Christopher David Collins

US Patent:

52463885, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Jun 30, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/906813

Inventors:

Christopher J. Collins - Fremont CA
James M. English - Annville PA
John C. Farrar - Harrisburg PA

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

H01R 1366

US Classification:

439620

Abstract:

A device (24) for protecting against electrical over stress (EOS) of electrical components includes first contacts (50, 56) that interconnect to signal contacts (18) of a connector (12) and second contacts (68) that connect to the ground circuit (20) of a connector with a rigid plastic housing (26) holding the device contacts so that ends (55, 65) have a precise spacing gap (71), the gap being filled with a material matrix (72) of insulating and conductive materials having characteristics in conjunction with the gap to define transit voltage suppression by grounding the signal contacts of a connector. The device is made bendable to fit onto connectors and conform to the connector geometry.

US Patent:

52627543, Nov 16, 1993

Filed:

Sep 23, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/949709

Inventors:

Christopher J. Collins - Alameda CA

Assignee:

Electromer Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01C 710

US Classification:

338 21

Abstract:

An overvoltage protection element which comprises a sheet of insulating material of predetermined thickness having openings extending therethrough and non-linear material filling said holes.

US Patent:

54834074, Jan 9, 1996

Filed:

Oct 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/317988

Inventors:

Paul J. Anastasio - Camp Hill PA
James M. English - Annville PA
John C. Farrar - Harrisburg PA
Ram P. Goel - Camp Hill PA
Bernard J. Janoss - Harrisburg PA
Christopher J. Collins - Fremont CA
Richard K. Childers - Redwood City CA
John H. Bunch - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H02H 322
H02H 900

US Classification:

361 56

Abstract:

An electrical overstress protection apparatus and method includes the provision of an overstress element (22) comprised of a lamination including a conducting ground path (26) and a dielectric sheet (30) engaging discrete signal paths (16) connected to contacts (44), the sheet (30) containing holes (32) or pores or thread or fiber interstices filled with an electrical overstress protection material (36) with the sheet thickness and hole area in conjunction with area of signal and ground paths and characteristics of the material adapted to provide breakdown and clamping voltages via a path to ground from signal contacts to ground to protect components from excessive voltage levels. Electrical connectors (40,40', 40") incorporate the apparatus in different embodiments of housing (42,42') and contact (44) configurations.