Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9478903
    Abstract: A connecting terminal is disclosed having a wire connection portion with at least one pair of side arms, and an abutting portion attached at a second end to the wire connection portion. The Abutting portion includes at least one mating terminal receiving chamber and a locking structure. The locking structure includes a locking surface facing the wire connection portion and extending perpendicularly to an insertion direction of the connecting terminal, a first locking surface formed on an upper side of the abutting portion and a second locking surface formed on a lower side of the second end of the abutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weidong Zhang, Sean Wang, Jun Chang
  • Patent number: 9478904
    Abstract: A locking connector is provided that comprises first and second connector parts configured to releasably engage with one another along a longitudinal axis of the connector. The first connector part comprises a plurality of circumferentially disposed resiliently bendable latching fingers each finger attached at one end to the first connector and having an ear at an opposite end. The second connector part comprises one or more recesses to receive the ears of the fingers. The connector comprises a locking ring, moveable along the axis such that in a first position the ears engage in the recesses to lock the connector parts together, and in a second position the ears are free to move radially outwards to enable the connector parts to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Elektron Technology UK Limited
    Inventor: David Ian Ferry
  • Patent number: 9478905
    Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias Schmidt, Eric Jol, Jahan Minoo, Ian Spraggs, Cameron Frazier, Fletcher Rothkopf, Jonathan Aase, Wendell Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 9478906
    Abstract: A connector position assurance device, an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly which provides proper connector position assurance of a connector assembly of small size. The connector position assurance device has a base portion, a first beam and a second beam. The first and second beams extend from the base portion. The base portion includes a latch engagement protrusion. A first beam has a first connector engagement protrusion and a second beam has a second connector engagement protrusion. The first and second connector engagement protrusions are resiliently actuated as the plug is mated to the header. The first and second connector engagement protrusions and the latch engagement protrusion cooperate with the plug when the plug is fully mated to the header to prevent the inadvertent removal of the plug from the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Mark Myer, Hurley Chester Moll, Edmond Pendleton de Chazal
  • Patent number: 9478907
    Abstract: A plug-type connector arrangement comprising a plug-type connector and an opposing plug-type connector, which each have an insulating housing and plug-type contact elements in the insulating housing and are designed for plugging together and for making electrical contact with assigned plug-type contact elements in the plugged-together state, is described. The opposing plug-type connector has at least one latching lug. The plug-type connector has at least one latching element, which is designed so as to interact with the latching lug in the plugged-together state so as to fasten the plug-type connector on the opposing plug-type connector. At least one detachment element provided for unlocking the latching lug is arranged displaceably on the plug-type connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Mastel
  • Patent number: 9478908
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first housing, a plurality of first terminals mounted in the first housing, and a first locking member positioned outside of the first housing. The second connector has a second housing, a plurality of second terminals complementary to the plurality of first terminals, and a second locking member positioned outside of the second housing and complementary with the first locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Wang, Qijun Zhao, Yuquan Chen
  • Patent number: 9478909
    Abstract: A vehicle-side connector (10) is connected to a battery mounted in a vehicle and is configured so that a charging connector (50) connected to a charger is connectable thereto from the front. The vehicle-side connector (10) includes a forwardly open lock fitting (22) configured so that a tip part of a lock arm (54) in the charging connector (50) is fit therein from the front. A locked portion (25) in the lock fitting (22) is formed by mounting a metal lock plate (25B) on a base (25A). The lock plate (25B) is made of metal and is configured so that the tip part of the lock arm (54) is to be locked thereto. A mounting hole (25C) for mounting the lock plate (25B) from behind is formed on a back wall (22B) of the lock fitting (22) and a cover (15) is provided to close the mounting hole (25C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Shimizu, Toshiyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9478910
    Abstract: A connector includes a connector housing, a sliding member supported on the connector housing, and a pull member coupled to the sliding member. A protrusion is formed on the pull member so as to protrude in a thickness direction thereof and extend in a lateral direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction along the direction of removal. The sliding member includes a pair of arm portions guided by the connector housing and a coupling portion coupling the pair of arm portions and facing a side surface of the protrusion that is a surface on the operating portion side. The side surface of the protrusion butts against the coupling portion when the operating portion of the pull member is pulled in the direction of removal such that a moving force in the direction of removal is applied to the coupling portion from the protrusion so as to move the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Nonen, Yoshiaki Ishigami
  • Patent number: 9478911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism for plug-in connectors with a mating connector. Such a locking mechanism has two types of locking means, a primary locking element that is suitable for locking the mating connector and a secondary locking element that is suitable for mutually locking with the primary locking element. In doing so, the secondary locking element locks the primary one in the locked state of the locking mechanism and the primary locking element locks the secondary one in the unlocked state. By contacting the mating connector, the mechanism is automatically locked and is unlocked by actuating the secondary locking element which is implemented as an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HARTING ELECTRONICS GMBH
    Inventor: Heinrich Friesen
  • Patent number: 9478912
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a machined metal contact housing having a contact housing cavity surrounded by a contact housing wall. Two or more electrical contacts are disposed within the contact housing cavity. A polarization alignment key is disposed on an inside surface of the contact housing wall. A key-retaining pocket on the contact housing intersects an inside surface of the contact housing wall to form a longitudinal slot opening between the key-retaining pocket and the contact housing cavity. The key is mounted on the contact housing by virtue of a portion thereof being disposed in the key-retaining pocket. The electrical connector may be manufactured by (1) machining the key-retaining pocket in a metal blank from which the contact housing will be formed, (2) machining the contact housing cavity in the blank so as to intersect the key-retaining pocket, (3) mounting the key, and (4) mounting the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Vibration Measurement Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: George V. Zusman, Val J. Pollak
  • Patent number: 9478913
    Abstract: An electronics module configured for insertion into a carrier unit and having, arranged on a rear side, a coding pair including a first coding part and a second coding part, wherein the first and second coding parts are configured in accordance with the lock-and-key principle, the first coding part being snapped into place in the rear side, while the second coding part is removably arranged on the first coding part, wherein a plug-and-socket connector is arranged on the second coding part such that a mating plug-and-socket connector arranged in the interior of the electronics module is insertable into the plug and-socket connector to establish an electrical connection, and wherein a memory chip which is connected to the plug and socket connector is also arranged on the second coding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bräunlich, Thomas Ott
  • Patent number: 9478914
    Abstract: The present patent application inter alia relates to a micro plug and a modified standard micro receptacle. The modified standard micro receptacle comprises a housing, at least two contact terminals attached to a surface of a bar of the housing, a shield attached to the housing and at least partially laterally enclosing the at least two contact terminals and the bar of the housing, and at least one projection configured to be received in a recess of a corresponding micro plug when the micro plug is correctly inserted into the modified standard micro receptacle. Therein, the at least one projection is further configured to hinder an insertion of a standard micro plug into the modified standard micro receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Nessel, Ilona Eggert, Michael Caspers
  • Patent number: 9478915
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a terminal module and a plurality of terminals retained in the terminal module. The plurality of terminals are divided into an upper row and a lower row. Each of the terminals has a contacting portion contacting with a complementary connector. Each row of the terminals has a power terminal and a differential pair. The contacting portion of the power terminal in the upper row and the corresponding contacting portion of the power terminal in the lower row mechanically contact with each other to form parallel electrical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Bin Guo, Chun-Ming Yu, Ke-Hao Chen, Hao Zhou, Xiao-Qin Zheng
  • Patent number: 9478916
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing, and a metallic shell. The insulated housing includes a base member, an upper portion, a lower portion and a mating room between the upper portion and the lower portion. The base member includes a plurality of recessed portions. The upper and lower portions are extending from one side of the base member. The metallic shell encloses the insulated housing, and the metallic shell includes a rear case body and a front case body. The base member is inside the rear case body. The front case body is drawn from the rear case body to be formed at a front side of the rear case body. The front case body protrudes from the front side of the rear case body. The front case body defines a receiving cavity therein to dispose the upper portion and the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Ya-Fen Kao, Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Wen-Hsien Tsai, Alan MacDougall
  • Patent number: 9478917
    Abstract: A mechatronic plug-in connector system having a main contact and an auxiliary contact which lags during an unplugging operation and with a semiconductor electronic which is series-connected to the auxiliary contact and is parallel-connected to the main contact for extinguishing an arc produced during the unplugging operation, wherein the semiconductor electronic has two series-connected semiconductor switches and an energy accumulator which is connected to the semiconductor switches and which for charging taps the arc voltage produced between the semiconductor switches during the unplugging operation. The invention further relates to a multiple plug system having at least two plug-in connectors each having a main contact and a lagging auxiliary contact and with a semiconductor electronic which is common to the plug-in connectors and is series-connected to each of the auxiliary contacts via a diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Strobl, Michael Naumann, Frank Gerdinand
  • Patent number: 9478918
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) connector includes a case, an insulation tongue, a plurality of spaced electric conduction bars installed to the insulation tongue, a resilient supporting pole connected between the insulation tongue and the case, and two rows of electric coupling pins respectively located above and below the insulation tongue. The electric conduction bars are spaced in a horizontal direction of the insulation tongue. The top surface of each electric conduction bar faces the corresponding electric coupling pin locating above the insulation tongue, and the bottom surface of each electric conduction bar faces the corresponding electric coupling pin locating below the insulation tongue. The electric coupling pins locating above the insulation tongue and the electric coupling pins locating below the insulation tongue are reversely and symmetrically arranged by type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Zheng-Kai Yin, Calvin Shie-Ning Wang
  • Patent number: 9478919
    Abstract: A detection device detects the integrity of a connection between respective connectors of two devices. The detection device includes a control chip, an electronic switch, and an alarm member. The control chip is connected to the alarm member through the electronic switch. When the detection device works, the control chip is connected to the detection pin of the first connector. When the first connector is properly connected to the second connector, the detection pin outputs a first signal to the control chip causing the electronic switch to be off. When the first connector is connected with the second connector improperly, the detection pin outputs a second signal and the control chip turns on the electronic switch, sounding an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Long Huang, Chun-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9478920
    Abstract: A pivotal electrical receptacle allowing pivotal movement of plugs includes an outlet that has opposing ends. The outlet comprises a plurality of electrical sockets. A pair of couplers is configured to couple the outlet to an electrical box. Each of a pair of pivots is pivotally coupled to a respective opposing end of the outlet and a respective coupler. Each of a plurality of biasers is operationally coupled to the respective opposing end of the outlet and the respective coupler. The pivots are positioned such that the outlet is pivotable from a default positioned substantially parallel to a plane defined by the substrate in which the electrical box is mounted. The biasers are configured such that pivoting of the outlet induces a force compelling the outlet to return to the default position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Pregeant
  • Patent number: 9478921
    Abstract: A charging inlet (10) includes an inlet housing (20) with a fastened portion (24, 35). A terminal accommodating portion (32A to 32C, 42A, 42B) is provided in the inlet housing (20) and a vehicle-side terminal is accommodated therein. A fastening member (25) is fastened to the fastened portion (24, 35). A retainer includes a retainer body that is locked to the vehicle-side terminal and a fixed portion (72, 82) that is disposed between the fastening member (25) and the fastened portion (24, 35) and is fixed to the inlet housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Osawa
  • Patent number: 9478922
    Abstract: A connector comprises an inner conductor (1) and an outer conductor (2); an insulating medium (3) is provided between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, the insulating medium forming an unclosed cavity, and an opening of the unclosed cavity being a port for termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION, ZTE PLAZA, KEJI ROAD SOUTH
    Inventors: Wei Sun, Xiangwen Wu, Yiyun Bao
  • Patent number: 9478923
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, and a grounding sheet. The insulated housing is received in a receiving cavity of the metallic shell and includes a mating room and side assembling cavities. The side assembling cavities are defined at two sides of the insulated housing and communicate with the mating room. The grounding sheet is at the insulated housing and in contact with the metallic shell. The grounding sheet includes a main body in the insulated housing, side arms extended toward the side assembling cavities from two sides of the main body, hook portions extended toward the mating room from the fronts of the side arms, and mounting legs extended from the rears of the side arms and protruded from the side assembling cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Ya-Fen Kao, Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Yang-Yang Zhou, Mao-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9478924
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes connecting members arranged in an arrangement direction; and a housing member for accommodating the connecting members. The connecting member includes a terminal connected to the mating connector, and a holding member for holding the terminal. The terminals includes a connecting portion at one end in a longitudinal direction for connecting to a circuit portion of the circuit board, a contact portion at the other end in the longitudinal direction for contacting with a mating contact of the mating connector, and a held portion near the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction and held with the holding member. The housing member is be movable linearly or rotatable relative to the holding member. The housing member includes a guiding surface for guiding the mating terminal. The terminal includes a deformable portion opposite to the connecting portion. The deformable portion deforms when the guiding surface guides the mating terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Tamai
  • Patent number: 9478925
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly includes a plug portion, a cable electrically connected with the plug portion and an insulative shell covering a part of the plug portion and the cable. The plug portion defines an insulative housing and a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulative housing and arranged in two rows spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, the conductive terminals including a plurality of detecting terminals, a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of first terminals. The cable has a plurality of core wires. The plug portion further includes a connecting member for the first terminals shorted, the connecting member makes the first terminals shorted together so as to the first terminals are just soldered with a core wire of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jerry Wu, Jun Chen, Fan-Bo Meng
  • Patent number: 9478926
    Abstract: A multi-access RJ45 adaptor is provided, which includes an RJ45 plug, at least two RJ45 sockets, and a mobile piece that can move between the at least two RJ45 sockets. The mobile piece is configured to allow insertion of an RJ45 plug into any of the RJ45 sockets and simultaneously to prevent the insertion of another RJ45 plug into the other of the RJ45 sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FRANCE TELECOM
    Inventors: Hervé Le Cozic, Pierrick Guillas, Olivier Bouffant
  • Patent number: 9478927
    Abstract: The expandable power adaptor contains a first casing member, a second casing member, a circuit assembly, and at least a metallic connector. The first casing member has a first coupling element set. The second casing member has a second coupling element set. The first and second casing members are joined to form an enclosed accommodation space. The circuit assembly and the metallic connectors electrically connected to the circuit assembly are configured in the accommodation space. To assembly, the first lower piece and the second lower piece are joined to form a complete lower piece. Then the circuit assembly and the metallic connectors are configured on the complete lower piece, and the first and second upper pieces are vertically joined to the first and second lower pieces. Additional casing members can be integrated between the first and second casing members so as to achieve the desired number of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: YANG JI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su-Chen Shen
  • Patent number: 9478928
    Abstract: A multi-function connectable data cable includes a first connector, a second connector, and a cable. The first connector includes a connector main body and an insertion end. The connector main body is provided with a socket for electrically connecting with the insertion end of another data cable. The connector main body is provided with the socket to mate with the insertion end of the first connector of anther same-model data cable, so that several data cables can be electrically connected in series for multi-function use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DONGGUAN ELINKE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jing Cao, Haotian Shi, Zhenbin Qin, Penghua Xiang, Yi Xian
  • Patent number: 9478929
    Abstract: Light bulb receptacles and light bulb sockets are described. According to one aspect, a light bulb receptacle includes a housing which defines a housing chamber, a light bulb socket within the housing chamber and which comprises a first end and a second end about a light bulb chamber which is configured to receive a base of a light bulb, wherein the light bulb socket further comprises a plurality of fingers which extend outwardly from the first end toward the second end and define an opening to the light bulb chamber at the second end, wherein the fingers are individually configured to move outwardly from the light bulb chamber during insertion and removal of the light bulb via the opening to the light bulb chamber, and wherein the fingers individually comprise an engagement member configured to engage a base of the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber and to retain the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Ken Smith
  • Patent number: 9478930
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for beam coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Stultz, Brian Boland
  • Patent number: 9478931
    Abstract: Seed pulse generators for fiber amplifier systems include a seed pump controller coupled to a seed pump laser diode. A photodetector is situated to detect seed pulse generation, and is coupled to the seed pump controller so that seed pumping is decreased upon pulse detection. For a laser diode pump source, a pump current can be pulsed to produce a seed pulse and then decreased to a bias level such as a DC bias current that is less than a pump laser threshold current. Single seed pulses can be generated with reduced pulse jitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: nLight Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Burkholder, Michael C. Nelson, Michael Brinker
  • Patent number: 9478932
    Abstract: A tunable reference cavity (3) with two independently controllable mirrors (15, 16) is disclosed. The mirrors are mounted on respective piezoelectric crystals (18, 19) so that thermal expansion of the piezoelectric crystals moves the cavity mirrors in the same direction along a longitudinal axis of the reference cavity thereby reducing a change of the cavity length. Also disclosed is a system for locking and scanning the output of a laser cavity (2). An error signal is generated between an output of the laser cavity (28) and the transmission (28) of the laser through the external reference cavity (3). A dual piezo-actuated mirror (6b) permits processing of the error signal (26) with separate signal processing circuits (29a, 29b) used to provide an electrical feedback signal to the dual piezoelectric crystal (22, 23b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: M SQUARED LASERS LIMITED
    Inventor: Gareth Thomas Maker
  • Patent number: 9478933
    Abstract: The wavelength detector includes a diffusion element that diffuses the laser beam; a light collection optical system provided downstream from the diffusion element; a member, including an aperture, provided downstream from the light collection optical system; a discharge tube that is provided downstream from the member and that includes a cylindrical anode and a cylindrical cathode that each have a through-hole formed therein, and that is configured so that an electrical property between the anode and the cathode changes due to an opto-galvanic effect when a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength passes through the through-hole of the cathode in a state in which a DC voltage is applied to the anode; and a high-voltage DC power source. The discharge tube is disposed so that the laser beam that passes through the aperture passes through the through-hole of the cathode of the discharge tube without directly irradiating the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GIGAPHOTON INC.
    Inventors: Toru Suzuki, Shinichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9478934
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the removal of hydrogen fluoride (HF) from an excimer laser either in operation or in standby using a metal halide salt reactor. Removal of HF is desirable because the contaminant not only absorbs laser emission, thus reducing laser power, but it is also chemically reactive, and degrades the lifetime of internal laser components. The metal halide salt reactor may be provided either in the laser vessel or in an external conduit loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Donaldson, Edward S. Williams, John H. Hunter, Tekai Akuetteh, Ian J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9478935
    Abstract: When multiplexed signal lights are amplified by optical amplifiers, a value of a monitor signal is compared with a threshold equivalent to a value of the monitor signal when noise indexes of the multiplexed signal lights start increasing. Next, when the value of the monitor signal is equal to or larger than the threshold, that is, when the powers of the multiplexed signal lights are large, a gain constant control is performed to amplify the multiplexed signal lights. Conversely, when the value of the monitor signal is smaller than the threshold, that is, when the powers of the multiplexed signal lights are small, an output constant control is performed to amplify the multiplexed signal lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tokura, Kazuyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 9478936
    Abstract: A method for preparing a surface of a YAG crystal for thermal bonding includes performing an ion implantation process to introduce nitrogen into a surface layer of the YAG crystal to replace depleted oxygen therein, to change surface energy of the surface layer of the YAG crystal and to provide desired bonding characteristics for the surface layer; and joining the ion implanted surface layer with a thermal management device configured to dissipate heat from the YAG crystal. Also, a micro-chip device having a YAG crystal whose surface is prepared with the above disclosed method is provided and a device for forming a metallization pattern on a surface of the YAG crystal is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Michael Ushinsky
  • Patent number: 9478937
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes semiconductor external cavity laser with wide bandwidth frequency modulation capabilities. The laser is preferably packaged in a standard form-factor package, such as a 14-pin butterfly package. The front end of the cavity comprises an integrated planar circuit (e.g., silica-on-silicon planar lightwave circuit with Bragg gratings), and the “back facet” of the laser is implemented as a high-reflection (HR) coated LiNbO3 phase tuning section in the double pass configuration. AC-voltage signal applied to the electrodes of phase tuning section modulates a refractive index of the propagating TE-polarization mode of external cavity and produces frequency modulation. Such frequency modulation is not associated with any thermal behavior of the gain element included in the external cavity laser, and has a negligible phase delay over a wide bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Optasense, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Kupershmidt, Lew Stolpner, Mazin Alalusi, Steve Yiqiang Li
  • Patent number: 9478938
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond material having an average thermal conductivity at room temperature through a thickness of the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond material of at least 2000 Wm?1K?1, the method comprising: loading a refractory metal substrate into a CVD reactor; locating a refractory metal guard ring around a peripheral region of the refractory metal substrate, the refractory metal guard ring defining a gap between an edge of the refractory metal substrate and the refractory metal guard ring having a width 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm; introducing microwaves into the CVD reactor at a power such that the power density in terms of power per unit area of the refractory metal substrate is in a range 2.5 to 4.5 W mm?2; introducing process gas into the CVD reactor wherein the process gas within the CVD reactor comprises a nitrogen concentration in a range 600 ppb to 1500 ppb calculated as molecular nitrogen N2, a carbon containing gas concentration in a range 0.5% to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Element Six Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Gruffudd Trefor Williams, Joseph Michael Dodson, Paul Nicolas Inglis, Christopher John Kelly
  • Patent number: 9478939
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor device comprising an optical device over a first substrate, a vertical waveguide on a top surface of the optical device, the vertical waveguide having a first refractive index, and a capping layer over the vertical waveguide, the capping layer configured to be a lens for the vertical waveguide and the capping layer having a second refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui Hsieh Lai, Ying-Hao Kuo, Hai-Ching Chen, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 9478940
    Abstract: The invention relates to optical system including light sources that amplify light using a gain medium. Systems and method of the invention are provided for amplifying light while inhibiting reflections at a peak gain of the gain medium, thereby suppressing parasitic lasing. This allows a system to use a broad range of wavelengths without parasitic lasing, thereby increasing the useable range of a tunable optical filter. In this manner, light at wavelengths not at a peak gain can be used effectively, and the gain medium of an optical amplifier does not limit use of a system to a narrow range of wavelengths associated with a peak gain of the gain medium. A single optical system according to the invention can thus be used for applications that require a broad range of wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: David Welford, Badr Elmaanaoui
  • Patent number: 9478941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically pumped solid state laser device, comprising a solid state laser medium (300-302) in a laser resonator. Several pump laser diodes (100) are arranged to optically pump said solid state laser medium (300-302) by reflection of pump radiation at a mirror element (200) arranged on the optical axis of the laser resonator. The mirror element (200) is designed to direct said pump radiation to the solid state laser medium (300-302) and to form at the same time one of the resonator mirrors of the laser resonator. With this design of the solid state laser device an easy alignment of the pump optics is achieved. The proposed solid state laser device can be realized in a compact form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Stephan Gronenborn
  • Patent number: 9478942
    Abstract: A ring cavity light-emitting transistor device, including: a planar semiconductor structure of a semiconductor base layer of a first conductivity type between semiconductor collector and emitter layers of a second conductivity type; base, collector, and emitter metalizations respectively coupled with the base layer, said collector layer, and said emitter layer, the base metalization including at least one annular ring coupled with a surface of the base layer; and an annular ring-shaped optical resonator in a region of the semiconductor structure generally including the interface of the base and emitter regions; whereby application of electrical signals with respect to the base, collector, and emitter metalizations causes light emission in the base layer that propagates in the ring-shaped optical resonator cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois
    Inventors: Milton Feng, Nick Holonyak, Jr., Mong-Kai Wu
  • Patent number: 9478943
    Abstract: A single pulse semiconductor laser operating in the gain-switching regime comprises a plane asymmetric waveguide and an active layer in the waveguide, the ratio of a thickness of the active layer to an optical confinement factor of the laser being extremely large, larger than about 5 ?m, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Oulun Yliopisto
    Inventors: Boris Ryvkin, Juha Kostamovaara
  • Patent number: 9478944
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser element includes: a window region including a disordered portion formed by diffusion of a group-III vacancy, the diffusion promoted by providing on the window region a promoting film that absorbs a predetermined atom; a non-window region including an active layer of a quantum well structure; and a difference equal to or larger than 50 meV between an energy band gap in the window region and an energy band gap in the non-window region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Taniguchi, Hirotatsu Ishii, Takeshi Namegaya
  • Patent number: 9478945
    Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor body has a substrate that includes a strained layer that is applied to the substrate in a first epitaxy step. The strained layer includes at least one recess formed vertically in the strained layer. In a second epitaxy step, a further layer applied to the strained layer. The further layer fills the at least one recess and covers the strained layer at least in some areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Stefan Avramescu, Ines Pietzonka, Dimitri Dini
  • Patent number: 9478946
    Abstract: A spark plug is disclosed and includes a metal tube which interiorly defines an axis and is externally-threaded for engagement with an engine block. An insulating has a portion which is disposed inside the tube and extends therebeyond. A positive electrode extends through the insulator and projects beyond the extending portion of the insulator. An annular ground electrode is coupled to the tube. The electrodes are configured such that a spark gap defined therebetween has an elongate channel which opens axially and away from the insulator and is substantially unobstructed in the axial direction. The ground defines a void having a central portion occupied by the positive electrode in use, an annular channel surrounding the central portion, and a plurality of lobes, each being positioned with respect to the central portion in a manner analogous to the placement of the planet gears with respect to the sun gear in a planetary gear arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nano Spark Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Farrell
  • Patent number: 9478947
    Abstract: A plasma jet plug has a cavity defined by a surface of a center electrode, an inner surface of an insulator, and a surface of a ground electrode. When a volume of a portion of the cavity on a front side of a front portion of the center electrode is a first volume V1 and a volume of a portion of the cavity on a rear side of the front end of the center electrode is a second volume V2, the following expression is satisfied: V1/V2?0.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Mukoyama, Hiroyuki Kameda, Daisuke Kasahara
  • Patent number: 9478948
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generator mounting device for application of bipolar ionization to airflow within a conduit, the device includes a housing for mounting to the conduit having an internal panel within the enclosure, and an arm extending from the housing for extension into the conduit and containing at least one opening. At least one coupling for mounting an ion generator to the arm oriented with an axis extending between a pair of electrodes of the ion generator being generally perpendicular to a flow direction of the airflow within the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Global Plasma Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Houston Waddell
  • Patent number: 9478949
    Abstract: A fusible meter socket apparatus is disclosed. The meter stack apparatus includes an enclosure having a first and second side, a meter section including a stack of meter sockets configured to accept utility meters, a cross bus connection section including cross bus bars adapted to provide modular connection to other components, a pull-out fusible switch contained within the enclosure, riser bus bars coupled to a load side of the fusible switch and to a line side of the stack of meter sockets, and connect bus bars coupled to a line side of the fusible switch and to the cross bus bars. Electrical power distribution apparatus including the fusible meter socket apparatus, and methods of operating the fusible meter socket apparatus are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Brian J. Rusch, Arthur Kevin Shumate, Patricia Logsdon, Carey D. Harnois
  • Patent number: 9478950
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety disconnect system includes an enclosure operative to receive a plurality of input power lines into the enclosure and provide a plurality of output power lines out of the enclosure. Each input power line is coupled to and paired with a corresponding one of the output power lines, where each input power line and output power line is operative to provide power from a power source. A plurality of switches are provided in the enclosure, each of these switches coupled between an associated one of the pairs of input power line and output power line, and each switch operative to disconnect the associated input power line from the corresponding output power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Bentek Corporation
    Inventors: James Peplinski, David A. Chan, Mitchell Schoch
  • Patent number: 9478951
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and limiting the damage caused by arcs in electrical distribution equipment provide a cooling assembly that uses a filter or other porous substrate to absorb the energy from the arc byproducts. The filter-based cooling assembly may be used with a passive arc management device having a chamber sized and shaped to control and/or extinguish arcs and ventilation ports for expelling the arc byproducts into the cooling filter assembly. The filter-based cooling assembly may be installed in line with, at the end of, or as a substitute for, any ventilation conduits or tubes in the arc management device, or in the backplane of the arc management device, or the like, to absorb energy from the arc byproducts, cool them to a safe temperature, and vent them inside the equipment cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Faber, Cameron Woodson
  • Patent number: 9478952
    Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second coupling members are anchored to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the coupling members so that the coupling members fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and fluidically seal the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The coupling members are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David Karl Wabnegger, Robert Wayne Palmer, Jody Milton Greer, Michael Howard Boudreau