Patents by Inventor Paul Yuan

Paul Yuan 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: 8801461
    Abstract: Structures and methods that simplify the assembly of connector inserts. One example may provide a connector insert having a termination block that is arranged to receive an end of a cable. The termination block may provide a first number of conductors in a first row and a second number of conductors in a second row. The termination block may be stepped such that the first number of conductors emerge from the termination block at a different position along their lengths than the second number of conductors. The first number of conductors may then attach to a first side of a printed circuit board or other connector portion, while the second number of conductors may then attach to a second side of the printed circuit board or other connector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan
  • Publication number: 20140113466
    Abstract: Power plugs that provide reliable functionality, may be reliably manufactured, and have a pleasant appearance. One example may provide a power plug that functions in a reliable manner by providing a ground connection that may maintain its shape over several insertions and removals from a wall socket. A relatively large ground block may act as a heat sink to help reduce plug temperature during operation. Another example may provide a power plug that may be reliably manufactured by forming the ground block as a solid piece to prevent buckling and bending during plug manufacturing that may otherwise result. Another example may provide a power plug that has an attractive appearance by employing a bridge having a flat surface such that after an overmold is formed over the bridge, a face of the plug has a resulting flat, smooth appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Scritzky, Paul Yuan, Min Chul Kim, Nathan N. Ng
  • Publication number: 20130210272
    Abstract: Structures and methods that simplify the assembly of connector inserts. One example may provide a connector insert having a termination block that is arranged to receive an end of a cable. The termination block may provide a first number of conductors in a first row and a second number of conductors in a second row. The termination block may be stepped such that the first number of conductors emerge from the termination block at a different position along their lengths than the second number of conductors. The first number of conductors may then attach to a first side of a printed circuit board or other connector portion, while the second number of conductors may then attach to a second side of the printed circuit board or other connector portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Yuan, Min Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8327536
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Josh Pong, Joseph Tang
  • Publication number: 20120152613
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Josh Pong, Joseph Tang
  • Patent number: 8152570
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan
  • Publication number: 20120000703
    Abstract: High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan, Josh Pong, Joseph Tang
  • Publication number: 20110300754
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan
  • Patent number: 8011975
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan