US6478625B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical-optical hybrid connector
Assignee: TOLMIE Inc
•
Filing: 2001-07-05
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Granted: 2002-11-12
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Expires: 2021-07-05
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates generally to an extruded metal rectangular electrical connector housing making a novel electrical connector module configuration having a plurality of contacts. The rectangular connector has a plurality of contacts, with each contact being enclosed in a metal shield along the contact length. The assembly has a rectangular metallic housing that contains a plurality of contact channels through which the contacts are inserted. The contacts are insulated by a coating positioned on the inside of the housing. The contacts are connected to an intermediate printed circuit board. The housing assemblies are stackable because of their shape. The invention also includes a hybrid electrical-optical connector that employs VCSEL technology, so that both electrical and optical connections can be accommodated in the same connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard R. Tolmie
- 👤 Robert H. Wittemeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/18; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6591; H01R13/6594; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/594; H01R12/598; H01R12/70; H01R12/77; H01R12/778; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A hybrid electrical-optical connector apparatus, comprising: a metallic extruded housing having a plurality of channels formed therein during extrusion and having an insulating coating formed on the inside of the channels; an intermediate printed circuit board having an upper planar surface with a plurality of solder tails formed thereon, and a corresponding plurality of electrical contact pins connected to respective solder tails and spaced apart so as to be capable of mating with said plurality of channels; one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted to the upper planar surface so as to be in electrical communication with corresponding solder tails; one or more optical fibers connected to the intermediate printed circuit board and arranged so that each optical fiber cable is in optical communication with a corresponding one of the one or more VCSELs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A hybrid electrical-optical connector apparatus, comprising: a metallic extruded housing having a plurality of channels formed therein during extrusion and having an insulating coating formed on the inside of the channels; an intermediate printed circuit board having an upper planar surface with a plurality of solder tails formed thereon, and a corresponding plurality of electrical contact pins connected to respective solder tails and spaced apart so as to be capable of mating with said plurality of channels; one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted to the upper planar surface so as to be in electrical communication with corresponding solder tails; one or more optical fibers connected to the intermediate printed circuit board and arranged so that each optical fiber cable is in optical communication with a corresponding one of the one or more VCSELs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further including one or more electrical wires connected to respective available solder tails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more VCSELs are arranged to receive an electrical signal and convert the electrical signal to an optical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more VCSELs are arranged to receive an optical signal and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each VCSEL receives a positive voltage provided through at least one of the contact pins and the conductive housing, and is grounded through a connection tension points and the conductive housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for connecting two remote circuits, comprising the hybrid electrical-optical connector of claim 1 ; a first remote circuit electrically connected to the hybrid electrical-optical connector; a second remote circuit electrically and optically connected to the hybrid electrical-optical connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second remote circuits are at least one of a back plane, a mother boards, and a distribution panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of connecting remote circuits, comprising: proving the hybrid electrical-optical assembly of claim 1 ; electrically connecting a first remote circuit to one or more of the contact pins of the hybrid electrical-optical assembly; and optically connecting a second remote circuit to one or more of the one or more VCSELs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of electrically connecting the first remote circuit includes transmitting a high-speed digital electrical signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein electrically connecting the first remote circuit involves providing an electrical wire between the first remote circuit and to the one or more contact pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10 , wherein the electrical wire is part of an electrical cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of optically connecting involves providing an optical fiber optically coupled to the second remote circuit and to the one or more VCSELs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein the optical fiber is part of an optical fiber cable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
149 words
A hybrid electrical-optical connector apparatus, comprising: a metallic extruded housing having a plurality of channels formed therein during extrusion, with each channel having a shared wall with another of the channels, and having an insulating coating formed on the inside of the channels; an intermediate printed circuit board having an upper planar surface with a plurality of solder tails formed thereon, and a corresponding plurality of electrical contact pins connected to respective solder tails and spaced apart so as to be capable of mating with said plurality of channels; one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted to the upper planar surface so as to be in electrical communication with corresponding solder tails; one or more optical fibers connected to the intermediate printed circuit board and arranged so that each optical fiber cable is in optical communication with a corresponding one of the one or more VCSELs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
149 words
A hybrid electrical-optical connector apparatus, comprising: a metallic extruded housing having a plurality of channels formed therein during extrusion, with each channel having a shared wall with another of the channels, and having an insulating coating formed on the inside of the channels; an intermediate printed circuit board having an upper planar surface with a plurality of solder tails formed thereon, and a corresponding plurality of electrical contact pins connected to respective solder tails and spaced apart so as to be capable of mating with said plurality of channels; one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted to the upper planar surface so as to be in electrical communication with corresponding solder tails; one or more optical fibers connected to the intermediate printed circuit board and arranged so that each optical fiber cable is in optical communication with a corresponding one of the one or more VCSELs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-11 | 2006-05-13 | 2006-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-11 | 2010-05-13 | 2010-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-05-13 | 2014-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |