US 4,050,766 A · Corrosion-proof electrical connector assembly

Abstract

A housing enclosing an electrical connector has a capable open end through which the connector is received and a closed end having a passage that is sealably mounted in alignment with a through opening in a pressure hull. The connector is isolated from a marine environment by a dielectric liquid that fills the housing and immerses the connector. An end cap closes the open end of the housing to prevent loss and contamination of the liquid and includes a sealable opening through which a first member of the connector is admitted and locked to the housing. A feed-through portion of the connector mates with the cable end portion and is sealably fitted within the passage to provide an electrical connection through the hull. In an embodiment for in-line cable connections, the closed end carries a second member of the connector, corresponding to the first member, which is locked and sealed in the passage. A bleed hole in the housing communicates the environment to the liquid which pressurizes the housing and seals the connector to prevent corrosion. The bleed hole also operates to relieve pressure within the housing caused by expansion and contraction of the liquid due to environmental temperature changes.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A housing for a corrosion-proof electrical connector having first and second mating members interconnecting electrical conductors in a pressurized environment, the housing comprising:

container means having walls defining a substantially liquid-tight, rigid chamber adapted to receive the electrical connector, a closed end including a first passage therethrough for admitting a first conductor to the first mating member, and a cappable open end;
a rigid cap closing the open end, the cap including a second passage therethrough for admitting a second conductor to the second mating member;
locking means disposed on the cap and closed end for retaining said members in locked mating relation when the open end is capped;
a dielectric liquid substantially inert to the environment and filling the rigid chamber to at least immerse the mating portions of said members;
and
a bleed hole disposed in the housing for directly communicating the environment to said liquid for pressure balancing the housing and pressure sealing the immersed portions of said members.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Corrosion-proof electrical connector assembly

Life of this patent

Corrosion-proof electrical connector assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23