Patents by Inventor Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV

Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV 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: 11749469
    Abstract: A coaxial switch includes a conductive housing defining a central bore and a front plane that is oriented transverse to the central bore, a switch assembly including a stationary contact including a stationary engagement end, a stationary coupling end opposite the stationary engagement end, a movable contact including a movable engagement end, a movable coupling end opposite the movable engagement end, and a planar conductor engagement region positioned adjacent to the movable engagement end, where the movable engagement end is positionable in an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a dielectric front pad positioned between the conductive housing and the movable contact, where the dielectric front pad defines a central aperture through which the planar conductor engagement region has an unobstructed line of sight with the front plane of the conductive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS RF LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20230118648
    Abstract: A bullet-type connector includes an axially compressible housing, a central conductor, and a dielectric mount. The axially compressible housing is compressible in an axial direction at least 2.5% of an overall length of the axially compressible housing. The central conductor defines a first female connecting end and a second female connecting end, the central conductor being positioned within the axially compressible housing. The dielectric mount mounts the central conductor within the axially compressible housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Donald Andrew Burris, Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20230113690
    Abstract: A coaxial connector includes an outer conductor portion including a polymer shell, the polymer shell defining an inner bore extending from a first open end to a second open end opposite the first open end, and a conductive layer positioned on the inner bore of the polymer shell, an outer surface of the polymer shell, or both, where the conductive layer is structurally configured to be electrically coupled to an outer conductor of a coaxial transmission medium, an electrically-insulating intermediate member positioned at least partially within the inner bore of the polymer shell, and an inner conductor portion engaged with the electrically-insulating intermediate member and positioned at least partially within the inner bore of the polymer shell, where the inner conductor portion is configured to be electrically coupled to an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission medium and electrically isolated from the conductive layer of the outer conductor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Donald Andrew Burris, Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, David Jeffrey Malouf
  • Publication number: 20220368043
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes housing for storing components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly further includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly also includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric. Each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Andrew Burris, Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20220285863
    Abstract: Various configurations of connector assemblies are disclosed herein. Each variation of connector assembly includes at least one conductive outer housing, one or more dielectrics, and conductors, some of which may be configured as compressible electrical contacts manufactured from a tube. One embodiment of the compressible electrical contact includes a first contact end, a second contact end opposing the first contact end, and a plurality of cut sections defined by at least one cut angle measured between a pair of outwardly extending opposing inner surfaces, an innermost cut distance, and an outermost cut distance. Each of the plurality of divaricated-cut sections is based on at least one divaricating pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Andrew Burris, Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Casey Roy Stein
  • Publication number: 20220173535
    Abstract: Various configurations of compressible electrical assemblies are disclosed herein. Each variation of the compressible electrical assemblies includes at least one dielectric, an inner conductor and an outer conductor. Each inner and outer conductor may be configured as a compressible contact. One embodiment of a compressible electrical assembly includes an inner compressible contact, and outer compressible contact and a dielectric disposed at least partially between the inner compressible contact and the outer compressible contact. Each compressible contact also has a divaricated-cut section with a plurality of cuts defined by at least one cut angle measured between a pair of opposing inner surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Andrew Burris, Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Daniel Michael Grabowski
  • Patent number: 11316294
    Abstract: Miniaturized electrical connector systems are disclosed herein. In exemplary aspects disclosed herein, the connector system includes a twinaxial female connector having a housing and at least one dielectric positioned therein. The at least one dielectric defines two parallel channels configured to receive at least a portion of two conductors of a twinaxial cable. The twinaxial female connector includes an oval interface configured to orient and align the conductors of the twinaxial cable with mating pins of a male connector. The twinaxial female connector further includes two spring-type interconnects positioned within the oval interface, each configured to directly contact a conductor of the twinaxial cable and a mating pin of the male connector. The twinaxial female connector further includes a retaining clip attached to an exterior of the housing with a lever arm biased towards and pivotable from an engaged orientation. Such features reduce the manufacturing complexity, cost, and overall size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Daniel Michael Grabowski, Brian Lyle Kisling
  • Publication number: 20220102083
    Abstract: A coaxial switch includes a conductive housing defining a central bore and a front plane that is oriented transverse to the central bore, a switch assembly including a stationary contact including a stationary engagement end, a stationary coupling end opposite the stationary engagement end, a movable contact including a movable engagement end, a movable coupling end opposite the movable engagement end, and a planar conductor engagement region positioned adjacent to the movable engagement end, where the movable engagement end is positionable in an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a dielectric front pad positioned between the conductive housing and the movable contact, where the dielectric front pad defines a central aperture through which the planar conductor engagement region has an unobstructed line of sight with the front plane of the conductive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Patent number: 10707595
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector block assembly having a plurality of connector pin assemblies mounted within a multi-connector block is disclosed. Each connector pin assembly has a dielectric and a contact pin positioned in a housing. Multiple housings may be independently removably mounted in the multi-connector block with independently movable contact pins. A first end of each contact pin is adapted to provide electrical continuity with an external component, for example, a connector, and a second end of each contact pin terminates distally in a connection feature, which may be connected to an external structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact pin moves axially in response to movement of the connection feature by engagement with the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20200161789
    Abstract: Miniaturized electrical connector systems are disclosed herein. In exemplary aspects disclosed herein, the connector system includes a twinaxial female connector having a housing and at least one dielectric positioned therein. The at least one dielectric defines two parallel channels configured to receive at least a portion of two conductors of a twinaxial cable. The twinaxial female connector includes an oval interface configured to orient and align the conductors of the twinaxial cable with mating pins of a male connector. The twinaxial female connector further includes two spring-type interconnects positioned within the oval interface, each configured to directly contact a conductor of the twinaxial cable and a mating pin of the male connector. The twinaxial female connector further includes a retaining clip attached to an exterior of the housing with a lever arm biased towards and pivotable from an engaged orientation. Such features reduce the manufacturing complexity, cost, and overall size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Daniel Michael Grabowski, Brian Lyle Kisling
  • Publication number: 20190148851
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector block assembly having a plurality of connector pin assemblies mounted within a multi-connector block is disclosed. Each connector pin assembly has a dielectric and a contact pin positioned in a housing. Multiple housings may be independently removably mounted in the multi-connector block with independently movable contact pins. A first end of each contact pin is adapted to provide electrical continuity with an external component, for example, a connector, and a second end of each contact pin terminates distally in a connection feature, which may be connected to an external structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact pin moves axially in response to movement of the connection feature by engagement with the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Patent number: 10199753
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector block assembly having a plurality of connector pin assemblies mounted within a multi-connector block is disclosed. Each connector pin assembly has a dielectric and a contact pin positioned in a housing. Multiple housings may be independently removably mounted in the multi-connector block with independently movable contact pins. A first end of each contact pin is adapted to provide electrical continuity with an external component, for example, a connector, and a second end of each contact pin terminates distally in a connection feature, which may be connected to an external structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact pin moves axially in response to movement of the connection feature by engagement with the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Patent number: 10181692
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a coaxial connector with a translating grounding collar for establishing a ground path with a mating connector. The coaxial connector is configured to provide an electrical connection between two mating connectors. The coaxial connector includes a housing with a first conductor and a second conductor mounted within the housing. Further, the coaxial connector comprises a grounding collar mounted to the housing to provide a grounding of the coaxial connector with a mating connector that can discharge electro-static discharge build up before connections are established between the first and second conductors and a mating connector. Thus, the coaxial connector is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector and a mating connector while also compensating for tolerance stack variability in the coaxial connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20180316103
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector block assembly having a plurality of connector pin assemblies mounted within a multi-connector block is disclosed. Each connector pin assembly has a dielectric and a contact pin positioned in a housing. Multiple housings may be independently removably mounted in the multi-connector block with independently movable contact pins. A first end of each contact pin is adapted to provide electrical continuity with an external component, for example, a connector, and a second end of each contact pin terminates distally in a connection feature, which may be connected to an external structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact pin moves axially in response to movement of the connection feature by engagement with the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Patent number: 9979132
    Abstract: Coaxial connectors with a grounding tube for altering a ground path with a conductor of the coaxial connector are disclosed. The coaxial connector comprises a grounding tube mounted within the connector housing and around at least a portion of a first conductor to initially establish and subsequently disconnect a grounding path between the first conductor and a housing of the coaxial connector. After contacting the mating connector, the first conductor moves, along with a first conductor housing, which moves a plurality of fingers of the grounding tube from the closed position to the open position. This disconnects the grounding path between the first conductor and the connector housing and establishes an electrical path between the first conductor and the mating connector. Thus, the coaxial connector is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector and a mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20180131153
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a coaxial connector with a translating grounding collar for establishing a ground path with a mating connector. The coaxial connector is configured to provide an electrical connection between two mating connectors. The coaxial connector includes a housing with a first conductor and a second conductor mounted within the housing. Further, the coaxial connector comprises a grounding collar mounted to the housing to provide a grounding of the coaxial connector with a mating connector that can discharge electro-static discharge build up before connections are established between the first and second conductors and a mating connector. Thus, the coaxial connector is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector and a mating connector while also compensating for tolerance stack variability in the coaxial connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: THOMAS EDMOND FLAHERTY, IV
  • Patent number: 9960507
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector pin assembly is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the RF connector pin assembly includes a first dielectric, a second dielectric, and a contact pin positioned in a housing. The contact pin has a first pin section, a second pin section, and an annular collar. Axial movement of the contact pin is limited by the annular collar moving in a gap between the first and second dielectrics. The first pin section is adapted to provide electrical continuity with an external component, for example, a connector, and the second pin section terminates distally in a connection feature, which may be connected to an external structure, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The contact pin axially moves, or floats, in response to movement of the connection feature by engagement with the external structure. Multiple housings may be independently removably mounted in a block with independently movable contact pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Casey Roy Stein
  • Patent number: 9179548
    Abstract: Controlled-impedance out-of-substrate package structures employing electrical devices and related assemblies, components, and methods are disclosed. An out-of-substrate package structure may be used to electrically couple an electrical device to an electrical substrate, for example a printed circuit board. The out-of-substrate package structure may be electrically coupled to the electrical substrate. Ground paths of the out-of-substrate package structure may be arranged proximate to the electrical device and arranged symmetric with respect to at least one geometric plane intersecting the electrical device. In this regard, electric field lines generated by current flowing into the electrical device tend to terminate at the return or ground paths allowing for impedance to be more easily controlled. Accordingly, the out-of-substrate package structure may be impedance matched in a better way with respect to power provided from the electrical substrate enabling faster electrical device speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV, Gary Richard Trott, Jeevan Kumar Vemagiri
  • Patent number: 8690602
    Abstract: A coaxial socket contact for connecting to a coaxial transmission medium to form an electrically conductive path between the transmission medium and the coaxial socket contact, the coaxial socket contact includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a tubular body between the first end and the second end, the tubular body having a perimeter and a medial region. The contact further includes at least one slotted region having at least one cantilevered arm extending from the medial region to the first end, the slotted region defining a first length along an axis extending from the first end to the second end, the at least one cantilevered arm defining a second length along the at least one cantilevered arm, the second length being longer than the first length for improving mating cycle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Gilbert Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Edmond Flaherty, IV
  • Publication number: 20130322476
    Abstract: Controlled-impedance out-of-substrate package structures employing electrical devices and related assemblies, components, and methods are disclosed. An out-of-substrate package structure may be used to electrically couple an electrical device to an electrical substrate, for example a printed circuit board. The out-of-substrate package structure may be electrically coupled to the electrical substrate. Ground paths of the out-of-substrate package structure may be arranged proximate to the electrical device and arranged symmetric with respect to at least one geometric plane intersecting the electrical device. In this regard, electric field lines generated by current flowing into the electrical device tend to terminate at the return or ground paths allowing for impedance to be more easily controlled. Accordingly, the out-of-substrate package structure may be impedance matched in a better way with respect to power provided from the electrical substrate enabling faster electrical device speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Edmond Flaherty IV, Gary Richard Trott, Jeevan Kumar Vemagiri