# US 2013/0157515 A1 · Dynamic contact bayonet electrical connector for harsh environments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157515 A1 - Document ID: US20130157515A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/326,129 - Filed: 2011-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Assignees: Newsco Directional Support Services Inc. - Inventors: F. DALE PRATT; KENNETH A. LAMBE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157515A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/625: Casing or ring with bayonet engagement - H01R 24/58: Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement - H01R 13/533: Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure (H01R13/52 takes precedence) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract The present invention relates generally to multi-trace electrical connectors for harsh environments. More particularly, the present invention relates to bayonet rotary electrical connectors which maintain electrical connection dynamically, and which may have replaceable connector components. This type of connector is used, for example, in drilling operations where the connector must be rotated, for example during assembly, disassembly, or operation of bottom hole equipment or sensor or communications packages, and where the electrical connection may be maintained. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bayonet rotary connector for making and breaking multiple electrical connections when respectively plugged and unplugged comprising: a. A monolithic male component and b. A monolithic female component Each with mating surfaces (outer male surface, inner female surface) also comprising: c. Electrically conductive rings and d. Electrically insulating substances deployed between the conductive rings The electrically conductive rings within each component each being capable of being connected to an external device or devices; ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1, where the male component has a symmetrical generally cylindrical shape with at least a small diameter cylindrical tip part and a sloped or conically shaped larger middle part and optionally a large level diameter butt end part; ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bayonet connector of claim 2, where the male component also has a connector ring at its tip end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1, where the female component has a receptacle to mate with the male component, the electrically conductive rings of the male component making electrical contact with the electrically conductive rings of the female component when the male component is fully inserted into and engaged with the female component ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1 where a mechanical connection between any electrically conductive ring and an associated electrically conductive cable provides an anti-rotation bias to that ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1 where the electrically conductive rings are of a smaller width than the width of the electrically insulating material deployed between the rings, in order that no conductive ring on one component can contact more than one ring on the other component during insertion or removal of the male component into or from the female component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1, where the electrically conductive rings of the female component are provided with spring connectors each of which resides within a trough formed on two sides by insulating material and the third by the inner surface of the electrically conductive ring to which it is installed, said spring connectors to be compressed by the mating conductive ring of the male component when the male component is engaged with the female component, to provide a positive, dynamic electrical connection which is not susceptible to disconnection if vibrated or jostled. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1 where the mating spring connectors of the device deployed on the conical surface of the female component are further compressed upon engagement of the male component with the female component, and held in compression when the two components are clamped or held together when engaged. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bayonet connector of claim 8 where each spring connector is field replaceable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1 where the outer end of each component is sealed around a multi-lead feedthrough permitting multiple electrical connections through cables each connected to one ring communicating from the ring back through the connector component to its outer end through the feedthrough, the seal being capable of withstanding high fluid pressure to keep fluid from invading the bayonet connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bayonet connector of claim 1 where the male component is constructed by assembling the connector rings, each mechanically connected to a wire, onto a central assembly body, the body having a profile to slide within the inner diameter of the rings and with a passageway to accommodate each wire communicating from the associated ring's final position through the assembly body and out through the outer end of the male component, each connector ring being interspersed with an insulating ring with matching outer diameter, such that when stacked and fully assembled, the outer surfaces of the connector rings and insulating rings form the outer profile of the male assembly; connecting the wires to a multi-conductor plug; the multi-conductor plug being sealed to the assembly body to form a high-pressure seal; the rings, wires and plug being formed into a unitized or monolithic structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bayonet connector of claim 11 where the monolithic structure is obtained by injecting epoxy or similar hardening fluid into cavities of the assembled structure and hardening the fluid.