Patents by Inventor Stephen B. Smith
Stephen B. Smith 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: 7517250Abstract: Electrical connectors having improved impedance characteristics are disclosed. Such an electrical connector may include a first electrically conductive contact, and a second electrically conductive contact disposed adjacent to the first contact along a first direction. A mating end of the second contact may be staggered in a second direction relative to a mating end of the first contact. Alternatively or additionally, a respective mating end of each of the first and second contacts may be rotated relative to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 7513798Abstract: Provided is an electrical connector that may reduce crosstalk between leadframe assemblies. Such a connector may have a connector housing, a first leadframe assembly contained in the housing, and a second leadframe assembly contained in the housing adjacent to the first leadframe assembly. The first leadframe assembly may have a first differential signal pair of electrically-conductive contacts. The second leadframe assembly may have a second differential signal pair of electrically-conductive contacts. Each contact of the first and second differential signal pairs may have a respective first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. Crosstalk generated on the second differential signal pair by a signal traveling through the first portions of the contacts of the first differential signal pair may be reduced by crosstalk generated on the second differential signal pair by the signal as it travels through the second portions of the contacts of the first differential signal pair.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20090068899Abstract: Provided is an electrical connector that may reduce crosstalk between leadframe assemblies. Such a connector may have a connector housing, a first leadframe assembly contained in the housing, and a second leadframe assembly contained in the housing adjacent to the first leadframe assembly. The first leadframe assembly may have a first differential signal pair of electrically-conductive contacts. The second leadframe assembly may have a second differential signal pair of electrically-conductive contacts. Each contact of the first and second differential signal pairs may have a respective first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. Crosstalk generated on the second differential signal pair by a signal traveling through the first portions of the contacts of the first differential signal pair may be reduced by crosstalk generated on the second differential signal pair by the signal as it travels through the second portions of the contacts of the first differential signal pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventor: Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 7497074Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith, James P. O'Neill, Gary Zawacki
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Patent number: 7481039Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20080307851Abstract: A system for diagnosing an exhaust temperature sensor in an engine exhaust, the exhaust further including an emission control device, the system comprising an exhaust temperature sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway for indicating temperature; an air/fuel ratio sensor having a heater, the air/fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway; and a control system, the control system enabling and disabling the air/fuel ratio sensor heater based on operating conditions, the controller further adjusting fuel injection to provide a desired air-fuel ratio based on feedback from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is enabled, and determining degradation of the exhaust temperature sensor based on a signal from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephen B. Smith, Shane Elwart, Michael Igor Kluzner, Jason Aaron Lupescu
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Patent number: 7442054Abstract: An electrical connector according to the invention may include a first signal contact that defines a first side and a first edge, wherein the first side is greater in length than the first edge, the first edge having a first edge width, and a second signal contact that defines a second side and a second edge, wherein the second side is greater in length that the second edge, the second edge having a second edge width. The first signal contact and the second signal contact may be positioned edge-to-edge. A gap may be defined between the first edge of the first signal contact and the second edge of the second signal contact. The gap may have a gap width that is approximately equal to at least one of the first edge width and the second edge width. The connector may have a column pitch, and the gap width may be based on the column pitch. The gap width may be approximately 0.3-0.4 millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Lemke, Steven E. Minich, Joseph B. Shuey, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20080248693Abstract: A shieldless, high-speed electrical connector is disclosed. Such a connector may include a first column of electrical contacts comprising a first arrangement of differential signal pairs separated from one another by first ground contacts, and a second column of electrical contacts adjacent to the first column, the second column of electrical contacts comprising a second arrangement of differential signal pairs separated from one another by second ground contacts. The connector may be devoid of electrical shield plates between the first column of electrical contacts and the second column of electrical contacts. The connector may be capable of transferring differential signals at data transfer rates of at least ten gigabits per second through the connector while producing no more than an acceptable level of cross talk on any of the differential signal pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford L. Winings, Joseph B. Shuey, Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Timothy W. Houtz, Steven E. Minich
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Patent number: 7390218Abstract: An electrical connector having a leadframe housing, a first electrical contact fixed in the leadframe housing, a second electrical contact fixed adjacent to the first electrical contact in the leadframe housing, and a third electrical contact fixed adjacent to the second electrical contact in the leadframe housing is disclosed. Each of the first and second electrical contacts may be selectively designated, while fixed in the lead frame housing, as either a ground contact or a signal contact such that, in a first designation, the first and second contacts form a differential signal pair, and, in a second designation, the second contact is a single-ended signal conductor. The third electrical contact may be a ground contact having a terminal end that extends beyond terminal ends of the first and second contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Joseph B. Shuey, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Timothy A. Lemke, Clifford L. Winings
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Patent number: 7390200Abstract: A high-speed electrical connector is disclosed. The high-speed electrical connector connects a first electrical device having a first ground reference to a second electrical device having a second ground reference. The connector, which includes a connector housing and a signal contact, is devoid of any ground connection that is adapted to electrically connect the first ground reference and the second ground reference.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Joseph B Shuey, Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 7367180Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20080102702Abstract: An electrical connector having at least four electrical contacts that form two pairs of differential signal contacts. The first and second electrical contacts may be arranged edge-to-edge along a first direction. The third electrical contact may be adjacent to, and arranged broadside-to-broadside with, the first electrical contact along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The first and third electrical contacts may define one of the pairs of differential signal contacts. The fourth electrical contact may be adjacent to, and arranged broadside-to-broadside with, the second electrical contact along the second direction. The second and fourth electrical contacts may define the other pair of differential signal contacts. The two pairs of differential signal contacts may be offset from one another along the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Jan De Geest, Jonathan E. Buck, Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 7331800Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array includes a first differential signal pair, a first ground contact lead adjacent to the first differential signal pair, and a second ground contact lead adjacent to the first ground contact lead. The second linear array is positioned adjacent to the first linear array, and includes a second differential signal pair, a third ground contact lead adjacent to the second differential signal pair, and a fourth ground contact lead adjacent to the third ground contact lead. The electrical connector is devoid of electrical shields between the first linear array and the second linear array.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford L. Winings, Joseph B. Shuey, Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Timothy W. Houtz, Steven E. Minich
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Patent number: 7316585Abstract: An electrical connector including a lead frame assembly of a first dielectric material that includes a pocket filled with a second dielectric material. A first ground reference, which may be either a ground contact or conductor or a virtual ground defined between signal contacts of a differential signal pair, extends in the first dielectric material and has a first physical length. A second ground reference having a different physical length than the first length extends in the first dielectric material and also through the pocket. The combination of the length of the second ground reference through the pocket along with the difference in the dielectric constants associated with the first and second dielectric materials, provides for equalizing or matching the electrical lengths of these two references having different physical lengths. This may aid in reducing slot-line mode of a co-planar waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Jan De Geest, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu
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Patent number: 7309239Abstract: A mezzanine style electrical connector is disclosed. The connector includes first and second arrays of electrical contacts extending through a connector housing. Each contact array may include single ended signal conductors or differential signal pairs or a combination of both. The contact arrays are disposed adjacent to one another such that cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts is limited, even in the absence of any electrical shielding or ground contacts between the contact arrays.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Joseph B. Shuey, Stephen B. Smith, Clifford L. Winings, Alan Raistrick
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Publication number: 20070279158Abstract: An electrical connector including a lead frame assembly of a first dielectric material that includes a pocket filled with a second dielectric material. A first ground reference, which may be either a ground contact or conductor or a virtual ground defined between signal contacts of a differential signal pair, extends in the first dielectric material and has a first physical length. A second ground reference having a different physical length than the first length extends in the first dielectric material and also through the pocket. The combination of the length of the second ground reference through the pocket along with the difference in the dielectric constants associated with the first and second dielectric materials, provides for equalizing or matching the electrical lengths of these two references having different physical lengths. This may aid in reducing slot-line mode of a co-planar waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Jan De Geest, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu
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Patent number: 7229318Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array is arranged in a first pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts. The second linear array is arranged in a second pattern of signal contacts and ground contacts that is different from the first pattern. The signal contacts define differential signal pairs. The signal contacts in the first linear array are elongated along a direction along which the first linear array extends.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford L. Winings, Joseph B. Shuey, Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Josef Sercu, Timothy W. Houtz, Steven E. Minich
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Patent number: 7182643Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a linear array of electrical blade contacts is disclosed. Each contact may have a free-ended mating portion that extends from a mate surface of a dielectric base. The first linear array may include a first signal contact, a second signal contact positioned adjacent to the first signal contact and forming a differential signal pair therewith, and a ground contact positioned adjacent to the second signal contact. The first signal contact, the second signal contact, and the ground contact may each be elongated in a direction along the linear array.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford L. Winings, Joseph B. Shuey, Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Timothy W. Houtz, Steven E. Minich
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Patent number: 7174879Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle powertrain that employs active control to reduce NVH, particularly during idle. The method includes selectively operating the powertrain in at least a non-idle condition and an idle condition; receiving vibration signals from a sensor disposed on an internal combustion engine; controlling spark timing of the internal combustion engine based on vibration signals received from the sensor; and during the idle condition, modifying a speed and/or a load of the internal combustion engine based on vibration signals received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Chol, Stephen B. Smith, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Makki
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Patent number: 7159387Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith, James P. O'Neill, Garry Zawacki