# US 2014/0151352 A1 · Low Profile Pass-Through Electrical Connector

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- Number: US 2014/0151352 A1
- Document ID: US20140151352A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/909,061
- Filed: 2013-06-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-01
- Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute
- Applicants: Battelle Memorial Institute
- Inventors: Brett Burton; Andrew Cox; Darren Wolfe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151352A1

## CPC

- B64D 15/12: by electric heating (heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84)
- B64C 1/36: adapted to receive antennas or radomes
- B64C 3/26: Construction, shape, or attachment of separate skins, e.g. panels
- H01B 7/00: Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01R 13/035: {Plated dielectric material}
- H01R 13/207: by screw-in connection
- H05B 3/02: Details
- H05B 3/34: flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
- H01R 2201/02: for antennas
- H01R 2201/26: for vehicles
- H05B 2203/013: Heaters using resistive films or coatings
- H05B 2203/016: Heaters using particular connecting means
- H05B 2214/02: Heaters specially designed for de-icing or protection against icing
- Y10T 29/49016: Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
- Y10T 29/49083: Heater type
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A conductive assembly, comprising:
a heating element or antenna;
an airfoil having an aerodynamic surface;
a connector base forming a pathway from the interior of the airfoil to the aerodynamic surface;
a floating center disposed inside the connector base; and
an electrical conductor disposed within the floating center.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The conductive assembly of claim 1 wherein an adhesive holds the floating center in place.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The conductive assembly of claim 1 further comprising an electrically-connected socket disposed in the floating center.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The conductive assembly of claim 1 wherein the floating center and connector base are electrically insulating.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method of making the conductive assembly of claim 1, comprising:
providing an airfoil having an aerodynamic surface and a connector base forming a pathway from the interior of the airfoil to the aerodynamic surface;
inserting a floating center inside the connector base; and
placing an electrical conductor within the floating center.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 where the step if inserting a floating center inside the connector base is conducted after the connector base is placed into the airfoil.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method of heating or deicing an aerodynamic surface, or of powering an antenna on an airfoil, comprising passing an electric current through the conductive assembly of claim 1.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A flying vehicle comprising the conductive assembly of claim 1.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An intermediate structure comprising the conductive assembly of claim 1 wherein the floating center is able to move in the x and y directions but is immobilized in the z-direction; wherein the x, y, and z directions are mutually perpendicular.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The conductive assembly of claim 2 wherein the adhesive is disposed in a groove between the connector base and the floating center.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The conductive assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retaining ring disposed in the connector base that prevents the floating center from moving up through the airfoil surface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The flying vehicle of claim 8 wherein the heater element or antenna is plugged into a socket that is disposed in the floating center.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The conductive assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector base and the floating center have the same length.