Apparatus for terminating and interconnecting rigid electrical cable and method

Apparatus for terminating a multiple conductor electrical cable having a cable end and having multiple cable elements each including a substantially rigid sheath element and a cable electrical conductor element disposed within the sheath element and an electrical insulation element within the sheath element for insulating the conductor element therefrom, said apparatus comprising

• A) insulation retaining means for assembly with each of plural cable elements at the cable end for blocking the extrusion of the cable insulation element from within the sheath element under a selected range of pressure and temperature conditions,
• B) securing means having a securing body having multiple substantially parallel axial through apertures, each adapted to receive therein the cable sheath element of one conductor element and having clamp means engageable with the cable sheath element in fluid scaling engagement and in mechanical axial load bearing engagement between said securing body and the cable sheath element for terminating with such sealing and mechanical engagements each of plural cable elements in a separate axial aperture, and
• (C) termination shell means for supportingly housing said retaining means and for attachment with said securing body and having an opening for receiving multiple removable and replaceable electrical contact elements for removable and replaceable electrical connection with a corresponding plurality of cable conductor elements disposed therein.

Apparatus for terminating an electrical cable having a cable end and having cable elements including a sheath element, a cable electrical conductor element disposed within the sheath element and an electrical insulation element within the sheath element for insulating the conductor element therefrom, said apparatus comprising

• A) body means having a tubular outer surface extending along an axis and configured for axially adjustable mounting attachment thereto and having an axial through passage therein.
• B) contact means removably and replaceably seated in said passage of said body means with a fitted seal therewith for sealing said through passage at one axial location, and having at least one electrical contact means disposed within said passage for connection to a cable conductor element and for removable and replaceable connection with a mating connection member.
• C) attachment means removably and replaceably attached to said body means and selective mechanical mounting engagement with the cable sheath element, and
• D) first scaling means for sealing a cable conductor element disposed within said passage of said body means from exposure to environmental fluid from other than at said one axial location.

Apparatus for terminating an electrical cable having a cable end and having cable elements including a sheath element, a cable electrical conductor element disposed within the sheath element and an electrical insulation element within the sheath element for insulating the conductor element therefrom, said apparatus comprising

• A) body means having a tubular outer surface extending along an axis and configured for axially adjustable mounting attachment thereto and having an axial through passage therein.
• B) contact means removably and replaceably seated in said passage of said body means with a fluid seal therewith for sealing said through passage at one axial location, and having at least one electrical contact means disposed within said passage for connection to a cable conductor element and for removable and replaceable connection with a mating connection member.
• (C) attachment means removably and replaceably attached to said body means and for selective mechanical clamping engagement with the cable sheath element, and
• D) mounting adapter means having an axially extending mounting passage therethrough for removably and replaceably telescopically receiving therein said body means with said tubular outer surface thereof adjustably axially located relative to said mounting adapter means.

A method for terminating an electrical cable having a cable end and having cable elements including a sheath element, plural cable electrical conductor elements disposed within the sheath element and an electrical insulation element within the sheath element and insulating each conductor element therefrom, said method comprising the steps of

• A) electrically connecting each cable electrical conductor element at the cable end with an electrical contact member,
• B) forming a flexible and electrically insulating sealing body over the connection of each cable electrical conductor element with an electrical contact,
• C) disposing the assembly of the sealing body and each electrical conductor element and electrical contact member connected thereto within an axial passage of a termination body for sealing each cable conductor element at the cable end from exposure to fluid external to said termination body, and
• D) mechanically securing the cable sheath element to said termination body.