Amp LLC

The Whitaker Corporation

Christopher J Collins

James M English

John C Farrar

Richard K Childers

John H Bunch

Paul J Anastasio

Ram P Goel

Bernard J Janoss

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.

Electrical overstress protection apparatus and method

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.

Electrical over stress device and connector

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Christopher J Collins