Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Lemke
Timothy A. Lemke 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: 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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Publication number: 20080032524Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portions of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Timothy Lemke, Timothy Houtz
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Publication number: 20070268087Abstract: A novel backplane interconnection system that is useful in the telecommunication and data process industries for ultra high speed backplane systems. It is capable of transmitting digital signals with bandwidths of 10 GHz and beyond. The invention provides high performance at a low cost of manufacture. It is suitable for use in a wide variety of system applications. One embodiment of the invention comprises an air dielectric and copper conductor matched impedance transmission line system that interconnects daughter cards in a conventional backplane configuration. The high speed transmission-line structure is continuous through the backplane-daughter card and return path. Such embodiment are also integrated with conventional printed circuit backplanes or be a stand-alone device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Timothy Lemke, Richard Elco
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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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Publication number: 20070099464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Stephen Smith, Stefaan Sercu
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Patent number: 7186123Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portions of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Lemke, Timothy W. Houtz
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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: 7168964Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portions of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Lemke, Timothy W. Houtz
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Publication number: 20060246756Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Gregory Hull, Stephen Smith, Stefaan Sercu, Timothy Houtz, Steven Minich
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Publication number: 20060234531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Gregory Hull, Stephen Smith, Stefaan Sercu, Timothy Houtz, Steven Minich
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Publication number: 20060234532Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Gregory Hull, Stephen Smith, Stefaan Sercu, Timothy Houtz, Steven Minich
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Patent number: 7114964Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first linear array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second linear array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20060068635Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portions of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Timothy Lemke, Timothy Houtz
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Patent number: 6988902Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20050287849Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first linear array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second linear array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Gregory Hull, Stephen Smith, Stefaan Sercu, Timothy Houtz
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Patent number: 6976886Abstract: Lightweight, low cost, high density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance controlled, high-speed, low interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors, such as low insertion loss. Signal contacts and ground contacts within the connectors can be scaled and positioned relative to one another such that a differential signal in a first differential signal pair produces a high field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair and a low field near an adjacent signal pair. Consequently, cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to acceptable levels for the particular application. In such connectors, the level of cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to the point that the need for (and cost of) shields between adjacent contacts is unnecessary, even in high speed, high signal integrity applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 6939173Abstract: An electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric base; a plurality of ground or power contacts in the dielectric base; a plurality of signal contacts in the dielectric base and angled relative to the ground or power contacts; and a plurality of solder balls secured to the mounting ends of the ground or power contacts and the signal contacts. An electrical connector, comprising: an insulative housing having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a plurality of contacts in the apertures; and a plurality of solder balls secured to the mounting ends of the contacts. An electrical connector, comprising: an insulative housing with a mating face positionable adjacent a mating connector and a mounting face positionable adjacent a substrate; at least one contact extending between the mating face and the mounting face of the insulative housing and including a tail portion; and a solder mass secured to the tail portion for securing the electrical connector to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Elco, Timothy A. Lemke, Timothy W. Houtz
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Publication number: 20050164555Abstract: Lightweight, low-cost, high-density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance-controlled, high-speed, low-interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors. An example of such an electrical connector may include a first signal contact positioned within a first array of electrical contacts and a second signal contact positioned within a second array of electrical contacts that is adjacent to the first linear array. Either of the signal contacts may be a single-ended signal conductor, or one of a differential signal pair. The connector may be devoid of shields between the signal contacts, and of ground contacts adjacent to the signal contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Clifford Winings, Joseph Shuey, Timothy Lemke, Gregory Hull, Stephen Smith, Stefann Sercu, Timothy Houtz
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Publication number: 20050079763Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also, disclosed is a method of manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portions of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Timothy Lemke, Timothy Houtz
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Patent number: 6692272Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a first conductor and a second conductor. A respective first portion of each conductor is disposed in a first material and a respective second portion of each conductor is disposed in a second material that is different from the first material. The respective first portions axe disposed a first distance apart and the respective second portions jog relative to each other such that an impedance between the first portions is substantially die same as an impedance between the second portions. For example, the conductor pairs may be at one spacing (d1) at portions in air (160) and at a second spacing (d2) at portions that pass through a different dielectric material, such as polymer (150).Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Timothy W. Houtz