Connector Interface Assembly for Enclosed Vessels and Associated Systems and Methods

A system for data communicating between an interior and an exterior of an enclosed vessel, the interior and the exterior separated by first and second flange connectors each characterized by a flange face and an aperture;

• the system comprising:
• a connector assembly including:
• a substrate layer having a first side, a second side substantially opposite the first side, an inner aperture and an outer periphery outwardly disposed relative to the inner aperture;
• at least one signal trace disposed on the substrate layer, and each extending at least from a first location to a second location, wherein the second location is outwardly disposed relative to the first location;
• an inner connector conductively connected to the at least one signal trace at the first location;
• an outer connector conductively connected to the at least one signal trace at the second location;
• a first substantially flat exterior surface disposed on the substrate layer and extending radially over a first region between the first location and the second location on the first side of the substrate layer;
• and
• a second substantially flat exterior surface disposed on the substrate layer and extending radially over a second region between the first location and the second location on the second side of the substrate layer;
• a first gasket;
• and
• a second gasket;
• wherein the connector assembly, the first gasket, and the second gasket are configured to form a seal between a volume defined at least in part by the interior of the enclosed vessel, the aperture of the first flange connector, the inner aperture of the connector assembly, and the aperture of the second flange connector with the first gasket disposed between the flange face of the first flange connector and the first substantially flat exterior surface of the connector assembly, with the second gasket disposed between the flange face of the second flange connector and the second substantially flat exterior surface of the connector assembly, and with the first flange connector mechanically connected to the second flange connector by one or more fasteners.

A method of manufacturing a connector assembly, comprising:

• fabricating a substrate layer having a first side, a second side substantially opposite the first side, an inner aperture and an outer periphery radially outwardly disposed relative to the inner aperture;
• laminating a copper layer on the first side of the substrate layer;
• etching at least one signal trace from the copper layer, with each of the at least one signal trace extending at least from a respective first location to a respective second location, wherein the respective second location is radially outwardly disposed relative to the first respective location;
• applying a non-conductive epoxy layer over the at least one signal trace;
• laminating a substantially flat first metal layer over the non-conductive epoxy layer on the first side of the substrate layer, wherein the first metal layer extends radially over at least a portion of a first region between the respective first locations and the respective second locations on the first side of the substrate layer;
• laminating a substantially flat second metal layer over the second side of the substrate layer, wherein the second metal layer extends radially over at least a portion of a second region between the respective first locations and the respective second locations on the second side of the substrate layer;
• attaching an inner connector in electronic communication with the at least one signal trace at the respective first locations;
• and
• attaching an outer connector in electronic communication with the at least one signal trace at the respective second locations.