Patents by Inventor Thomas Brungard
Thomas Brungard 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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Publication number: 20230136832Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and conductive power and signal terminals. The housing has a mating interface that engages with a mating connector. The power terminals and signal terminals are attached to the housing and exposed at the mating interface. The housing is configured to be mounted on a circuit board such that a side housing surface is aligned with an edge of the circuit board. The connector may have a right-angle configuration and may mate with a right-angle mating connector such that an edge of the circuit board of the connector and an edge of a circuit board of the mating connector are aligned edge to edge and directly face each other to form a flat pair, or may mate with a vertical mating connector to form a corner pair. The power terminals and the signals terminals may be arranged in arrays of columns and rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas A. Brungard, Steven E. Pressel
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Patent number: 11621511Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas A. Brungard
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Patent number: 11616329Abstract: A circular power connector that can accommodate plugs of varying diameters includes a plurality of electrical terminals that include a contact beam extending from and monolithic with base, where the contact beam includes a contact portion, and a mounting portion that extends from and monolithic with a base for mounting the terminal to a substrate. The terminals are cylindrically arranged to receive a plug. Alternatively, each electrical terminal includes a frame portion, a first contact beam extending from the frame in a first direction, and a second contact beam extending from the frame in a second direction. Multiple electrical terminals are oriented so that the first and second contact beams for one terminal extend at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second contact beams of another electrical terminal, in a still further embodiment, an electrical terminal having two halves is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Thomas Brungard
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Publication number: 20230088468Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with a segmented design supporting multiple connector configurations with commonality across the configurations that simplifies connector selection and qualification. The connector includes multiple segments, each with an insulative housing portion into which may be inserted power terminals in one or more configurations or signal terminals. A first-type power terminal may carry a first maximum power and a second-type power terminals may carry a second maximum power greater than the first maximum power, but the segments may be configured with mating contacts with similar properties. The connectors may have a mezzanine configuration configurable in a stack height selected from a wide range of stack heights, with fine-grained resolution. Terminals in all stack heights may have similar mating and mounting portions, differing only in the height of a body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas A. Brungard, Steven E. Pressel
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Publication number: 20230013728Abstract: Flexible and low cost power interconnects. The interconnect includes a plug with an insulative support and a plurality of electrical contacts mounted to exterior surfaces of the insulative support. The plug may be simply formed with molding and stamping operations. In use, the plug may be connected in an electrical assembly to support one or multiple power circuits in a compact space. A receptacle for receiving the plug may have an opening with sides bounded by rows of independent electrical contacts that may similarly be connected to one or more power circuits within a printed circuit board to which the receptacle is mounted. The plug and receptacle may be configured such that, when the receptacle connector and plug are each mounted to substrates and the connectors are mated, the substrates are spaced 6 mm, 5 mm, or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas A. Brungard, Steven E. Pressel
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Publication number: 20210210881Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas A. Brungard
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Publication number: 20210194192Abstract: A circular power connector that can accommodate plugs of varying diameters includes a plurality of electrical terminals that include a contact beam extending from and monolithic with base, where the contact beam includes a contact portion, and a mounting portion that extends from and monolithic with a base for mounting the terminal to a substrate. The terminals are cylindrically arranged to receive a plug. Alternatively, each electrical terminal includes a frame portion, a first contact beam extending from the frame in a first direction, and a second contact beam extending from the frame in a second direction. Multiple electrical terminals are oriented so that the first and second contact beams for one terminal extend at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second contact beams of another electrical terminal, in a still further embodiment, an electrical terminal having two halves is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: FCI USA LLC.Inventors: Charles Copper, Thomas Brungard
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Patent number: 10958002Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas A. Brungard
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Patent number: 10879647Abstract: A power connector that provides a large tolerance for mating to a busbar. The connector has compliant mating contacts supported by a pivoting member. Upon insertion between two busbars, the compliant mating contacts compensate for a first amount of misalignment between the connector and the busbars. The contacts may pivot, compensating for an additional amount of misalignment.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventor: Thomas A. Brungard
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Patent number: 10862253Abstract: A circular power connector that can accommodate plugs of varying diameters includes a plurality of electrical terminals that include a contact beam extending from and monolithic with base, where the contact beam includes a contact portion, and a mounting portion that extends from and monolithic with a base for mounting the terminal to a substrate. The terminals are cylindrically arranged to receive a plug. Alternatively, each electrical terminal includes a frame portion, a first contact beam extending from the frame in a first direction, and a second contact beam extending from the frame in a second direction. Multiple electrical terminals are oriented so that the first and second contact beams for one terminal extend at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second contact beams of another electrical terminal, in a still further embodiment, an electrical terminal having two halves is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Thomas Brungard
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Patent number: 10784631Abstract: A modular, hybrid electrical connector suitable for use as a power connector with contacts for different types of power. Portions of the connector may be electrically and mechanically connected to an electronic assembly at different times or in different ways. A first portion of the connector may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board within the assembly. A second portion may be subsequently attached to the first portion and electrically connected to other components within the assembly through cables. With this configuration, the first portion may carry power contacts, coupled to a DC supply through the printed circuit board, and the second portion may carry power contacts, coupled to an AC supply through the cables. The first portion may be soldered to the printed circuit board such as through a reflow operation, without the heat of the reflow damaging the insulation of the cable, which may degrade if heated.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas Brungard, Rupert Fry, Jr.
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Patent number: 10741945Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical connector can be mounted to a first printed circuit board to obtain a first current capacity, and the electrical connector can be mounted to a second printed circuit board to obtain a second current capacity that is lower than the first current capacity.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas Brungard, Michael Percherke, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Christopher S. Gieski, Nazareth Eppley, Charles Copper, Thierry Goossens
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Publication number: 20200153136Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas A. Brungard
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Patent number: 10553973Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas Brungard
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Publication number: 20190288450Abstract: A power connector that provides a large tolerance for mating to a busbar. The connector has compliant mating contacts supported by a pivoting member. Upon insertion between two busbars, the compliant mating contacts compensate for a first amount of misalignment between the connector and the busbars. The contacts may pivot, compensating for an additional amount of misalignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventor: Thomas A. Brungard
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Publication number: 20190288466Abstract: A circular power connector that can accommodate plugs of varying diameters includes a plurality of electrical terminals that include a contact beam extending from and monolithic with base, where the contact beam includes a contact portion, and a mounting portion that extends from and monolithic with a base for mounting the terminal to a substrate. The terminals are cylindrically arranged to receive a plug. Alternatively, each electrical terminal includes a frame portion, a first contact beam extending from the frame in a first direction, and a second contact beam extending from the frame in a second direction. Multiple electrical terminals are oriented so that the first and second contact beams for one terminal extend at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second contact beams of another electrical terminal, in a still further embodiment, an electrical terminal having two halves is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Thomas A. Brungard
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Patent number: 10312647Abstract: A circular power connector that can accommodate plugs of varying diameters includes a plurality of electrical terminals that include a contact beam extending from and monolithic with base, where the contact beam includes a contact portion, and a mounting portion that extends from and monolithic with a base for mounting the terminal to a substrate. The terminals are cylindrically arranged to receive a plug. Alternatively, each electrical terminal includes a frame portion, a first contact beam extending from the frame in a first direction, and a second contact beam extending from the frame in a second direction. Multiple electrical terminals are oriented so that the first and second contact beams for one terminal extend at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second contact beams of another electrical terminal, in a still further embodiment, an electrical terminal having two halves is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Thomas Brungard
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Publication number: 20180254573Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: September 6, 2018Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Charles Copper, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Hung Viet Ngo, Thomas Brungard
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Publication number: 20180219332Abstract: A modular, hybrid electrical connector suitable for use as a power connector with contacts for different types of power. Portions of the connector may be electrically and mechanically connected to an electronic assembly at different times or in different ways. A first portion of the connector may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board within the assembly. A second portion may be subsequently attached to the first portion and electrically connected to other components within the assembly through cables. With this configuration, the first portion may carry power contacts, coupled to a DC supply through the printed circuit board, and the second portion may carry power contacts, coupled to an AC supply through the cables. The first portion may be soldered to the printed circuit board such as through a reflow operation, without the heat of the reflow damaging the insulation of the cable, which may degrade if heated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas Brungard, Rupert Fry, JR.
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Patent number: 9905952Abstract: Electrical power contacts (100) are described having a mounting portion (114), a mating portion (102), and a transition region (116) that extends between the mounting portion and the mating portion. The mating portion can define first and second contact blades (104, 106) that are spaced from each other to define a receptacle that can be sized to receive a complementary electrical power contact (200). The transition region can be sized and shaped so as to transmit electrical power between the mounting portion and the mating portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: FCI USA LLCInventors: Thomas A. Brungard, Michael Blanchfield