Michael J Strong

US Patent:

58506853, Dec 22, 1998

Filed:

Jul 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901976

Inventors:

Donald William Wright - Felton PA
Michael Anthony Yeomans - Camp Hill PA
Michael David Strong - Mechanicsburg PA

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 4304
H01R 43048

US Classification:

29751

Abstract:

A machine (10) for receiving and operating a terminal applicator (12) in the attaching of an electrical terminal (14) to a conductor includes a magnetic power unit (28) having a fixed electromagnet (30) attached to the frame (20) and a movable electromagnet (32) coupled to the terminal applicator (12). The machine includes a cycling mechanism (86) for manually moving the movable electromagnet (32) through the power and return strokes of the terminal applicator (12). The cycling mechanism (86) includes a lead screw (88) having a nut (102) in threaded engagement therewith that moves vertically when the lead screw is rotated. A latch (110) attached to the nut (102) pivots into an opening (112) in the periphery (114) of the movable electromagnet (32) when the lead screw is rotated in one direction (130). As the lead screw (88) is rotated further the latch (110) carries the movable electromagnet (32) downwardly through its power stroke. When the lead screw (88) is rotated in the opposite direction the latch (110) carries the movable electromagnet (32) upwardly through its return stroke.

US Patent:

58132740, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Sep 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/717373

Inventors:

Michael David Strong - Mechanicsburg PA
Michael Anthony Yeomans - Camp Hill PA

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B21J 1524

US Classification:

72430

Abstract:

A magnetic press (10) for performing a manufacturing operation includes tooling (60) operatively connected to reciprocating parts comprising rods (22), and a magnet (41) connected to the rods (22) through a stationary plate (31). A control circuit (200) electrically operates a reciprocating magnet (41) and a stationary magnet (51) for inducing flux fields of attraction in the magnets (41,51), and for reversing the polarity of the flux fields to eliminate residual magnetism and for cushioning the landing of magnet (41) on a return stroke. FIGS. 2 and 4.

US Patent:

49676547, Nov 6, 1990

Filed:

Jul 10, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/377663

Inventors:

Michael D. Strong - Enola PA
Charles E. Zimmermann - Birdsboro PA

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

B41J 700

US Classification:

101 18

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for setting a plurality of print wheels, in an automated cable making machine for imprinting a desired set of characters onto a connector housing. The method includes a unique way of homing each of the print wheels to a known position prior to setting the print wheels to their desired print positions. This is a done by rotating each print wheel until a rod, which is constrained to move only along its longitudinal axis, can be inserted into an opening in the print wheel. This prevents further rotation of the print wheel thereby indicating that the wheel is in its home position.

US Patent:

54499909, Sep 12, 1995

Filed:

Apr 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/052882

Inventors:

Joseph M. Bowling - Boiling Springs PA
Michael D. Strong - Mechanicsburg PA

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B66B 1314

US Classification:

318607

Abstract:

A single cycle positioning system utilizing a three phase wye connected induction motor (10) includes a three phase inverter (28) and a microprocessor (20) for controlling the inverter to generate three phases of power. Pulse width modulation techniques are utilized and in response to a start signal the frequency of the power to the motor is increased up to a running frequency, and in response to a stop signal the frequency of the power applied to the motor is decreased along with a corresponding reduction of the voltage applied to the motor.

US Patent:

47346515, Mar 29, 1988

Filed:

Jun 30, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/880268

Inventors:

Joseph R. Keller - Harrisburg PA
Michael D. Strong - Annville PA

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

G01R 3104

US Classification:

324538

Abstract:

Electrical continuity between the terminals of a multi-contact electrical connector and the cores of insulated leads that have been connected thereto, is tested for by engaging a respective electrical test probe with each of the terminals and using a multiplexer to connect each test probe in turn to a continuity testing circuit, under the control of a computer. Following the continuity test, a bank of analog switches also controlled by the computer is used to apply short circuit test electrical potential to energize selected terminals, and the presence of the test potential on adjacent unenergized terminals is tested for by the computer, to detect short circuiting between the terminals.

US Patent:

51971860, Mar 30, 1993

Filed:

May 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/529036

Inventors:

Michael D. Strong - Mechanicsburg PA
Michael A. Yeomans - Camp Hill PA

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

H01R 4304

US Classification:

29863

Abstract:

The present invention is a method of determining the quality of a crimped electrical connection by collecting force and displacement data during the crimping cycle and comparing that data with data that represents standard crimped connections of known high quality. Of the collected data, selected portions are related to corresponding portions of the standard data and, if a deviation exists of more than a specific amount, a reject signal is generated and displayed to the machine operator. The standard data is continually updated to account for slowly changing environmental conditions that occur over a relatively long period of operation.

US Patent:

59748532, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Jul 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/120924

Inventors:

Michael David Strong - Mechanicsburg PA
Michael Anthony Yeomans - Camp Hill PA

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B21J 730
H01R 4300

US Classification:

72430

Abstract:

A magnetic press (10) for performing a manufacturing operation includes tooling (60) operatively connected to reciprocating parts comprising rods (22), and a magnet (41) connected to the rods (22) through a stationary plate (31). A control circuit (200) electrically operates a reciprocating magnet (41) and a stationary magnet (51) for inducing flux fields of attraction in the magnets (41,51), and for reversing the polarity of the flux fields to eliminate residual magnetism and for cushioning the landing of magnet (41) on a return stroke.

US Patent:

51231654, Jun 23, 1992

Filed:

Mar 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/674278

Inventors:

Michael D. Strong - Mechanicsburg PA
Michael A. Yeomans - Camp Hill PA

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

H01R 4304

US Classification:

29861

Abstract:

The present invention is a method of determining the crimp height of an electrical terminal being crimped to a wire during the production crimping cycle. The method includes collecting a plurality of force and position data element pairs which are measured and sampled during the actual crimping operation. These data element pairs, representing the work curve of the operation and are analyzed to find the position of the ram when the crimping die set just disengages the terminal being crimped. The position of the ram at this point is then translated into the crimp height of the crimped connection. The analysis of the data element pairs includes a filter to remove inconsistent or extraneous data element pairs which could adversely affect the result by indicating an erroneous crimp height.