# US 2021/0344137 A1 · Underwater mateable and un-mateable electrical connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344137 A1 - Document ID: US20210344137A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/376,495 - Filed: 2021-07-15 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-22 - Assignees: Pontus Subsea Connectors LLC - Applicants: Pontus Subsea Connectors LLC - Inventors: James L. Cairns - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344137A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/523: for use under water - H01R 13/5216: {characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins} - H01R 13/629: Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)} - H02G 15/046: {with bores or protruding portions allowing passage of cable conductors} - H01B 7/282: Preventing penetration of fluid {, e.g. water or humidity,} into conductor or cable - H01B 7/285: by completely or partially filling interstices in the cable - H01R 4/70: Insulation of connections (end caps H01R4/22) - H01R 13/52: Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases - H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal} - 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 2105/00: Three poles - H02G 3/088: {Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets} - H02G 15/013: Sealing means for cable inlets (inlets for cables filled with, or surrounded by, gas or oil H02G15/32) - H02G 15/04: Cable-end sealings - H02G 15/043: {with end caps, e.g. sleeve closed at one end} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - 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}) ## Abstract A receptacle unit of a connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts therein can include one or more closed inner chambers. At least one of the one or more inner chambers being configured to contain a receptacle contact. Each receptacle contact can be configured to engage a plug contact of a plug unit of a connector. A closed cavity can be at least partially in contact with each inner chamber. The closed cavity can contain a deformable material. At least a portion of the closed cavity can be configured to be movable with respect to another portion of the closed cavity to permit balancing of pressure of the deformable material within the closed cavity to pressure outside of the closed cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts therein, the connector comprising: a first unit having one or more first contacts, each first contact including an elongated shaft with a conductive tip; and a second unit having: one or more closed inner chambers therein, each inner chamber containing fluid, at least one of the one or more inner chambers being configured to contain one or more second contacts, each second contact being configured to engage one of the first contacts, each inner chamber corresponding to at least one end-seal configured to permit one of the first contacts to (i) sealably penetrate into the inner chamber and engage one of the second contacts within the inner chamber, and (ii) be subsequently sealably withdrawn from the inner chamber, at least a portion of each inner chamber being configured to be movable with respect to another portion of the inner chamber to permit balancing of pressure within the inner chamber to pressure outside of the inner chamber; and a closed cavity at least partially in contact with each inner chamber, the closed cavity containing an easily deformable material, the easily deformable material being an elastomeric gel, at least a portion of the closed cavity being configured to be movable with respect to another portion of the closed cavity to permit balancing of pressure of the easily deformable material within the closed cavity to pressure outside of the closed cavity. ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein at least one set of the first and second contacts are electrical contacts, and wherein the fluid is a dielectric fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein each first contact has a rounded cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The connector of claim 4, wherein each end-seal comprises a resilient end wall portion including a bore and a tap integrally formed with the resilient end wall portion, the tap being movable from a closed position to an open position with respect to the bore, the end wall portion being configured to permit one of the first contacts to (i) sealably penetrate into the closed chamber by displacing the tap from the closed position and engage one of the second contacts within the closed inner chamber, and (ii) be subsequently sealably withdrawn from the closed inner chamber thereby allowing the tap to return to the closed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The connector of claim 4, wherein each end-seal comprises spring-and-stopper construction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The connector of claim 4, wherein each end-seal comprises slit-and-blade construction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein bodies of the first unit and the second unit are formed of rubber. ### Claim 9 A receptacle unit of a connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts therein, the receptacle unit comprising: one or more closed inner chambers, each inner chamber containing fluid, at least one of the one or more inner chambers being configured to contain one or more receptacle contacts; and a closed cavity at least partially in contact with each inner chamber, the closed cavity containing a deformable material, the deformable material being an elastomeric gel, at least a portion of the closed cavity being configured to be movable with respect to another portion of the closed cavity to permit balancing of pressure of the deformable material within the closed cavity to pressure outside of the closed cavity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The receptacle unit of claim 9, wherein each receptacle contact is configured to engage a plug contact of a plug unit of a connector, each inner chamber corresponding to at least one end-seal configured to permit one of the plug contacts to (i) sealably penetrate into the inner chamber and engage one of the receptacle contacts within the inner chamber, and (ii) be subsequently sealably withdrawn from the inner chamber. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The receptacle unit of claim 9, wherein the fluid is a dielectric fluid, and wherein at least a portion of each inner chamber is configured to be movable with respect to another portion of the inner chamber to permit balancing of pressure within the inner chamber to pressure outside of the inner chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The receptacle unit of claim 9, wherein a body of the receptacle unit is molded and formed of rubber. ### Claim 14 A connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts therein, the connector comprising: a closed cavity within the connector, the closed cavity containing an easily deformable material configured to balance pressure around mated contacts of the connector to that of an ambient working environment of the connector, the easily deformable material including an elastomeric gel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connector of claim 14, wherein the closed cavity is located within a receptacle unit of the connector, the receptacle unit including one or more closed inner chambers, at least one of the one or more inner chambers being configured to contain a receptacle contact, the receptacle contact being configured to engage a plug contact of a plug unit of a connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The connector of claim 15, wherein each inner chamber contains a dielectric fluid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The connector unit of claim 16, wherein each inner chamber corresponds to an end-seal configured to permit the plug contact to (i) sealably penetrate into the inner chamber and engage the receptacle contact within the inner chamber, and (ii) be subsequently sealably withdrawn from the inner chamber.