Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9640919
    Abstract: A connector assembly mechanically and electrically connects a shielded power cable, capable of conducting DC and multiple phase AC electric power, to drive motors and powered accessories of an electric vehicle. The connector assembly includes a shielded power cable, a connector body, a sealing ring, a tapered compression ring and a flexible rubber boot. The hollow frustoconical interior of the connector body and the frustoconical tapered compression ring, with the shield layer of the power cable compressed between them, form a self-locking taper that provides a strong mechanical connection. The sealing ring and the flexible rubber boot inhibit penetration of fluids and particles into the connector assembly. The addition of an adhesive to the compressed section strengthens the connection and reduces corrosion. Filling empty spaces inside the connector body with an adhesive sealer further prevents penetration by contaminants, reduces corrosion and strengthens the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HUBER+SUHNER AG
    Inventors: Richard Whitcomb Loveless, Randall Foster Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 9640920
    Abstract: A protective cover structure includes a protective cover that is fitted to an assembly work opening disposed in a wall of a case in which electric components are accommodated, thereby closing the opening, and a fitting detecting connector that detects that the protective cover is fitted to the assembly work opening. The fitting detecting connector includes a receptacle connector which is fixed to an interior of the case and an insertion/extraction connector which is disposed on the protective cover in a mutually insertable/extractable manner while being opposed to the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector includes a tubular housing and fitting detecting conductors in the tubular housing. The insertion/extraction connector holds a pair of detecting electrodes which are electrically conductible with the fitting detecting conductors, and is molded integrally with the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Hanaoka, Takanori Kanamori, Takuomi Wada
  • Patent number: 9640921
    Abstract: A connector for coupling to a connector port of an electronic device including a coupling face for coupling with the connector port of the electronic device, at least one connector terminal disposed on one side of the coupling face, at least one first magnetic member disposed in the vicinity of the connector terminal and coupled with at least one first metal member located in the vicinity of the connector port of the electronic device, and a detection member disposed on at least a portion of the coupling face that detects a coupling between the connector and the connector port. An electronic device to which the connector device is applied is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jin-Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 9640922
    Abstract: Out of resilient contact pieces (21) provided on a shorting terminal (20), contact portions (24) to come into contact with specific terminal fittings (10) to be shorted by the shorting terminal (20) are provided on a front side of the shorting terminal (20) in a connecting direction to a mating connector (M). A shorting terminal accommodating chamber (46) provided in a housing (40) is open forward in the connecting direction to the mating connector (M). The shorting terminal (20) can be accommodated into the shorting terminal accommodating chamber (46) from front in the connecting direction. Front press-fit portions (34) to be press-fitted to wall portions (48A) of the housing (40) forming the shorting terminal accommodating chamber (46) are provided at positions of the shorting terminal (20) juxtaposed with the contact portions (24) in a width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kanemura
  • Patent number: 9640923
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle connector includes a receptacle shell, an insulation housing bracket, a receptacle grounding contact, and a grounding member. The insulation housing bracket is disposed inside the receptacle shell. The receptacle grounding contact is held inside the housing base. The grounding member is disposed on a first side of the insulation housing bracket and located between the insulation housing bracket and the receptacle shell. A connecting structure is selectively disposed on the grounding member or on the receptacle grounding contact. The connecting structure penetrates through the insulation housing bracket and mechanically or physically connects the grounding member and the receptacle grounding contact such that the grounding member is electrically connected to the receptacle grounding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Ya-Fen Kao, Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Mao-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9640924
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a communication plug that includes a plug housing with a plurality of plug contact slots and at least one plug contact with at least two tines. The at least one plug contact is positioned in one of the plug contact slots, the one of the plug contact slots having a bridge positioned between the at least two tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: David C. Stanislaw, Michael B. Verbeek, Satish I. Patel, Jason O'Young
  • Patent number: 9640925
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, first and second groups of terminals, an adapting circuit board, and extension terminals. The insulated housing is received in the metallic shell and includes a base portion, upper and lower tongue portions, and a partition plate. Upper and lower plug openings are respectively formed between the partition plate and the upper portion of the metallic shell and between the partition plate and the lower portion of the metallic shell. The terminals are held in the insulated housing. The adapting circuit board is disposed at the rear of the insulated housing and includes an upper-row contact set connected to the first group of terminals and a lower-row contact set. One ends of the extension terminals are connected to the lower-row contact set, and the other ends of the extension terminals are extended to the bottom of the insulated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Ya-Fen Kao, Rui Su, Long-Fei Chen
  • Patent number: 9640926
    Abstract: An interface device that includes a plastic part including at least one through-opening in a longitudinal direction, the plastic part being adapted to be fixed in an airtight manner into an opening in the wall. At least one metal shaft is arranged and fixed in the through-opening. The metal shaft has a connection element at each longitudinal end. The metal shaft is configured to provide electric connectivity from one side of the wall to the other in a fixed position of the interface device. At least one fixing element is adapted to fix the plastic part to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Davide Faggella, Samson Lafranchis, Philippe Chapoulie
  • Patent number: 9640927
    Abstract: A jumper assembly includes a first pin with a first surface discontinuity, and a jumper shunt for providing an electrical connection between the first pin and a second pin. The jumper shunt includes a clip configured to catch on the first surface discontinuity to keep the jumper shunt in contact with the first pin. Another jumper assembly includes a first pin and a blocking portion on the first pin. A jumper shunt is configured to move along the first pin with the blocking portion limiting motion of the jumper shunt along the first pin beyond the blocking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Kay, Amy L. Pham, Christopher H. Aiello
  • Patent number: 9640928
    Abstract: A slip ring arrangement comprises a brush with a first contact material on the surface, which rests on a slideway with a second contact material on the surface. The slideway further comprises a layer with a third contact material beneath the second contact material. In this case, the abrasion of the brush is lower than that of the second contact material in the case of a sliding contact between the brush and the second contact material. In the case of a sliding contact between the brush and third contact material, the abrasion of the brush is higher than that of third contact material. As a result, the second contact material of the slideway is degraded first, which corresponds to the normal service life of a slideway. Subsequently, the brush is worn off relative to the third contact material, by means of which a further considerable extension in the service life is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 9640929
    Abstract: A brush holder for an electric motor includes a brush magazine forming a receiving space with a wall surface. A carbon brush having an end face and a side face is arranged in the receiving space. The brush holder also includes a spring, which is in contact with the end face and is configured to press the carbon brush in an extension direction of the receiving space. The brush holder also includes a pressing mechanism arranged on a pivot arm and configured to contact the side face and press the carbon brush by the force of the spring in a pressing direction against the wall surface. The pivot arm has a pivot shaft, to which an inner end of the spring is fastened. The pressing mechanism has a rolling surface configured to roll over the side face of the carbon brush when the carbon brush slides in the extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Willy Braun
  • Patent number: 9640930
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus configured for monitoring a carbon brush of a brush holder assembly of an electrical machine. The monitoring apparatus may include a flexible sensor and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal received from the flexible sensor. The flexible sensor may have an electrical resistance that varies based on a radius of curvature of the flexible sensor, wherein the radius of curvature of the flexible sensor may be associated with a deflection of a spring providing a force to engage the carbon brush with a rotating component of the electrical machine. The signal processing circuit may be coupled to the sensor and may be configured to determine a measure of a wear state of the carbon brush using information about the variable resistance of the flexible sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CUTSFORTH, INC.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 9640931
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a first case and a second case assembled to each other; a first cable that couples a first component provided in the first case and a second component provided in the second case; and a second cable that couples a pair of members provided in the first case, and provided with a bent section at an intermediate part of the second cable in a longitudinal direction thereof, the second cable supporting the first cable inside the bent section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hayashi, Tadanori Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 9640932
    Abstract: A tool for installation and removal of a connector of a gas-insulated switchgear termination includes a housing defining an operation chamber therein, a mounting assembly selectively disposed in the operation chamber of the housing and adapted for securely installing a sleeve member of a gas-insulated switchgear termination on a conical connector member of the gas-insulated switchgear termination or removing the sleeve member securely sleeved on the conical connector member from the conical connector member, an actuator assembly adapted for actuating motion of the mounting assembly, and a friction reducing assembly adapted for reducing friction and resistance occurring during the motion of the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Qi Su, Jinquan Yang, Meng Zhuang, Yong Ding
  • Patent number: 9640933
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wire with terminal includes: a) crimping a core wire crimping portion of a terminal onto an exposed core wire extending from an insulating sheathing member at an end portion of a wire; b) crimping a sheath crimping portion of the terminal onto the insulating sheathing member; and c) designating at least one of a first trough-shaped combination portion, which links a terminal connection portion of the terminal and the core wire crimping portion, and a second trough-shaped combination portion, which links the core wire crimping portion and the sheath crimping portion, as a target combination portion and deforming the upright tabs of the target combination portion into an arc shape bulging outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kawamura, Toshiyuki Ihara
  • Patent number: 9640934
    Abstract: An eye-of-needle (EON) compliant pin that includes a compliant segment including two opposing spring arms defining a substantially planar opening. The Eon compliant pin includes a twisted segment connected between a top portion of the compliant segment and a bottom portion of a length segment. The compliant segment, the length segment, and the twisted segment together form a substantially straight solid body. The twisted segment is twisted about a longitudinal axis of the substantially straight solid body such that the substantially planar opening of the compliant segment is rotated at an angle with respect to the length segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark K. Hoffmeyer
  • Patent number: 9640935
    Abstract: A radially polarized thin disk laser comprises a pumping source (10), a collimating lens (20), a focusing lens (30), a laser gain medium (50), a heat dissipating medium (55), a Brewster biaxial cone (60), and an output lens (70) which are arranged in sequence along the laser light path. The Brewster biaxial cone (60) comprises two opposite cones and a cylinder connecting the two cones. The angles between the conical surfaces (S5,S7) and bottom surfaces of the cones are the Brewster angle. The laser gain medium (50) is bonded to the heat dissipating medium (55). A laser sub-resonator is formed between the laser gain medium (50) and the output lens (70). After passing through the collimating lens (20) and the focusing lens (30), the pumping laser beam emitted from the pumping source (10) is focused on the laser gain medium (50), then the generated photons resonate in the laser sub-resonator and finally a radially polarized laser beam is outputted from the output lens (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: HAN'S LASER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP CO., LTD., HAN'S CNC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Xiao, Chengwan Gong, Jiantao Zhao, Jinbin Yang, Yanhua Ning, Yunfeng Gao
  • Patent number: 9640936
    Abstract: Rare earth oxides doped multicomponent glass fibers for laser generation and amplification, including a core and a cladding, the core comprising at least 2 weight percent glass network modifier selected from BaO, CaO, MgO, ZnO, PbO, K2O, Na2O, Li2O, Y2O3, or combinations; wherein the mode of the core is guided with step index difference between the core and the cladding, a numerical aperture of the fiber is between 0.01 and 0.04; core diameter is from 60 to 150 micron, and a length of the gain fiber is shorter than 60 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: AdValue Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shibin Jiang, Tao Luo, Qing Wang, Lei Pan
  • Patent number: 9640937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser assembly with a converter designed as a fiber laser for generating a converted output laser beam, and having a pumping source that supplies a pump beam to the converter and includes a plurality of laser diodes that generate the pump beam and are formed by emitters mounted on laser bars, the pumping source including beam forming optics for forming the laser beams supplied by the emitters into the pump beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Volker Krause, Georg Rehmann, Charley Bachert
  • Patent number: 9640938
    Abstract: An optical amplifier (1), and a related optical amplification method, comprising an optical path (2) having an input end (3) and an output end (4), a first erbium doped optical fiber (5) placed along the optical path, a first gain flatting filter (6) placed along the optical path downstream the first erbium doped optical fiber, a second erbium doped optical fiber (7) placed along the optical path downstream the first gain flatting filter, a second gain flatting filter (8) placed along the optical path downstream the second erbium doped optical fiber, a third erbium doped optical fiber (9) placed along the optical path downstream the second gain flatting filter, and an optical pump (10) optically coupled to the optical path so as to optically pump at least the first and the third erbium doped optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PADTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Fausto Meli, Aldo Righetti, Giorgio Grasso
  • Patent number: 9640939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a short pulse laser (1) having a seed laser oscillator (2), a controllable pulse picker (4) for coupling out a laser pulse or a sequence of laser pulses, and an amplifier unit (5, 6) being mounted downstream of the pulse picker (5) and having at least one first amplifier stage (5) and a controllable first pump laser (8). The short pulse laser further includes a control unit (10) which is designed to control the pulse picker (4) and/or the first pump laser (8) such that the post-amplified laser pulses reach a predetermined power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Photon Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schüsslbauer, Hans Amler, Josef Thumbs
  • Patent number: 9640940
    Abstract: A pulsed laser comprises an oscillator and amplifier. An attenuator and/or pre-compressor may be disposed between the oscillator and amplifier to improve performance and possibly the quality of pulses output from the laser. Such pre-compression may be implemented with spectral filters and/or dispersive elements between the oscillator and amplifier. The pulsed laser may have a modular design comprising modular devices that may have Telcordia-graded quality and reliability. Fiber pigtails extending from the device modules can be spliced together to form laser system. In one embodiment, a laser system operating at approximately 1050 nm comprises an oscillator having a spectral bandwidth of approximately 19 nm. This oscillator signal can be manipulated to generate a pulse having a width below approximately 90 fs. A modelocked linear fiber laser cavity with enhanced pulse-width control includes concatenated sections of both polarization-maintaining and non-polarization-maintaining fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinhua Gu, Mark Bendett, Gyu Cheon Cho, Martin E. Fermann
  • Patent number: 9640941
    Abstract: A distributed Raman amplifier system is disclosed. Distributed Raman amplifier systems can include a spool of fiber disposed between a distributed Raman amplifier and local or proximate optical point-loss sources, a carrier hotel for example. The spool of fiber has a fiber of sufficient length to offset aggregated losses, which prevents the distributed Raman amplifier from shutting down while also allowing the distributed Raman amplifier to achieve entitled gain by pumping the fiber in the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mox Networks, LLC
    Inventor: David Hochhalter
  • Patent number: 9640942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching optical pump signals into a disordered gain medium at two points thereby producing a narrow line-width random fiber laser within the disordered gain medium. The optical pump signals are propagated in a direction through the disordered gain medium towards one another. The apparatus may comprise an optical gain fiber having a first end configured to receive a first fiber pump signal and a second end configured to receive a second fiber pump signal such that the first fiber pump signal and the second fiber pump signal propagate within the optical gain fiber in a direction towards one another. An optical loss device is coupled to the optical gain fiber, wherein the optical loss device isolates a narrow line-width random fiber laser signal from a signal generated within the optical gain fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Zhonghua Ou, Xiaoyi Bao, Yang Li, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 9640943
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for an external cavity FP laser. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a FP laser diode; a Faraday rotator (FR) coupled to receive an optical output of the FP laser diode and that rotates a polarization of the optical output; an optical fiber coupled at a first end to receive the output of the FR; a WDM filter coupled to a second end of the optical fiber to receive the optical signal from the optical fiber; and a FRM coupled directly or indirectly to an output of the WDM filter, wherein an optical output of the WDM filter is partially reflected by the FRM such that the polarization of a reflected beam is rotated, and wherein the reflected optical signal then passes through the FR with its polarization being rotated by the FR before it is injected back into the FP laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Oplink Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Zuon-Min Chuang, Rang-Chen Yu, Domenico Di Mola, Sung-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 9640944
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical semiconductor element includes: a first step in which a columnar structure of a semiconductor layer formed on a semi-insulating substrate is formed; a second step in which the substrate is exposed in a periphery of the columnar structure; a third step in which a region including exposed surfaces of the first contact layer and the substrate is pretreated; a fourth step in which a first electrode is formed on the exposed surface of the first contact layer; a fifth step in which an interlayer insulating film is formed in a region including a side surface of the columnar structure and the exposed surfaces; a sixth step in which a first electrode wiring is formed on the interlayer insulating film; and a seventh step in which a second electrode wiring is formed on the interlayer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Jogan, Jun Sakurai, Akemi Murakami, Takashi Kondo, Kazutaka Takeda, Junichiro Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9640945
    Abstract: Method in which, in order to actuate a wavelength-tunable laser diode in a spectrometer, a power-time function is predetermined instead of a current-time function, wherein the laser diode is tuned periodically over a wavelength range in accordance with the power-time function. For this purpose, a current profile (i) with which the laser diode is actuated is determined from the power-time function and measured values of the voltage (u) present at the laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Steinbacher
  • Patent number: 9640946
    Abstract: An improved laser safety shutter is provided for the main supply power to the laser diode to be routed through an electronic shutter that prevents the passing of the supply power to the laser diodes to achieve laser shutdown or in the event of a control power failure. The main power is routed through a rectifier to convert the incoming alternating current (AC) feed to direct current (DC) power. A switching array operates in an alternating cycle so as to provide AC power to be transformed and passed along to the laser diode pump on the load side of the transformer. When shut down of the laser is desired or when power to the controller fails, the switches stop operating and the resultant DC power cannot be passed by the transformer effectively cutting the supply power to the laser diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMA ELECTRO NORTH AMERICA
    Inventors: Francesco Sgandurra, Luca DiStefano
  • Patent number: 9640947
    Abstract: A III-Nitride based Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), wherein a cavity length of the VCSEL is controlled by etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Casey O. Holder, Daniel F. Feezell, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9640948
    Abstract: One embodiment is a wide stripe semiconductor waveguide, which is cleaved at a Talbot length thereof, the wide stripe semiconductor waveguide having facets with mirror coatings. A system provides for selective pumping the wide stripe semiconductor waveguide to create and support a Talbot mode. In embodiments according to the present method and apparatus the gain is patterned so that a single unique pattern actually has the highest gain and hence it is the distribution that oscillates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Rice, Elizabeth T. Kunkee
  • Patent number: 9640949
    Abstract: Gallium and nitrogen containing optical devices operable as laser diodes are disclosed. The devices include a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate member, which may be semipolar or non-polar. The devices include a chip formed from the gallium and nitrogen substrate member. The chip has a width and a length. The devices have a cavity oriented substantially parallel to the length of the chip, a dimension of less than 120 microns characterizing the width of the chip, and a pair of etched facets configured on the cavity of the chip. The pair of etched facets includes a first facet configured at a first end of the cavity and a second facet configured at a second end of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 9640950
    Abstract: An optical amplifying unit that enhances the flexibility of the installation within the system is disclosed. The optical amplifying unit includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a housing that encloses the SOA. The housing provides a front wall with a front window that passes an optical axis coming from the SOA. The optical amplifying unit further provides a front coupling unit directly fixed to the front wall without interposing any optical fibers. The optical coupling unit has the optical receptacle function to pluggably receive an external optical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryota Teranishi
  • Patent number: 9640951
    Abstract: A triggering circuit of an overvoltage protection device with an asymmetric element, specified for actuating a spark gap in symmetric or asymmetric arrangement of main electrode I, connected to input terminal I, of main electrode II, connected to input terminal II, and the auxiliary electrode, includes main electrode I of the spark gap, which is connected via a thermo-sensitive disconnector, and also via a parallel combination of varistor II and capacitor I to electrode I of the asymmetric three-pole lightning arrester, whose middle electrode is connected via the primary winding of the transformer to main electrode II of the spark gap, whose auxiliary electrode is connected via varistor I to electrode II of the asymmetric three-pole lightning arrester, which is connected via the secondary winding of the transformer to main electrode II of the spark gap, and at the same time, the thermo-sensitive disconnector is coupled via the thermal coupling with varistor II and, at the same time, the voltage at the asymmet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SALTEK S.R.O.
    Inventor: Jaromir Suchy
  • Patent number: 9640952
    Abstract: A spark plug having a capacitor formed therein and a semi-surface gap, wherein the capacitor permits a high-impulse discharge to occur across the semi-surface gap and the pronounced effects of the Lorentz force, due to the high voltage and high current discharge, cause the spark to project axially away from the end of the spark plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ENERPULSE, INC.
    Inventor: Louis S. Camilli
  • Patent number: 9640953
    Abstract: A motor operator assembly is described, which is releasably secured and selectively coupled to a switchgear unit. The motor operator assembly includes a support plate, and a latch mechanism secured to the support plate that has a latch member configured to releasably secure the support plate to the switchgear unit. A guide tube is secured to the support plate and includes a cylinder assembly having a motor mount and an indexing mechanism for selectively positioning the cylinder assembly between a stowed position and a use position. A motor operator is attached to the motor mount and has a socket configured to engage an input drive shaft on the switchgear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: S&C ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Albert Beyginian, Michael Chisholm, Terry Kerr
  • Patent number: 9640954
    Abstract: A swivel-arm with a gripper in a wire-processing machine transfers a processed wire to a collection tray. The collection tray and an unloading tray have a channel-like shape. The swivel-arm swivels the processed, trailing wire-end over the collection tray, whereby the wire, with the aid of the conveyor belt that runs in the direction of the arrow, falls into the collection tray. The collection tray serves as temporary store and collects a specified number of completed processed wires that corresponds to a production lot, and transfers the production lot to the unloading tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 9640955
    Abstract: Provided are a wire harness and a connector (40) allowing a routing path for an electrical wire (100) to be set without increasing the number of components and without requiring a complicated operation. A plurality of connectors (40) are aligned in a direction intersecting a front-rear direction. Each connector (40) is provided with a housing (41) capable of being fitted into a counterpart housing (71). The front face of the housing (41) is oriented in the direction facing the counterpart housing (71) at fitting both the housings (41, 71). The housing (41) is provided with a plurality of through portions (52A, 52B) passing through the housing (41) in the direction intersecting the front-rear direction. Each of the plurality of through portions (52A, 52B) has a space capable of routing an electrical wire (100) extended out from each connector (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keishi Kitamura, Yoshihiro Mizutani, Yasuto Takeda, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Hiroyoshi Maesoba, Kosuke Sone, Teruo Kato, Kazuhisa Nimura
  • Patent number: 9640956
    Abstract: An electric wire protective member includes a cylindrical electric wire protection tube, an interior of which being an electric wire insertion space, a protection tube end opening provided in the electric wire protection tube and from which electric wires inserted through the electric wire insertion space are led out, and an electric wire fastening member having an electric wire fastening plate on which the electric wires led out through the protection tube end opening are placed. The electric wire fastening plate is molded integrally with a ring-shaped covering portion covering the electric wire protection tube near the protection tube end opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tsukamoto, Masaaki Endo
  • Patent number: 9640957
    Abstract: The wire harness exterior member is a tube-shaped wire harness exterior member which houses and protects at least one conductive path. The wire harness exterior member is formed by connecting metal pipes made of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Inao, Hideomi Adachi, Takeshi Ogue, Tatsuya Oga, Hiroyuki Yoshida, Masaaki Suguro, Yoshiaki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9640958
    Abstract: A duct for distributing one or more telecommunication lines comprises an elongated body having a length and a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion contains one or more telecommunication lines. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise adjacent the main body to mount the duct to a mounting surface, such as a wall. The duct also includes an adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the flange, the adhesive layer comprising a removable adhesive to permit removal of the duct from the mounting surface after mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, James L. Bries, Donald K. Larson, Victor J. Borer
  • Patent number: 9640959
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique platform. Another embodiment is a unique engine system. Another embodiment is a unique wiring harness system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for one or more of various types of platforms, such as aircraft, ground vehicles, water-borne vessels and stationary platforms; engine systems; and wiring harness systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Pickard, Philip Martin Green, Kimberly Nicole Merrill
  • Patent number: 9640960
    Abstract: A customizable bus system includes a system module containing one or more accessory modules and is easily mounted along a surface in a workspace, such as the underside of a cabinet. The accessory modules provide conveniently located utility services and applications such as power, lighting or media connections, and may be interchanged within the bus system to provide particular services and applications where they are needed most. Additionally, the bus system may include a control center for controlling the operation of one or more of the accessory modules, such as manually or automatically. The bus system may also include multiple housings that are functionally linked, such as by a connector module having couplings for mechanically linking with housings and providing electrical or other connectivity between the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventors: Mark Makwinski, Phillip Donald Prestigomo, Richard R. Picard
  • Patent number: 9640961
    Abstract: A cable management assembly adapted for first and second slide rail assemblies includes first and second cable management brackets which are connected together, a supporting base, and a supporting member pivotally connected to the supporting base. The first slide rail assembly includes first and second rails. The cable management brackets are connectable to the rails respectively. The supporting base is connectable to the second slide rail assembly. The supporting member has a portion located between the cable management brackets. When the second rail is longitudinally displaced relative to the first rail from a retracted position toward an extended position, the first cable management bracket drives the portion of the supporting member and thereby rotates the supporting member relative to the supporting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Chien-Li Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9640962
    Abstract: A power control system is provided that includes a receptacle and a module. The receptacle is hard-wired to a power distribution system, such as conventional 120 VAC. The module can be removable inserted into the receptacle and can provide desired functionality, such as power deliver, wireless communication and actuation. By providing a receptacle that accepts multiple modules that each can have different functionality and by allowing a user to readily remove replace modules in the receptacle, a useful and flexible control system can be set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Alberto Hernandez Ramirez, Danil Milchtein Peltsverger, Edmundo Delmotte, Ramses Rubio, Jesus Contreras
  • Patent number: 9640963
    Abstract: A terminal-provided wire (1) includes an insulated wire (10) with an insulation coating (12) made of polyolefin-based resin, an adhesive layer (30) formed on a surface of the insulation coating (12) over the entire circumference and a waterproof resin portion (40) formed by insert molding. The waterproof resin portion (40) covers an area from a part of the insulated wire (10) where the adhesive layer (30) is formed to a connected part (21) of a metal terminal (20) to a core (11). The adhesive layer 30) is made of modified olefin-based resin, which is olefin-based resin modified with a polar group. The waterproof resin portion (40) is made of aromatic nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Suetani, Tetsuya Nakamura, Katsufumi Matsui, Kazuo Nakashima, Kouji Fukumoto, Daisuke Hashimoto, Toshiya Hirooka, Kentaro Tachi
  • Patent number: 9640964
    Abstract: A duplex electrical connector constructed of two body portions with internal bores. The body portions easily assemble and disassemble in a sliding manner, the direction of the assembly and disassembly being substantially at right angles to the axes of the internal bores. A front connector body includes a leading end and a trailing end with a lip, a trailing flange, and a bottom periphery. A tab with an aperture therein extends from the top lip. A rear connector body includes a leading end with a front extension, a boss, a trailing end, and two internal bores extending from the trailing end to the leading end. Sliding assembly of the connector bodies enables minimizing the size of the connector bodies for reducing unit production costs while enabling easy disassembly of the two connector body portions for inspection of internal cable connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Daniel O'Neil
  • Patent number: 9640965
    Abstract: A cable gland assembly for attaching a shielded cable to an electronic enclosure includes a cable gland housing enclosing and in electrical contact with exposed cable shielding of the shielded cable and providing an electrically conductive pathway between the cable shielding and the electronic enclosure. The cable gland housing further encloses a shield pressure ring disposed to hold the exposed cable shielding in contact with the cable gland housing, a weather gasket, and an exposed portion of a cable strength member. The cable gland assembly includes environmental molding disposed within the cable gland housing to bond to and fix in place the exposed cable shielding, shield pressure ring, weather gasket, and exposed cable strength member. An outer molding is disposed around the cable gland housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Protonex Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Long, Paul W. Kimball, John R. Plourde, Dat Van Nguyen, Joshua E. Persky, Nicholas J. Piela
  • Patent number: 9640966
    Abstract: A duplex cable connector assembly including a connector body with an insert and spring clip including a first free end for engaging a side wall of an electrical box upon installation. The insert provides both a sleeve insulator at an end of the connector assembly and a cable divider portion to guide and separate cables. During insertion of the connector body the first free end is deformed so as to permit further insertion into the electrical box. Once the connector body is fully inserted, the spring clip cooperates with a lug on the connector body to hold the connector assembly onto the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9640967
    Abstract: A headset can include a cable structure connecting non-cable components such as jacks and headphones. The cable structure can be constructed using a molding process. Different approaches can be used to ensure that a conductor bundle extending through the cable structure remains centered within the cable structure during the molding process. A movable tube can be placed in the mold such that the conductor bundle is retained within the tube. As material is injected into the mold and reaches the tube, the tube can be displaced and progressively removed from the mold. Alternatively, the movable tube can be constructed such that the tube may combine with injected material to form a shell of the cable structure. Gates from which material is provided in the mold can be positioned and controlled to facilitate the injection of material in the mold while maintaining the centered position of the conductor bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Aase, Cameron P. Frazier, John E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9640968
    Abstract: An arc fault detection circuit for an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). The arc fault detection circuit includes an arc detecting circuit for detecting an arc fault in one or more power supply lines and outputting a detected signal, an arc filtering circuit electrically coupled to an output terminal of the arc detecting circuit for removing signal parts unrelated to the arc fault from the detected signal and outputting a filtered half-cycle signal, and an arc processing circuit electrically coupled to an output terminal of the arc filtering circuit for generating, based on the filtered half-cycle signal received, a processed half-cycle signal characterizing the arc fault. The arc fault detection circuit also includes simulated arc testing circuit that has a user-touchable test switch, and an arc oscillator to generate a simulated arc fault signal for testing the arc fault detection circuit or its respective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Chengli Li