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US 2005/0037656 A1Published application
Dry mate connector
AssigneeOcean Design, Inc.
InventorJames Cairns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dry mate connector has first and second connector modules, and a coupling member mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position. The modules each have at least one contact for communication with the contact of the other module within a closed, locked and sealed contact chamber formed by the coupling member and modules in the mated position. Mating, locking and sealing are achieved by movement of the parts in a single, mating direction, and the modules are separated by motion in a single direction opposite to the mating direction, using the same two grip surfaces for both mating and unmating.
Claims51
A dry mate connector, comprising:
- a first module having a forward end and a rear end;
- a second module having a forward end and a rear end;
- a coupling member mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position;
- the modules and coupling member being relatively movable in a single axial mating motion between an unmated position and a mated, locked position and being movable relative to one another in a single axial unmating motion opposite to the mating motion to release the modules from one another;
- the coupling member and mated modules together forming a closed, locked and sealed chamber;
- and
- the first and second modules each having at least one forwardly facing contact for communication with the contact of the other module within the chamber in the mated position.
4 more elements
A connector, comprising:
- a first module;
- a second module;
- a coupling sleeve slidably mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position, the coupling sleeve having a forward end, a rear end, and a first through bore;
- each module having a forward end and a rear end, the forward end of the coupling sleeve being spaced forwardly from the forward end of the first module and slidably receiving the forward end of the second module in the mated position;
- a first contact seated in the first module;
- a second contact seated in the second module;
- the first contact being connected with the second contact in the mated position;
- the modules each having outer surface portions located within the coupling sleeve in the mated position;
- at least one seal member between the outer surface portion of each of the modules and the coupling sleeve through bore in the mated position to define a sealed chamber in the coupling sleeve between the seal members in which the contacts are located, whereby the chamber has a seal at each end to protect the contacts from the surrounding harsh environment when the connector is deployed;
- and
- whereby relative movement between the modules in a single, first direction mates, locks and seals the modules in the mated position and relative movement in a single, second direction opposite to the first direction unlocks and releases the modules to allow them to be separated, the coupling sleeve and modules together forming a closed, locked and sealed chamber in the mated position.
8 more elements
A cable assembly, comprising:
- an elongate cable having a first end and a second end and at least one circuit extending through said cable;
- a first connector half secured to the first end of the cable;
- a second connector half secured to the second end of the cable;
- each connector half containing a contact communicating with said circuit, and comprising one half of a releasably mateable connector;
- and
- an outer, fluid-filled hose extending over said cable and having a first end sealed to the first connector half and a second end sealed to the second connector half.
3 more elements
A dry mate connector, comprising:
- a first module having a forward end and a rear end;
- a second module having a forward end and a rear end;
- a coupling sleeve mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position, the coupling sleeve having a forward end spaced forwardly from the forward end of the first module for receiving the forward end of the second module in the mated position, a rear end, and a first through bore defining a contact chamber;
- the modules each having at least one forwardly facing contact for communication with the contact of the other module within the contact chamber of the coupling sleeve in the mated position;
- at least one seal member located between each module and the through bore of said coupling sleeve in the mated position to seal opposite ends of said contact chamber;
- and
- a releasable locking mechanism for locking the modules together in the mated position, relative movement between the modules and coupling sleeve in a single, axial mating direction achieving mating and locking of said modules together, and relative movement between the modules and sleeve in a single, axial unmating direction opposite to said mating direction releasing said locking mechanism and allowing separation of said modules.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.