can include a resistive element coupled with a tip component. The resistive element can include a resistive layer disposed on an exterior surface of a structural member of the resistive impedance element. In embodiments, the resistive element can be configured to form a structural component of the test probe tip without an insulating covering applied thereto. Additional embodiments may be described and/or claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie A. Campbell, William A. Hagerup, Ira G. Pollock, Christina D. Enns, James E. Spinar, Kathleen F.M. Ullom, Charles M. Hartmann, Daniel J. Ayres
  • Publication number: 20160291054
    Abstract: A test probe tip can include a compliance member or force deflecting assembly and a tip component. The compliance member or force deflecting assembly can include a plunger component and a barrel component to receive the plunger component, wherein the plunger component is configured to slide axially inside the barrel component. The test probe tip can also include a spring mechanism within the barrel component to act on the plunger component, and a resistive/impedance element coupled with the plunger component at one end and with the tip component at the opposite end, the resistive/impedance element including at least one rod having a semi-cylindrical form and a resistive material situated thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: William A. Hagerup, Julie A. Campbell, Ira G. Pollock, James E. Spinar, Kathleen F.M. Ullom, Charles M. Hartmann, Daniel J. Ayres, Christina D. Enns
  • Patent number: 8860449
    Abstract: A dual probing tip system uses a slot and rail system to provide variable spacing and lateral and axial compliance of the probing tips mounted on first and second support members. A movable base member is secured on a frame with the base member having a rack of linear teeth and a pair of rails angled toward the front. First and second intermediate carriers each have a slot that engages one of the angled rails. Each of the carriers has stanchions that receive a thumb wheel pinion gear mounted on a shaft. The pinion gear mates with the teeth on the base member for movement of the carriers. Each support member has an axial slot that mated with an axial slot on each one of the carriers. Each support member has a compression spring which allows axial compliance of the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Spinar, Richard R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 8826754
    Abstract: A modular probe assembly for a signal processing instrument has an elongate member extending from a first module of the probe assembly and a cavity recessed in a second module of the probe assembly. The cavity of the second module is structured to receive the elongate member of the first module. A module for the probe assembly may have a first articulating elongate member disposed at an end of a housing of the module. The elongate member extending from a first module of the probe assembly may be inserted into a cavity recessed in a second module, and the first module may be removably joined to the second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Spinar, Kyle A. Grist
  • Publication number: 20140053667
    Abstract: A modular probe assembly for a signal processing instrument has an elongate member extending from a first module of the probe assembly and a cavity recessed in a second module of the probe assembly. The cavity of the second module is structured to receive the elongate member of the first module. A module for the probe assembly may have a first articulating elongate member disposed at an end of a housing of the module. The elongate member extending from a first module of the probe assembly may be inserted into a cavity recessed in a second module, and the first module may be removably joined to the second module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Spinar, Kyle A. Grist
  • Patent number: 8643396
    Abstract: A probing tip for a signal acquisition probe has a non-conductive substrate compatible with thin or thick film processing having opposing horizontal surfaces and side surfaces with two of the side surfaces converging to a point. A contoured probing tip contact is formed at the converging point on the non-conductive substrate with the probing tip contact having first and second intersecting arcuate surface. Electrically conductive material is deposited on the countered probing tip contact using thin or thick film processing for providing electrical contact to test points on a device under test. A resistive element is formed on the non-conductive substrate using thin film processing that is electrically coupled to the probing tip contact and to an input of an amplifier formed on an integrated circuit die mounted on the non-conductive substrate. The output of the amplifier is coupled to a transmission structure formed on a second non-conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Spinar, Richard R. Lynn
  • Publication number: 20120313658
    Abstract: A dual probing tip system uses a slot and rail system to provide variable spacing and lateral and axial compliance of the probing tips mounted on first and second support members. A movable base member is secured on a frame with the base member having a rack of linear teeth and a pair of rails angled toward the front. First and second intermediate carriers each have a slot that engages one of the angled rails. Each of the carriers has stanchions that receive a thumb wheel pinion gear mounted on a shaft. The pinion gear mates with the teeth on the base member for movement of the carriers. Each support member has an axial slot that mated with an axial slot on each one of the carriers. Each support member has a compression spring which allows axial compliance of the support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES E. SPINAR, RICHARD R. LYNN
  • Publication number: 20120306522
    Abstract: A probing tip for a signal acquisition probe has a non-conductive substrate compatible with thin or thick film processing having opposing horizontal surfaces and side surfaces with two of the side surfaces converging to a point. A contoured probing tip contact is formed at the converging point on the non-conductive substrate with the probing tip contact having first and second intersecting arcuate surface. Electrically conductive material is deposited on the countered probing tip contact using thin or thick film processing for providing electrical contact to test points on a device under test. A resistive element is formed on the non-conductive substrate using thin film processing that is electrically coupled to the probing tip contact and to an input of an amplifier formed on an integrated circuit die mounted on the non-conductive substrate. The output of the amplifier is coupled to a transmission structure formed on a second non-conductive substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: James E. SPINAR, Richard R. LYNN
  • Patent number: 8091225
    Abstract: The manufacturing method of a probe with printed tip consists of a substrate having a plurality of probe tips connected to its end edge, a plurality of test paths, each connected to one of the probe tips and extending along the substrate, and at least one of the test paths including an electrical component adjacent to the test path's probe tip. The electrical component may be a resistor. The probe tips may have a width equal to the thickness of the substrate. The probe tips may consist of a plurality of probe tip layers. The invention also includes a method of probing signals transmitted over target transmission lines on a target board. The disclosure also includes a method of manufacturing the claimed invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Roland, Kathleen F. Ullom, Ira G. Pollock, James E. Spinar
  • Publication number: 20110121849
    Abstract: The probe with printed tip consists of a substrate having a plurality of probe tips connected to its end edge, a plurality of test paths, each connected to one of the probe tips and extending along the substrate, and at least one of the test paths including an electrical component adjacent to the test path's probe tip. The electrical component may be a resistor. The probe tips may have a width equal to the thickness of the substrate. The probe tips may consist of a plurality of probe tip layers. The invention also includes a method of probing signals transmitted over target transmission lines on a target board. The disclosure also includes a method of manufacturing the claimed invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. ROLAND, Kathleen F. ULLOM, Ira G. POLLOCK, James E. SPINAR
  • Patent number: 7940067
    Abstract: The probe with printed tip consists of a substrate having a plurality of probe tips connected to its end edge, a plurality of test paths, each connected to one of the probe tips and extending along the substrate, and at least one of the test paths including an electrical component adjacent to the test path's probe tip. The electrical component may be a resistor. The probe tips may have a width equal to the thickness of the substrate. The probe tips may consist of a plurality of probe tip layers. The invention also includes a method of probing signals transmitted over target transmission lines on a target board. The disclosure also includes a method of manufacturing the claimed invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Roland, Kathleen F. Ullom, Ira G. Pollock, James E. Spinar
  • Publication number: 20100060304
    Abstract: The probe with printed tip consists of a substrate having a plurality of probe tips connected to its end edge, a plurality of test paths, each connected to one of the probe tips and extending along the substrate, and at least one of the test paths including an electrical component adjacent to the test path's probe tip. The electrical component may be a resistor. The probe tips may have a width equal to the thickness of the substrate. The probe tips may consist of a plurality of probe tip layers. The invention also includes a method of probing signals transmitted over target transmission lines on a target board. The disclosure also includes a method of manufacturing the claimed invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Leonard A. ROLAND, Kathleen F. ULLOM, Ira G. POLLOCK, James E. SPINAR
  • Patent number: 7161366
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for a probe tip contact for electrically coupling a substrate to a probe tip. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a wrap-around contact that is precision formed utilizing a hydroform tool and brazed to a surface of a substrate. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a contact flange, a mounting flange extending from a first edge of the contact flange in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the contact flange, and a substantially circular indentation formed in the contact flange adapted for accommodating movement of said probe tip relative to said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Herrick, James E. Spinar, Daniel R. Murphy, William R. Pooley