Robert S Gutman

US Patent:

6672911, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/079206

Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI

Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN

International Classification:

H01R 13187

US Classification:

439845, 439587, 439271

Abstract:

A terminal socket assembly for electrically connecting a male input blade with an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage exhibiting a three dimensional rectangular and arcuate cross sectional shape having a plurality of angled and torsioned beams. A sleeve exhibits a similar rectangular configuration and receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting and interference fitting fashion and so that the assembled sleeve and spring cage is capable of biasingly receiving and engaging the male blade. Gripping portions are integrally secured to the rectangular sleeve and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the cable to the blade. A sealed connector housing encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and encloses the assembled spring cage and sleeve. Other elements of the housing including a seating terminal position assurance element, seals and retainer elements engageable with opposite open ends of the housing.

US Patent:

6699067, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/319994

Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI
Robert S. Migrin - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN

International Classification:

H01R 2700

US Classification:

439516

Abstract:

A bussed electrical center for providing customizable current flow to electrical output components. An upper insulating layer has a first and second faces and exhibits a plurality of apertures through which are engaged male terminals pins, these further in operative communication with the electrical output components. A lower insulating layer has first and second faces exhibiting an apertured pattern according to a first specified configuration. A conductive grid overlays the first face of the lower insulating layer, an apertured pattern being defined in the grid according to a second specified configuration and further defined by interconnecting web portions, exposed by the apertured pattern in the lower insulating layer. Upon assembly of the insulating layers, with the grid stacked together, exposed web portions of the grid capable of being sectioned through the apertured pattern in the lower insulating layer and to establish a selected current flow direction across the grid.

US Patent:

6908348, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Nov 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/722995

Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Allen Park MI, US
Robert F. Gutman - Allen Park MI, US

Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN

International Classification:

H01R013/187

US Classification:

439845, 439181

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to male to female contact terminals, particularly those in use with associated wire harnesses or cables involved in higher voltage and current carrying vehicle applications. More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved female terminal design for interengaging with a projecting blade of a male terminal and which in particular provides the combined features of improved contact area and controlled blade insertion. Additional features of the present design include the female terminal exhibiting one or more initial (sacrificial) contact points at the blade insertion end and which functions, with or without the application of a magnetic field inducing Lorentz force, to provide a controlled location at which voltage induced arcing will occur along the female terminal and without compromising the electrical interface created between the male terminal blade and the female terminal beams.

US Patent:

7367847, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Aug 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/461541

Inventors:

Robert Felix Gutman - Fraser MI, US
Weiping Zhao - Superior Township MI, US
Robert J. Young - Flat Rock MI, US

Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Ltd - Franklin TN

International Classification:

H01R 9/03

US Classification:

439656, 439725, 429158

Abstract:

The present invention provides a battery module system including a plurality of battery modules in a series electrical connection through a specified sequence, each battery module having a male connector and a female connector, the female connector of each battery module in electrical engagement into the male connector of an adjacent battery module, wherein the male connector and female connector are positioned along the sidewall of each battery module and have insulating structures that protect handlers of the battery modules from high voltage electrocution. The present invention also provides a battery module system in which the male and female connectors are attached to a top surface of each battery module.

US Patent:

D640191, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

29/305028

Inventors:

Nathan Like - Westland MI, US
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI, US

Assignee:

Flextronics International Kft. - Tab

International Classification:

1302

US Classification:

D13104

US Patent:

8134343, Mar 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/050615

Inventors:

Nathan Like - Westland MI, US
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI, US
Christopher Coulter - Northville MI, US
Michael T. York - Whitmore Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Flextronics International KFT - Tab

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320166

Abstract:

An energy storage device for storing energy for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a DC-DC converter, a plurality of capacitors connected electrically to the DC-DC converter, and a housing for containing the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The DC-DC converter converts a voltage provided by the motor vehicle's battery to a second voltage stored by the capacitors. During an engine start cycle, energy discharges from the capacitors to the starter motor of the engine, wherein the stored voltage of the capacitors provides energy to start the engine. The capacitors are recharged by the vehicle's battery. A thermally insulated barrier separates the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The housing may be sized and shaped substantially as that of a standard motor vehicle battery, enabling the energy storage device to be installed within the motor vehicle as a substitute for one or more of the vehicle's batteries.

US Patent:

20040048142, Mar 11, 2004

Filed:

Jun 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/161970

Inventors:

Brian Marusak - Dearborn MI, US
Robert Gutman - Fraser MI, US
Robert Migrin - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

H01M002/20
H01M002/00

US Classification:

429/061000, 429/123000, 429/121000

Abstract:

A power management and distribution assembly for use with a battery. A housing is secured to a face of the battery and includes a first terminal engaging the negative battery terminal, and a second terminal engaging the positive battery terminal. An energy management subassembly is in operative commnication with the negative terminal; a cut-off switch subassembly likewise being in operative communication with the positive terminal. Electrical components, such as fuses, relays and controllers, are arranged upon a circuit board mounted within the housing in electrical communication with both the energy management and cut-off switch subassemblies. A cover secures over an exposed face of the housing and an access door is defined in the cover and is openable to reveal the electrical components. Power feed output connectors and wire harness output connectors are associated with the energy management subassembly and are accessible from locations exterior the housing.

US Patent:

46788727, Jul 7, 1987

Filed:

Sep 10, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/905604

Inventors:

Robert F. Gutman - Detroit MI

Assignee:

United Techologies Automotive, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 5R

Abstract:

A button set and switch particularly useful for an automotive power seat switch are disclosed. The button set is a single one-piece, molded set of buttons each connecting by living hinge to a frame such that each button may be displaced independently but are physically arranged to simulate a preselected design. A printed circuit board may be mounted to the button set and may include a series a clicket switches appropriately positioned to be engaged by each botton for providing appropriate signals to obtain the desired output controlled by the switch.