Patents by Inventor Wayne Stewart Alden, III

Wayne Stewart Alden, III 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: 10276958
    Abstract: An electrical contact grid array includes a board having a top side and an opposite bottom side, a plurality of signal conductors mounted to the board, and a plurality of ground shield structures mounted to the board. Each of the signal conductors includes an upper signal contact extending beyond the top side of the board for electrically connecting with a corresponding mating contact of a mating circuit board. Each of the ground shield structures includes at least one ground contact disposed above the top side of the board that defines an upper annular shield. The upper annular shield circumferentially surrounds at least one of the upper signal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III, Peter David Wapenski
  • Patent number: 9876298
    Abstract: A flexible connector includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductive pads and a plurality of conductive polymer springfingers. Each conductive polymer springfinger extends between a first end and a second end. The conductive polymer springfingers are mechanically and electrically connected to corresponding conductive pads at the corresponding second ends and the conductive polymer springfingers are configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to conductors of an electrical component at the corresponding first ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are internally conductive and compressible between the first and second ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are discrete and separated by gaps. The flexible substrate is flexible to allow the second ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar and to allow the first ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar for electrical connection with the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III, Chuan Yue
  • Publication number: 20160036142
    Abstract: A flexible connector includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductive pads and a plurality of conductive polymer springfingers. Each conductive polymer springfinger extends between a first end and a second end. The conductive polymer springfingers are mechanically and electrically connected to corresponding conductive pads at the corresponding second ends and the conductive polymer springfingers are configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to conductors of an electrical component at the corresponding first ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are internally conductive and compressible between the first and second ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are discrete and separated by gaps. The flexible substrate is flexible to allow the second ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar and to allow the first ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar for electrical connection with the electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III, Chuan Yue
  • Patent number: 9112317
    Abstract: An interconnect device includes a contact assembly having a carrier holding an array of conductors. Each of the conductors have opposite first and second ends configured to engage corresponding first and second electrical components. The conductors define conductive paths between the first and second ends to electrically interconnect the first and second electrical components. The interconnect device includes a frame defining a receiving space configured to receive the first electrical component therein. The frame includes corner frames having metal spring fingers configured to engage different side edges of the first electrical component to locate the first electrical component in the receiving space. The spring fingers are deflectable and are configured to be spring biased against corresponding side edges of the first electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III, William Brian Murphy
  • Patent number: 9088083
    Abstract: A contact includes a contact body including a tip, a spring beam opposite the tip and a shoulder between the tip and the spring beam. A plunger is movable with respect to the contact body and has the plunger having a tip and a shoulder. A biasing member is contained by the shoulders. The biasing member imparts a biasing force on the shoulder of the plunger. The biasing member is compressed as the plunger moves relative to the contact body. The spring beam engages the plunger between the tip and the shoulder of the plunger and is spring biased against the plunger to electrically couple the contact body and the plunger. An electrical path is defined from the tip of the plunger to the spring beam and to the tip of the contact body. The electrical path is routed outside of the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 9059545
    Abstract: A socket connector includes an interconnect assembly having an array of contacts being compressible in a vertical direction and shielding springs surrounding corresponding contacts and being compressible in the vertical direction with the contacts. The shielding springs are electrically grounded and provide electrical shielding for the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporations
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 9039425
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect device includes a substrate and an array of conductive elastomeric columns held by the substrate each having opposite first and second ends and being internally conductive between the first and second ends. A shield is mounted exterior of the first ends of the elastomeric columns. The shield has an insulative carrier holding an array of conductive pads. The conductive pads have inner surfaces and outer surfaces where the inner surfaces of the conductive pads engage the first ends of corresponding elastomeric columns and where the outer surfaces are configured to engage corresponding mating contacts of an electrical component. The outer surfaces of the conductive pads are non-coplanar such that the conductive pads have different heights. Optionally, the conductive pads may have different thicknesses above the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 9039439
    Abstract: An interconnect device includes a contact assembly having a carrier holding an array of conductors configured to provide an electrical path between first and second electrical components. The interconnect device includes a frame defining a receiving space configured to receive the first electrical component therein. The frame includes corner frames configured to engage the first electrical component to locate the first electrical component within the receiving space. Each of the corner frames includes a base and an engagement member configured to engage the first electrical component as the first electrical component is received into the receiving space. The engagement member is configured to be resiliently deflected toward the base in a compliance direction via engagement with the first electrical component. Opposing spring beams mechanically connect the engagement member to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 9039448
    Abstract: An electronic interconnect device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The substrate has a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. Each opening has a conductive outer via, an insulative barrier and a conductive inner via. The outer via, insulative barrier and inner via are concentric within the opening such that the insulating barrier is disposed between the conductive inner via and the conductive outer via. The conductive inner via is configured to receive a conductor to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 8939794
    Abstract: A coaxial cable assembly includes a coaxial cable having a terminating end and a conductor being exposed at the terminating end. A cable housing holds the coaxial cable and has a conductor slot receiving the exposed conductor. A cable shield is coupled to the cable housing and provides electrical shielding for the terminating end of the coaxial cable. The cable housing is configured to be coupled to a circuit board such that the exposed conductor directly engages a signal pad of the circuit board for electrical connection thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 8926343
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect device includes an array of conductive elastomeric columns, each of the elastomeric columns extending between a first end and a second end and being internally conductive between the first and second ends. Upper and lower holders cover the array of conductive elastomeric columns. The upper holder has an upper substrate and a plurality of discrete upper pads held by the upper substrate and arranged in a complementary pattern to the array of elastomeric columns. The discrete upper pads cap corresponding first ends of the elastomeric columns. The lower holder has a lower substrate and a plurality of discrete lower pads held by the lower substrate and arranged in a complementary pattern to the array of elastomeric columns. The discrete lower pads cap corresponding second ends of the elastomeric columns. The upper and lower holders support the array of conductive elastomeric columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 8851932
    Abstract: A contact includes an upper contact having a plunger with a tip configured to engage a first electronic component being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper contact has deflecting beams deflected as the plunger is forced into the retracted position and forcing the plunger to return to the extended position when the plunger is released. The contact includes a lower contact having a base beam and a tail extending from the base beam for engaging a second electronic component. The base beam engages and is spring biased against the plunger. The plunger is movable relative to the lower contact. The base beam is biased against and maintains electrical contact with the plunger as the plunger is moved between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 8840432
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a circuit board having an internal ground plane that defines at least a portion of an internal layer of the circuit board. The circuit board has an exterior side that includes a mounting region and includes electrical contacts arranged on the exterior side within the mounting region for making electrical connection with corresponding signal conductors of electrical wires. Ground shields are mounted to the mounting region of the circuit board and include electrically conductive bodies that are configured to extend over corresponding electrical wires along the mounting region of the circuit board. The bodies of the ground shields include side segments that are configured to extend between the signal conductors of adjacent electrical wires along the mounting region of the circuit board. The bodies are engaged with the internal ground plane of the circuit board to electrically connect the ground shields to the internal ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Stewart Alden, III, Jeffery W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20140273600
    Abstract: An interconnect device includes a contact assembly having a carrier holding an array of conductors configured to provide an electrical path between first and second electrical components. The interconnect device includes a frame defining a receiving space configured to receive the first electrical component therein. The frame includes corner frames configured to engage the first electrical component to locate the first electrical component within the receiving space. Each of the corner frames includes a base and an engagement member configured to engage the first electrical component as the first electrical component is received into the receiving space. The engagement member is configured to be resiliently deflected toward the base in a compliance direction via engagement with the first electrical component. Opposing spring beams mechanically connect the engagement member to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140235103
    Abstract: An electronic interconnect device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The substrate has a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. Each opening has a conductive outer via, an insulative barrier and a conductive inner via. The outer via, insulative barrier and inner via are concentric within the opening such that the insulating barrier is disposed between the conductive inner via and the conductive outer via. The conductive inner via is configured to receive a conductor to be inserted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140206234
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect device includes a substrate and an array of conductive elastomeric columns held by the substrate each having opposite first and second ends and being internally conductive between the first and second ends. A shield is mounted exterior of the first ends of the elastomeric columns. The shield has an insulative carrier holding an array of conductive pads. The conductive pads have inner surfaces and outer surfaces where the inner surfaces of the conductive pads engage the first ends of corresponding elastomeric columns and where the outer surfaces are configured to engage corresponding mating contacts of an electrical component. The outer surfaces of the conductive pads are non-coplanar such that the conductive pads have different heights. Optionally, the conductive pads may have different thicknesses above the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140187087
    Abstract: An RF cable connector includes a cable assembly having a plurality of RF cables bundled together and a buss bar coupled to the cable assembly. Each RF cable, which may be a twin axial RF cable, has a pair of signal conductors surrounded by an outer shield. The cable assembly has signal contacts terminated to ends of the signal conductors configured to be terminated to corresponding signal pads of a host circuit board. The buss bar has a base electrically coupled to each of the outer shields to electrically common the outer shields. The buss bar has ground tines extending from the base positioned between signal contacts and configured to be terminated to corresponding ground pads of the host circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140148061
    Abstract: A contact includes an upper contact having a plunger with a tip configured to engage a first electronic component being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper contact has deflecting beams deflected as the plunger is forced into the retracted position and forcing the plunger to return to the extended position when the plunger is released. The contact includes a lower contact having a base beam and a tail extending from the base beam for engaging a second electronic component. The base beam engages and is spring biased against the plunger. The plunger is movable relative to the lower contact. The base beam is biased against and maintains electrical contact with the plunger as the plunger is moved between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140141632
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect device includes an array of conductive elastomeric columns, each of the elastomeric columns extending between a first end and a second end and being internally conductive between the first and second ends. Upper and lower holders cover the array of conductive elastomeric columns. The upper holder has an upper substrate and a plurality of discrete upper pads held by the upper substrate and arranged in a complementary pattern to the array of elastomeric columns. The discrete upper pads cap corresponding first ends of the elastomeric columns. The lower holder has a lower substrate and a plurality of discrete lower pads held by the lower substrate and arranged in a complementary pattern to the array of elastomeric columns. The discrete lower pads cap corresponding second ends of the elastomeric columns. The upper and lower holders support the array of conductive elastomeric columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Publication number: 20140030917
    Abstract: A coaxial cable assembly includes a coaxial cable having a terminating end and a conductor being exposed at the terminating end. A cable housing holds the coaxial cable and has a conductor slot receiving the exposed conductor. A cable shield is coupled to the cable housing and provides electrical shielding for the terminating end of the coaxial cable. The cable housing is configured to be coupled to a circuit board such that the exposed conductor directly engages a signal pad of the circuit board for electrical connection thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Walter Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III