Patents by Inventor James G. Vana
James G. Vana 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).
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Patent number: 11444401Abstract: A flat electrical cable extends longitudinally along a length of the cable. The flat electrical cable includes a plurality of conductor sets extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor set includes one or more insulated electrical conductors. Each insulated conductor includes a central conductor surrounded by a first dielectric material. The plurality of conductor sets includes a middle conductor set disposed between two other conductor sets and an edge conductor set disposed proximal to a longitudinal edge of the cable. The first dielectric material of each insulated conductor of the edge, but not the middle, conductor set includes an intumescent flame retardant material.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: James G. Vana, Jr., Rocky D. Edwards
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Publication number: 20220085528Abstract: An electrical cable including a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors is described. Each insulated conductor includes an electrically conductive inner conductor co-extensive and covered with an insulating layer. At least a portion of a periphery of each insulated conductor may be encompassed by a substantially co-extensive electrically conductive shield. For each insulated conductor, portions of the insulating layer are removed from the top side of the cable to expose a portion of the inner conductor of the insulated conductor. The insulated conductor is adapted to mate with an electrically conductive mating conductor at the exposed portion of the inner conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: James G. Vana, JR., Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer
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Patent number: 11217918Abstract: An electrical cable (1000) including a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors (100) is described. Each insulated conductor (100) includes an electrically conductive inner conductor (200) co-extensive and covered with an insulating layer (300). At least a portion of a periphery of each insulated conductor (100) may be encompassed by a substantially co-extensive electrically conductive shield (400). For each insulated conductor (100), portions of the insulating layer (300) are removed from the top side (1200) of the cable (1000) to expose a portion of the inner conductor (200) of the insulated conductor (100). The insulated conductor (100) is adapted to mate with an electrically conductive mating conductor (500) at the exposed portion (210) of the inner conductor (200).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James G. Vana, Jr., Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer
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Publication number: 20200112115Abstract: A flat electrical cable extends longitudinally along a length of the cable. The flat electrical cable includes a plurality of conductor sets extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor set includes one or more insulated electrical conductors. Each insulated conductor includes a central conductor surrounded by a first dielectric material. The plurality of conductor sets includes a middle conductor set disposed between two other conductor sets and an edge conductor set disposed proximal to a longitudinal edge of the cable. The first dielectric material of each insulated conductor of the edge, but not the middle, conductor set includes an intumescent flame retardant material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: James G. Vana, JR., Rocky D. Edwards
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Patent number: 10498059Abstract: A flat electrical cable is described. The cable includes a plurality of equally spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors lying in a same plane and extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor has a same diameter D. The cable further includes a common unitary electrically insulating layer encapsulating the plurality of conductors. The insulating layer includes a plurality of cover portions where each cover portion is concentric with a corresponding conductor and has a radial thickness t. t/D is in a range from about 0.50 to about 1.25.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: John W. Benedict, James G. Vana, Jr., Rocky D. Edwards, Mark T. Palmer, Richard J. Scherer, Steven A. Neu, Ching-Long Tsai
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Publication number: 20190296465Abstract: An electrical cable (1000) including a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors (100) is described. Each insulated conductor (100) includes an electrically conductive inner conductor (200) co-extensive and covered with an insulating layer (300). At least a portion of a periphery of each insulated conductor (100) may be encompassed by a substantially co-extensive electrically conductive shield (400). For each insulated conductor (100), portions of the insulating layer (300) are removed from the top side (1200) of the cable (1000) to expose a portion of the inner conductor (200) of the insulated conductor (100). The insulated conductor (100) is adapted to mate with an electrically conductive mating conductor (500) at the exposed portion (210) of the inner conductor (200).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James G. VANA, JR., Alexander W. BARR, Richard J. SCHERER
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Publication number: 20180375238Abstract: A flat electrical cable is described. The cable includes a plurality of equally spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors lying in a same plane and extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor has a same diameter D. The cable further includes a common unitary electrically insulating layer encapsulating the plurality of conductors. The insulating layer includes a plurality of cover portions where each cover portion is concentric with a corresponding conductor and has a radial thickness t. t/D is in a range from about 0.50 to about 1.25.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: John W. Benedict, James G. Vana, JR., Rocky D. Edwards, Mark T. Palmer, Richard J. Scherer, Steven A. Neu, Ching-Long Tsai
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Patent number: 10090612Abstract: A flat electrical cable is described. The cable includes a plurality of equally spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors lying in a same plane and extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor has a same diameter D. The cable further includes a common unitary electrically insulating layer encapsulating the plurality of conductors. The insulating layer includes a plurality of cover portions where each cover portion is concentric with a corresponding conductor and has a radial thickness t. t/D is in a range from about 0.50 to about 1.25.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John W. Benedict, James G. Vana, Jr., Rocky D. Edwards, Mark T. Palmer, Richard J. Scherer, Steven A. Neu, Ching-Long Tsai
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Publication number: 20170214163Abstract: A flat electrical cable is described. The cable includes a plurality of equally spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors lying in a same plane and extending along the length of the cable. Each conductor has a same diameter D. The cable further includes a common unitary electrically insulating layer encapsulating the plurality of conductors. The insulating layer includes a plurality of cover portions where each cover portion is concentric with a corresponding conductor and has a radial thickness t. t/D is in a range from about 0.50 to about 1.25.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: John W. Benedict, James G. Vana, JR., Rocky D. Edwards, Mark T. Palmer, Richard J. Scherer, Steven A. Neu, Ching-Long Tsai
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Patent number: 9225154Abstract: An adhesive-backed communications media cable includes a duct having a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion includes an Ethernet over twisted pair communication line. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise with the conduit portion. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the flange such that the duct is mountable to a mounting surface via the adhesive layer. A system for distributing multiple communications media lines in a living unit includes a multimedia receptacle mountable on a wall or mounting surface and an adhesive-backed communications media duct.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Victor J. Borer, William G. Allen, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Charles F. Staley, Douglas B. Gundel, James G. Vana
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Patent number: 9071001Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical cable terminations for mating with a corresponding plurality of contact pins and a planar insulative connector body. Each of the electrical cable terminations includes a tubular housing, an inner housing, and at least one electrical contact. The tubular housing is of electrically conductive material and has inner walls defining an opening and first and second opposed open ends. The inner housing is of electrically insulating material and is inserted into the tubular housing from at least one of the open ends thereof. The inner housing comprises at least one inner space configured to receive an electrical contact in a fixed relative position. The electrical contact is positioned in the inner housing and configured to be connected to an electrical cable. The planar insulative connector body has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are defined by a front edge, a back edge, and two longitudinal side edges.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard J. Scherer, Joseph N. Castiglione, Abhay R. Joshi, Jesse A. Mann, James G. Vana, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130341085Abstract: An adhesive-backed communications media cable includes a duct having a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion includes an Ethernet over twisted pair communication line. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise with the conduit portion. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the flange such that the duct is mountable to a mounting surface via the adhesive layer. A system for distributing multiple communications media lines in a living unit includes a multimedia receptacle mountable on a wall or mounting surface and an adhesive-backed communications media duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Victor J. Borer, William G. Allen, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Charles F. Staley, Douglas B. Gundel, James G. Vana
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Publication number: 20120309221Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical cable terminations for mating with a corresponding plurality of contact pins and a planar insulative connector body. Each of the electrical cable terminations includes a tubular housing, an inner housing, and at least one electrical contact. The tubular housing is of electrically conductive material and has inner walls defining an opening and first and second opposed open ends. The inner housing is of eletrically insulating material and is inserted into the tubular housing from at least one of the open ends thereof. The inner housing comprises at least one inner space configured to receive an electrical contact in a fixed relative position. The electrical contact is positioned in the inner housing and configured to be connected to an electrical cable. The planar insulative connector body has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are defined by a front edge, a back edge, and two longitudinal side edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: Richard J. Scherer, Joseph N. Castiglione, Abhay R. Joshi, Jesse A. Mann, James G. Vana, JR.
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Publication number: 20120182034Abstract: A contact assembly for receiving a spring probe unit includes an elongate contact element adapted to electrically contact the spring probe unit. The contact element includes a stop for restraining movement of the spring probe unit towards the stop in the direction of an axis along the length of the contact element, and urging means, adapted to urge the spring probe unit against the contact element for removable engagement of the spring probe unit with the contact element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Richard J. SCHERER, Joseph N. CASTIGLIONE, Abhay R. JOSHI, Jesse A. MANN, James G. VANA, JR.
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Patent number: 7888604Abstract: Provided is a method of connecting conductive traces on one substrate to conductive traces on another substrate using an adhesive containing conductive particles and the resulting article.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kohichiro Kawate, Andrew C. Lottes, James G. Vana, Jr., Barbara L. Birrell, Alexander W. Barr
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Patent number: 7731528Abstract: An electrical termination device includes an electrically conductive shield element, an insulator disposed within the shield element, and one or more electrical contacts supported within and electrically isolated from the shield element by the insulator. The insulator includes one or more insulative spacer bars configured to guide the one or more electrical contacts during their insertion into the insulator. The one or more spacer bars may be configured to enable straight pull injection molding of the insulator. The insulator may be positioned away from the one or more electrical contacts along at least a major portion of the length of the one or more electrical contacts in an impedance controlling relationship. The electrical termination device can be included in an electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven Feldman, Alexander R. Mathews, James G. Vana, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080171182Abstract: Provided is a method of connecting conductive traces on one substrate to conductive traces on another substrate using an adhesive containing conductive particles and the resulting article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: Kohichiro Kawate, Andrew C. Lottes, James G. Vana, Barbara L. Birrell, Alexander W. Barr
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Patent number: 6880979Abstract: The present invention relates to a connectible termination having a terminated fiber optic connector and a means for actuating the connector from a coupling. The terminated fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule housing having first and second portions and at least one optical fibers mounted in a ferrule and disposed in the first portion of the ferrule housing, a body comprising a front and back portions, the second portion of the ferrule housing disposed on the front portion of the body, and a latch disposed on the back portion of the body and comprising a pair of ears. One means for disengaging the connector is a collar disposed on the latch and enclosing the pair of ears.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Larry R. Cox, Mark D. Matthies, Curtis L. Shoemaker, James G. Vana, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040156592Abstract: The present invention relates to a connectible termination having a terminated fiber optic connector and a means for actuating the connector from a coupling. The terminated fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule housing having first and second portions and at least one optical fibers mounted in a ferrule and disposed in the first portion of the ferrule housing, a body comprising a front and back portions, the second portion of the ferrule housing disposed on the front portion of the body, and a latch disposed on the back portion of the body and comprising a pair of ears. One means for disengaging the connector is a collar disposed on the latch and enclosing the pair of ears.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Larry R. Cox, Mark D. Matthies, Curtis L. Shoemaker, James G. Vana
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Patent number: 5334271Abstract: A process for obtaining a twisted pair electrical signal cable having conductors of equal physical length and equal signal transmitting properties by passing a parallel pair of adhered insulated conductors of equal length through a closely-fitting die and twisting the conductors into a twisted pair cable. The process applies to thermopolymer insulated and ePTFE insulated conductors.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Roddy M. Bullock, Alfredo L. Cedrone, Michael L. Eckert, James G. Vana, Jr.