Patents by Inventor Michael James Horning

Michael James Horning 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).

  • Publication number: 20230420896
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing having a base at a rear and a plug at a front of the connector housing configured to be plugged into a busbar assembly. The plug includes a slot between a first and second plug walls that receives a busbar of the busbar assembly. The electrical connector includes power contacts received in contact channels having mating ends extending along the plug walls into the slot to mate with a busbar contacts of the busbar. The electrical connector includes a cable connector assembly coupled to the connector housing. The cable connector assembly includes a cable connector housing holding a signal contact. The signal contact is electrically connected to a signal cable of the cable connector assembly. The signal contact extending along an exterior surface of the first plug wall to interface with a signal conductor of the busbar assembly when the plug is plugged into the busbar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Patent number: 11812576
    Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a first side wall and a second side wall forming cavities that receive power sockets. The housing includes pin access openings through the bottom that receive power pins mated to the power sockets. Each power socket includes a cable socket receiving a power cable and a pin socket that receives the power pin. The power socket electrically connects the power cable and the power pin. The socket connector includes latches each having a latch release and a latch arm operably coupled to the latch release. The latch arm extends along the corresponding pin access opening and includes a latching surface aligned with the pin access opening configured to engage the power pin to retain the power pin in the housing. The release button is actuated to release the latch arm from the power pin and allow removal of the power pin from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GmbH
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Publication number: 20230282995
    Abstract: A power connector assembly transferring power between a supply connector assembly and a tap connector assembly includes a front interface module mated with the supply connector assembly and a rear interface module mounted to a host circuit board. The power connector assembly includes a power tap module between the front interface module and the rear interface module having power tap contacts each electrically connected to corresponding front and rear power contacts. Each power tap contact includes a tap interface exterior of the front housing and exterior of the rear housing configured to be terminated to the tap connector assembly. The power tap contact electrically connecting the front power contact and the tap connector assembly to transfer power from the supply connector assembly to the tap connector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Patrick Costello, Michael James Horning, Harshita Guduru
  • Patent number: 11670893
    Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing having a pin access opening through a bottom open to a cavity configured to receive a pin. The socket connector includes a socket in the cavity electrically connected to a pin. The socket connector includes a latch movably received in a latch pocket to engage the pin to secure the socket connector to the pin. The latch includes a latch release accessible exterior of the housing to release the latch. The latch release moves the latch between a latched position and a clearance position. A latching rib of the latch engages the pin in the latched position and is released from the pin in the clearance position to allow uncoupling of the socket connector from the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Publication number: 20230114958
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing having a base, a flange, and a plug. The connector housing has a contact channel holding a contact. The electrical connector includes a latch member integral with the connector housing and located within the flange. The latch member includes a deflectable latch arm and a latching finger extending from the latch arm. The plug is configured to be inserted into a panel opening of the panel in a loading direction. The connector housing is movable laterally relative to the panel in a latching direction to a latched position. The plug is movable in the panel opening in the latching direction. The latching finger engages an inner edge of the panel opening when the housing is in the latched position to hold the connector housing in the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Brian Patrick Costello
  • Publication number: 20230115610
    Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing having a cavity and a pin access opening through the bottom open to the cavity configured to receive a pin. The housing includes a latch pocket open to the cavity. A socket is received in the cavity electrically connected to the pin and a cable to electrically connect the cable and the pin. The socket connector includes a latch movably received in the latch pocket between a latched position and a clearance position and configured to engage the pin to secure the socket connector to the pin. The latch includes a latching rib having a latching surface configured to engage the pin in the latched position and released from the pin in the clearance position to allow uncoupling of the socket connector from the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Publication number: 20230033815
    Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing having a pin access opening through a bottom open to a cavity configured to receive a pin. The socket connector includes a socket in the cavity electrically connected to a pin. The socket connector includes a latch movably received in a latch pocket to engage the pin to secure the socket connector to the pin. The latch includes a latch release accessible exterior of the housing to release the latch. The latch release moves the latch between a latched position and a clearance position. A latching rib of the latch engages the pin in the latched position and is released from the pin in the clearance position to allow uncoupling of the socket connector from the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Patent number: 11539154
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing having a mating end configured to be mated with a mating connector and a mounting end configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The connector housing includes a receptacle at the mating end receiving the mating connector. The electrical connector includes power contacts held by the connector housing extending between a mating end having a power-in contact interface configured to be coupled to the mating connector and a terminating end having a power-out circuit board interface configured to be coupled to the circuit board. Each power contact includes a power take-off between the mating end and the terminating end having a power-out cable plug interface configured to be electrically connected to a cable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Douglas Edward Shirk, Howard Wallace Andrews, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11355902
    Abstract: A power connector includes first and second power terminals having first and second contact stacks and first and second plates for termination to corresponding power element. The contact stacks have contacts separate and discrete from each other and from the plate. Each contact has a base and a mating beam. The bases are aligned and mechanically and electrically coupled to the plate. A housing has an end wall and a fastener that mechanically and electrically couples the bases to the plate. The power terminals are arranged such that the first and second mating beams oppose each other across a mating slot that receives a bus bar with the first mating beams mechanically and electrically engaging a first bus rail at a first side of the bus bar and the second mating beams mechanically and electrically engaging a second bus rail at a second side of the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GMBH
    Inventors: Jevon Ryan Corban, David Patrick Orris, Michael James Horning, Howard Wallace Andrews, Jr., Douglas Edward Shirk, David Robert Baechtle
  • Publication number: 20220071040
    Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a first side wall and a second side wall forming cavities that receive power sockets. The housing includes pin access openings through the bottom that receive power pins mated to the power sockets. Each power socket includes a cable socket receiving a power cable and a pin socket that receives the power pin. The power socket electrically connects the power cable and the power pin. The socket connector includes latches each having a latch release and a latch arm operably coupled to the latch release. The latch arm extends along the corresponding pin access opening and includes a latching surface aligned with the pin access opening configured to engage the power pin to retain the power pin in the housing. The release button is actuated to release the latch arm from the power pin and allow removal of the power pin from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Publication number: 20220029333
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing having a mating end configured to be mated with a mating connector and a mounting end configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The connector housing includes a receptacle at the mating end receiving the mating connector. The electrical connector includes power contacts held by the connector housing extending between a mating end having a power-in contact interface configured to be coupled to the mating connector and a terminating end having a power-out circuit board interface configured to be coupled to the circuit board. Each power contact includes a power take-off between the mating end and the terminating end having a power-out cable plug interface configured to be electrically connected to a cable plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Douglas Edward Shirk, Howard Wallace Andrews, JR.
  • Patent number: 11177599
    Abstract: A power connector includes a housing having a mating slot at a front having terminal channels holding power terminals between the slot and the corresponding side of the housing. Each power terminal includes a plate extending from the slot through a rear of the housing to an exterior of the housing for termination to a corresponding power element. The power terminal has a contact array of contacts discrete from and coupled to the plate. Each contact has a plate interface electrically coupled to the plate and a bus bar interface configured to be electrically coupled to a corresponding rail of the bus bar. The contacts are arranged along a corresponding side of the slot for interfacing with the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Howard Wallace Andrews, Jr., Brian Patrick Costello, David Patrick Orris
  • Patent number: 11108179
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and contact modules held by the housing. The contact modules include ground shields having ground contacts. The contact modules have a dielectric carrier that holds signal contacts. The ground contacts are configured for mating with corresponding ground contacts of a complementary mating connector, and are plated with a ground contact plating that includes at least one ground contact plating material. An interface between the ground contacts held and the corresponding ground contacts of the complementary mating connector has a first contact resistance. The signal contacts are configured for mating with corresponding signal contacts of the mating connector, and are plated with a signal contact plating. An interface between the signal contacts held and the signal contacts of the complimentary mating connector has a second contact resistance. The second contact resistance is lower than the first contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Arturo Pachon Munoz, John Joseph Consoli, Timothy Robert Minnick
  • Patent number: 10939576
    Abstract: A power connector includes a housing holding first and second power contacts. The housing has first and second rails defining a slot receiving a power rail. The housing has an upper contact channel in an upper wall and a lower contact channel in a lower wall receiving the power contacts. The power contacts each have a base and deflectable spring beams extending into the slot and being exposed at the slot for slidable electrical connection to a first power rail contact of the power rail on an upper surface the power rail and a second power rail contact of the power rail on a lower surface the power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Patent number: 10855038
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing, a first power module, a negative power module, and a signal module. The housing has a guide module having guide surfaces for guiding mating with a mating electrical connector. The guide module is approximately centered between first and second sides and remote from the first and second sides. The first power module includes first power contacts and the negative power module includes negative power contacts. The signal module includes signal contacts and ground shields providing electrical shielding for the signal contacts. The signal module is located between the first power module and the negative power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Christopher William Blackburn, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger
  • Patent number: 10763622
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a front housing and a contact module received in a cavity of the front housing having a frame assembly including a dielectric holder holding signal contacts. Each signal contact has a mating end and a terminating end. A ground shield is coupled to the dielectric holder for shielding the signal contacts. The ground shield has a ground pad at the mating end, mating beams extending from the ground pad for mating with corresponding header ground shields of a header connector and ground beams between corresponding mating beams for mating with corresponding header ground shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Allison Trout, Jeffrey Byron McClinton, Michael James Horning, John Joseph Consoli
  • Publication number: 20200244050
    Abstract: A power connector includes first and second power terminals having first and second contact stacks and first and second plates for termination to corresponding power element. The contact stacks have contacts separate and discrete from each other and from the plate. Each contact has a base and a mating beam. The bases are aligned and mechanically and electrically coupled to the plate. A housing has an end wall and a fastener that mechanically and electrically couples the bases to the plate. The power terminals are arranged such that the first and second mating beams oppose each other across a mating slot that receives a bus bar with the first mating beams mechanically and electrically engaging a first bus rail at a first side of the bus bar and the second mating beams mechanically and electrically engaging a second bus rail at a second side of the bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jevon Ryan Corban, David Patrick Orris, Michael James Horning, Howard Wallace Andrews, Jr., Douglas Edward Shirk, David Robert Baechtle
  • Publication number: 20200243997
    Abstract: A power connector includes a housing having a mating slot at a front having terminal channels holding power terminals between the slot and the corresponding side of the housing. Each power terminal includes a plate extending from the slot through a rear of the housing to an exterior of the housing for termination to a corresponding power element. The power terminal has a contact array of contacts discrete from and coupled to the plate. Each contact has a plate interface electrically coupled to the plate and a bus bar interface configured to be electrically coupled to a corresponding rail of the bus bar. The contacts are arranged along a corresponding side of the slot for interfacing with the bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Howard Wallace Andrews, JR., Brian Patrick Costello, David Patrick Orris
  • Publication number: 20200170139
    Abstract: A power connector includes a housing holding first and second power contacts. The housing has first and second rails defining a slot receiving a power rail. The housing has an upper contact channel in an upper wall and a lower contact channel in a lower wall receiving the power contacts. The power contacts each have a base and deflectable spring beams extending into the slot and being exposed at the slot for slidable electrical connection to a first power rail contact of the power rail on an upper surface the power rail and a second power rail contact of the power rail on a lower surface the power rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Michael James Horning
  • Publication number: 20200144772
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a front housing and a contact module received in a cavity of the front housing having a frame assembly including a dielectric holder holding signal contacts. Each signal contact has a mating end and a terminating end. A ground shield is coupled to the dielectric holder for shielding the signal contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: David Allison Trout, Jeffrey Byron McClinton, Michael James Horning, John Joseph Consoli