Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Yao

Stephen E. Yao 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: 10699842
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device includes an electronic component that is at least partially encapsulated by an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material that functions as an EMI shield for the electronic component. In various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first magnetic component separated from a second magnetic component by a gap within which is positioned an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material. The doped adhesive is positioned in a magnetic path between the first and second magnetic components and aids in magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic components and/or guides magnetic flux between the first and second magnetic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Karl Ruben K. Larsson, Paul J. Thompson, Eric S. Jol, John S. Mosy, Albert J. Golko, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 10498159
    Abstract: This application relates to inductive charging coil configurations. In particular, the wireless charging coil configurations are arranged in a shape and size suitable for utilizing available space within a device housing. In some embodiments, wires making up the charging coil have varying diameters configured to optimize the size and shape of the charging coil so that available space can be fully utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao
  • Patent number: 10320230
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Paul J. Thompson, Jeffrey M. Alves, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Todd K. Moyer, Daniel Wagman, Micah Lewis-Kraus
  • Patent number: 9852844
    Abstract: A first electronic device connects with an second electronic device. The first electronic device may include a first connection surface and an inductive power transfer receiving coil and a first magnetic element positioned adjacent to the first connection surface. The second electronic device may similarly include a second connection surface and an inductive power transfer transmitting coil and second magnetic element positioned adjacent to the second connection surface. In the aligned position, alignment between the electronic devices may be maintained by magnetic elements and the inductive power coils may be configured to exchange power. The magnetic elements and/or the inductive power coils may include a shield that is configured to minimize or reduce eddy currents caused in the magnetic elements by the inductive power coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Daniel C. Wagman, Paul J. Thompson, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram
  • Publication number: 20170331316
    Abstract: This application relates to inductive charging coil configurations. In particular, the wireless charging coil configurations are arranged in a shape and size suitable for utilizing available space within a device housing. In some embodiments, wires making up the charging coil have varying diameters configured to optimize the size and shape of the charging coil so that available space can be fully utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao
  • Patent number: 9627130
    Abstract: A first and second electronic device each including a connection surface and a magnetic element. The first and second devices may be in contact along the respective connection surfaces. The magnetic elements may be configured to align the first and second devices by moving either or both of the first and second devices relative to each other to achieve an aligned position. The magnetic element may also be operative to resist disconnection of first and second electronic devices when in the aligned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Paul J. Thompson, Jeffrey M. Alves, Daniel Wagman, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Publication number: 20160351324
    Abstract: An inductor coil for an inductive energy transfer system includes multiple layers of a single wire having windings that are interlaced within at least two of the multiple layers such that both an input end and an output end of the wire enter and exit the coil on a same side of the coil. The input end and the output end of the wire may abut one another at the location where the input and output wires enter and exit the inductor coil. The wire can include one or more bundles of strands and the strands in each bundle are twisted around an axis extending along a length of the wire, and when there are at least two bundles, the bundles may be twisted around the axis. At least one edge of the inductor coil can be formed into a variety of shapes, such as in a curved shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Paul J. Thompson, Stephen E. Yao
  • Patent number: 9500208
    Abstract: A first component is coupled to a second component by one or more joints. Magnetic force between at least a first magnetic and second magnetic unit preloads the joint by placing the joint in compression. The first and second magnetic units may be respectively coupled to the first and second components. The magnetic force acts as a retentive force between coupled components and/or the joint and operates to resist one or more tensile and/or other opposing forces. In some cases, the first magnetic unit may be a shield, such as a direct current shield, that protects one or more components from a magnetic field of the second magnetic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 9449754
    Abstract: An inductor coil for an inductive energy transfer system includes multiple layers of a single wire having windings that are interlaced within at least two of the multiple layers such that both an input end and an output end of the wire enter and exit the coil on a same side of the coil. The input end and the output end of the wire may abut one another at the location where the input and output wires enter and exit the inductor coil. The wire can include one or more bundles of strands and the strands in each bundle are twisted around an axis extending along a length of the wire, and when there are at least two bundles, the bundles may be twisted around the axis. At least one edge of the inductor coil can be formed into a variety of shapes, such as in a curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Paul J. Thompson, Stephen E. Yao
  • Publication number: 20160064141
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device includes an electronic component that is at least partially encapsulated by an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material that functions as an EMI shield for the electronic component. In various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first magnetic component separated from a second magnetic component by a gap within which is positioned an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material. The doped adhesive is positioned in a magnetic path between the first and second magnetic components and aids in magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic components and/or guides magnetic flux between the first and second magnetic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Karl Ruben F. Larsson, Paul J. Thompson, Eric S. Jol, John S. Mosy, Albert J. Golko, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Publication number: 20150348697
    Abstract: An inductor coil for an inductive energy transfer system includes multiple layers of a single wire having windings that are interlaced within at least two of the multiple layers such that both an input end and an output end of the wire enter and exit the coil on a same side of the coil. The input end and the output end of the wire may abut one another at the location where the input and output wires enter and exit the inductor coil. The wire can include one or more bundles of strands and the strands in each bundle are twisted around an axis extending along a length of the wire, and when there are at least two bundles, the bundles may be twisted around the axis. At least one edge of the inductor coil can be formed into a variety of shapes, such as in a curved shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Paul J. Thompson, Stephen E. Yao
  • Publication number: 20150308470
    Abstract: A first component is coupled to a second component by one or more joints. Magnetic force between at least a first magnetic and second magnetic unit preloads the joint by placing the joint in compression. The first and second magnetic units may be respectively coupled to the first and second components. The magnetic force acts as a retentive force between coupled components and/or the joint and operates to resist one or more tensile and/or other opposing forces. In some cases, the first magnetic unit may be a shield, such as a direct current shield, that protects one or more components from a magnetic field of the second magnetic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Publication number: 20150280483
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Paul J. Thompson, Jeffrey M. Alves, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Todd K. Moyer, Daniel Wagman, Micah Lewis-Kraus
  • Publication number: 20150270046
    Abstract: A first and second electronic device each including a connection surface and a magnetic element. The first and second devices may be in contact along the respective connection surfaces. The magnetic elements may be configured to align the first and second devices by moving either or both of the first and second devices relative to each other to achieve an aligned position. The magnetic element may also be operative to resist disconnection of first and second electronic devices when in the aligned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Paul J. Thompson, Jeffrey M. Alves, Daniel Wagman, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski
  • Publication number: 20150270058
    Abstract: A first electronic device connects with an second electronic device. The first electronic device may include a first connection surface and an inductive power transfer receiving coil and a first magnetic element positioned adjacent to the first connection surface. The second electronic device may similarly include a second connection surface and an inductive power transfer transmitting coil and second magnetic element positioned adjacent to the second connection surface. In the aligned position, alignment between the electronic devices may be maintained by magnetic elements and the inductive power coils may be configured to exchange power. The magnetic elements and/or the inductive power coils may include a shield that is configured to minimize or reduce eddy currents caused in the magnetic elements by the inductive power coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Daniel Wagman, Paul J. Thompson, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram