US 5,846,097 A · Submersible connector system

Abstract

A connector system for use with ultrasound imaging probes is fully submersible in liquids and saturated steam at elevated temperatures and pressure, and is durable over many connect/disconnect cycles. The system includes a submersible connector (32) for terminating a probe assembly (26) and a receptacle assembly (74) for mating the submersible connector (32) with an ultrasound imaging system (10). The submersible connector (32) includes a printed wiring board (34) having plated contact pads (48) on one surface and microcoaxial cable terminations (54) on the opposite side. A molded housing (36) encloses the microcoaxial cable terminations (54) and is bonded to the printed wiring board (34). The edges of the printed wiring board (34) are used to align the submersible connector (32) within the receptacle assembly (74). The molded housing (36) is narrowed in one dimension to make available a portion of the printed wiring board (34) for clamping in a locked position. Blind vias (68, 72) are used to connect the contact pads (48) and cable termination pads (54) through the printed wiring board (34), to prevent corrosive fluids and steam from entering the region protected by the molded housing (36). A preferred embodiment of a receptacle assembly (74) for electrically and mechanically mating with the submersible connector (32) includes a manually operated self guiding mechanism for receiving the submersible connector (32), aligning it with mating contacts (98) and locking the connector (32) into a mated position. The receptacle assembly (74) is easily operated for quick connect and disconnect of a cable terminated with a submersible connector (32) by use of a handle (88) for rotating a cam (106) that actuates a movable slide (86).

Claims29

Dependent claims

A submersible connector for electrically connecting a transducer assembly to an ultrasound system console, the submersible connector comprising:

a printed wiring board having contact pads on one surface and cable termination pads on an opposed surface, blind vias electrically connecting predetermined contact pads to predetermined cable termination pads through the printed wiring board;
and
a housing enclosing the cable termination pads, the housing including an opening for a cable, the housing adapted for sealing with the cable,
whereby the connector is submersible in a liquid, in saturated steam, or simultaneously in a liquid and saturated steam, at elevated temperatures and pressure without intrusive degradation.

1 more element

A receptacle assembly for electrically and mechanically mating a submersible connector, of the type having a plurality of contact pads disposed on one surface of a printed wiring board, with an ultrasound imaging system, the receptacle assembly comprising:

a receptacle printed wiring board having receptacle contact pads disposed on one surface in a pattern for mating compatibly with corresponding contact pads of the submersible connector, the receptacle printed wiring board also having pads compatible for connection with the ultrasound imaging system, predetermined receptacle contact pads being electrically connected to predetermined system compatible pads;
a receiving assembly defining a receiving space, opening in a direction substantially parallel to said receptacle printed wiring board, for insertion of the submersible connector in an insertion direction and for aligning the contact pads of the received submersible connector in opposition to and spaced apart from the corresponding receptacle contact pads;
a contact nest assembly including a plurality of cantilevered spring contacts located between opposed contact pads;
and
means for effecting relative movement of the opposed contact pads in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction, bringing the opposed contact pads into contact with corresponding cantilevered spring contacts, and compressing the cantilevered spring contacts;
whereby a reliable electrical connection is established between the opposed contact pads.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Submersible connector system

Life of this patent

Submersible connector system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29