Interconnection system

An interconnection system for coupling electrical and fluid conductors carried, for example, by an aircraft and a pylon therefor comprising:

• a first mounting plate adapted to be fixedly connected to an aircraft and carrying at least one electrical connector member and fluid coupling element;
• a mounting plate assembly adapted to be carried by a pylon which is releasably mounted on the aircraft over said first mounting plate, said assembly including a front plate and a rear mounting plate, said rear plate being movable from a rear position to a forward position closer to said front plate;
• said front plate carrying at least one electrical connector member and fluid coupling element arranged to mate with the electrical connector member and fluid coupling element on said first mounting plate;
• means biasing said rear plate toward said rear position;
• said rear plate being adapted to be fixed to the pylon whereby, when the pylon is being moved forwardly for attachment to the aircraft, during an initial stage of movement of the pylon, and hence the rear plate, the electrical connector member and fluid coupling element on said front mounting plate will mate with the electrical connector member and fluid coupling element on said first mounting plate and, during a second further stage of movement, said rear plate will reach said forward position;
• rapidly releasable positive retaining means for said first mounting plate and said mounting plate assembly for locking said electrical connector members and fluid coupling elements in mated relationship against the separating force of high differential pressures which may exist between said fluid coupling elements;
• said retaining means comprising a catch carried by said front plate, a lock member on said rear plate and a spring lock element fixed to said first mounting plate, said spring lock element being normally biased to a release position with respect to said catch;
• and
• during said initial stage of movement of the pylon toward the aircraft, said catch moving to an overlapping, but spaced apart position relative to said lock element, and during said second stage of movement, said lock member moving forwardly relative to said front plate and said lock element to shift said lock element into locking position with said catch.