# US 9,882,301 B1 · Current restrictive spring-loaded electrical connection device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,301 B1 - Document ID: US9882301B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/589,992 - Filed: 2017-05-08 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-30 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Edward Emaci; Steven Thiel; Richard Roffers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882301B1 ## CPC - H01R 13/2421: {using coil springs} - H01R 13/53: Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases {for high voltage} with means for preventing corona or arcing - H05G 1/70: Circuit arrangements for X-ray tubes with more than one anode; Circuit arrangements for apparatus comprising more than one X ray tube {or more than one cathode (H05G1/58 takes precedence)} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H05G: X-RAY TECHNIQUE (investigating or analysing materials by the use of X-rays G01N23/00; apparatus for X-ray photography G03B42/02; X-ray tubes H01J35/00; TV systems having X-ray input H04N5/321) ## Abstract A connector pin assembly configured to engage an electrical interface. The connector pin assembly comprises a conductive outer cylinder configured to be connected to a power supply that supplies current or voltage; a conductive inner cylinder located at least partially within the outer cylinder; and a biasing member disposed within the inner cylinder. The connector pin assembly further comprises a conductive plunger slidably disposed within and engaged with the inner cylinder and the biasing member; a non-conductive member disposed within the inner cylinder, the non-conductive member operable to restrict a current or voltage flowing through the connector pin along a path from the outer cylinder through the inner cylinder to the plunger without contacting the biasing member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector pin assembly configured to engage an electrical interface, the connector pin assembly comprising: a conductive outer cylinder configured to be connected to a power supply that supplies current or voltage; a conductive inner cylinder located at least partially within the outer cylinder; a biasing member disposed within the inner cylinder; a conductive plunger slidably disposed within and engaged with the inner cylinder and the biasing member; and a non-conductive member disposed within the inner cylinder, the non-conductive member operable to restrict a current or voltage flowing through the connector pin along a path from the outer cylinder through the inner cylinder to the plunger without contacting the biasing member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive member is a non-conductive coating. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connector pin assembly of claim 2, wherein the non-conductive coating is applied to at least one of the biasing member and the inner cylinder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive coating is applied to only a portion of an interior surface of the inner cylinder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a faraday enclosure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive member is positioned between the plunger and biasing member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector pin assembly of claim 6 wherein the non-conductive member is secured to the biasing member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connector pin assembly of claim 7 wherein the non-conductive member has a curved cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The connector pin assembly of claim 6 wherein the non-conductive member is secured to the plunger. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1 further comprising a ball disposed between the biasing member and the plunger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connector pin assembly of claim 10 wherein the ball is formed as the non-conductive member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The connector pin assembly of claim 1 wherein the biasing member is formed as the non-conductive member. ### Claim 13 A connector device configured to be engaged with a mating assembly of an electrical interface, the connector device comprising: a housing defining an interior; and a pin housing or pin support region positioned or located within the interior of the housing and comprising a number of connector pins disposed therein and configured to be connected to a power supply, wherein each pin comprises a conductive outer cylinder configured to be connected to the power supply, a conductive inner cylinder located at least partially within the outer cylinder, a biasing member disposed within the inner cylinder, a conductive plunger slidably disposed within and engaged with the inner cylinder and the biasing member, and a non-conductive member disposed within the inner cylinder, the non-conductive member operable to restrict a current or voltage flowing through the connector pin along a path from the outer cylinder through the inner cylinder to the plunger without contacting the biasing member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The connector of claim 13 wherein the non-conductive member is a non-conductive coating. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The connector of claim 13 further comprising a ball disposed between the biasing member and the plunger. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The connector of claim 15 wherein one or both of the biasing member or the ball is formed as the non-conductive member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The connector of claim 13 wherein the non-conductive member is disposed between the biasing member and the plunger. ### Claim 18 A method for supplying current or voltage from a connector to a mating assembly of an electrical interface, the method comprising: providing a connector comprising a housing defining an interior, a pin housing or pin support region positioned within the interior of the housing and comprising a number of connector pins disposed therein and configured to be connected to a power supply, wherein each pin comprises a conductive outer cylinder configured to be connected to the power supply, a conductive inner cylinder located at least partially within the outer cylinder, a biasing member disposed within the inner cylinder, a conductive plunger slidably disposed within and engaged with the inner cylinder and the biasing member, and a non-conductive member disposed within the inner cylinder, the non-conductive member operable to restrict a current or voltage flowing through the connector pin along a path from the outer cylinder through the inner cylinder to the plunger; connecting the connector to the mating assembly of the electrical interface; and passing a current or voltage through the connector to the mating assembly of the electrical interface to generate an electron path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the step of connecting the connector to the mating assembly of the electrical interface comprises pressing the plunger of each connector pin into engagement with a contact point on the mating assembly against the bias of the biasing member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 whereon the step of passing the current or voltage through the connector comprises passing the current or voltage from the power source through the connector pin to the mating assembly of the electrical interface along a path from the outer cylinder through the inner cylinder to the plunger without contacting the biasing member.