CA1072192A - Underwater connector - Google Patents
Underwater connectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1072192A CA1072192A CA246,587A CA246587A CA1072192A CA 1072192 A CA1072192 A CA 1072192A CA 246587 A CA246587 A CA 246587A CA 1072192 A CA1072192 A CA 1072192A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- nipples
- connector
- diaphragm
- pins
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
- H01R43/24—Assembling by moulding on contact members
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/5216—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
P. E. R. Mucci 1 UNDERWATER CONNECTOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An underwater connector in which a chamber containing grease of the like seals a passage containing a nippled dia-phragm. The nipples point inwardly of the chamber.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An underwater connector in which a chamber containing grease of the like seals a passage containing a nippled dia-phragm. The nipples point inwardly of the chamber.
Description
- ~ ~
107~19~ P.E.R. MUCCI l ~Rev.) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an underwater connector and a method of making the same.
Prior art connectors comprise a cavity in which the mating of the electrical contacts take place. This cavity is filled with a nonelectrically-conducting grease, jelly or similarly viscous liquid. A preferred form of the liquid is disclosed in copending Canadian application of Ronald C. Oldham, Sèrial No. 246,17 n, filed February 20, 1976, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.
An important aspect of these connectors is maintaining electrical insulation between the contacts. The nonelectrically-conducting viscous liquid in the main prevents water coming into contact with the female contacts. For the male contacts the insulation path between them is increased by providing each male contact with a coating of insulating material over a por-tion of its length. This insulation material and the insulating material in which the root of the contact is embedded is important to prevent electrical breakdown during use of the connector under-water.
The purpose of the present invention i5 to substantiallyimprove the male con~act root insulation reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-G According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a~ -}~ ~
~0'~19~
-3- P. E. R. Mucci 1 waterproof electrical two-part connector, said connector com-prising: one part having a chamber containing an insulating grease, jelly, or similarly viscous liquid in which liquid con-tact making and breaking will occur when the parts are joined and separated, respectively; at least two first electrical contact pins in said chamber; a flexible diaphragm closing said chamber, another part having at least two second corres-ponding electrical contact pins; and solid electrical insulation covering a portion of the length of each pin integrally formed with a portion of said other part which supports said pin, said diaphragm having at least two nipples on the surface facing -said chamber, said nipples opening to allow said second contact pins to pass through into said chamber and close when said pins are withdrawn to prevent loss of liquid through said nipples, said diaphragm being sufficiently flexible toward and away r from said chamber to accommodate volumetric changes which will occur in said chamber during joining and separating of said parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a partial, longitudinal section of a two-part connector according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows, in vertical section, a molding apparatus for forming the insert utilized in the connector of Fig. 1.
C ' ' , "~
.~ .
10~19~
-4- P. E. R. ~ucci 1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
. ~
Referring now to Fig. 1 in detail, the connector of the present invention comprises a male part 1 and a female part 2. The male part 1 comprises a casing 3 having an integral sleeve 4 made from a molded plastic material, for example polyethylene or other molding material.
Secured in the casing 3 is a pre-molded insert 5 shown in greater detail in Fig. 2. The casing 3 has been molded to a cable sheath 6 and also to a peripheral metal ring 7 of the insert 5. This ring assists in bonding the insert to the casing 3. It is possible for the metal ring to provide electrical screening which is continued by a metallic matting (not shown) connected to a screen (not shown) of the cable, this matting being held in the molded part 3.
The male contact 10 is stepped at 11 and has a thin stem 12 extending into the insert 5. A connection lead 13 extends from the other end 14 of the stem 12 out of the other side of the insert for connection to one of the conductors 15 of the cable. A portion of the length of the stem between the step 11 and the front surface 16 of the insert is covered with the insulating material of the insert 5 forming a sleeve 8 integral with the insert. Two other contacts the same as 10 are carried by the insert 5, only one of which is shown at lOa.
Referringnow to the female part 2 of the connector, this comprises a neoprene diaphragm 17 which traps between itself and the bottom 18 of a chamber 19 in the casing 20 of the part 2, some conventional electrically-insulating grease, jelly or similarly viscous liquid 21.
C ~_ lO'i';~l9Z
P.E.R. Mucci - 1 Rev.
The diaphragm 17 has apertures 22 formed in nipples 23 which project inwardly from the diaphragm.
These apertures allow the contact pins such as 10 to pass therethrough to make contact with corresponding female contacts 24, only two being shown.
The sleeve 4 of part 1 has a slot 25 which cooperates with a projection 26 on part 2 to align the parts during plugging and unplugging of the connector.
As shown, the cable 6' on the lefthand side of Fig. 1 is molded into the casing 20 of the part 2 and the leads of the cable are connected at 9 to the contact -pins 24. In the part 1 there is an aperture 27 en-abling escape of the water in the hollow part of part 1 --during plugging and unplugging of the connector parts ; 15 together underwater.
Referring to the diaphragm 17, this has an internal annular groove 28 containing a ring 29 and is held in place in the entrance to the chamber 21 by means of a locking ~-~
ring 30 which fits in an annular groove 31. --Referring now to Fig. 2, the insert is made in a - mold as follows.
The insert mold 32 is assembled on its base 33 with extractor disc 34 in position. Petroleum jelly release agent is smeared lightly over all contact surfaces and on - 25 the walls of the pin entry holes 35, only two being visible in Fig. 2.
The peripheral metal ring 7 and the pins 10 are boiled in trichlorethylene to remove all grease and dirt and the inner surface of the ring 7 and the stem of the 10'~ 92 pin 12 prepared for bonding. (In the case of FLEXANE 85 molding material, this preparation takes the form of a primer which is mixed by hand and painted on). The pins can alternatively be pre-coated with an insulating material to pre-form the "sleeve" 11 of insulation of, for example, epoxy resin, which is subsequently bonded to the insert material when the insert is formed. The pins are then inserted into the entry holes 35 in insert mold 32 using tweezers to prevent handling contamination. The ring i7 is then placed in position on the insert mold 32 locating in the undercut 36 in the upper surface of the mold. Link wires 13 are soldered onto the ends of the pins 10.
Molding material 5 is prepared according to the manufacturer's specifications. CIn the case of PLEXANE 85 this is made from a two part pack, weighed out in the correct proportions and thoroughly stirred and evacuated in a bell jar to re-move air bubbles.) The material is poured by hand into the area enclosed by the peripheral ring 7 until it reaches just to the top of the ring. Vacuum is applied to the hole 38 in the base of the mold assembly until the material has been drawn down the length of the pin stem 12 (this will not occur if the sleeve is pre-formed) and has passed along the longitudinal grooves 39 in the ends of the pins. The insert material is allowed to set Cfor FLEXANE 85 this takes from 12 hours to 2 days depending on whether or not an accelerator is used2-The insert is removed from the mold by unscrewing the baseplate 33 and tightening up an extractor screw ~not shown) in the threaded hole 40 until it presses up against the disc 34 and jacks the finished insert out of the ld.
107~19~ P.E.R. MUCCI l ~Rev.) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an underwater connector and a method of making the same.
Prior art connectors comprise a cavity in which the mating of the electrical contacts take place. This cavity is filled with a nonelectrically-conducting grease, jelly or similarly viscous liquid. A preferred form of the liquid is disclosed in copending Canadian application of Ronald C. Oldham, Sèrial No. 246,17 n, filed February 20, 1976, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.
An important aspect of these connectors is maintaining electrical insulation between the contacts. The nonelectrically-conducting viscous liquid in the main prevents water coming into contact with the female contacts. For the male contacts the insulation path between them is increased by providing each male contact with a coating of insulating material over a por-tion of its length. This insulation material and the insulating material in which the root of the contact is embedded is important to prevent electrical breakdown during use of the connector under-water.
The purpose of the present invention i5 to substantiallyimprove the male con~act root insulation reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-G According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a~ -}~ ~
~0'~19~
-3- P. E. R. Mucci 1 waterproof electrical two-part connector, said connector com-prising: one part having a chamber containing an insulating grease, jelly, or similarly viscous liquid in which liquid con-tact making and breaking will occur when the parts are joined and separated, respectively; at least two first electrical contact pins in said chamber; a flexible diaphragm closing said chamber, another part having at least two second corres-ponding electrical contact pins; and solid electrical insulation covering a portion of the length of each pin integrally formed with a portion of said other part which supports said pin, said diaphragm having at least two nipples on the surface facing -said chamber, said nipples opening to allow said second contact pins to pass through into said chamber and close when said pins are withdrawn to prevent loss of liquid through said nipples, said diaphragm being sufficiently flexible toward and away r from said chamber to accommodate volumetric changes which will occur in said chamber during joining and separating of said parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a partial, longitudinal section of a two-part connector according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows, in vertical section, a molding apparatus for forming the insert utilized in the connector of Fig. 1.
C ' ' , "~
.~ .
10~19~
-4- P. E. R. ~ucci 1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
. ~
Referring now to Fig. 1 in detail, the connector of the present invention comprises a male part 1 and a female part 2. The male part 1 comprises a casing 3 having an integral sleeve 4 made from a molded plastic material, for example polyethylene or other molding material.
Secured in the casing 3 is a pre-molded insert 5 shown in greater detail in Fig. 2. The casing 3 has been molded to a cable sheath 6 and also to a peripheral metal ring 7 of the insert 5. This ring assists in bonding the insert to the casing 3. It is possible for the metal ring to provide electrical screening which is continued by a metallic matting (not shown) connected to a screen (not shown) of the cable, this matting being held in the molded part 3.
The male contact 10 is stepped at 11 and has a thin stem 12 extending into the insert 5. A connection lead 13 extends from the other end 14 of the stem 12 out of the other side of the insert for connection to one of the conductors 15 of the cable. A portion of the length of the stem between the step 11 and the front surface 16 of the insert is covered with the insulating material of the insert 5 forming a sleeve 8 integral with the insert. Two other contacts the same as 10 are carried by the insert 5, only one of which is shown at lOa.
Referringnow to the female part 2 of the connector, this comprises a neoprene diaphragm 17 which traps between itself and the bottom 18 of a chamber 19 in the casing 20 of the part 2, some conventional electrically-insulating grease, jelly or similarly viscous liquid 21.
C ~_ lO'i';~l9Z
P.E.R. Mucci - 1 Rev.
The diaphragm 17 has apertures 22 formed in nipples 23 which project inwardly from the diaphragm.
These apertures allow the contact pins such as 10 to pass therethrough to make contact with corresponding female contacts 24, only two being shown.
The sleeve 4 of part 1 has a slot 25 which cooperates with a projection 26 on part 2 to align the parts during plugging and unplugging of the connector.
As shown, the cable 6' on the lefthand side of Fig. 1 is molded into the casing 20 of the part 2 and the leads of the cable are connected at 9 to the contact -pins 24. In the part 1 there is an aperture 27 en-abling escape of the water in the hollow part of part 1 --during plugging and unplugging of the connector parts ; 15 together underwater.
Referring to the diaphragm 17, this has an internal annular groove 28 containing a ring 29 and is held in place in the entrance to the chamber 21 by means of a locking ~-~
ring 30 which fits in an annular groove 31. --Referring now to Fig. 2, the insert is made in a - mold as follows.
The insert mold 32 is assembled on its base 33 with extractor disc 34 in position. Petroleum jelly release agent is smeared lightly over all contact surfaces and on - 25 the walls of the pin entry holes 35, only two being visible in Fig. 2.
The peripheral metal ring 7 and the pins 10 are boiled in trichlorethylene to remove all grease and dirt and the inner surface of the ring 7 and the stem of the 10'~ 92 pin 12 prepared for bonding. (In the case of FLEXANE 85 molding material, this preparation takes the form of a primer which is mixed by hand and painted on). The pins can alternatively be pre-coated with an insulating material to pre-form the "sleeve" 11 of insulation of, for example, epoxy resin, which is subsequently bonded to the insert material when the insert is formed. The pins are then inserted into the entry holes 35 in insert mold 32 using tweezers to prevent handling contamination. The ring i7 is then placed in position on the insert mold 32 locating in the undercut 36 in the upper surface of the mold. Link wires 13 are soldered onto the ends of the pins 10.
Molding material 5 is prepared according to the manufacturer's specifications. CIn the case of PLEXANE 85 this is made from a two part pack, weighed out in the correct proportions and thoroughly stirred and evacuated in a bell jar to re-move air bubbles.) The material is poured by hand into the area enclosed by the peripheral ring 7 until it reaches just to the top of the ring. Vacuum is applied to the hole 38 in the base of the mold assembly until the material has been drawn down the length of the pin stem 12 (this will not occur if the sleeve is pre-formed) and has passed along the longitudinal grooves 39 in the ends of the pins. The insert material is allowed to set Cfor FLEXANE 85 this takes from 12 hours to 2 days depending on whether or not an accelerator is used2-The insert is removed from the mold by unscrewing the baseplate 33 and tightening up an extractor screw ~not shown) in the threaded hole 40 until it presses up against the disc 34 and jacks the finished insert out of the ld.
Claims
1. A waterproof electrical two-part connector, said connector comprising: one part having a chamber containing an insulating grease, jelly, or similarly viscous liquid in which liquid contact making and breaking will occur when the parts are joined and separated, respectively; at least two first electrical contact pins in said chamber; a flexible diaphragm closing said chamber, another part having at least two second corresponding electrical contact pins; and solid electrical insulation covering a portion of the length of each pin integrally formed with a portion of said other part which supports said pin, said diaphragm having at least two nipples on the surface facing said chamber, said nipples opening to allow said second contact pins to pass through into said chamber and close when said pins are withdrawn to prevent loss of liquid through said nipples, said diaphragm being suffici-ently flexible toward and away from said chamber to accommodate volumetric changes which will occur in said chamber during joining and separating of said parts.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB840775A GB1537061A (en) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-02-28 | Underwater connector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1072192A true CA1072192A (en) | 1980-02-19 |
Family
ID=9851946
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA246,587A Expired CA1072192A (en) | 1975-02-28 | 1976-02-26 | Underwater connector |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1072192A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2302606A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1537061A (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6111899Y2 (en) * | 1977-04-30 | 1986-04-14 | ||
| FR2409610A1 (en) * | 1977-11-21 | 1979-06-15 | Petroles Cie Francaise | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR SUBMARINE CONNECTION |
| FR2567686B2 (en) * | 1983-07-20 | 1986-12-26 | Carrier Kheops Sa | CONNECTOR ELEMENT WITH DOUBLE SEALING BARRIER AND CONNECTOR USING THE SAME |
| FR2549646B1 (en) * | 1983-07-20 | 1985-10-25 | Carrier Kheops Sa | CONNECTOR ELEMENT WITH DOUBLE SEALING BARRIER AND CONNECTOR USING THE SAME |
| US7794254B2 (en) | 2007-04-30 | 2010-09-14 | Tronic Limited | Submersible electrical connector |
| GB0708362D0 (en) | 2007-04-30 | 2007-06-06 | Tronic Ltd | Connector |
| EP2321877A1 (en) * | 2008-07-29 | 2011-05-18 | Carrier Corporation | Electrical connectors |
| ITNA20080070A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Westend S R L | JOINT FOR UNDERWATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. |
| US7959454B2 (en) | 2009-07-23 | 2011-06-14 | Teledyne Odi, Inc. | Wet mate connector |
| WO2011016997A2 (en) | 2009-08-05 | 2011-02-10 | Teledyne Odi, Inc. | Electrical penetrator assembly |
| US10236623B1 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2019-03-19 | Pontus Subsea Connectors Llc | Connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts, and methods of making and/or using same |
| DE102018118774B4 (en) | 2018-08-02 | 2022-07-14 | Harting Electric Gmbh & Co. Kg | Modular connector system |
| CN117712746B (en) * | 2024-02-06 | 2024-04-19 | 陕西四菱电子科技股份有限公司 | High-precision matching connector between low boards |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1048309B (en) * | 1956-01-21 | 1959-01-08 | Leonische Drahtwerke A G | Plug with protection against accidental contact |
| DE1153431B (en) * | 1960-03-18 | 1963-08-29 | Licentia Gmbh | Flat plug for electrical devices, especially for fully insulated devices |
| DE1131291B (en) * | 1960-07-02 | 1962-06-14 | Max Braun Fa | Flat plug with contact protection |
| FR1295369A (en) * | 1960-08-02 | 1962-06-08 | Method and apparatus for providing decorative protection and insulation for electrical and electronic equipment, and wiring systems | |
| DE1906579U (en) * | 1964-10-27 | 1964-12-17 | Braun Ag | ELECTRIC SOCKET WITH ANGLED CONTACT PINS. |
| US3555620A (en) * | 1967-10-17 | 1971-01-19 | Harry R Bucy | Mold for pressure injected material vented through ejector pin guides |
| US3643207A (en) * | 1970-08-28 | 1972-02-15 | James L Cairns | Sealed electrical connector |
| GB1379525A (en) * | 1973-02-01 | 1975-01-02 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Electrical connector |
-
1975
- 1975-02-28 GB GB840775A patent/GB1537061A/en not_active Expired
-
1976
- 1976-02-26 CA CA246,587A patent/CA1072192A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-02-27 FR FR7605540A patent/FR2302606A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2302606B1 (en) | 1980-01-04 |
| FR2302606A1 (en) | 1976-09-24 |
| GB1537061A (en) | 1978-12-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |