Electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel and method therefor

An electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel for sealing a penetration in a structure across a pressure differential, the electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel comprising:

• a frame having a first environmental interface surface and a second environmental interface surface, the second environmental interface surface being opposite the first environmental interface surface and configured to couple with the structure so that the first environmental interface surface and the second environmental interface surface span the penetration;
• and
• a plurality of electrical connector insert shells monolithically formed with the frame, each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells having
• a first end extending from the first environmental interface surface,
• a second end extending from the second environmental interface surface, where the first end is configured to sealingly receive a first electrical connector and the second end is configured to sealingly receive a second electrical connector so as to form a respective sealed connector shell where a through passage extends between the first end and the second end, the through passage being configured to receive an electrical connector insert that extends between and is accessed through an opening of the through passage at the first end and an opening of the through passage at the second end, and
• an electrical connector insert retainer extending between the first end and the second end, the electrical connector insert retainer having a rotational orientation member extending from a wall of the through passage and being configured to couple with the electrical connector insert and each of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector so as to rotationally align each of the first electrical connector and the second electrical with the electrical connector insert;
• wherein
• the first environmental interface surface and a portion of each of the sealed electrical connector shells extending from the first environmental interface surface are configured to be in fluid communication with a first pressurized environment, and
• the second environmental interface surface and another portion of each of the sealed electrical connector insert shells extending from the second environmental interface surface are configured to be in fluid communication with a second pressurized environment having a different pressure than the first pressurized environment.

A method for sealing a penetration in a structure across a pressure differential, the method comprising:

• coupling an electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel to the structure so that a first environmental interface surface and a second environmental interface surface of a frame of the electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel span the penetration, where the second environmental interface surface is opposite the first environmental interface surface;
• wherein:
• electrical connector inserts are inserted into a plurality of electrical connector insert shells monolithically formed with the frame, each electrical connector insert shell forms a through passage having a first environmental interface surface opening and a second environmental interface surface opening so as to extend between and open to each of the first environmental interface surface and a second environmental interface surface of the frame, and each electrical connector insert extends through the through passage so that terminal ends of the electrical connector insert are accessed through a respective one of the first environmental interface surface opening and the second environmental interface surface opening, the electrical connector being rotationally aligned within the respective electrical connector shell by a rotational orientation member extending from a wall of the through passage and being configured to couple with the respective electrical connector insert and at least one electrical connector coupled to the respective electrical connector insert,
• the first environmental interface surface and a portion of each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells extending from the first environmental interface surface are positioned relative to the penetration to be in fluid communication with a first pressurized environment, and
• the second environmental interface surface and another portion of each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells extending from the second environmental interface surface are positioned relative to the penetration to be in fluid communication with a second pressurized environment having a different pressure than the first pressurized environment.